[coyotewildwomen]

Hello,

We are moving to Nelson in November and will need transportation. Given we will be flying back and forth to the states frequently, a decent used car would probably best suit us. We are thinking something from Japan, as this seems to be the most prevalent car available, and a 5 year old or so Toyota or Honda would suit us fine. My question is : Have most people bought from dealers or from private parties via Trademe, newspaper ads? Are there any good suggestions or warnings? We are willing to travel a bit if we have to do so- ie Wellington or Christchurch.

Thanks in advance,

Wendy

[Smiler]

Hi Wendy

I'm not highly qualified in this area, but having bought a car yesterday I'll happily tell you what I did. It's just my girlie opinion and I had to do most of this on my own as OH was working but here goes;

I decided what style of car I wanted (4 wheel drive purple sparkling beastie with low mileage ) and set my budget. TBH my budget increased slightly while I was looking because I got a bonus and we decided to spend more on the car. I asked around friends what they thought of their car and the dealers etc.

I looked on Trade me, auto trader, dealers websites etc ( you can start all this before you come over to save some time) and went to loads of showrooms, some 2 or 3 times. I test drove a couple from dealers and a couple from private buyers.

I avoided any garage that tried to sell me something I didn't want (read couldn't afford coz I really wanted the Lexus) or where the salesman couldn't be bothered with me.

I reseached prices on the internet etc and got insurance quotes on that kind of car too. I narrowed it down to 2 types both japanese (for parts servicing etc) I joined www.consumer.org.nz (http://www.consumer.org.nz) for $21 a quarter to get access to their reports on cars, insurance, handy hints and loads, loads more.

Some garages said they could source me a car and one in particular called with one I liked, saying they could get it in for a test drive, no problem.

Meanwhile I saw a private sale on TM, called and spoke to the owner ( I think you can judge a bit here with their answers etc) and went to see it, this time taking the OH so he could get underneath. ;)

Before I went I got a VIR done www.vir.co.nz (http://www.vir.co.nz) for $25, knowing that if I liked the car, I could put an offer in straightaway.

Saw the car 'ungroomed' had a test drive, checked it over, everything with it's history matched with the VIR report, and made an offer. He accepted $1000 off the asking price, I left a small deposit, got a receipt and came home to do a bank transfer for the remainder. I pick it up on Tuesday. :D He didn't mind how long we drove it for and left us in peace to look at it and play with it outside his house.

It turns out that the car is the same one the garage called me about. It's still under warranty with them (just) and they knew the owner was selling. I've saved $6500 on their quoted price.:clap

I'm not sure if you'd have the choice you need in the Nelson area, it depends I guess on what car you want, so you may have to travel or choose a make where you have a dealer close by for servicing etc. I was willing to travel to get the right car.

The only thing I didn't consider was buying at auction. I'm not saying thats wrong, I'm just uncomfortable with the process in the UK not here in NZ. Some friends bought theirs this way here in Welly and had no probs.

Opps sorry for the huge long post, if you want any help just PM me.

[Smiler]

My new beastie............but it's not purple :mad:

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/3961/debsnewcar4rn9.th.jpg (http://img139.imageshack.us/my.php?image=debsnewcar4rn9.jpg)

[jubjub]

My new beastie............but it's not purple :mad:

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/3961/debsnewcar4rn9.th.jpg (http://img139.imageshack.us/my.php?image=debsnewcar4rn9.jpg)

Thats a nice beastie (shame its not purple, but you cant have everything!)

We bought both our cars from dealers (the same one as it happened), both are 10yr old jap imports, and we got just over 10% off the screen price. Did not do half as much research as Smiler :uhoh , but it all worked out OK.

[tee and dee]

We've got the cars sorted - 2 japanese models, 7 years old and tested etc - can't wait to see them - any suggestions for car insurance that can be sorted out online,
Thanks, Tracey

[Smiler]

Yep car insurance can be done via

www.state.co.nz (http://www.state.co.nz) (who accepted our UK licence without extra premium and have been excellent)

http://www.ami.co.nz

http://www.aainsurance.co.nz

The 3 above came tops in customer service and prices in the consumer survey.

Then these 2 came out tops on customer service but not on price....

http://www.tower.co.nz

http://www.newzealandinsurance.co.nz

I've used my profile as a couple in their 40's for the above recommendation though.

I'm unsure if you can get access to this without being a member, but you can look here for different profiles and recommendations

www.consumer.org.nz (http://www.consumer.org.nz)

Most banks offer insurance too. Most of the above do discounts if you have your house contents, buildings insurance, etc with them as a package.

I found the banks more expensive for us.

HTH.