Discussion
madazrx7 said:
M3John said:
Colonial said:
It is a hell of a lot cheaper than the UK to live, especially outside of the Capitals.
Apart from decent cars that is.
Apart from decent cars that is.
European cars out there are horrendously expensive I believe ! My friends that live in Victoria have just bought a BMW and the cost of the thing was astronomical.
Yes European cars are VERY expensive here, but what is worse is that if you factor in the 'average wage', we paid more for a HSV GTO Monaro than the Poms paid for the VXR!
Equivalent of 5000 pounds for a 95 318is. A e46 323i/325i will set you back a minimum of 11000 pounds. Which is seriously overpriced
Not wishing to bag Perth but I have to agree with some of the comments I've seen.
You will find that many people here kid themselves to the point they convince themselves it's the greatest city in the world, when most haven't even been to Geraldton.
A lot of crap is written about WA as well, meditteranean climate for instance - I've spent enough time in the med to know it doesn't often see 40deg or -2 in the winter.
I could go on and on but my blood pressure won't allow it. Suffice to say it's not a bad place for a holiday, once, or maybe to retire to, as long as you have an income sufficient to spend 6 mths somewhere else and the 6 mths here in air conditioned luxury in a good area.
You will find that many people here kid themselves to the point they convince themselves it's the greatest city in the world, when most haven't even been to Geraldton.
A lot of crap is written about WA as well, meditteranean climate for instance - I've spent enough time in the med to know it doesn't often see 40deg or -2 in the winter.
I could go on and on but my blood pressure won't allow it. Suffice to say it's not a bad place for a holiday, once, or maybe to retire to, as long as you have an income sufficient to spend 6 mths somewhere else and the 6 mths here in air conditioned luxury in a good area.
Colonial said:
madazrx7 said:
M3John said:
Colonial said:
It is a hell of a lot cheaper than the UK to live, especially outside of the Capitals.
Apart from decent cars that is.
Apart from decent cars that is.
European cars out there are horrendously expensive I believe ! My friends that live in Victoria have just bought a BMW and the cost of the thing was astronomical.
Yes European cars are VERY expensive here, but what is worse is that if you factor in the 'average wage', we paid more for a HSV GTO Monaro than the Poms paid for the VXR!
Equivalent of 5000 pounds for a 95 318is. A e46 323i/325i will set you back a minimum of 11000 pounds. Which is seriously overpriced
So just to give me an idea, how much would my 99 M3 Evo be worth over there without taking into consideration the factors of milage and condition as these can vary the price a lot?
M3John said:
Colonial said:
madazrx7 said:
M3John said:
Colonial said:
It is a hell of a lot cheaper than the UK to live, especially outside of the Capitals.
Apart from decent cars that is.
Apart from decent cars that is.
European cars out there are horrendously expensive I believe ! My friends that live in Victoria have just bought a BMW and the cost of the thing was astronomical.
Yes European cars are VERY expensive here, but what is worse is that if you factor in the 'average wage', we paid more for a HSV GTO Monaro than the Poms paid for the VXR!
Equivalent of 5000 pounds for a 95 318is. A e46 323i/325i will set you back a minimum of 11000 pounds. Which is seriously overpriced
So just to give me an idea, how much would my 99 M3 Evo be worth over there without taking into consideration the factors of milage and condition as these can vary the price a lot?
If it was Australian delivered around 19000 pounds at current exchanve rates. As an import I'd say around 15 at a guess.
Colonial said:
M3John said:
Colonial said:
madazrx7 said:
M3John said:
Colonial said:
It is a hell of a lot cheaper than the UK to live, especially outside of the Capitals.
Apart from decent cars that is.
Apart from decent cars that is.
European cars out there are horrendously expensive I believe ! My friends that live in Victoria have just bought a BMW and the cost of the thing was astronomical.
Yes European cars are VERY expensive here, but what is worse is that if you factor in the 'average wage', we paid more for a HSV GTO Monaro than the Poms paid for the VXR!
Equivalent of 5000 pounds for a 95 318is. A e46 323i/325i will set you back a minimum of 11000 pounds. Which is seriously overpriced
So just to give me an idea, how much would my 99 M3 Evo be worth over there without taking into consideration the factors of milage and condition as these can vary the price a lot?
If it was Australian delivered around 19000 pounds at current exchanve rates. As an import I'd say around 15 at a guess.
Christ thats a lot ! Well, if i do move then the cars are definatly coming with me.
Hi,
I'm a bit late to this discussion, but just wanted to agree with many of what's being said. I've been out here for around six months now and with 1.5 kids and an Australian wife, am staying for the forseeable future.
At the moment we're sharing a CRV which is great for ferrying kids about, but as soon as my business gets profitable I'll be taking out a novated lease which is a fantastic tax dodge. You get back your income tax and GST (VAT) on the car and all running costs. The car doesn't have to be new (you can sell your existing car to the leasing company) and everyone I've spoken to reckons its the cheapest way to run a reasonable car. If you're coming to Oz, get a good accountant and see if it'll make you quids in.
As for the cars, you get the motly same basic models as in the UK. They don't like small engines here but we'll not dwell on that point. European cars are very expensive and you'll pay through the nose for one. The best selling car is the Holden Commodore which comes with either a V6 or a V8 by default. Both the Ford Falcon and the Holden Commodore suit the Aussie roads perfectly and there's a lot of them about. The FPV and HSV variants are usually more driver-focussed and the local press love them. I've not driven one so can't comment.
I've had to lose a lot of my prejudices since coming here. HSV and FPV produce good-value performance cars that suit the local market very well. Once you get into the Aussie way of life they begin to make a lot more sense.
What I've not got over are the roads. Here in Queensland, far too many of them have blind crests, blind bends and hidden intersections that make driving hazardous whatever the speed. Even open highways have crossroads on them and you'll often find someone pulling into your path forcing you to take evasive action. Outside of the cities there's few footpaths and you have to drive everywhere which can make driving a chore.
There's a lot of crap drivers here too. Tailgating is a big problem and I'll often have someone within a car length of me... they don't want to overtake; that's just the way many people drive and it scares the **** out of me. But having said all that, its only a matter of time before you find roads that suit your driving style. I've borrowed a friend's 350Z and had some great fun.
I really miss British B-Roads and deserted French Autoroutes. I miss the annual trundle down to Le Mans. I miss seeing Porsches, TVRs and Lotuses.
I do like the prospect of running a Commodore V6 for buttons. I do like the lower fuel tax.
As for everything else... I've had to give up cycling because it's too bloody hot. I'm taking up surfing in its place. My house is cheaper than by British house and four times as big, but there's zero insulation so it gets uncomfortable when the temperature dips below 20. Broadband is slow and unavailable outside of major urban centres. TV is a mixture of game shows and reality rubbish interspersed with massively biased news coverage. You'll miss the quality of the BBC and Channel 4 (especially Top Gear). Beer and wine are nice and cheap. 24 hours shopping is practically non-existant, as is internet shopping meaning you have to drive to the shops within their restrictive hours. It's too hot to go out in the day time and you get bitten by a thousand tiny creatures in the evenings.
In summary, don't come here expecting to be able to transplant your British driving and lifestyle. Australia maintains very strong links to Britain but there are a lot of differences that will frustrate and delight.
I'm a bit late to this discussion, but just wanted to agree with many of what's being said. I've been out here for around six months now and with 1.5 kids and an Australian wife, am staying for the forseeable future.
At the moment we're sharing a CRV which is great for ferrying kids about, but as soon as my business gets profitable I'll be taking out a novated lease which is a fantastic tax dodge. You get back your income tax and GST (VAT) on the car and all running costs. The car doesn't have to be new (you can sell your existing car to the leasing company) and everyone I've spoken to reckons its the cheapest way to run a reasonable car. If you're coming to Oz, get a good accountant and see if it'll make you quids in.
As for the cars, you get the motly same basic models as in the UK. They don't like small engines here but we'll not dwell on that point. European cars are very expensive and you'll pay through the nose for one. The best selling car is the Holden Commodore which comes with either a V6 or a V8 by default. Both the Ford Falcon and the Holden Commodore suit the Aussie roads perfectly and there's a lot of them about. The FPV and HSV variants are usually more driver-focussed and the local press love them. I've not driven one so can't comment.
I've had to lose a lot of my prejudices since coming here. HSV and FPV produce good-value performance cars that suit the local market very well. Once you get into the Aussie way of life they begin to make a lot more sense.
What I've not got over are the roads. Here in Queensland, far too many of them have blind crests, blind bends and hidden intersections that make driving hazardous whatever the speed. Even open highways have crossroads on them and you'll often find someone pulling into your path forcing you to take evasive action. Outside of the cities there's few footpaths and you have to drive everywhere which can make driving a chore.
There's a lot of crap drivers here too. Tailgating is a big problem and I'll often have someone within a car length of me... they don't want to overtake; that's just the way many people drive and it scares the **** out of me. But having said all that, its only a matter of time before you find roads that suit your driving style. I've borrowed a friend's 350Z and had some great fun.
I really miss British B-Roads and deserted French Autoroutes. I miss the annual trundle down to Le Mans. I miss seeing Porsches, TVRs and Lotuses.
I do like the prospect of running a Commodore V6 for buttons. I do like the lower fuel tax.
As for everything else... I've had to give up cycling because it's too bloody hot. I'm taking up surfing in its place. My house is cheaper than by British house and four times as big, but there's zero insulation so it gets uncomfortable when the temperature dips below 20. Broadband is slow and unavailable outside of major urban centres. TV is a mixture of game shows and reality rubbish interspersed with massively biased news coverage. You'll miss the quality of the BBC and Channel 4 (especially Top Gear). Beer and wine are nice and cheap. 24 hours shopping is practically non-existant, as is internet shopping meaning you have to drive to the shops within their restrictive hours. It's too hot to go out in the day time and you get bitten by a thousand tiny creatures in the evenings.
In summary, don't come here expecting to be able to transplant your British driving and lifestyle. Australia maintains very strong links to Britain but there are a lot of differences that will frustrate and delight.
thepommie said:
... I'll be taking out a novated lease which is a fantastic tax dodge. You get back your income tax and GST (VAT) on the car and all running costs. The car doesn't have to be new (you can sell your existing car to the leasing company) and everyone I've spoken to reckons its the cheapest way to run a reasonable car. If you're coming to Oz, get a good accountant and see if it'll make you quids in....
Make sure you get VERY good advice before going ahead with a N/L. AFAIK you might save income tax but you pay Fringe benefits tax, which is at the highest marginal rate anyway?
Haven't done it myself but a good mate has, and reckons it ended up costing him more that just buying the car normally...
good contirbution sir ! Gassing Station | Australia | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff