Incoming NZ Newbie
Discussion
We've got a 110 Defender. It's a great vehicle but the lack of shoulder room irks me quite a bit and I think I'd struggle on a really long drive in it. If you can live with that though they are great. Importing from the UK shouldn't be too much of an issue as long as it is relatively new (due to the importing regulations). If they see any rust at all on it they will force you to repair it before they will comply it for use on the roads so be wary of that.
Car shopping is always a top priority. After visiting Qatar I've been thinking a nice big V8 Landcruiser wouldn't be a terrible thing, they are pretty much the national car there! I loved our quick visit, I really enjoyed how quiet all the shops were when I was dragged around them, a nice change from the hectic madness I'm used too. The traffic was pretty terrible though! Pretty much any time of day.
Nobu was excellent though, thanks for the tip, my wife loved it!
Car shopping is always a top priority. After visiting Qatar I've been thinking a nice big V8 Landcruiser wouldn't be a terrible thing, they are pretty much the national car there! I loved our quick visit, I really enjoyed how quiet all the shops were when I was dragged around them, a nice change from the hectic madness I'm used too. The traffic was pretty terrible though! Pretty much any time of day.
Nobu was excellent though, thanks for the tip, my wife loved it!
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 s
tty 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.
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 s
tty 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.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).What is NZQA's involvement, I you involved in teaching or similar?
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.
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.
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.
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.Yeah the traffic on the road to Devonport is terrible because it's only one road in and out but the area is really beautiful and the ferry is a great way to get to work if you work in town. Sounds like you'll be getting here just in time for winter though! It'll be colder than Qatar but not as bad as the UK.
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?
(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...whilst I don't have the experience of a local...I've done a few thousand miles round NZ in my time...
You need something good on corners, fast up hills and controlled on descents...yes there are gravel roads but there's plenty of tarmac too and you need to make progress...to get past livestock trucks, slow old tractors, tourists in campers etc...
I hate to say don't get a Defender..but wrong vehicle except for short haul... I would recommend a petrol FFRR... the Subaru recommendation is good...I think even Subaru have an ad running saying they are the ideal car for the 4 seasons in one day weather....but you have to call them 'soo' 'baaah' 'ru' emphasis on the baaah. And get a petrol one.
You need something good on corners, fast up hills and controlled on descents...yes there are gravel roads but there's plenty of tarmac too and you need to make progress...to get past livestock trucks, slow old tractors, tourists in campers etc...
I hate to say don't get a Defender..but wrong vehicle except for short haul... I would recommend a petrol FFRR... the Subaru recommendation is good...I think even Subaru have an ad running saying they are the ideal car for the 4 seasons in one day weather....but you have to call them 'soo' 'baaah' 'ru' emphasis on the baaah. And get a petrol one.
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!
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!
You've missed a couple of the best selling vehicles in NZ
-Ford Ranger
-Toyota Hilux
I test drove a Ford Ranger Wildtrak and was very impressed, extremely quiet and very comfortable, loaded with all the modern safety features that i think are important for families. The back is also very practical with the roller cover. Low depreciation too.
Add huge black rims and wheels and they look fantastic too IMO.
e.g. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=13...
There really isn't a public road in NZ you can't go on with a normal car, it's a matter of both comfort and your mechanical sympathy. Rocks thudding under the body or the middle of the road scraping are not nice in a BMW 3 series. i don't think there are any roads in NZ that would require a 4WD, non-paved roads are all gravel, unlike Australia where they have clay/dust that can turn very slushy after rain. Some mountain roads won't let you up without chains/4WD
-Ford Ranger
-Toyota Hilux
I test drove a Ford Ranger Wildtrak and was very impressed, extremely quiet and very comfortable, loaded with all the modern safety features that i think are important for families. The back is also very practical with the roller cover. Low depreciation too.
Add huge black rims and wheels and they look fantastic too IMO.
e.g. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=13...
There really isn't a public road in NZ you can't go on with a normal car, it's a matter of both comfort and your mechanical sympathy. Rocks thudding under the body or the middle of the road scraping are not nice in a BMW 3 series. i don't think there are any roads in NZ that would require a 4WD, non-paved roads are all gravel, unlike Australia where they have clay/dust that can turn very slushy after rain. Some mountain roads won't let you up without chains/4WD
Edited by TheGuru on Wednesday 17th May 08:22
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!-Ford Ranger
-Toyota Hilux
Gassing Station | New Zealand | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff