Making your ‘First car’ budget stretch

Posted on March 28, 2013 by Bartons Hyundai

Buying your first car is an exhilarating experience. It’s also a purchase that requires proper planning, savings and responsibility. Saving for a car takes time, so you have to be disciplined. But before you start saving, you need to plan what kind of car you are going to get, how much you want to spend and when you want to buy the car by.

Buying a car can be expensive, so planning and saving will be crucial. However, there are a few ways to make that car budget of yours stretch. Here are a few tips to help you get more for your money:

Used Cars

Used cars are cheaper than brand new cars. So, this is where you should start looking first. You can get some great deals on second hand cars. In fact, you can save thousands of dollars, which will allow you to potentially get a better car than you were originally hoping for. Just make sure the used car comes with the right documents showing their upkeep, mileage, any previous accidents and other related items.

Demo Cars

Demo cars are also a great option for saving money. These are the cars that the dealership use for test drives, so they do have some mileage on them. They are not completely brand new, but are newer than the used car option and will often be looked after better.

Extra Fees

Just about all cars come with extra fees, which can include things like stamp duty, insurance and various inspections. Make sure you leave some room in your budget to pay for these fees. Also, make sure you ask ahead of time what the fees are.

Practicality

When buying your first car, it’s best to get a vehicle that’s practical. If you have to drive a long way every day, make sure you get a car that has great fuel efficiency. If you live in an area with rough terrain, then get a vehicle that can handle driving on tough ground. Think of what you need, rather than just what you want.

Living Expenses

If you are unable to pay for the car upfront, then you will have to get a loan. This means you will have monthly payments. So it’s a good idea to figure out how much you can afford to pay per month. Figure this out based on the maximum amount of expenses you have, not on what you may think you can cut out. That way when you have months where other living expenses are lower than expected, then you can afford to pay more on your car loan.

Dealer

Make sure you buy from a reputable dealer. Bartons Hyundai not only has a solid reputation, but they also offer award winning services, amazing cars and will strive to make your first car buying experience smooth, satisfying and memorable.

Bartons Vehicle Maintenance Service

Posted on March 28, 2013 by Bartons Hyundai

Regular maintenance of your Hyundai vehicle is a very smart investment, which could save you hundreds in repairs in the future. Maintaining your car will also ensure a smooth drive, lowering fuel consumption. Here are a few things to consider when maintaining your vehicle:

Tyres

No matter what type of tyres you use, having the right air pressure can be economically beneficial where your tyres will last longer before having to buy a replacement. It can also increase your gas mileage and enhances your driving efficiency, which can drastically decrease the vehicle’s fuel consumption. Not having the right air pressure will not only decrease the tyre’s life span, it can dangerously affect your driving to the point where you put yourself and your passengers at risk.

You can check your air pressure when you visit almost any petrol station. Within the station, you can maintain the recommended air pressure with their air pumps.

Oil

The quality of your car oil determines the performance of its engine and its life span. Oil functions by reducing the friction within an engine as well as maintaining its temperature while the car is running. Over time, the engine oil will start degrading as it collects small dust and debris. As the engine oil degrades, its ability to reduce friction and maintain the temperature of the engine will decrease.

It is recommended to check your oil regularly before driving to make sure it is clean. You can check your oil by finding the “dipstick” on the engine. Make sure you are parked on a levelled area before checking your oil. Pull out the “dipstick” and use a piece of cloth or a paper towel to wipe the oil off. Immediately put the dipstick back into the engine, pull it out and wipe the oil off again. The “dipstick” can show you the oil level of the car if you need to add more oil to the engine. Golden brown coloured oil means the oil is still fresh while a darkish brown colour means the oil has become dirtier and needs to be replaced with new car oil.

Brakes

The brakes of your car are the most important part of your vehicle to maintain regularly. Even if your car is able to run without any problems, a faulty braking mechanism can endanger your life as well as your passengers. Just like the engine oil, you need to check your brake fluid daily to see if it is at an optimum level or if it isn’t fully deteriorated. A clean brake fluid will ensure your braking mechanism will function effectively.

If you need regular maintenance of your Hyundai vehicle, Barton’s Hyundai will be able to make sure your car runs smoothly. Visit their website for more information.

New Hyundai Elantra: Drive with Style

Posted on March 14, 2013 by Bartons Hyundai

It can be an intimidating endeavour to find a car to suit your lifestyle. Buying a car to add fashion to your lifestyle can be an intimidating endeavour. Fortunately, the North American Car of the Year for 2012 Hyundai Elantra could be the perfect choice no matter if you are single, married or have children.

The Car of the Year
The Hyundai Elantra is packed with modern features for a comfortable and safe driving experience. The compact vehicle is aesthetically pleasing, satisfying your design needs without compromising the overall experience. Some of the key characteristics of the Elantra include:

Stylish exteriors – Most compact cars today sacrifice the design in order to accommodate other characteristics, but not with Elantra. The vehicle features the Fluidic Sculpture, Hyundia’s design concept which incorporates the nature’s movement and form to create an illusion of motion. The style is not only beautiful eyes, but also energy efficient as it is lighter and has better aerodynamics than many of its competitors.
Comfortable interiors – The interior is also as stylish the Elantra’s exterior. The vehicle features a slick dashboard complete with amazing modern add-ons. The upholstery for the seats is also stylish and comfortable to sit on. As a matter of fact, the front and rear seats have heating capabilities to keep you warm during a cold winter drive. Integrated buttons at the steering wheel and audio system with iPod connection capabilities are also beautifully installed.
Safe driving – Driving an Elantra can keep your mind at ease as this car is equipped with safety features such as Vehicle Stability Management System, Electronic Stability Control, Anti-lock Braking System and Brake Assist. There also six airbags to protect passengers from accidents. For additional safety measures, Hyundai installed impact beams inside the sides of the doors to absorb impact, reducing the possibility of crash fatalities. The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) chose Elantra, along with other Hyundai models, as 2012 Top Safety Pick.
Save petrol – Another amazing feature of the Elantra is its ability to perform efficiently without draining the fuel tank. This is due to its 6-speed automatic transmission and 1.8 litre engine.

While some individuals would purchase a car to get from point A to point B, others see the vehicle’s design as equally important to the overall performance. Fortunately, the aesthetically pleasing and high performing Hyundai Elantra can satisfy your needs. For a trusted Brisbane car dealer, call Bartons Hyundai on(07) 3077 9435.