What you need to know about Buying a Car for your Teenager

Not so long ago, your child was just a toddler, reaching out their pudgy little hand for you to hold as they crossed the road. It seems that no time at all has gone by and now they’re suddenly old enough to not only cross the road by themselves, but to actually drive a car!

Our parental instincts stay with us regardless of the age of our children so when it comes to your teenager’s first car, it’s no wonder that safety is at the top of the list of priorities. If you’re buying a car for your child, here are the top considerations to ensure you make the right choice:

• What will the car be used for? Sounds like a silly question, but will they be driving younger siblings around? If so, consider suitability for car seats and for youngsters to safely get in and out of the car.

• Brand new or second hand? Cost will probably come into the equation for this one, but take into consideration the cost of any repairs on an older vehicle that may outweigh the upfront cost of having a new car warranty.

• Not all new cars are created equal! Be sure to research and compare safety ratings and features of new vehicles. Look closely at items such as airbags, brake systems, crash test results, reversing camera, electronic stability control.

• If buying a second hand car, have a professional mechanic do a pre-purchase inspection. Although it’s not a guarantee that the car is in perfect condition, it will point out any weaknesses that need to be addressed and give you a realistic view of the condition of the car.  You can come and see us at any of our service centres for a pre-purchase inspection.

• Once you’re happy with the car you’d like to purchase, make sure it is clear who is responsible for the upkeep. Who will pay for petrol, insurance, repairs, service and general maintenance?

In their eagerness to get on the road (and look cool), your teenager may be pushing for a little red vintage convertible, but when push comes to shove, you can always pull out the ‘parent card’ and remind them just who is paying for it. J

Hyundai Unveils Stylish HND-9 Concept

South Korean auto giant Hyundai is making concerted efforts to dramatically change its products designs.

The Hyundai HCD-14 made its debut at this year’s Detroit Auto Show, catching everyone’s attention with its curves and elegance ­- which signalled a dramatic change in design by Hyundai.

Hyundai today unveiled a new stylish and sexy HND-9 Sports Coupe Concept, with official images revealed at the ongoing 2013 Seoul Auto Show. The design really caught our attention because of its unique and sporty look. The HND-9 features large butterfly doors; scenic front-and-rear ends views.

The interior design is based on three guiding concepts: elegance, high-tech interface and the abstract sounding 'spiral sculpture',. The aim, unsurprisingly, is better performance and increase in interaction. 

“Representing an evolution of Hyundai’s ‘Fluidic Sculpture’ design philosophy, the rear-wheel drive sports coupe concept balances high performance with a sophisticated image,” said Suk-Geun Oh, head of Hyundai’s Design Center in Namyang, Korea. 

Check out the body-design and engine specifications of the Hyundai HCD-9 Sports Coupe Concept below:

• Stretched 2,860mm wheelbase 
• Overall length of 4,695mm 
• Width of 1,890mm 
• Height of 1,340mm 
• Rear-wheel drive 
• Front engine 
• 3.3-liter turbocharged engine with 8-speed automatic transmission 
• 365 horsepower engine 

“Based on the spiral sculpture concept – derived from Hyundai’s Fluidic Sculpture design philosophy – dynamic and distinctive spiral-shaped metal lines frame the entire interior in a speedy and rhythmical way, creating a unique layout.”

“The seats are made of sporty yet luxurious mesh fabric, and project different colours when viewed from different angles. The driver-oriented, high-tech interface is modelled on an airplane cockpit, offering both improved functionality and aesthetics, optimized for dynamic driving,” Suk-Geun Oh added. 

Respect your car: use quality parts and products

How can you be sure that your service repairer is using quality parts when they service and repair your car? 

When it comes to your car's maintenance it’s very important, for both the longevity and value of your car, to  use only quality brands and genuine parts - not cheap, generic products.

Take engine oils, for example. There are a lot of companies selling engine oil, but to make sure your engine is getting the protection it deserves you're always better off sticking with the well known brands like Castrol or Valvoline. At Cooper Automotive we prefer Valvoline engine oil, and most of the time we use a specification that is better than the manufacturer recommends to make sure your car is getting the best protection possible.

Another important example is your repairer's choice of brake pads. There are a whole heap of cheaper brake pads out there that some mechanics will put on your car - but we refuse to use them. The safety of you and your family is our first concern, so we only use Bendix brake pads which are the best quality brake pads on the market. 

Most people won't know too much about which brands are good or bad for their car. The best thing you can do to guarantee the quality of the parts in your car  is to choose a service provider that you can trust and who guarantees their workmanship. If they are guaranteeing their workmanship you can bet they are using quality products.

It goes without saying that at Cooper Automotive we only use the best quality parts and spares - becuse we care about your car!

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 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. 

Australia's Best Car Awards 2012 - Part 2

Today we’re looking at the winners of the over $50,000 categories in Australia's Best Car Awards 2012.

Following a rigorous testing and analysis process, the winners in each category have been announced on australiasbestcars.com.au by the Australian Automobile Association.

BMW 320i - Best Medium Car Over $50,000
The BMW 320i boasts exquisite design and handling features that make it an absolute pleasure to drive. Powered by a 2.0 litre, 4 cylinder turbo engine with an 8 speed automatic transmission, the 320i gives a mileage of 6.0L/100km. It faced some tough competition from the Volkswagen CC 125 TDI and Mercedes-Benz C250 CDI, however the BMW outclassed them because of its spacious interior, power, improved ride and greater fuel efficiency.

Ford Falcon G6EcoBoost - Best Large Car Under $60,000
The Ford Falcon G6EcoBoost silenced its rivals - the Toyota Aurion AT-X and Peugeot 508 Allure HDi - with a satisfying driving experience backed by a powerful engine. The EcoBoost has a 2.0 litre 4 cylinder engine with a six speed automatic transmission system that yields 8.5L/100km. It retails for $40,835.

Lexus GS350 F Sport - Best Large Car Over $60,000
The Lexus GS350 F Sport has an amazing spec sheet with a 3.5 litre,V6 cylinder engine and a 6 speed automatic transmission system. A true powerhouse, it yields a mileage of 9.7L/100km. The finalists in this category included the BMW 520i and Audi A6 3.0 TDI Quattro, both of which lost out because of the GS350’s spacious interior and superior handling.

Kia Sportage SLi AWD - Best SUV Under $40,000
Kia has once again won the under $40,000 SUV category. The Sportage SLi AWD has a 2.4 litre, 4 cylinder engine, with a 6-speed automatic transmission system. It has a mileage of 9.2 L/100km - remarkable for an SUV. The contenders for this category included the Volkswagen Tiguan 103 TDi and 

Mazda CX-5 Maxx Sport 2WD. 

Land Rover Discovery 4 SDV6 SE - Best All Terrain Four Wheel Drive
The Land Rover Discovery 4 SDV6 SE is a clear winner in the All-Terrain Four Wheel Drive category. With a 3.0 litre V6 diesel engine, and a 6 speed automatic transmission it makes for one of the most powerful four wheel drives available in the country. It yields an average of 9.3L/100km, which is decent considering its size and power. The contenders for this category were the Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo CRD and Toyota Prado GXL.

Don't pay too much for new car servicing!

Introducing the 2012 Mazda6

The year ahead is going to be filled with an exciting crop of new cars as the Australian market awaits the launch of several flagship vehicles. But today, we’re looking at the Mazda6 GT that is set to hit dealers before the end of 2012.

The Mazda6 GT is one of the most anticipated vehicles of the year. Equipped with Mazda’s new i-ELOOP brake energy regeneration system, it hopes to outclass it’s market rivals - the Honda Accord Euro and theToyota Camry.

The Mazda6 GT has some amazing specs and is available in two variants, petrol and diesel. The petrol version houses the SKYACTIV-G 2.5 litre engine which yields 138kW/ 250Nm, a ten per cent increase over the existing Mazda6 series. The diesel version houses the SKYACTIV-D 2.2 litre turbo-diesel engine that yields a performance of 129kW/420Nm, similar to the previous CX-5 models.

The Mazda6 GT has been hyped as the most advanced Mazda model, with a range of features aimed at improving performance efficiency, including the new Ii-ELOOP brake energy system and the iStop engine stop-start system.

The i-ELOOP brake energy system essentially stores and recycles electricity produced as a result of deceleration and braking. The iStop engine stop-start system automatically switches off the engine when the car is still, and restarts it on a gentle tap of the accelerator pedal. These two technologies contribute greatly towards enhancing the efficiency of the Mazda6 and will set some high standards for other upcoming releases in this class.

According to Mazda, both the petrol auto and diesel manual accelerate to 100kmph within 7.8 seconds. The diesel auto version that will arrive in Australia will take about 8.4 seconds to achieve the same speed.

The Mazda6 will be available from dealerships from early December.

New Car Dealership servicing

Buying a new car is exciting, but in the heat of the moment it can be easy to miss some important information. 

Your dealer may not have mentioned it, but did you know that you have options when it comes to getting your new car serviced?

Some buyers worry that they will have to pay for expensive dealership servicing to maintain their new car's manufacturers warranty.

But the truth is this: you DON'T need to rely on dealership servicing!

Here are the facts about your manufacturer's new car warranty:

• It's your car, so YOU can choose where you have it serviced
• A Cooper Automotive service will NOT void your manufacturers statutory warranty
• Cooper Automotive strictly follows the manufacturers instructions and recommendations when servicing YOUR vehicle
• Cooper Automotive only use genuine and high quality direct fit service parts
• Cooper Automotive will give your handbook the stamp of approval

So to keep your new car's warranty intact, all you need to do is bring the car in for a service by it's service due date, or before it reaches it's nominated amount of kilometers - whichever comes first. It's that easy!

Consider your options - and don't pay more than you need to!

Dealing with depreciation

The depressing thing about buying a new car is depreciation. We all know that the moment a new car is driven out of a dealer’s yard it begins to drop in value.

Unless you somehow pick a future classic, the chances are that your car will keep depreciating until it is worth next to nothing. Although cars depreciate at different rates, the general rule-of-thumb is that in the first 3 years your car will depreciate around 13-15%.  After that time the depreciation slows to around 6-9%.

But there are a few simple ways to reduce your depreciation costs right from the word go.

The most obvious is to buy a second hand car, since it will lose value at a slower rate than a new car. Look for a second hand car with its warranty still valid and you'll be off to a good start.

Buying older or run-out models, demo models or leftover stock at end of year sales can get you a nice discount - even though it won't stop the depreciation, it will bring the starting value down so that the depreciation cost is not as high.

It's definitely worth remembering that some cars hold their value better than others. Look for a quality model from a respected brand - cars with good reputations have generally earned them. Cars that are known for being reliable and well-manufactured tend to depreciate at a lower rate.

Don't discount the effects of depreciation - it's your hard earned money, so spend it wisely!

Great Wall and Chery cars recalled due to asbestos!

Ateco Automotive have recalled almost 25,000 Australian-delivered Great Wall and Chery vehicles, after the discovery of the deadly substance asbestos in the engine and exhaust systems.
Ateco today claimed that handling or removing the asbestos affected components "constitutes a very low health risk". They admit that asbestos was used in the production of models from both brands.

Owners will rightly be wondering how such a situation could have arisen, and how the use of components that contain even the smallest traces of asbestos has slipped through to the Australian market.

The asbestos was discovered during routine spare parts tests by Customs and Border Protection officers a few months ago.

The ACCC is monitoring the recall, which will remove the asbestos components from affected models.

The affected Great Wall models include 21,500 utes and SUVs. The affected Chery models include 1700 J11 SUVs and 550 J3 light cars.

Great Wall X240

Recently delivered cars and the existing Chery J1 are free of asbestos and not included in the recall, according to the ACCC.

"We'll be writing to all owners very soon to explain the situation for their specific vehicle," said Ateco Automotive's Daniel Cotterill. "Included in that information will be a risk assessment done by an independent occupational health and safety consultant that outlines the risk to drivers and passengers from the asbestos in these gaskets as being negligible."

The report also notes that the danger to mechanics removing and replacing the components is minimal “even if [the work is] carried out in an uncontrolled way".

This is a terrible situation for the owners of these cars and the mechanics who have worked on them and it raises a lot of questions - particularly about the conditions of the factories where the cars were built and the health of the factory workers who handled these components.

Owners of affected Great Wall and Chery vehicles will be asked to return the vehicle to their dealership via a letter that they should receive this week.

Online sellout of Subaru sports car in 3 hours changes dealer dynamic

Subaru in Australia has pioneered an internet-only sales process for its latest release BRZ sports car - which sold out in just three hours!

Media reports indicate that the car was sold online because the company was only allocated 201 cars for the Australian market, of which 50 had been bought by dealerships as demonstrator models, and therefore decided to sell the remainder online.

The online sales strategy may be cause for concern among Subaru’s 105 Australian dealers, who invest substantial amounts to establish and operate their dealerships. However Subaru claims it has used the online approach on this occasion so that customers could buy the sought-after BRZ, and then collect it from their nearest dealer, rather than have dealers competing for an allocation of the cars.