That new car feeling – there is nothing quite like it. Crisp leather seats, perfectly poised steering, and that straight from the factory smell. While most of us keep our wheels for a good ten years, there does come a time to renew. And, with a new car being one of life’s big-ticket items, the path to purchase is a road well-travelled.
Whether you are driving for business or pleasure, there are literally hundreds of makes and models on the market. Be it two doors or four, electric or diesel, room for the kids or the tools; consumers are spoilt for choice. Often, the hardest part is knowing where to start.
The good news is that Wagga is home to some of regional New South Wales’s finest car dealerships. Whether they represent a single brand or are the custodians of many, these talented motoring mavens have one thing in common. And that is sourcing and securing the perfect car to meet their client’s needs.
From entry level drives all the way to understated luxury, Wagga’s car dealerships are an excellent way to commence your new car journey. Considering a new car purchase? Take note – here is our pick of the best car dealerships in Wagga.
What makes a great car dealership?
Great car dealerships are all about creating lifelong relationships. Going well beyond the drive-away, they are your one stop shop for car care and maintenance. And, when the time comes to upgrade they are ready and waiting to assist. Here are some attributes that we think separates the best car dealers from the rest:
- Stellar service. Buying a car can be a tenuous process. For the customer it involves some serious research, numerous dealer visits, and a handful of test drives. The best car dealerships appreciate this journey, doing all that they can to ensure their service is on point. From offering expertise, being informative and patient, and pulling out all the stops great car dealers offer stellar service. To assess a dealer’s service standards, review feedback from its clientele, seek recommendations, and even pop in for a visit.
- Available inventory. In today’s fast paced automotive consumer demand can see waiting periods of six months or more for a new car. To circumvent this buyer frustration, the best car dealerships keep their showrooms stocked with the most popular models and options. Some even pre-emptively order the most favoured colours and options to ensure they always have the most desirable cars available. And, if not they will do their absolute best to source it with the lowest wait time possible.
- Flexible finance. When to comes to cars, most buyers want to feel as though have secured some value and ultimately a good deal. Whether through a pricing offer, a trade in, or flexible payment terms, the best car dealerships make this happen. Moreover, many great dealerships make financing even easier with low rates, seamless payment and guaranteed future values.
- Wonderful warranty. Often the most attractive car offers include lengthy warranty periods. Not only does ensure your new vehicle is serviced by skilled hands; it also provides assurance knowing many potential issues are covered. So, when considering a car purchase, be sure to shop around for the best warranty package you can find. And before signing on the dotted line, get comfortable with any fine print, it’s inclusions and exclusions.
- Buyer benefits. The best car dealerships know that there are more layers to value than price alone. To provide additional value many offer buyer benefits that straddle the sale or ownership thereafter. Think along the lines of cash back offers, extended warranty, or extras like window tinting. Consider what is most meaningful and work with your dealer accordingly.
The best car dealerships in Wagga
Region Riverina has combed through online reviews and recommendations to compile a list of the most recommended businesses according to you.
To be listed in our Best of Wagga series, each business needs to have consistently received positive feedback on Region Riverina and Facebook as well as maintaining a minimum average of 4/5 stars on Google.
Wagga Motors
With a local heritage dating back over seventy years, Wagga Motors are positioned as one of the premier new car dealerships within the Riverina. Home to an extensive range of cars, vans, and trucks; they boast hundreds of models from a range of the world’s leading manufacturers including Mercedes, Renault, and Jeep through to Hyundai, Honda, and Ford.
Principals Richard and Scott Braid have built an enviable reputation for their impeccable service standards. Driven by a desire get clients on the road, and on their way, their team of experienced sales, support, and service staff know how important finding the right vehicle can be.
With a steadfast focus on delivering the utmost in client care, they strive to source vehicles that suit the needs, lifestyle, and individual preferences of their customers. To further simplify the new car purchase experience, Wagga Motors a convenient trade-in option along with hassle free finance and leasing. Importantly, Wagga Motors offers comprehensive new vehicle warranties, with the option to extend if desired.
To keep new vehicles operating at their peak, the team also delivers maintenance at their state of the art service facility. Their skilled technicians and use of genuine parts provides added quality assurance. To further round out their offering Wagga Motors also provides car care services including exterior coatings and window tinting.
Open Monday through to Saturday their friendly team are readily available to assist with all new car needs. For some of the regions finest new cars, look no further than Wagga Motors.
As Quyen Notman happily shared on Google, “Professional services, friendly and caring staff, comfortable atmosphere. We were so satisfied with our purchase.”
Murrumbidgee Car Sales
Locally owned and operated for over fifteen years, Murrumbidgee Car Sales are one of the regions leading small independent dealers. With a focus on finding the right car at the right price, proprietor Chris Melmoth and his team pride themselves in putting customers first.
Whilst they specialise in delivering value vehicles priced at $20,000 and below, their industry connections allow them to source vehicles of all makes and models to suit client need. For personalised service pop into their yard at Hammond Avenue Wagga Wagga.
As Scott Dowel stated on Google, “Fantastic prices, great after sales service.”
Thomas Bros Group
Family owned and operated for over seventy years, Thomas Bros Group have a wonderful reputation within the Wagga community. As a multi award-winning dealership, they take pride in their excellence across sales, service, and customer service.
As new car specialists for Toyota and Mitsubishi, they also stock an impressive range of GWM, LDV, Ram, MG and Haval vehicles. Offering handy finance pre-approval, spare parts, and of course servicing, Thomas Bros Group amongst the regions best.
Rachel Wilesmith shared this experience on Google, “Thank you to Claire and Fiona for their professionalism on helping me purchase my new car. They constantly kept in contact with me and updated me on all the processes. My new car arrived earlier than expected and that made it all the more exciting….”
Hillis Motor Group
As a proud household in the Riverina region, Hills Motor Group are known for their large range of passenger and commercial vehicles along with their commitment to exceptional service.
Conveniently located on Hammond Avenue, they boast a wide selection of BMW, Ford, Citroen, Peugeot, and SsangYong. To complement a new car purchase they offer attractive financing options, on-site servicing, and genuine parts. Be it for the weekend or the workday, Hillis Motor Group are a great choice.
Stuart Voss had this to say on Google, “Highly recommend this place! Staff are professional and friendly. Know what they're talking about, and the place is immaculately clean. Highly recommended.”
To keep your new car in peak operating condition, take a look at the best mechanics in Wagga. And for those considering used car alternative our article on the best used car dealerships may help.
Your experience with car dealerships in Wagga
Thanks to our commenters who have provided insightful feedback. If you believe we have got it wrong, please let us know.
Have you had experience with any of the car dealerships listed above? If so, share your feedback in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to buy a car in Wagga?
When it comes to bagging a deal on a car purchase in Wagga, 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 change over 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 your floor rate.
Is 0% or 1% car finance cheaper than a regular car loan?
It really depends. 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.