Incoming NZ Newbie

[Mansells Tash]

Hey everyone, I'm moving from the Middle East to NZ some time around the end of March/April (collecting papers now for a Visa) however there shouldn't be any issues due the job being an internal company transfer and my occupation/qualifications being on the necessary lists.

ANYWAY I'll be moving to Auckland and I wouldn't mind some input asto what car to buy, I'm already all over TradeMe and my needs are as such:

I want something that we can throw some kit in for a weekend away with the wife and 8 month old baby. We want to cover some pretty long distances and we want something that will be capable of trips to the south island too, including being able to handle any of the gravel roads around the country.

My immediate go to is a Landcruiser Diesel which seems to be pretty expensive although residual values are fantastic.

Nissan Patrol Diesel 3.0D (but I've read they are massively underpowered and the engine grenades for fun)

Land Rover Discovery LR4 Seems to cover all the bases however I'd have to budget for the air suspension needing an overhaul at some point

Land Rover Defender 110 - uncomfortable, rusts, utilitarian but so full of character I think it may be worth it.

...any and all input appreciated.

[Mansells Tash]

Pelo said:

99% of the gravel roads here you can drive in a normal family car. SUVs are overkill and a plague! Get a Subaru.

I did a lap of the north island before in a legacy and never had any problems, there are a few amazing overland passes that I really wanted to explore though that a Subaru wouldn't do for, that being said I have been looking at estate cars too.

[Mansells Tash]

Thanks for the feedback,

I've seen a few youtube videos of guys travelling along amazing mountain passes that certainly require a good few inches of ground clearance like the Nevis Road.

We'd also like the space that something like a Disco 4 can afford you if the weather gets harsh while we're camping so we can fold the seats down flat and be comfortable.

The alternate plan is to buy a cheap(ish) camper that is a 4x4 and a regular runaround.

[Mansells Tash]

Thanks for the tips! I'm also looking at accommodation, seems anywhere north of Auckland is relatively low crime and from the trademe website for rentals there appear to be some half decent places from 650 a week. Anyone up to speed with accommodation around Auckland? Ideally looking to rent a house.

[Mansells Tash]

klootzak said:

That said, I wouldn't worry too much until you're here. k

Okie doke, thankyou.

[Mansells Tash]

Do students really have 650 a week to burn on 2 bedroom houses?!

[Mansells Tash]

klootzak said:

Some do, yes. It's only 325 each for two after all, and that's about base rate for a studio or one bed flat in town.

But $650 is probably a bit on the high side for most students. Three beddies typically go for $600pw+ which is probably more the student type of place though, and you can get a two bed ex-statehouse in Mount Roskill (or somewhere like that) for $450 a week.

Basically Auckland property is pretty fked-up. Glorified garden sheds with no heating or insulation selling for $1million+ with rents to match.

k

I'm paying 4513nzd a month rent on a 2 bed apartment at the moment in Qatar. I'm sure we will find something.

[Mansells Tash]

Zadkiel said:

I think the Discovery is a good choice, they are pretty good value for what they are. Another viable option is a Porsche Cayenne with a warranty. They depreciate like no bodies business from new but level out eventually and are actually quite good off-road. With the security of a warranty covering potential mechanical disasters they are worth a look.

Since you mentioned you are coming from Qatar, I am stopping off there for 2 nights on my way to Europe shortly, any suggestions of good things to do?

Hi Zadkiel,

When exactly are you out here? I'd be more than happy to take you for a pint and show you around in my Ford Raptor if I am free.

It depends on the weather as to what there is to do. The hop-on hop-off bus covers all the sights to visit (I believe it goes to the desert too).

The museum of Islamic are and the Souq Waqif at night are ok, Katara is nice for a walk around and if you are interested in seeing something like 30 Ferraris of all different shapes and sizes in a car park then the Pearl is a must.

[Mansells Tash]

Hi buddy, yeah I had considered it but I fancy something different and we have alot on our plate at the moment so bringing cars is just one more problem.

If you are shopping with the Mrs Rolex at lagoona mall has some of the cheapest new rolexes in the world.
Mall of Qatar is a bit out of the way but highly rated. Villagio has a VIP section that has every high end brand in one location.

Taxis are cheap so don't worry about prices, if you have uber thats even cheaper still!

For romantic meals nobu is the best but priciest and the st regis jazz bar is unmissable but book first.

Any questions just ask!

We did our medicals and are collecting our police reports on Wednesday. Then just waiting for NZQA to return my docs ans ill be filing my papers. Should be in NZ in mid April

[Mansells Tash]

Is your Defender a 90 or 110? I'll be after a 110 when I land, currently searching Trademe and looking at importing from the UK.

(well a man has to have his priorities in order..Carshopping, visa, flights, accomodation)

[Mansells Tash]

Ah you have been! Well I'm glad you enjoyed. My friend is the head chef there, lovely chap with very high standards!

I have thrown the idea of a Landcruiser around too (and a Patrol and a Discovery 4 and all sorts of Wagons like RS4s and AMG 63s), I think after having a few fancy cars I'd like something simple. A Defender wont lose much money while I try one out, infact if yours is becoming a chore to own, hold onto it a couple of months and I may well have it off your hands

I'm still waiting for the chaps in NZQA to sort themselves out, they said it'd be on its way back to me last week and when I called today they said a couple more days then it will be on its way. Pretty stty as my boss is getting impatient over this (mostly down to our HR to be fair). I've not even filed my blummin Immigration application yet.

[Mansells Tash]

Zadkiel said:

A Defender definitely ticks the simple box that's for sure! They are definitely far less common here than they are in the UK, when I was driving around there I spotted them all over the show.

What is NZQA's involvement, I you involved in teaching or similar?

Hey bud, I got my NZQA now and the application was filed at the end of last month. They had to align my degree with the NZ education system so I could claim bonus points on the points calculator (for eligibility to get a visa). I'm in the construction game (cost consultancy).

At the moment I'm flip flopping between a Disco 4 and Defender. If I get a Disco 4 I think I'll be looking at importing it as there seems to be a lot more higher spec models for sale in the UK than in NZ. A warranty to cover the mechanical issues on a D4 is a must though as I don't have the resources to take the body off one to get to the engine! - I think I could spanner on a Defender all day!

For the time being we just want to get packed, get a cheap 10k Subaru Outback to punt around in until we settle then the adventure toys will come. There looks to be some great rental places coming up on Trademe so I hope we'll get somewhere nice.

[Mansells Tash]

Well, I'll be working in the Zurich building on Queen Street and the advice I've received is to look around between Murrays Bay to Devonport. We are looking ideally for 3 bedroom homes with a small garden and garage.

Where we live at the moment the Mrs can't go out of the house on foot because there are no pavements so being walking distance from a park or something would be ideal.

If the places on trademe are anything to go by then there are a few nice places that seem within budget, its just a case of seeing what is on the market when we get there.

[Mansells Tash]

Perik Omo said:

My SIL said that it's a nightmare getting out of Devonport by road in the rush hour, he says the best way is by ferry.

Thanks for the heads up, my office is right by the ferry terminal so that was plan A if I end up down there. If I'm within a couple of km of the Devonport Ferry I'll be cycling in, beyond that I think I'll be on the bus or motorbike.

[Mansells Tash]

Visa Approved!

(wife and kids visa in late stages of processing)

Hope to land by the end of the month/start of June.

I am very excited!

I'm going to go for a cheap Subaru Forester to start with then when I've taken care of the essentials go shopping for toys. Does anyone ever meet up in Auckland for PH meets?

[Mansells Tash]

It surely is a question with many many answers which is why I've been struggling to focus on one solution as they all have pros and cons.

I want something with character that is fun to drive, so far my not so shortlist is:

4x4's
Landcruiser - few years old
Prado - crawl control would be a must
Patrol Y61 - excellent offroad clearance and they look cool when given the overland treatment
Defender - uber cool but a bit of a pig to drive, easy to maintain myself
Discovery 4 - best at everything but the depreciation and reliability combined with potential for huge bills keeps putting me off

Others
RS4/RS6 Avant - fast but too low and ultimately pretty boring to drive, I also hate the DSG, maintenance is ridiculous and if I had it I'd be worried about stone chips on gravel roads too much
335d Wagon - fast but suspension is crashy and its a bit low again
A6 Allroad - Boring but very capable, VERY BORING
Holden V8 wagon - fast but low and wont go offroad
Subaru Forester - So cheap its disposable so you can concentrate on having fun and for a few grand you can lift them 2 inch, put AT tires on and a roof rack on and go have an adventure
Keep buying/trading Sports cars for 6 months each like the R34/EVO/STI/Z4M Coupe/M3/Lotus Elise and a camper van for adventures

I think you'll probably read that lot and go "wtf, this joker doesn't have a clue what he wants" ...well, you'd be right.

Thankfully cars are not permanent and if I go for one option I can always sell it on if it doesn't work for me.

In other news the Case Officer seems to have her stuff organized so hopefully we'll be mobile on schedule!

[Mansells Tash]

TheGuru said:

You've missed a couple of the best selling vehicles in NZ

-Ford Ranger
-Toyota Hilux

I'm not too interested in a pickup, I just had a Ford Raptor for the last couple of years and anything else is going to be compared to that and I don't think it can possibly match up...I must admit though the Ranger does have some mightily impressive options!

[Mansells Tash]

Well we're good to go, company need to book a flight then we'll be inbound. Hopefully in the next 2 weeks! New car shopping is going to be fun!