[willsken]

I really want to take my car and my dog with me when I go. My OH is in agreement about getting a 40 foot container for the car (only ‘cos he thinks he can fill all the rest of the extra space with tools!!) :roll

I have an MX5 (2 years old) any advice?

Now for my more pressing problem. When we talked about bringing Pepper (Cocker Spaniel) with us we agreed that we would spend £1000 but no more. I have been looking around and getting some quotes and they seem to be coming back at around the £1600/£1700 mark.

We have had many offers of lovely homes for her, but my youngest son really loves her and I would rather bring her. Does anyone know of a cheaper carrier?

I know you shouldn't put a price on a pet as they are part of the family, but we have only had her just under a year and we aren't quite as attached to her yet as we were to our old boy Stanley before he died. :wah

[Alex]

Nicola,

Got a link from ShakerMike:
http://www.customs.govt.nz/default.htm

This has all the info about importing a car. NZ only allow you to import cars that meet certain safety criteria - e.g. frontal impact.
http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/importing/frontal-impact-compliance-status.html

So if your car ain't on the list, it ain't coming in.
http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/importing/frontal-impact-compliance/frontal-impact-compliance-mazda-20030625.html
Looks like certain MX5's are allowed, so you'll have to check your specific model.

[Kim39]

Try skymasters, we are taking our 10 year old crossbreed (she is about the same size as a spaniel) with us and they quoted us £1100 but we do have vet fees on top of this which will be about £350, the number to phone is 0161 436 2190.

Elaine (Kim's oh)

[gil]

Hi Nicola,
We've had 2 pet quotes for our Staffie: Golden Arrow £1600 and Passport for Pets gave a two tier quote £1800 for everything and £1100 if we were prepared to get some tests sorted and bring Macy to the kennels etc. I don't know how much the tests would be as I personally would prefer to have someone sort it all for me.
Have you asked your vet for advice?
Gil

[foolsgold99]

Now for my more pressing problem. When we talked about bringing Pepper (Cocker Spaniel) with us we agreed that we would spend £1000 but no more. I have been looking around and getting some quotes and they seem to be coming back at around the £1600/£1700 mark.

We have had many offers of lovely homes for her, but my youngest son really loves her and I would rather bring her. Does anyone know of a cheaper carrier?

I know you shouldn't put a price on a pet as they are part of the family, but we have only had her just under a year and we aren't quite as attached to her yet as we were to our old boy Stanley before he died. :wah

£1600 seems about right, we paid that to ship our 9 year old collie out.
In the big picture when you're selling houses etc it's not a lot of cash.
She's only 1, you'll get 10 good years out of her.

Sell the car, and use the money to ship the dog

[joanne]

yeah, bring the dog. It will help the kids settle in too, they will have to say goodbye to all their friends - let them keep the dog... oh, go on

[jonSE]

Nicola

Alex's post above gives you the crucial stuff on getting the MX5 into the country. Double check the frontal impact stuff though.

Import costs should be about $750NZ including the first years WOF and REGO.

But MX5s are ten a penny here you may fiond that you can sell in the UK and buy similar here for the same or less money

http://www.trademe.co.nz/STRUCTURE/LISTINGS/LISTINGS_SEARCH_RESULTS_ADVANCED.ASP?sidebar=1&5=Convertible&search=1&14=Mazda&searchregion=100&y=16&18=0%2C+0&24=0%2C+0&mcat=0001-0268-&x=89&sort_order=24_desc

Link above - you need to be careful to paste it all gives an indicattion of prices for MX5s although none as young as yours, they tend to come here at 3 or 4 years old from Japan.

Regds

[willsken]

Yeah, OH and I have talked about it and yes we are going to bring Pepper! I don't think when it came down to it I could let her stay behind. :clap

BUT NO I WON'T SELL MY CAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love my car :no

Thanks everyone for the helpful advice.

[joanne]

yeay for Pepper!!! You would have really regretted it if you had left her behind, I am sure of it - once you see the beaches and wide open spaces here. We paid 1,500 quid to bring over our scratty mongrel, Scooter. We didnt make a killing on the house so it was ALOT of money to us. We havent been sorry even once, and it really made a difference to the kids. My youngest Freya, tells Scooter all her secrets when they cuddle up together in his basket. I am sure Scooter helped her settle in here.

[jubjub]

Joanne, did Scooter arrive in about June/July with Golden Arrow? As when we dropped off our boy at GA, he was put next to Scooter who was also going to NZ, but not for a week or so.

glad you are taking Pepper, you wont regret it, I know it seems a lot of cash, but once you are here you dont begrudge a penny of it really.

Have you rung golden Arrow yet? 01588 680240, we had to pay about £60 of vet fees just to get bloods taken, the rest was all included in the price.

[sizzlingbadger]

Can't recommend Golden Arrow enough.

We had the family pet shipped out in August, we waited until then just to make sure we like NZ enough and had moved into our own house.

It was quite a big expense but well worth every penny as it's like the final piece in the jigsaw. The kids have been even more settled now they know the dog is around again.

Unfortunately can't help with the car, we decided to sell our old one and get a 4x4 out here.

:-)