Bringing a Noble to NZ ??

Bringing a Noble to NZ ??

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2ba 355

Original Poster:

166 posts

256 months

Wednesday 18th January 2006
quotequote all
Hi All,
We have finally been accepted to come to NZ !!We shall be heading for the Christchurch area by June / July this year ( hopefully ) We are now trying to sell our house. I am currently looking at a 03 or 04 year Noble GTO 3R. I know I will have to own it a year in the UK before I can bring a car across to NZ, but what I don't know is, would the car comply with NZ regs for frontal impact etc. I understand that they are being sold in NZ at dealerships in AKL and CHCH ?? but I dont know if the NZ cars are any different ??? Can anyone help as this would have a big bearing on the decision to buy ! Would they know at the LTSA ( ?? apologies if I've used the wrong abbreviation !)what a Noble is ??

Do Nobles get into NZ under the low volume construction law ?? Are there any Nobles in NZ ?? It should make a fabulous track / road car .

Look forward to hearing from you.
James

GravelBen

15,696 posts

231 months

Wednesday 18th January 2006
quotequote all
please please please do bring one!

The importer is the same as for Lotus, Pagani etc so I'm assuming they're fairly high profile and have it all sorted out, if you go to www.lotuscars.net.nz you should be able to email them and ask about any LTSA problems they had with Nobles.


If they make under 200 cars per year (I think) then they'll get in under low volume construction laws, I'm not sure on the production numbers of Noble though.

oh and welcome, good to see you've chosen the right island

>> Edited by GravelBen on Wednesday 18th January 10:29

2ba 355

Original Poster:

166 posts

256 months

Wednesday 18th January 2006
quotequote all
Thanks for the info Ben ! Will check this Avenue out.
James

peterpsg

813 posts

235 months

Wednesday 18th January 2006
quotequote all
Hi James,

I have a sneaking feeling that Noble make more than 200 cars a year... you'd need a letter from the factory...
Here's an exerpt from a nz kit/modified car enthusiast site. www.lvvta.org.nz/

"What is a Low Volume Vehicle?

A vehicle manufactured or modified in quantities of 200 or less in a year by a manufacturer or others whose total production did not exceed 200 in the same period."

Though this may apply to the year the car was manufactured...

So, I'd check first with Noble and you'll need it in writing if it's ok... there are several TVR's that are stuck as track queens, as they are not crash tested, and TVR makes more than 200 per year...

On the other hand, you could consider an Ultima (I'm still flipping coins about bringing my GTR back with me - mainly due to the an$$ly retentive policing in NZ) and they are still well under the 200 car limit.

In reality, you'd be better off getting a 4wd, like an Audi or a Evo, as NZ roads aren't really up to standard...

my £0.02
Peter


2ba 355

Original Poster:

166 posts

256 months

Wednesday 18th January 2006
quotequote all
Hi Peter,
Thanks for the reply. Would the factory have to confirm that
1) They produced less than 200 cars that year ( 03 or 04 )
2) And / or they comply with the current NZ regs

It's all seeming to get rather complicated ! I was hoping as they sell them in NZ now it would not be so difficult ie EEC compliance plates on the car etc.

We will be taking my wifes X5 with us and that is fairly straightforward as it has the correct compliance plates with the chassis no etc.

peterpsg

813 posts

235 months

Wednesday 18th January 2006
quotequote all
If they sell them in NZ already, then I guess it's ok and Noble must have had them crash tested (best check with Noble on that one), and it's just a parallel import then...

I'd check with the NZ dealer, but, perhaps it's best if you pose as an interested customer, as some of the premium car dealers, (i.e. Fezza & Lambo types), can be a bit hostile to people bringing their own...

It's possible that the dealer goes thru the low volume certification process... if that's the case, you could talk to Neil Fraser of Fraser cars nz who makes lotus 7's replicas. www.fraser.co.nz, as he's one of the low volume cert people in NZ, quite a nice guy too.

I'd make sure it was all legit, otherwise you'll have a garage queen on your hands once you got there...

Kiwi XTR2

2,693 posts

233 months

Wednesday 18th January 2006
quotequote all
I also needed a copy of the de-registration papers when I imported my Westie . . .

kylie

4,391 posts

258 months

Wednesday 18th January 2006
quotequote all
2ba 355 said:
It should make a fabulous track / road car .



Hi welcome to NZ, all good info as mentioned above. I cant see a problem with the Noble here, but best to be safe than sorry I guess.

The Noble is a wonderful track day car IMO. The dealer here took me for a high speed blat around Pukekohe Race track here in Auckland. Was totally blown away with its handling and performance to boot!!!
Lucky sod

RobDickinson

31,343 posts

255 months

Wednesday 18th January 2006
quotequote all
2ba 355 said:
I know I will have to own it a year in the UK before I can bring a car across to NZ, Look forward to hearing from you.

James


You dont have to have owned it a year, but if you havnt you'll pay 12.5% GST and mebe import duty too, on its value (dunno if thats new or 2nd hand price).

Bring it if you can though, some absolutly awsome roads around chch , just be carefull of the police.

Heres a photo of where I live (30min from chch CBD), the road I took it from is an absolute blast, as is most on port hills/banks peninsula.

GravelBen

15,696 posts

231 months

Wednesday 18th January 2006
quotequote all
what road is that Rob? it looks vaguely familiar, but I guess most Port Hills roads look fairly similiar.

ETA: never mind, looking at the background its not the one I was thinking of, wrong side of the hills

>> Edited by GravelBen on Wednesday 18th January 22:54

RobDickinson

31,343 posts

255 months

Wednesday 18th January 2006
quotequote all
Summit road just before it goes over the pass into littleton.

alex.tvr

329 posts

259 months

Thursday 19th January 2006
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peterpsg said:

"What is a Low Volume Vehicle?

A vehicle manufactured or modified in quantities of 200 or less in a year by a manufacturer or others whose total production did not exceed 200 in the same period."



I know there is a lot of stuff on TVRs and NZ, but as mine was one of the last Chims (only about 16 made in 2002)could I bring it down??, or does it still need Frontal Impact Certs.? Flying down on Friday for a look around, will try and research more.

GravelBen

15,696 posts

231 months

Thursday 19th January 2006
quotequote all
alex.tvr said:
peterpsg said:

"What is a Low Volume Vehicle?

A vehicle manufactured or modified in quantities of 200 or less in a year by a manufacturer or others whose total production did not exceed 200 in the same period."



I know there is a lot of stuff on TVRs and NZ, but as mine was one of the last Chims (only about 16 made in 2002)could I bring it down??, or does it still need Frontal Impact Certs.? Flying down on Friday for a look around, will try and research more.


I think the problem isnt the number of the model built, but that TVR make more than 200 cars per year total, including all models. should be plenty of information at www.ltsa.govt.nz

alex.tvr

329 posts

259 months

Thursday 19th January 2006
quotequote all
Bugger, and I've tried to read that site before - but keep falling asleep

GravelBen

15,696 posts

231 months

Thursday 19th January 2006
quotequote all
haha yeah I know the feeling. **note that I didn't say useful or interesting information**

>> Edited by GravelBen on Thursday 19th January 02:27

kiwi le

262 posts

268 months

Thursday 19th January 2006
quotequote all
Hi 2ba 355,

Ring ken at KW Historics, he comply the Nobles that Roger brings in ?(Lotus Cars) he will know all there is to know.......+64 9 274 3020

2ba 355

Original Poster:

166 posts

256 months

Thursday 19th January 2006
quotequote all
Thanks to all for your replies. Rob, I was in Chch with my Brother just last October. There are some great roads around !

The chap at Lotus NZ was kind enough to reply to my e-mail this is the reply I received...
Dear Roger,
I will be emigrating to NZ ( Christchurch ) in June / July this year with my family and am thinking about bringing a Noble an 03 or 04 year GT03R with me. I understand there will be a Noble agent in Christchurch ??

I know I will have to have owned it a year before bringing it to NZ to avoid duty and GST ( as long as I then keep it 2 years in NZ before selling it )

How does the car get through the LTSA system in NZ ??

Does it get in under the low volume production avenue ??

Any information you have will be greatly appreciated

REPLY.................

we certify car as LVVTA which can take up to a month, cost varies between $2,800 to $4000. I have a 2004 model M12-3R with all options in Larch silver with red leather being traded in on an M14 around May of this year, 10,000 miles, sold and serviced by us. We have an agent in Chch..Heads up......LTNZ go over English imports with fine toothcomb insisting on replacement items such as discs which must be new tolerance, suspension bushes etc, anything that is subject to corrosion or wear, can end up being costly with used imports as you are giving a beurocrat the option and power to spend your money........Cheers Rog

Any comments on the above ??
I will have to find out what they are asking for their one, although I would imagine it will be more expensive than a UK one. You can get a 04 GTO-3R with 11,000 mls full spec for £ 35,000 sterling. Anyone seen any used Nobles in NZ for sale ???

Thanks again for the kind messages. Can't wait to get out to NZ !!

2ba 355

Original Poster:

166 posts

256 months

Thursday 19th January 2006
quotequote all
Kiwi LE, thanks for the contact details. Is there an e-mail contact for him ???
Thanks
James

peterpsg

813 posts

235 months

Thursday 19th January 2006
quotequote all
Only a simple google away... :-)

ken@lotus.co.nz

2ba 355

Original Poster:

166 posts

256 months

Thursday 19th January 2006
quotequote all
Oops....... thanks Peter !
Have sent a mail to him.