Moving to NZ - what cars to buy

Moving to NZ - what cars to buy

Author
Discussion

jfxr242

Original Poster:

37 posts

195 months

Wednesday 1st October 2014
quotequote all
Hi

Wife and I are about to move to NZ and are debating what cars to buy. We are thinking we want one "practical" car and one "fun" car, nothing too flashy - probably a budget of $50k for both cars. I'm not a big fan of Japanese cars but would probably settle for one as the practical car so the question is what is the fun car going to be, maybe a 2 seater 'vert (not an MX5 tho)any suggestions on what kind of thing would be readily available and would not attract too much attention ? Then again on the practical front what about a few years old C class or 3 series - are they any more expensive to run than their Japanese equivalents ?

Any thoughts / comments very welcome - thank in advance

J

TVRnutcase

148 posts

229 months

Wednesday 1st October 2014
quotequote all
I presume both be second hand - Practical - a V8 Commodore or Turbo 6 Falcon - and for fun - nothing wrong with a TVR Chimeara - OK - your budget may need to stretch a little - but not excessively....

Both the practical cars can be breathed on - and they become excessively fun cars.... would save the need for a second one.

Edited by TVRnutcase on Wednesday 1st October 06:20

Bull1t

772 posts

282 months

Wednesday 1st October 2014
quotequote all
TVRnutcase's suggestion is oddly similar to what I've done. Ive got an SS Commodore and a Lotus Elise.

The Commodore would make little sense if I drove all the time. Over the past year its cost me $0.32 per km in fuel and its probably closer to $0.50 per km around town. If you can handle a car thats too big for NZ roads/car parks and does 20L/100km its good though.

NZ has a pretty small selection of two seater convertables for reasonable money compared to what the UK appears to have. We have plenty of style over substance cars like TT's, SLK's etc but not many that are about the driving experience.

I would be inclined to not do too much planning till you actually get here. Something you'll never think of might appeal once you get here and actually see one.

jfxr242

Original Poster:

37 posts

195 months

Wednesday 1st October 2014
quotequote all
Thanks guys. Yes both cars will be secondhand and the budget could (and probably will) be stretched a bit. Was trying to get a feel for what cars (eg Mercs and / or Beemers) would attract extra police or boy racer attention. I'm sure we will wait until we get there before making any decisions but thought there might be some cars I should perhaps cross off my list or ones which I should definitely consider.

I'd be into a TVR but I'm not sure the Mrs would be. We are currently in the US and did think about bringing a Mustang over - if the RHD Mustang came out and I could buy one here and ship it I would almost certainly have done that but looks like it will arrive too late.

Any other thoughts would again be much appreciated.

J

alex.tvr

329 posts

257 months

Monday 6th October 2014
quotequote all
Which part of the country will you be moving to? Will you be going Ski-ing, beach etc?
Euro's can be expensive for parts, and there are alot more garages to deal with them in Auckland etc. I've planned a roadtrip around getting a car serviced in Auckland before now !!! and also brought parts back from the UK due to cost savings.
On the other hand, this puts people of buying good cars that are highly specced (NZ equivalent don't usually have so many options). Have a look through Trade Me.
I had a TVR in the UK, and have only driven a convertible once down here - you definitely need sunblock and a hat smile

jfxr242

Original Poster:

37 posts

195 months

Thursday 9th October 2014
quotequote all
We're moving to The Mount. So beach and golf ! We've hired a car for 2 weeks for when we arrive and guess we could extend that so we have a bit of time to look around. Hopefully buying new enough that parts shouldn't be an issue but its certainly worth keeping in mind - thanks!

vsonix

3,858 posts

162 months

Thursday 9th October 2014
quotequote all
Cars are that much more expensive in NZ you might actually be better off importing one from the UK, steering wheel being on the correct side and all - if you're into your BMWs as I am, the price differential is a real eye-opener - even by the time you factor shipping into account the savings are not inconsiderable! Plus the fact if it's a larger car like a 5er touring or something you could load all the stuff into it that you want to take with you and treat it like a motorised suitcase smile


jfxr242

Original Poster:

37 posts

195 months

Tuesday 14th October 2014
quotequote all
Thanks - if I was in the UK I would certainly be thinking about it but we're in the US.

Another question if I may - what's the deal with haggling ? Obviously I won't have a trade in, can I expect 10 to 15% off ?

thanks again

alfaman

6,416 posts

233 months

Tuesday 14th October 2014
quotequote all
I have spent quite a bit of time in NZ on various trips.

Bear in mind : speed limit is 100 km/hr - rigidly enforced with almost no tolerance ( automatic ticket at 3 or 4 km/hr over the limit in summer).

Some of the South Island roads would be good for quick driving - though I've collected speeding tickets on my last 2 trips despite trying to be careful. If I lived there I doubt I'd get a particularly fast car.

Quite a few roads in outlying scenic areas are gravel.

There are almost no motorway a or dual carriage ways.

Fuel is close to the same cost as UK ( approx NZ $2.20-2.30+ per liter last Xmas IIRC )

Some kiwi friends of mine (ex UK ) moved back to NZ - said it would save $ importing but didn't to avoid the hassle ( but they had a 2nd hand Peugeot estate - not high end BMW ( where savings would be bigger).

Most cars down there seem to be jap or Aussie imports. I saw very few if any convertibles.

Plenty of pickups, SUVs Utes etc

Atom Johnny

1,072 posts

175 months

Tuesday 11th November 2014
quotequote all
jfxr242 said:
We are currently in the US and did think about bringing a Mustang over - if the RHD Mustang came out and I could buy one here and ship it I would almost certainly have done that but looks like it will arrive too late.

Any other thoughts would again be much appreciated.

J
You could bring a Mustang. Some LHD cars can get exemptions.
http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/factsheets/12/im...

Here a list of LHD models that have previously obtained NZ registration.
http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/factsheets/12/do...

But you have to have owned a vehicle a year before immigrating and keep it a year after you arrive or pay 15% GST (Goods and Services Tax) of its landed value, including shipping. There is no import duty on cars bought into NZ.
http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/factsheets/44a/i...

Mort

55 posts

194 months

Monday 17th November 2014
quotequote all
Why not be practical and sporty - The Subaru Legacy GT spec B wagon (estate). Well within your budget. 280BHP. Widely available in NZ. I had one for 7 years. Proper quick car, totally reliable, practical for touring and every day.

I agree with the other comments on fast cars here though... the cops have nothing better to do that dish out speeding tickets. I have learned that to me cost several times especially on a bike. I found the best way is to get a comfortable cruiser-type car and chill out. The roads in NZ can be somewhat bumpy on long trips so soft comfy suspension is a good idea too.

cibble10

722 posts

118 months

Monday 26th January 2015
quotequote all
alfaman said:
I have spent quite a bit of time in NZ on various trips.

Bear in mind : speed limit is 100 km/hr - rigidly enforced with almost no tolerance ( automatic ticket at 3 or 4 km/hr over the limit in summer).

Some of the South Island roads would be good for quick driving - though I've collected speeding tickets on my last 2 trips despite trying to be careful. If I lived there I doubt I'd get a particularly fast car.

Quite a few roads in outlying scenic areas are gravel.

There are almost no motorway a or dual carriage ways.

Fuel is close to the same cost as UK ( approx NZ $2.20-2.30+ per liter last Xmas IIRC )

Some kiwi friends of mine (ex UK ) moved back to NZ - said it would save $ importing but didn't to avoid the hassle ( but they had a 2nd hand Peugeot estate - not high end BMW ( where savings would be bigger).

Most cars down there seem to be jap or Aussie imports. I saw very few if any convertibles.

Plenty of pickups, SUVs Utes etc
Spent a month in NZ xmas 2013. Picked up an automated ticket for 3kpmh over 90. Given the roads on North Island and frequent speed traps (fixed and sneaky) I decided if I ever lived there I would probably just buy a UTE or something sensible as it just doesn't seem the place for owning s quick and/or sport chassis cars. Be sure I am a Porsche owning PH so say this with some sadness.

cibble10

722 posts

118 months

Monday 26th January 2015
quotequote all
alfaman said:
I have spent quite a bit of time in NZ on various trips.

Bear in mind : speed limit is 100 km/hr - rigidly enforced with almost no tolerance ( automatic ticket at 3 or 4 km/hr over the limit in summer).

Some of the South Island roads would be good for quick driving - though I've collected speeding tickets on my last 2 trips despite trying to be careful. If I lived there I doubt I'd get a particularly fast car.

Quite a few roads in outlying scenic areas are gravel.

There are almost no motorway a or dual carriage ways.

Fuel is close to the same cost as UK ( approx NZ $2.20-2.30+ per liter last Xmas IIRC )

Some kiwi friends of mine (ex UK ) moved back to NZ - said it would save $ importing but didn't to avoid the hassle ( but they had a 2nd hand Peugeot estate - not high end BMW ( where savings would be bigger).

Most cars down there seem to be jap or Aussie imports. I saw very few if any convertibles.

Plenty of pickups, SUVs Utes etc
Spent a month in NZ xmas 2013. Picked up an automated ticket for 3kpmh over 90. Given the roads on North Island and frequent speed traps (fixed and sneaky) I decided if I ever lived there I would probably just buy a UTE or something sensible as it just doesn't seem the place for owning s quick and/or sport chassis cars. Be sure I am a Porsche owning PH so say this with some sadness.

AlfaNZ

37 posts

127 months

Wednesday 15th April 2015
quotequote all
Did you end up buying?

My money would be...

FUN: Early '00's Porsche Boxster with the 2.7 engine, you should be able to pick up a tidy NZ New one for around $25k, and it won't depreciate

SENSIBLE: I would take advantage of great deals available on new cars and buy something really sensible with a warranty etc, for $25k you could get a brand new Holden Cruze, Nissan Pulsar, Mitsi Lancer etc OR if you could stretch a bit more you can currently buy a new VW Golf for $30k

jfxr242

Original Poster:

37 posts

195 months

Sunday 26th April 2015
quotequote all
Hi

Sorry not checked in for a while

So far, as I'm not permanently in nz yet, we've only bought 1 car an M Sport 1 series. In the future we will prob buy a "workhorse" and a fun car, meaning we have 3 but will sort all that out when I'm in
nz permanently in 2 months time