[Jason2112]

I've been looking at prices of cars in NZ so I have an idea of what to expect when I make the move next year. I've seen quite a few people mention the affordability of cars in NZ, but when comparing US prices and the US/NZ exchange rate, most cars are on the expensive side in my eyes. My question is - are the prices of cars as negotiable in NZ as they are here? Typically, I'll never pay more than $500 over the invoice price (what the dealer paid for the car) for a new car, and the sticker price is immediately ignored. How much negotiating can be done?

By the way, I'm looking at a Holden Commodore for myself and probably a Toyota Highlander for my fiance.

Thanks,
Jason

[jubjub]

We got around 10% off sticker price for both of our cars.

and they were delivered to the house for us too, they also have to come with a valid Warrant of Fitness and 6 months registration.

[Carl and Liz]

Can someone give me some links to research car buying. We're moving in a few weeks and this is the one thing I have not looked into.

[jubjub]

Heres a couple of links to give you an idea of prices, but you find that there are areas of the cities that just have rows and rows of car sales places, in Auckland you have Great South Road for starters, and a fair few in Panmure.

http://www.autobase.co.nz/vehiclesearch_car.htm

Or you could get one at auction,

http://www.turners.co.nz/buying.html

Theres is the AA here as well that will inspect a car for you.

http://www.aa.co.nz/index.html

also for test drives, we just had to show a passport/driving licence. Hubby also got given $20 to fill the car while he was out test driving it!

[sizzlingbadger]

Have a look at www.thecardealer.co.nz it's where we managed to find our new vehicle.

Also www.trademe.co.nz is a good one. A lot of dealers post their cars on there.

If you're looking at a Toyota Highlander also look at the Mitsubishi Delicas. We've just bought one (had to convert the husband first though :) ) it's very similar to the Toyota but is 4x4 and built on a Pajero chassis. My husband is rather impressed with it and says it's definitely better than the Toyota Prado he was after. There's plenty of them as well.

[Alex]

Hi Everyone,

Good links for the cars :nice1

I've been meaning to ask - following the "hooners" thread - I'd really like to kit myself out with a "super-safe" car - for the UK posters, I'm thinking of a volvo, or something indestructible like that (not sure the US equivalent). I'm thinking, if the roads are going to be liberally sprinkled with inept young drivers in their road-rockets, then I'd like to be incased behind plenty of steel, crumple zones and airbags :o

What makes / models do you recommend, what sort of price should I be paying? I think I'd like a compromise between a "gas-guzzler" like an SUV, and something more economic, yet still retain the safety.

Many thanks

[Singel]

I've been meaning to ask - following the "hooners" thread - I'd really like to kit myself out with a "super-safe" car - for the UK posters, I'm thinking of a volvo, or something indestructible like that (not sure the US equivalent). I'm thinking, if the roads are going to be liberally sprinkled with inept young drivers in their road-rockets, then I'd like to be incased behind plenty of steel, crumple zones and airbags :o

We started with Japanese import when we just arrived. We heard so much about boyracers :no , we quickly change to volvo :yes by trading in our japanese import (lose monies). Alex, basically we have the same thought as you, go for "super-safe" car.

[SharpBlade]

This is also a good place for links to car sales:

http://www.nzs.com/business/automotive/

[Alex]

We started with Japanese import when we just arrived. We heard so much about boyracers :no , we quickly change to volvo :yes by trading in our japanese import (lose monies). Alex, basically we have the same thought as you, go for "super-safe" car.
Interesting, I worried that volvo's and spart parts (being a European car) would be expensive / hard to come by. Do you know how the costs compare?

[Singel]

Alex, there are many European cars on the road and no problem with availability of spare parts. Not sure about the spare part costs.

1) http://www.volvocars.co.nz/_Tier2/PreOwned/

2) http://www.ccs.co.nz/frame_used.html

:cheers

[ShakerMike]

Being of a similar mind to Alex, I was also thinking larger, safer and more indestructable. And with that in mind, can anyone offer a view on the diesel v petrol argument? Does the fuel economy offered by diesel consumption give a real cash saving, or is there a big difference in petrol and diesel prices?

Also, can you fit a baked bean tin exhaust and a fake turbo sounding thingy to a 4x4 or is that not considered Hooncool :D


Oh, and for those still in the UK, did anyone see the programme (very) late last night about motorway police in Auckland? Fascinating stuff - I have no idea how much of it was for the benefit of the camera, but police over there seem to approach things with a sense of humour, and in a very unpatronising way....unlike our glorious boys in blue

[Jason2112]

Thanks for all of the links, I'll check them out today.

Sizzlingbadger - the only reason we are looking at the Highlander is because it's a familiar name/design to us here in the US. I'm a car nut and I'm well versed on American offerings, but when I look at the names of cars available in NZ, I don't recognize any names and I've got to start all over again.

The reason I'm looking at a Commodore is that I'm familiar with Holden since I currently own the US GTO version of the Monaro, but I want a 4-door when I get to NZ.

[Singel]

Hello Jason, here is the Holden dealer in NZ : http://www.moyes.co.nz/index.html

:cheers

[clg]

For those looking to buy new, you do not have any where near the ammount of pricing info that you can get in the US so you can't figure out dealer cost here. You have to negotate the old fashioned way. Whatever you buy, new or used, just plan to do lots of negotation on it!

On safe cars, you might want to check out Subarus very good saftey and easy/cheap to repair.

[greencoast]

It sounds like you're looking for something new but keep the following in mind. When we were in NZ three+ years ago, we looked at buying a used car for the 11 or so weeks we were traveling there. The car fairs in Auckland--a couple on the weekends I recall--are fantastic for used vehicles. And by used we're talking beaters. There were some excellent values on late model vehicles of numerous makes and styles in great shape. While we did not end up going that route we had an aquaintance that got a great deal. Best of all, they've got a mobile on-site inspection that checks all the major points to ensure you're not getting a lemon.

[Jason2112]

For those looking to buy new, you do not have any where near the ammount of pricing info that you can get in the US so you can't figure out dealer cost here. You have to negotate the old fashioned way. Whatever you buy, new or used, just plan to do lots of negotation on it!


That's the info I was looking for. The old rule of thumb "money talks" will surely be put in play when buying a new car.