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Would you stick with your auto-insurance provider if you knew there might be a better one out there? 

These days we are spoiled for choice when it comes to insurance providers, and it's a lot easier to research their products and policies online, but changing providers can still be a bit daunting to anyone who has always stayed loyal to single insurer as we tend to in Tasmania. Today we will look at the nuances of migrating to a new insurance policy, perhaps one that suits your needs better, has more flexible options, or just saves you money!

A good insurance policy limits your damages and protects you from undue financial stress when something goes wrong with your car. The cost of the premium should be within your budget while providing the best cover for your vehicle.

So what do you do when you find a new policy or provider that you would like to switch to? It’s quite simple really. Some insurers will let you cancel your policy (if you give them proper notice) without a charge, while others will levy a cancellation fee in order to forfeit your policy. If you’re switching to a different policy offered by the same insurer, your cancellation fee may be waived depending on the company rules. You can sometimes avoid paying a cancellation fee if you cancel your policy during the ‘cooling off’ period. The cooling off period occurs just after you've purchased the policy, or when the policy is due for renewal.

If you decide to cancel your current policy, let your insurer know well in advance in order to make the transition a smooth experience. Cancelling your policy when it is up for renewal makes sense, as you will be able to avoid a cancellation fee, and the administrative process following your cancellation will be much simpler.

Most importantly, before you make the final switch make sure you read through the policies available to you. Read the fine print prior to signing up - make sure that you know exactly what you are getting into and what the insurer promises to provide in the case of a claim.

A good way to start looking at alternative insurance providers is to get a general overview of what other companies might charge you for insuring your car. This website might be helpful in getting an idea of what you can expect to pay from a range of car insurance providers.

Referral Competition: January winners!

We’d like to congratulate Trent Hasson and Aimee Hasson, who each won $100 in January’s referral competition!

If you’d like to win next month's cash, all you need to do is refer a friend to Cooper Automotive and you'll both go into the draw to win $100 each!

For more info on how you and a friend can each win $100 cash in our monthly referral draw, visit http://www.cooperautomotive.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/win-100-cash-for-you-and-friend.html

Class of 2013

This year the Australian market will welcome a broad range of new arrivals, from SUVs to small cars to high-performance vehicles. Last year it was all about mileage and economy - but 2013 has kicked off with car makers focusing more on style and performance.

Here are some of the cars that we think will get drivers excited when they hit the Australian market this year! 

Aston Martin Vanquish

The new Aston Martin Vanquish is a beautifully designed car with amazing specs; a 6.0 litre V12 engine that produces 421kW at 6750rpm and 620Nm of torque at 5500rpm. The transmission system is a six-speed Touchtronic 2 sequential transmission, and the Vanquish's 0-100km/h time is listed at 4.1 seconds. Now that's power!

Ferrari F12 Berlinetta

The Ferrari F12 Berlinetta is one of the fastest cars available on the Australian car markets. As a seven-speed paddle-shifted automatic, Ferrari promises a 0-100km/h time of 3.1 seconds and 0-200 km/h in 8.5 seconds. It also includes some of the most modern features available in high performance cars like the magnetorheological suspension control system, an electronically-controlled differential, ESP Premium, F1-Trac, ABS and carbon-ceramic brakes. 

Ford Fiesta ST 

The Ford Fiesta ST is a Fiesta with a major facelift- it looks sharper, and far more attractive. Being an environment friendly car, it is estimated that its carbon dioxide output will be improved by 20 percent over the old 110kW model. It will sport a 130kW EcoBoost 1.6 litre turbo engine that can achieve great speeds while front wheels handle a torque of 240Nm along the way. The Fiesta ST is 15mm lower than the older one and features a trick Torque Vectoring system along with three electronic stability modes. It is available in six speed manual transmission. 

Tips for Buying a Used Car

Buying a used car is a great option if you're shopping within a limited budget. However, a used car will usually need a rigorous background check to ensure that you get a good deal. 

It's usually a good idea to look for a late-model vehicle that has not clocked up many kilometres. There is a good chance that, in addition to being in better condition, it will also still be covered under the manufacturer's warranty. Later models are generally better as the rate of depreciation is slower, making it even cheaper than a comparable brand new car while offering similar features.

Recent models will generally qualify for an extended warranty program, which protects you in the case that something goes wrong. It's usually advisable to purchase a used car from a dealer, as they often have the best used cars on the market - dealerships will often shift cars with huge mileage or other major problems to road side lots or smaller outlets that specialise in budget cars. 

In order to get the best deal, compare a few models and their prices at different dealers. This not only gives you an idea of the prevailing price in the market, but also provides you with options in case you find something better than you were originally looking for within your budget. 

Another factor that you need to consider is potential maintenance costs that might be in addition to the purchase price. Is the vehicle due for a major - and potentially expensive - service? How long until the brakes need fixing? Does it have overdue mechanical repairs? Has it had major body repairs which have been poorly done?

Just how good a car is it?

If you are not sure, remember that Cooper Automotive offers pre-purchase inspections.

We can carry out a thorough vehicle inspection accompanied with a full written report prior to you buying, which could potentially save you thousands of dollars down the track. One of the best tips you'll ever get for buying a used car is this: talk to an expert before you buy!

The Lexus IS F

The Lexus IS F is a high performance V8 that delivers comfort and refinement on city streets - but can also take on racing circuits!

Not only is the engineering superb, the interior design also exceeds all expectations. The cabin is designed with dark silver carbon fibre finishes, aluminium pedals and sculpted bucket front seats. It boasts 8-way powered sports seating and the memory function allows you to recall your preferred seating position. Exterior mirror and steering column positions can also be adjusted at the touch of a button. Those who like a little luxury during our cold Hobart winters will definitely appreciate the heated front seats!

Here is quick list of all the awesome features of the Lexus IS F:

• A 5.0 litre V8 engine 
• The world's first sequential eight speed automatic transmission 
• Packed with 311kW of raw power at 6,600rpm and 505Nm of torque at 5,200rpm 
• Best-of-breed race-tuned suspension and BremboTM brakes, with gear changes in 0.1 seconds 
• Quadruple exhaust pipes that make the IS F sounds unlike any other vehicle on the streets!
• The L finesse generates impressive aerodynamics to deliver a low 0.30 drag coefficient and a quiet cabin 
• For stability at high speeds, the underbody includes a fibreglass reinforced engine undercover providing additional stability at high speeds 
• Massive air intakes help cool the V8 engine, while radiator grill and side air grills quickly extract heat and cool the engine and brakes
• 19 inch forged alloy wheels that help draw air across the brakes to aid cooling; light and incredibly strong, the front wheels are eight inches wide while the rear are nine inches wide 
• Intelligent front and rear lighting. Daytime Running Lights make the vehicle more visible to other drivers and pedestrians and the powerful ‘High-Intensity Discharge’ headlamps give greater night vision
• Power-operated moonroof for extra ventilation and open air cruising 
• A hands-free Smart Key Card allows you to unlock and lock doors and start the engine at the touch of a button - without removing the card from your pocket or bag 
• Exterior mirrors feature a sleek, aerodynamic look which reduces wind noise, moreover these Electro-Chromatic mirrors that automatically dim on excessive light detection

The Lexus IS F is a perfect buy for those who want the privilege of owning a sports car that can be used on city roads. This car packs a solid punch!

The Holden Story

The very first all-Australian car was a Holden that went on sale in 1948.

Before World War II, Holden assembled cars for General Motors and Chrysler. But after the war was over, the Australian government considered it vital to build home industries to support the soldiers coming home (they would need good jobs to support themselves and their families) and to strengthen its economic and political status.

Consequently, it chose to support Holden in manufacturing an all Australian-made motor car. The design of the first Holden was based on a General Motors prototype that was modified to suit the Australian environment, and in 1948 the first Australian made car, the Holden 48-215 (later referred to as the FX Holden), hit the streets of Melbourne. Although it was a pretty basic machine even for that era, the FX Holden was a well-loved car in Australia and long waiting lists stretched into 1949 and beyond. 

The FX Holden was big and robust - spacious enough to fit a large family - and heavy-duty as well, with it's steel frame designed to handle tough conditions. It also managed to deliver 48 kilometres for about 3 litres of petrol without sacrificing performance. 

Owning an Aussie car in the 1950's was a matter of great pride, resonating with the patriotic feelings of the time. To this day, Holden occupies a special place in the hearts of many Australians.

Holden continues to manufacture motor vehicles in Australia as a subsidiary of General Motors, and still exports vehicles and engines to other countries. Among other models, it produces the popular Commodore that was first introduced to the market in 1978. The Holden Commodore is still one of the most loved cars in Australia and has been continually updated to meet the demands of modern consumers.  

The new Audi Q5!

The freshly made-over Audi Q5 has arrived!

With a mission to protect Audi's medium prestige SUV/crossover market share from the BMW X3, Range Rover Evoque and Volvo XC60, the Audi Q5, a slick mid-size SUV, comes with: 

• Two all-new engines 
• Eight-speed auto availability 
• Big efficiency improvements 
• The latest driver-assistance and multimedia technology 
• Improved ride quality – softer springs, firmer dampers and new anti-roll bars

The change begins with a new engine for the range-topping petrol model; the 3.2 FSI has been replaced with a new twin-charged (supercharged and turbocharged) 3.0-litre V6.

Audi claims the new Q5 3/0 TFSI delivers 200kW/400Nm, accelerates from zero to 100km/h in 5.9 seconds and returns combined cycle fuel consumption of 8.5l/100kms. The petrol versions also boast Audi’s outstanding eight-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission.

Audi Q5’s diesel star, the 3.0 TDI, delivers 180kW/580Nm, cutting the consumption by 15 percent to 6.4l/100kms. The 130kW/380Nm 2.0 TDI delivers fuel consumption of 6.1l/100kms. A switch to electromechanical power steering is an added feature.

In short, we can say that the Audi Q5 delivers a little more of everything: value, efficiency, performance, safety, driver-assistance and the latest multimedia tech.

It’s no wonder the Q5 has become Audi’s strongest performer in the mid-sized premium SUV class world-wide. The styling is smart and purposeful, the interior has been fashioned to the highest standards, there is plenty of space to move around and even the rear seats slide and re-configure for more practicality.