Hatchback Advice

While the automotive world is wrestling with the idea of cars that can drive themselves, there is some really cool technology that's just around the corner.

With the growing popularity of recreational cycling there’s a corresponding growth in the desire to take them with us when we hit the road. When we do we must do it safely and legally.

These are the badges vying for bragging rights in popular segments.

Everything changes when ordinary Aussies buy their own cars.

Nothing comes for nothing, they say, and that applies especially to attractive finance offers on new cars. Some can save you thousands of dollars while others have a lump sum at the end.Experts have warned buyers to beware of low interest rate finance offers on new cars in end-of-year sales.While some deals are sharp and can save you thousands of dollars, most of the December deals lock customers into a lump sum payment at the end of the life of the loan -- equivalent to more than half the original purchase price of the car.For example, the Nissan Micra is available for just $49 per week with a 1 per cent interest rate, bringing the total drive-away price to $15,850.But at the end of the three-year loan, the buyer is lumped with a bill for $8210, more than half the original purchase price.The same lump sum, described in finance terms as a “balloon payment”, also appears in the fineprint of the Nissan Navara offer.The Nissan ute can be had for $110 per week with a 1 per cent interest rate, bringing the total drive-away price to $35,991.But at the end of the three-year loan, the buyer is lumped with a bill for $19,795 -- or 55 per cent of the purchase price.Dealer finance experts say on average most residual or “balloon payments” are about 20 per cent of the purchase price, so buyers are not caught out “upside down” owing more than the car is worth at the end of the loan.A spokesman for the National Roads and Motorists’ Association, Peter Khoury, said buyers need to read the fine print of special offers and make sure there are no hidden extra costs.“One of the problems with a balloon payment is that a lot of people can’t afford it and then they have to take out another loan to pay that remaining portion,” said Mr Khoury.In contrast, the current 0 per cent Toyota Camry offer is available without a lump sum payment at the end and can be carried over four years.A $28,990 Toyota Camry costs $140 per week over four years but then the buyer owns the car outright, with no lump sum at the end.A $29,990 Toyota Aurion V6 sedan costs $144 per week, with nothing left to pay at the end of the four-year loan.“When it comes to financing a vehicle, if you are not confident you understand the terms and conditions, make sure you show someone who does,” said Mr Khoury.“Otherwise buyers may not see the loopholes and commit to something they can’t afford. Always shop around and get more than one quote, and that applies to a quote for financing the vehicle.”Dollar dazzlersNissan Micra manual$15,850 drive-away1 per cent finance offer$49 per week over three years and a $8210 balloon paymentNissan Pulsar auto$22,507 drive-away1 per cent finance offer$67 per week over three years and a $12,095 balloon paymentNissan Navara ute$36,835 drive-away1 per cent finance offer$110 per week over three years and a $19,795 balloon paymentToyota Camry$28,990 drive-away0 per cent finance offer$140 per week over four years, no more to payToyota Aurion V6$29,990 drive-away0 per cent finance offer$144 per week over four years, no more to pay

We at CarsGuide.com.au endeavour to test every new car that hits the market, but the most useful reviews are where we compare new cars against their closest competition.

When it comes to cars, 'green' is becoming a more commonly used term but what does it mean?

You know you need (or want) to buy a car.

Industry-best seven year unlimited kilometre warranty announced by Kia.Kia is today launching a new industry-leading warranty program that will cover owners for seven years and unlimited kilometres.Customers will also benefit from seven years of capped price servicing and roadside assistance, while the warranty will be fully transferable between owners.All existing Kia owners whose vehicles were covered by the brand's previous five-year capped price servicing plan will also automatically receive an additional two years of capped price servicing for a total of seven years. The five year warranty period remains for these owners however."Crucially, our customers will not be asked to pay any more for their scheduled services than had been the case with the five year capped-price program," Kia Australia COO Damien Meredith said."The two year increase in warranty, capped-price servicing and roadside assist is absolutely transparent and we will not be asking our customers to dip into their pockets to fund the extra benefits," he added.Kia is currently the only automaker in Australia to offer a seven-year warranty period, trumping Citroen's six-year term and the five-years offered by several other manufacturers. The Korean brand's new coverage is also more than double the three-year industry standard.

Walk into a pet shop and there'll always be a pooch that's endearing but overlooked. The deterrent might be the price, or the markings or even the fact it's an exotic breed so it'll presumably take mo