[awithtutt]

Hello all! I must say this site is a god send. I wonder if it is worth bringing my 2003 Rav4 all the way over to NZ. Has anyone else here brought over an american car?

[BkyMonster]

I don't think you can as cars must be right hand drive to be legal.
I think there might be provisions for classic cars that would be garaged, but if you wanted to drive it you would have to convert it from left-hand to right-hand drive. Probably this is more expensive than it's worth.

Oh, and welcome to the site :)

[BaldyBeardyBloke]

Not sure it's actually illegal to have a left hand drive car here, I have seen the odd one, I suspect you just need to adjust the headlights and stuff like you do if you drive a car from England in France.

But there are tons of Japanese cars here including lots of Rav4's. Surely it would be cheaper to buy a new one here than to ship one over?

No offence, but a 2003 Rav4 is hardly uncommon or a 'classic' so I would think the expense and hassle of shipping outweighs the cost of buying here.

Quick check on Autotrader - 2003 Rav4 ~ 18K - 22K NZD

[benandclare]

I don't think you can as cars must be right hand drive to be legal.
I think there might be provisions for classic cars that would be garaged, but if you wanted to drive it you would have to convert it from left-hand to right-hand drive. Probably this is more expensive than it's worth.

Oh, and welcome to the site :)

Dont think so , see loads of left hand drive cars round Christchurch and as BBB says not really worth the hassle to bring it over :nice1

[constablechuck]

LTNZ will only allow left side drive cars to be imported if they are intended for occassional use, ie: classic or other specialty vehicle.

I recently read about someone purchasing an electric powered car that only comes with left side drive, LTNZ will not allow him to import it unless he gets it converted to right side drive.

That said, I know someone here in NZ that has a 1980 something Volvo that's left side drive, nothing special about it. I'm not sure how it got in, possibly at some time in the past the rules were less strict.

Check out trademe.co.nz you can buy Japanese imports much cheaper here than in the U.S. Your probably better off to sell it in the U.S. and buy another when youget here.

[IanW99]

If you are interested, then you will need to read the Importing a Left-Hand drive vehicle (http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/factsheets/12.html) factsheet

Ian

[dharder]

LTNZ will only allow left side drive cars to be imported if they are intended for occassional use, ie: classic or other specialty vehicle.

They let in any old left hand drive :)

No, honestly, they do, but it has to be for private use. And you have to have owned it for at least a year, and of course it has to have new headlights. Not sure what else you have to do, since our car didn't come from the US.

Other than that, not a problem.

Is it worth it? In our case, I like to think so, but as I've said in similar threads, we were all quite attached to our car (okay, van), so for us, it was the worth it.

If you're not particularly attached to the car, I wouldn't go through the hassle, I think.

Daniela

[IanW99]

...
Is it worth it? In our case, I like to think so, but as I've said in similar threads, we were all quite attached to our car (okay, van), so for us, it was the worth it.

If you're not particularly attached to the car, I wouldn't go through the hassle, I think.

Daniela

Yep, you would have to be quite attached:-
When you register the vehicle for use on New Zealand roads, you’ll need to sign a declaration stating the vehicle is for your personal use and that you intend to keep it for at least five years after its registration in New Zealand, or until it is at least 20 years old, whichever is the earlier.

five years attached :)

Ian

[Red Devil]

... plus you have to declare/notify with your insurance company that it's left hand drive, and that bumps up your premiums considerably :roll

Definitely sell it in the US and buy new (another) when you arrive in NZ... chances are you'll end up with some sort of warranty too, which will be a bonus :D

[dharder]

... plus you have to declare/notify with your insurance company that it's left hand drive, and that bumps up your premiums considerably :roll

Not sure about that in our case, to be honest, ours isn't anymore expensive than the right hand drive we have. I think it depends on who you are with.

Daniela

[Nick88]

The hidden cost that many people forget is the resale value. A LHD car will be worth peanuts on the secondhand market here. Used cars here depreciate quickly enough as it is without trying to sell one with a highly undesirable feature like the steering wheel being on the wrong side. You would have to love it enough to keep it until it dies, cos once here it is only worth its scrap metal and parts.

[dharder]

The hidden cost that many people forget is the resale value. A LHD car will be worth peanuts on the secondhand market here. Used cars here depreciate quickly enough as it is without trying to sell one with a highly undesirable feature like the steering wheel being on the wrong side. You would have to love it enough to keep it until it dies, cos once here it is only worth its scrap metal and parts.

Yes, I think that is the point I was trying to make when saying you'd have to very attached to it. In our case, I don't plan to sell it. We'll drive till it dies, but that would have been the plan in the UK as well.

Resale value or not was never a cost (hidden or otherwise) of concern to us, but it is probably one to be taken into consideration when not planning to use the car 'till death do us part' :)

Daniela

[Mickstim]

I have just imported a motorcycle from the UK and it was just so easy; the Kiwis were so helpful, patient and positive. I just have to keep it for two years now or have to pay duty. However, L/H drive vehicles can be a real problem and I have heard so many bad news stories. My advice, for what it's worth.............don't bring it here, vehicles are relative cheap and it's not worth the trouble.

[Caniwi]

I was looking at this (I have a Pontiac Sunfire - the same as a Toyota/Chevy Cavalier) and had the understanding that it could be imported, however, to sell it, you have to convert to RHD, which is quite the expense. I can see if you had a Corvette or a new Mustang etc, it "might" be worth it, but something as common as a RAV 4, you're better off leaving in NA.

[awithtutt]

Wow - thank you. That clears up that question. I will keep the car here.

Much appreciated!