Which car dealers in Wollongong are the best to work with? Photo: Prostock Studio.
The automotive path to purchase is one that has been well documented the world over. Everyone from manufacturers, insurers and even the media have invested a tidy sum into understanding what fuels this decision. Since a car purchase is up there with some of life’s larger expenses, this comes at no surprise.
With many Illawarrians choosing to switch up their wheels every five to seven years, loyalty to a dealership appears to be paramount. It translates to a hefty customer lifetime value for car dealers.
Whether a car dealer represents a single brand or several, they all have one thing in common. Their job is to find the perfect car to meet your needs.
As buyers become ever more astute, they are seeking lasting relationships with their dealers. These relationships go well beyond the day of drive away, extending into servicing, parts and routine maintenance.
What makes a great car dealer?
Great car dealers combine the best of both worlds. The latest in automotive comfort and innovation should be blended seamlessly with exceptional sales, servicing and customer experience. The best car dealerships forge trusting relationships that span a lifetime.
Here are a few suggestions to help you evaluate the car dealerships you visit:
- Sensational service. When it comes to buying a car, the path to purchase is often a lengthy one. For the buyer, it requires some extensive research, numerous car yard visits and probably a few test drives. For the seller, it requires expertise, a helping hand and endless patience. Indeed, great car dealerships become such due to their sensational customer service. This includes all the basics like prompt attendance, providing detailed information and answering questions, but also involves thoroughly understanding client needs and concerns, and finding the right products to address them. The best car dealerships work hand in hand with clients to narrow their shortlist of options down to a single choice. To assess a dealers reputation, be sure to review past customer feedback, with particular reference to sales integrity and service.
- Accessible inventory. There is nothing worse than knowing what you want, only to discover it comes with a six month waiting period attached. The best car dealers understand this well, stocking showrooms with the most popular models and options. Many preemptively order preferred colours and optional features to ensure they always have the most desirable cars available. And if they don’t have it on hand, they do their best to source it with the lowest wait time possible.
- Financing options. Indeed, every buyer wants to feel like they have secured a good deal. Whether through a pricing offer, trade in or via flexible payment terms, the best car dealers can make this happen. Many dealerships strive to make the purchase process even more seamless by offering an array of attractive financing options. Whether you are a private, business or fleet buyer, the best will offer structured terms and rates to make payment a breeze.
- Warranties and servicing. Often the most attractive car offers include lengthy warranty and service periods. Why? Because of the peace of mind this offers buyers. So, when considering where to drop your hard earned dollars do yourself a favour. Shop around for the best warranty and service package you can find. Review all inclusions, understand what options are in and out, and be comfortable with the fine print. This ensures your vehicle is serviced by skilled hands, so you can rest assured that any issues will be covered effectively.
- Additional perks. Value rests in the eye of the buyer. The best car dealers understand that there are more layers to value than price alone. They do this by providing a range of additional perks to compliment the sale or ownership thereafter. This may take the form of cash back offers, extended warranty periods, or extras like window tinting and cargo liners. It may also translate to additional services like free loan cars, pick-up and drop-off, or complimentary car washing during servicing. Consider what is most meaningful and work with your dealer accordingly.
The best car dealers in Wollongong
Region Illawarra’s editorial team has compiled a comprehensive list of the most recommended businesses according to you.
To be listed in our Best in Wollongong series, each business needs to have maintained a minimum average of 4/5 stars on Google and Facebook, and have plenty of positive reviews.
Wollongong City Motors
Wollongong City Motors have a rich history of four decades in the Illawarra community, with shopfronts in Wollongong and Shellharbour, including a dedicated Mercedes-Benz dealership.
WCM's central Wollongong dealership is home to Hyundai, GWM Haval and Honda vehicles, as well as a wide range of pre-owned cars.
The team is still family owned and operated, despite being one of the largest regional dealerships in the state, and proudly supports the Illawarra through sponsorships for local sporting teams and community groups.
Mercedes-Benz Wollongong
First class cars and service is what Mercedes-Benz Wollongong is known for.
Part of the City Motors Group, this dealership is an expert in accredited sales, specialist servicing and genuine parts for Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
"We've purchased several vehicles from Mercedes-Benz Wollongong, and each time, the purchasing process has been fast, easy and very fair with trade-in pricing," Troy Hawkins says on Google. "However, what truly sets them apart is the unparalleled customer experience Troy and his team provide post-sale."
Wollongong Mazda
Formerly known as Dwyers Mazda, Wollongong Mazda has a long and positive history working with clients from across the Illawarra region and beyond.
Specialising in new, used and demo Mazda vehicles and their after sales services, this team values long term relationships with customers, enjoying watching them grow alongside their vehicles.
Wollongong Mazda has attracted more than 300 online reviews over the years, like this one from Veronika P-G:
"Brilliant customer service! They made us feel very welcome and really went far beyond my expectations."
Corban Used Cars
Corban Used Cars has been one of the Illawarra's leading quality used car dealerships for over 20 years.
Still family and locally owned, the team has won multiple awards for their dedication to the customer experience from their convenient storefront in Wollongong's CBD. They also have finance and insurance facilities in house to make the purchase process as seamless as possible.
Britt Ewing said on Google, "...extremely helpful in every aspect of my purchase from financing to helping me sell my old car, and was always accommodating to my needs. I would definitely purchase from them again."
If you’re looking for more information on professional services in Wollongong, you might also like our articles on the best businesses Wollongong has to offer.
Your experience with car dealers in Wollongong
Thanks to our commenters who have provided insightful feedback. If you believe we have got it wrong, please let us know.
Do you have experience with any of the Wollongong car dealers listed above? If so, share your feedback in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to buy a car in Wollongong?
When it comes to bagging a deal on a car purchase in the Illawarra, good timing can make the world of difference. As with most retailers, car dealerships have quotas for monthly, quarterly, and yearly sales goals. This opens the gate to several opportunities throughout the year for a better deal. The first two major periods are end of financial year (June) and end of calendar year (December), where dealerships are increasingly motivated to move stock for new models. The same applies for plate-clearance sales. End of month or end of quarter can also be promising should the dealer need to reach sales quotas. Finally, model-run out sales can allow you to secure a deal on stock that will be replaced by newer models.
Is it better to buy last year’s car model?
Buying an end of year model does offer some advantages. Generally, you will benefit from savings on the regular price along with depreciation. Whether this is right for you will depend on whether potentially dated features or styling are important or not. Another important factor will be the lifespan of your ownership. Another important factor to consider is your intended length of ownership. If you intend on replacing the car in 2-3 years; then opting for the latest model may be best.
Is a trade-in worth it?
The trade-in value is the amount a dealer is willing to offer towards the purchase of a new car in exchange for your current one. It is typically calculated based on wholesale value, which takes overall condition, age of vehicle, and kilometres driven into account. Trade-in’s offer quick and easy solution to offloading your current car. The downside however is that the wholesale value is typically far less than a cars market value. Private selling is generally the best way to extract a good sale on your current vehicle; but requires more time and effort for canvassing potential buyers. If convenience and a quick changeover is your priority, then a trade-in is most certainly worth it.
How can I improve my current cars market value?
If you are looking to sell your current car privately, there are few things that can help to maximise its market value. Firstly, prepare your car for sale by booking it for a full mechanical inspection to address any issues and ensure it drives smoothly. Next, have it professionally detailed to thoroughly clean and restore both interior and exterior appearances. Then ensure all paperwork is up to date, including servicing history, logbook, and recent receipts for mechanical work and detailing. Finally, research the used car market well. Know the quantity for sale, their prices and kilometres to help set a price, and carefully consider your floor rate.
Is 0% or 1% car finance cheaper than a regular car loan?
A 0-1% car loan may not necessarily cost less than a regular loan with a higher interest rate, as it may be based on a higher car price and extra fees or charges. They may also include a balloon payment at the end of the loan term. In contrast, regular loans will generally require higher and regular interest payments, but the consistency of the repayment schedule can make it easier to manage long term.
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