Everyone's Buying a New Car on the Gold Coast. Here's How to Get the Smartest Deal.

With new car supply finally back to normal, Gold Coast residents are heading to the dealerships in record numbers. It's a great time to buy, with more choice and negotiating power than we've seen in years.

But in a busy market, it's easy to get caught up in the excitement and make a costly mistake—especially with your finance. Here's your guide to getting the smartest possible deal.

Rule #1: Separate the Car from the FinanceThe dealership wants to sell you one big package: the car, the finance, the insurance, the window tinting. Your job is to separate them. Your goal is to negotiate the price of the car and nothing else. The best way to do this is with the ultimate secret weapon...

Rule #2: Get Pre-Approved FirstThis is non-negotiable for a smart buyer. Before you even set foot in a car yard, you should have a car loan pre-approval from a broker. A pre-approval means you have a firm budget, and it effectively makes you a 'cash buyer'. When the dealer knows you have your own money sorted, the conversation shifts from "what can you afford per week?" to "what is your best price on this car?".

Rule #3: Look Beyond the Interest RateThe dealer might offer a flashy 1% interest rate, but read the fine print. This is often only possible if you pay the full recommended retail price for the car, with no negotiation. You might save a little on interest but lose thousands on the purchase price. A low-rate loan from a broker allows you to negotiate the car price hard.

Rule #4: Just Say No to the ExtrasThe dealership makes a huge amount of its profit on the extras they add to the finance contract. You are almost always better off sourcing your own insurance and other add-ons independently.

The message is simple: get your finance sorted with an expert broker first. It puts you in complete control and is the key to a truly great deal.

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