That's because the ACCC (better know here in Oz as the Consumer Watchdog) has vowed to the pressure of a few idiots who don't understand car pricing. The ACCC now insists that the price the dealer quotes is final, no questions asked. So until the dealer knows the exact details of the car you want - specific options, the lot - he can't give you a price.

What the dopey bureaucrats don't understand is all you want is a price list so that you can do the sums on what you want.

It's a case of the inmates running the asylum.