Do you have a car under finance? Most people do, but it may not necessarily be the best option for them. If your company offers salary packaging you should investigate whether you would be better off financing your car from your pre-tax income. By salary packaging your vehicle you could be thousands of dollars better off each year. Furthermore your employer may even provide you with the opportunity to finance your partner’s car from your pre-tax income.

By salary packaging your vehicle the lease repayments and running costs, such as fuel and servicing are deducted from your pre-tax income. Not only does this provide you with tax savings but it also eliminates the need for budgeting. As your employer takes your lease payments from your pre-tax income you know that your car is being paid for each month.

To find out more about salary packaging (a novated lease) contact a Madison Finance representative today. With experienced staff on hand to answer your queries we will be able to ascertain whether a novated lease will be of benefit to you.

If you have always wanted a sports coupe but couldn’t afford it, well you may now have your opportunity. Kia have released an affordable coupe with all the bells and whistles for only $25,990 drive away. The Cerato Koup is similar to the sedan mechanically but with quicker steering and stiffer body control. The panels with the exception of the bonnet are all different. The Koup consists of frameless doors for greater viewing and an upmarket look. You will find 17 inch alloy wheels with low profile tyres and dual sports exhaust for a sporty look.

The Cerato Koup looks sporty on the outside and the sporty look is consistent on the interior. You will find the Koup boasts keyless remote entry, iPod compatibility, audio controls on the steering wheel, cruise control, air conditioning, leather wrapped steering wheel, foglamps, climate control and more. Safety features include six airbags including curtain, electronic stability program, rear parking sensors and ABS.

As with most coupes the backseat is more suitable for two adults rather than three. However the Koup is still quite roomy with a decent boot space. For $25,990 you get lots of bang for your buck

The Government’s small business allowance ends soon. It is important to ensure that you purchase any equipment that you may require for business purposes prior to 31 December 2009. Signing a purchase order prior to that date will not entitle you to the allowance unless it has been paid for by 31 December 2009.

Businesses with a turnover of less than $2 million can claim an additional 50% tax deduction on equipment costing over $1,000 and purchased prior to 31 December 2009 and delivered/installed before 31 December 2010. The Investment Allowance applies to most types of new plant and equipment, including motor vehicles.

Businesses with a turnover of $2 million or greater can claim an additional 30% tax deduction on equipment costing $10,000 or more and acquired between 13 December 2008 and 30 June 2009 and delivered/installed before 30 June 2010. The Investment Allowance applies to most types of new plant and equipment, including motor vehicles. For eligible assets that are acquired from 1 July 2009 to 31 December 2009, businesses can claim an additional 10% deduction where the goods are received by 31 December 2010.

Keeping your car cool in Summer can be difficult, especially with the hot Australian Summers we have been experiencing of late. Air conditioning is of course the most convenient way to keep cool whilst driving, but when you first enter your car it can seem like a lifetime before it kicks in.

Preventative measures need to be taken to reduce the amount of heat retained in your car. Window tinting is a fantastic way to reduce those harmful UV rays and reduce heat. Try to park in the shade wherever possible. When you leave your vehicle you should put window shades up to further reduce the sun exposure. If you have a sunroof make sure you put the cover in place. A steering wheel cover is not advisable to use whilst driving as they have been proven to be dangerous as it reduces your grip and slippage can occur.

Ford has released a limited edition of the Falcon G6. At a cost of $36,490 driveaway it comes with $4,000 worth of extra equipment at no additional cost. The standout feature is 18 inch alloy wheels on the petrol version and 17 inch alloys on the LPG version. The upper and lower grilles have colour accent treatment which also standout. The interior is of leather trim with a leather sporty steering wheel. Bluetooth and iPod integration is a safety convenient bonus. There are six airbags including side and curtain. The limited edition will carry a badge to distinguish it from the original model. Visit your local Ford dealer for a  test drive.