To import or not

[driverrob]

It'll be 2 or 3 years yet before we can emigrate to NZ but, thinking ahead:

I love my GTO but I'm not sure it'll be worth the expense and hassle of trying to import it, particularly as it has been slightly modified. I've seen a few for sale there but mostly autos and non-turbo.

What do you think?

[Omerta]

As a general rule, jap cars are a fair bit cheaper and better condition here than there, but there's always exceptions. Is it special to you, i.e. you'd want to keep it for some years after moving back, or are you wondering if you can make a buck or two on it? If the latter, and with 2-3 years to plan ahead, there's other cars you could buy and own there for long enough to minimise import taxes and have a better chance of selling for a profit here.

I haven't looked into this for a while but at the budget end of the market I'd look at a 3-4 year old low mileage germanic mid size sallon/estate with leather, etc. Audi allroad, 5 series, etc. Manual and diesel options might be worth more here than they cost there.

[driverrob]

You drive TVRs, Don.

I've had this GTO nearly 7 years. You know what 0-60 mph in under 6 seconds feels like, the ability to overtake nearly anything on an average road. And you know what it's like to drive an eye-catching car. I may be retired but I don't feel ready to join the 1.6l diesel mid-range hatchback crowd.

So, no. I wouldn't be planning on selling it unless I have to.

I'm wondering how hard it is to register an imported, modified, de-limited car and why there seem to be no twin-turbo version for sale.

It's Wellington we'll be heading for, by the way.

[Omerta]

driverrob said:

You drive TVRs, Don.

Sadly it's been a while since that statement was true - but maybe by Christmas 20mumble...

Unless you're especially attached to your particular GTO, the cost and hassle of importing might not be worth it as the cost of shipping etc is significant compared to the value of the car, and they are available here.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/mitsubis...

If you are attached to your GTO, provided you've owned it for a year or more there you should be able to bring it in as an immigrant's baggage vehicle:
http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/factsheets/44a/i...

Cheers

[driverrob]

Thanks, Don.

At NZ$13k+, that GTO TT is older than mine and apparently worth twice as much.

[Omerta]

13k asking price, which is more than double what other (higher mileage) ones are currently listed for so he might be dreaming. Shipping, compliance, GST etc will be NZ$5k at least.

[Bull1t]

driverrob said:

to drive an eye-catching car.

Hi Rob

Don't take this as a dig because its not intended but is there something in particular that appeals to you about GTO's? I dont know what theyre like in the UK but over here theyre quite common to the point very few people would pay attention to them at all unless they were being driven in an unusual way.

Have a look through www.trademe.co.nz and see what options are available in New Zealand. Theres plenty of turbo charged Japanese cars here that will offer similar or better performance than a GTO all of which are likely to be cheaper than their UK equivalent.

As Don suggests Id recommend if you bring over a car from the UK make it a european car of some sort, all the Japanese ones are likely to be here and cheaper than you can import for already. If its a Japanese car of any sort you desire I'd just look to buy one once you get here.

[SkylineObsession]

If you want a GTO to stand out here, might pay to get the last model ever made, the '99 TT with big rear wing. Only ever seen one of these in real life, mind you i haven't been to the North Island for over 20 years now.

[D1GGY]

Hi Rob

Shipping and getting it on the road will cost circa 1600GBP only you can decide if that is worthwhile.

On the other hand you could sell it buy an elise and ship that

Looking forward to seeing you again soon.

m

[driverrob]

Cheers, Mark.

Partly I was worried that the modifications might cause problems with registration or the WOF: tinted rear lights & indicators, lowered suspension, turbo timer, uprated brakes - though no engine or fuel mods so only 260 odd bhp.

[SkylineObsession]

driverrob said:

Cheers, Mark.

Partly I was worried that the modifications might cause problems with registration or the WOF: tinted rear lights & indicators, lowered suspension, turbo timer, uprated brakes - though no engine or fuel mods so only 260 odd bhp.

Tinted rear lights etc - i think it will depend how dark they are as to whether you'll get picked up on them.
Lowered suspension - so long as it doesn't have cut springs and isn't below the legal limit you should be right.
Turbo timer i wouldn't worry about - heaps of cars have them (my turbo Skyline did, but was obviously wired wrong as took it apart one day to see why it wasn't going and it had blown a few diodes etc)
Brakes i'm not sure about, but i do have R33 Skyline brakes on my non turbo R32 Skyline and haven't needed a cert or anything.

I think its prolly the frontal impact and emissions laws that are going to stop your car from being road registered. Unless perhaps as a special interest vehicle?

Edited by SkylineObsession on Friday 8th July 12:02

[driverrob]

SkylineObsession said:

I think its prolly the frontal impact and emissions laws that are going to stop your car from being road registered. Unless perhaps as a special interest vehicle?

Edited by SkylineObsession on Friday 8th July 12:02

It's a Jap import so it should be the same as all the others on NZ's roads.

The rest is good news. Thanks.

[Omerta]

driverrob said:

It's a Jap import so it should be the same as all the others on

All the others were imported before the rules changed in 2007. You need to import it under the SIV rule.

[uncinqsix]

driverrob said:

It's a Jap import so it should be the same as all the others on NZ's roads.

That phrase has been the downfall of many, many people who have tried to import cars to NZ!

Something like this will need to come in under SIV or Immigrant's to get around the frontal impact and emissions requirements. The tinted indicators and rear lamps are a no-go and will have to be changed back to OE spec. The other mods might need Low Volume Vehicle certification once the car gets here too.

Overall it's probably doable, but it's up to you as to whether it's worth the effort and expense.

[SkylineObsession]

http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/rules/vehicle-ex...
http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/rules/frontal-im...

Kinda hate these laws myself - makes it harder to import and road register cars.

[driverrob]

So, I've been reading up on every thing I can find to do with importing and registering, shipping, insurance etc.
Sadly it looks like I'll just have to enjoy her while I can and sell her before I leave - whenever that is.

Whether I'll find another one with such low mileage and complete service history is another matter.

Anyway, we'll be visiting over Christmas again if anyone's around Wellington.

[Bull1t]

What do you call low ks? This one only has 48
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/mitsubis...

I still say decide what you want once you get here, theres lots of other options than a GTO

[driverrob]

Bull1t said:

I still say decide what you want once you get here, theres lots of other options than a GTO

You're right, Paul. I think Sue and I were coming to that conclusion, too, especially if we decide to have just the one car between us to be our all-purpose transport.

[Shades]

Hello all
Possibly going to be moving to the Wellington area in January & I want to import my Elise (52 plate S2 111S).
Will the Elise pass the frontal impact & exhaust regulations?
Also at the moment my car is standard but I'm looking at putting a front splitter on the car before our trip to the alps in September, would this have to be removed before it gets inspected when i import it?
Cheers