[akp713]

I've never bought a car from a dealer before, let alone in NZ. So I'm not sure, when I see a price on a car at a used car dealer like Devonport Car Company and it doesn't say 'ono' does that mean no negotiation, this is the price? Also when buying a car from a private person, does the lack of the letters 'ono' also mean they aren't looking to negotiate the price a bit?

I ask because I'm used to cars being listed a couple hundred dollars more than what is really expected, and I'm not sure if that is the case in NZ.

[benandclare]

Haggle, haggle , haggle and then haggle some more, it's amazing how much you can get knocked off and this applies to shops as well altho we find it's best to ask "whats your best price on this?" . More often than not we get discount :yes :yes

[Lupin]

100% haggle. they'll expect it :)

[IanW99]

I've never bought a car from a dealer before, let alone in NZ. So I'm not sure, when I see a price on a car at a used car dealer like Devonport Car Company and it doesn't say 'ono' does that mean no negotiation, this is the price? Also when buying a car from a private person, does the lack of the letters 'ono' also mean they aren't looking to negotiate the price a bit?

I ask because I'm used to cars being listed a couple hundred dollars more than what is really expected, and I'm not sure if that is the case in NZ.

You should always have a haggle with things like cars it's the done thing.

If it were me, the first thing I would do is check the market value of the car by checking for the same make/model/year on trademe or autotrader websites.

If they can't at least match what you can get elsewhere then don't bother. And if possible, once you have a firm price from one garage / dealer, check out another one with this in mind, they are likely to try and beat the offer or at least throw in some extras.

Ian

[Expat Jules]

Hi I'm a newbie on here, been reading for ages, but only just started posting ...


ONO - "or nearest offer" ...

Money talks - if you've got cash you've got bargaining power - you can get great deals if you have the physical cash on you.
Best of Luck

[Kim39]

Get them down as much as you can, and they try a little further. If they know your dealing straight hard dosh, they'll be very interested.


Kim

[nippa&pippa]

Haggle, haggle, haggle!!! we brought our three cars cheap by haggles! Best to get two garage fight for your custom :nice1

[steviec]

Some dealers on Moorhouse were offering us cars overnight to try and get our custom,cold hard cash and always say you've got another car in mind at another garage and are going to look at it straight after taking yours out for a test drive. They will try anything to keep you at their garage, even lowering the price.
Good luck.
Tracy.

[Brijan]

Haggle Vigorously:D

[buzztalks]

I prefer the to 'negotiate' rather than haggle. Use the 'if....then' strategy. Work with them to achieve a 'win/win' situation. Both parties need to come away from the deal feeling satisfied. It's not just about getting the lowest price possible. You may be able to negotiate 'extras' ie full tank of fuel, complete valet, years road tax, new WOF etc etc.

Never pay the screen price though!

[CJ22]

How much is a year's road tax?

[IanW99]

How much is a year's road tax?

We don't actually have road tax in NZ, but the equivalent is Vehicle Registration (http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/vehicle-ownership/registration.html) which lists the fees for the various vehicles.

Ian

[CJ22]

Thanks for the link Ian. I'm a bit confused by it though - it says both that you only need to do this once, then it quotes prices for 6 and 12 months (??). Is this an annual thing (i.e. road tax by another name) or something I can forget about unless I buy a new car?

[IanW99]

Thanks for the link Ian. I'm a bit confused by it though - it says both that you only need to do this once, then it quotes prices for 6 and 12 months (??). Is this an annual thing (i.e. road tax by another name) or something I can forget about unless I buy a new car?

Oops, wrong link last time, should have been Vehicle Licensing (http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/factsheets/49.html)

And yes, I would agree that this is road tax by another name.

The confusion comes because when you first register a car you pay for the registration e.g. number plates etc and you also pay for the license fee.

Ian

[CJ22]

Excellent thanks. It sounds pretty much identical, except the labels aren't as priddy. It can even be done online.

I'm looking forward to buying a new car. I've had the same car for 11 years now, so it's not something I do often.

[theSingsons]

:p Sweet !!! One thing I really found interesting is how the Dept of Land Transport asnwered my enquiry. I'm very much into motorcyling and here in the Philippines, I have had my motorcycle license since 1992. They offered to convert it to the full license provided I take the exam and the driving test :raebanana

[JandM]

I'm glad you're happy with that. But when you say

They offered to convert it to the full license provided I take the exam and the driving test

- wouldn't they have to give anybody a full license if they turn up and pass the exam and the test, even if they'd never had a license before? Or am I missing something?

[IanW99]

I'm glad you're happy with that. But when you say



- wouldn't they have to give anybody a full license if they turn up and pass the exam and the test, even if they'd never had a license before? Or am I missing something?

You're missing something :yes

Normally, after passing the theory and practical tests you would first get a restricted license. If you actually hold a full license for two years or more in another country then you can bypass this restricted license stage.

Ian

[JandM]

Ah, that explains that, then.:)

[yossarian]

is the transportation system that bad in nz that one must have a car?

[Ojai]

is the transportation system that bad in nz that one must have a car?

In Welly at least, no. We haven't had one the past month and it's not been a problem. Train and Bus get us where where we want to go.

However, a car is REALLY convenient, and most people have one per for that reason.

I would imagine other cities, villages and rural areas would mean one would require a car as well.

[peebles16]

Oh yes having no car or, more importantly, being a non driver and not living in a city it can be a bit of a hassle though you just have to become more organised.. Luckily I like walking and have devoured the bus timetable - not sure if my two kids like all the exercise though.. :)

Karen

[JandM]

Originally Posted by yossarian
is the transportation system that bad in nz that one must have a car?

We rented a house in the Henderson Valley district of Auckland for our trip last year. Despite the names, 'valley' and 'Auckland', this is on the ridge in the Waitakere mountains, and rural. A car was definitely necessary to come and go, and we could see there are lots of areas like this, around the fringes of Auckland, where you're just beyond and between the public transport lines. If people are needing to commute to work and/or get children to school, it could be a cost issue, so choose your district carefully. On the other hand, if you're happy to be drivers, places like where we stayed give you the chance to live in the middle of native bush and yet are only 10 or 20 minutes from shopping facilities, schools etc..

[yossarian]

i see...thanks all! however, in any case, i would be moving to nz alone (so no kids to bring to school, etc..), so i was thinking getting around by car is not the most practical way.
is driving around by motorcycle usual in nz? (and safe?)

[JandM]

is driving around by motorcycle usual in nz? (and safe?)Yes, as much as it is anywhere (said the Mum of two bikers).:roll

[yossarian]

Yes, as much as it is anywhere (said the Mum of two bikers).:roll

cool! thanks :)