Buying a car in Oz
 

We're a family of 4 and we're heading to oz for a house swap in 2004. we'd like to purchase an inexpensive vehicle so we can travel around. would the best place to look be hostel notice boards? anyone have any good/bad experiences in doing this? anyone know about used car prices in oz?
thanks in advance

You can check used car prices by doing a search on:

www.redbook.com.au

This will give you a good comparison check with the vendors price to make sure you are not paying too much.

I am dubious about backpacker notice board vehicles, many have been used and abused and could cost you more in repairs than if you were to get a reasonable used car from a dealer plus with a dealer you do get a 3 month warranty which could be in your favour.

Otherwise check the trading post for used vehicles:

www.tradingpost.com.au

Cheers

Paul_S

There are wholesale car auction rooms in most large cities where you can bid for a car and get it at the price that you would if you were a dealer ( also a good way to get rid of one after your time here)
If you are with a motoring association i.e like AA in the UK you would probably get affiliation here OR you could join and then check out the auction rooms and get them, at a fee, to check a car out for you before you bid on it.
My daughter bought a car at an auction only a couple of months ago and its been a terrific buy and a fantastic price too.
Pity though you didn't get a house swap with a car!!

thanks for the comments...has anyone heard of or used www.travellers-autobarn.com.au to purchase a vehicle? it almost sounds too good to be true!!
thanks

You will get relevant comments on this issue at the australian section
thorn tree message bord at
www.lonelyplanet.com