We bought our car in rural Victoria and probably paid too much for it at the time... Like Brontide suggested: we should have done our research and come into Melbourne where we could have received a much better deal. Also when i suggested to put the balance on credit card I guess I meant only a few thousand ... I assume you could buy a safe and functional family car in Melbourne for about $5K? But my mindset when it comes to cars is that they are only meant to be functional, not an expression of who I am or anything. I think too many people forget this when they say they need to buy a car... they confuse "need" and "like". So many struggling families seem to be getting around in flash hotted up cars... I know I know, I'm sounding judgemental and it's not up to me to dictate how people spend their 'hard earned' or welfare payments but when these same people start calling themselves 'battlers' it's a bit rich IMO. Anyhow, back on topic: I will be seriously trying to talk my children out of ever getting in debt with a car finance company.... and no we won't be buying them one!!! I think (don't quote me on this) but I think you can get a small unsecured personal loan with any of the Big Four banks if it's under $5,000 (you might just have to prove your income).... and I don't even think you have to say what it's for... you could just say "holiday". And I think Personal Loan rates are much lower than your average car loan through a car finance company.