What’s the catch?
by Noel Ebdon on Saturday, 07 April 2007
As with any financial transaction there are a number of pitfalls to avoid in the car buying process.
Kia Motors, for example, is offering six years warranty and servicing, no down payment, a good finance rate, delayed first installment, six years finance and no salary transfer on all Opirus, Carnival, Sorento, Optima and Carens models.
All sounds great until you start to think about why they're offering such a great deal.
Kia cars traditionally have a fairly low resale value in the used market, so they need to offer a good deal to convince you to buy something that may not be a wise investment. Although cars rarely go up in value, it is also important to check out the used market. Otherwise you have no idea what your car may be worth a year down the line. If you only plan to keep it for two years, will it return enough to clear the debt when you sell it?
Notice that the Rio and Sportage, models which already sell well locally, are not included. Remember, there's no need to offer a great deal on a car that sells anyway.
What about that great finance rate? Have you checked if you can get a better deal from a bank? Many offers rely on people being tempted and signing up on the spot in the showroom. You may find that you can match, or even better the rate offered by simply asking your bank directly.
But it's not all bad news. No manufacturer would offer a long warranty without doing their sums. Kia must believe that the car will go for six years without needing major repairs. That's a good sign, as it shows they have faith in their cars. However, check the small print and make sure everything is included in the warranty before signing up.
The basic rule is never jump in without doing your research first.
For further information contact:
Kia Motors
Dubai
Tel: +971-04-269-5600
Kia Motors
Abu Dhabi
Tel: +971-02-645-6277




