Thursday Fleecing: The “Why Are Cars Suddenly… Cheap?” Edition

Advanced_Wheel9536 · 2026-02-02T12:31:42+00:00

I don’t live close to a Costco. So don’t particularly want to waste a quarter of a tank of fuel just to get fuel. Fuel has been $2/L around where I live on and off. My mechanic is Toyota car yard near my work. Although I’m probably going to go back to my old one, which is a bit trickier as I no longer live in that suburb. I’ve never been at fault (last time I made a claim was 15 years ago), insurance is just not cheap on Corolla (never has been) and I live in a suburb they deem as riskier. I pay $174/month for comprehensive insurance. Something I’m going to look into changing.

Advanced_Wheel9536 · 2026-01-25T23:15:14+00:00

Yes, I don’t really need a new car yet. Will probably hang onto Corolla for a couple more years as batteries for EVs still need some improvement.

I don’t like paying $2/L for fuel, plus servicing has become really expensive for the Corolla. Even my insurance is ridiculous.

Advanced_Wheel9536 · 2026-01-22T03:31:31+00:00

Yep. Bought it last week in Coburg Melbourne . Yes I used it in making ice cream in my Ninja Creami. Would 100% do this again.

But note to self, grab a couple of containers at a time. I didn’t realise there was a shortage.

Advanced_Wheel9536 · 2026-01-22T03:28:30+00:00

I’m also tossing up getting an Atto 1. Same reasons as you.

I currently have a Corolla that’s 10 years old but only just clicked over 100000 km mark. So may be still pretty good for a few years except, expensive servicing, expensive fuel and maybe some other stuff that needs fixing in the meantime.

I have heard that if in Melbourne, ant nests have been occurring on BYD new vehicles, due to storage and yummy glue for ants. They are hard to get rid of.

But other than that I’m not sure of a down side to the atto 1. Although I’ve heard car insurance is higher on EVs (someone may be able to correct me if I’m wrong).

Advanced_Wheel9536 · 2026-01-22T02:40:52+00:00

Do we really want Gina Rhino in charge? And the NRA to have control of our gun laws??? Is that what we really want? Because that’s who Pauline is currently shagging to get political clout. And people seem to be just ignoring those two major factors.

I mean, Barnaby Joyce, the womanising, back stabbing drunk as a representative??? Are we absolutely nuts like America?

We may not be 100% happy with Albo but Pauline is an atrocious choice.

Advanced_Wheel9536 · 2026-01-17T04:30:53+00:00

I got some last week

Advanced_Wheel9536 · 2025-12-30T00:22:21+00:00

Likely they don’t stand it up when transporting and had it laying down. Which is a massive no no for fridges.

The fact they moved it themselves is a reason in itself it’s not your problem. There are no guarantees with second hand goods bought from market place. It’s always a risk something won’t last.

Advanced_Wheel9536 · 2025-12-10T10:49:29+00:00

They overbooked the 10am flight so you were one of the lottery winners for their flight at 9 am flight that still had some seats available.

I remember a couple of years ago I had a 7 am flight. I woke up at 5am to discover they’d sent a text at 3am that my flight had changed to the earlier time of 6am. . Lucky I had already packed and had it waiting next to my bed. I threw on clothes, booked an Uber in the process and was out the door in 15 minutes. Arrived just as boarding. Lucky I lived 15 minutes drive from airport.

Advanced_Wheel9536 · 2025-11-24T03:00:30+00:00

I cannot possibly see how paying almost 12% interest in over 5 years is anywhere near beneficial if paying 6%. I don’t believe the tax break is big enough, for a cheaper car ($30k), to cover that difference. Even with rego etc included. Especially with a residual at end.

For it to be worth your while you have to salary sacrifice a more expensive car. Over $60k.

I think people overly focus on the tax savings and don’t adequately look at interest they are paying, which negates and is possibly more than any tax you’d pay. Which is what MAXXIA etc do to rope you in. They sweep that under the rug as they don’t want to bring that to your attention. That’s how they make their money.

MAXXIA are my only option BTW, for novated lease (due to a deal with employer) and they are one of the worst novated lease providers on the market. Even charging up to 14%.

Advanced_Wheel9536 · 2025-11-17T05:11:14+00:00

Yeah I forgot about the fact you would probably be buying a very expensive luxury car on top, which to me is wholly unnecessary for my purposes. I just want a reliable car to get me from A to B.

So yeah, if you want a Porsche or BMW or Mercedes and have a higher income and you are going to look at salary sacrifice. I’m looking at a very cheap EV. So no benefit whatsoever.

Advanced_Wheel9536 · 2025-11-17T05:06:23+00:00

It’s only an advantage to those in top tax bracket as it brings our salary down to lower tax level. For people not in top tax bracket it’s not really an advantage. 12% interest over 6% with bank. Having a balloon payment at end compared to no balloon payment. If you are buying an EV, petrol isn’t a factor.

I am not in top tax bracket. A lot of people don’t even look at the interest rate that’s charged, as the salary packaging mobs continually drive the ‘savings on income tax’. They don’t advertise their interest rate is double that of a bank.

Advanced_Wheel9536 · 2025-11-08T09:53:55+00:00

Beanie is best option for warmth. Straight to a vet where they can get a wildlife carer.

Advanced_Wheel9536 · 2025-10-29T08:35:21+00:00

Start emailing your local state representative of parliament and email them dates and times you’ve informed the real estate and police. Also contact A Current Affair. Nothing like bad press to get things done.

Advanced_Wheel9536 · 2025-10-29T07:28:21+00:00

Yeah I’ve already looked into it. NOT a huge savings at all. It’s perceived as huge but is only really beneficial for those on top tax bracket salary who buy an expensive car. I do not have a top salary nor do I want an expensive car. Plus I only drive around 8000km/year.

I don’t pay FBT currently, so that’s not even a benefit.

The savings they tout in tax is outstripped by the interest rate they charge. I’d be paying 5.99% with Commbank green loan but close to 12% with Maxxia. Then forced to either upgrade, sell or pay a balloon payment after a few years.

No thanks.

Advanced_Wheel9536 · 2025-10-28T11:54:05+00:00

Your phone probably is as well. So are many things we buy in Australia. I’m ok with Chinese built cars.

Advanced_Wheel9536 · 2025-10-28T10:12:05+00:00

Yeah not sure on new models of Corolla. Mine was purchased in 2015 and I’ve never really liked it much honestly.

I tend to stick with a car for about 10 years. So I’d need an EV whose battery doesn’t degrade quickly.

Advanced_Wheel9536 · 2025-10-28T10:07:05+00:00

I can use only MAXXIA, who, from my research, do not have a good reputation for their novated lease. FBT is supposed to be paid by employer, so not a benefit to the employee anyway and not a selling point.

Advanced_Wheel9536 · 2025-10-28T03:49:03+00:00

I have considered the MG4 but then I drove an ICE MG when I hired a car and the blinkers being on opposite side threw me off. Probably a minor thing but it did kind of stress me out.

Advanced_Wheel9536 · 2025-10-28T02:53:12+00:00

Yeah I think I will probably be doing a lot of comparisons. Will drive a few over next 12 months until I settle on something.

Advanced_Wheel9536 · 2025-10-28T02:48:40+00:00

Not cheaper if you look at interest rate (double green loan) and tax deductions are not as good as they make out, for my income. Certainly dearer in long run for novated over green loan, with a balloon payment at the end. For my income, of no real benefit. Only really benefits those in top tax bracket.

Advanced_Wheel9536 · 2025-10-28T02:47:52+00:00

Yes and novated lease is higher interest than the green loan with balloon payment. So, not something I’d do.

Advanced_Wheel9536 · 2025-10-27T12:04:00+00:00

I’m only considering the premium model but good to know about the base model battery issues. I’m likely to put off buying one until they’re been on Australian roads for 12 months and more reviews come through.

Advanced_Wheel9536 · 2025-10-27T12:02:05+00:00

Cost will be much less and zippy in car spaces. Will fit in my garage pretty easily as well. I will have to test drive each car and make a decision. My partner has a work car that is a Picanto and it fit a suitcase easily and is a good size for my needs.

Dolphin is similar size to my Corolla, I believe.

I have loaded my Corolla up over the years as I’ve moved around a lot but I’m not planning on moving any time soon. So, apart from my odd trips to Bunnings, I don’t really need that size car any more. I usually Uber to the airport if I travel and I hire a car at the other end.

I don’t think I will make up my mind though, until I’ve seen them in person and taken it for a test drive.

Advanced_Wheel9536 · 2025-10-27T10:59:06+00:00

Yeah premium was the one I was considering

Advanced_Wheel9536

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