Family car for NZ - manufacturers?
Discussion
Hi guys. With immigration/a return home on the cards I would appreciate a bit of advice re: a family car in NZ. What would an NZ petrolhead consider a decent family car for living with in NZ? Are any manufacturers best kept to/avoided in NZ? OH has mentioned buying a Hyundai i30 auto here, which to me as a Brit sounds pretty awful. Is everything car related upside down there too? 
TIA
TIA
I would think something you can buy more cheaply over there would be in order. Not sure that would apply to a Hyundai, which are pretty sharply priced here. The used Japanese import trade has dropped prices for lots of European stuff, but newer euro cars are probably still cheaper in the UK than here. Maybe something like and Audi A4 3.0 tdi, VW Passat, Skoda Octavia or Superb, Beemer? Some of the recent immigrants who post on here may have a better idea.
Bear in mind, if bringing something back with you, you'll need to pay 15% GST at the border unless you've owned and used it over there for a year previous.
Hyundai i45s are pretty decent cars (the bigger sedans) and are sharply priced. Cars like the Honda accords etc just go and go and go.
Aomething like an Audi Avant would be good if you don't mind a bone-jarring ride but they're overpriced here compared with the UK, or pretty much anywhere.
Hyundai i45s are pretty decent cars (the bigger sedans) and are sharply priced. Cars like the Honda accords etc just go and go and go.
Aomething like an Audi Avant would be good if you don't mind a bone-jarring ride but they're overpriced here compared with the UK, or pretty much anywhere.
I'm a big fan of Subarus as an all-rounder for NZ conditions(somewhat spastic weather, heaps of gravel roads etc) especially if you're into the outdoors and/or like going to out of the way places. 4-paw traction, good suspension etc without the on-road compromises of a proper 4wd.
On the other hand if you're never going far from civilisation then those factors won't make much difference to you. Parts prices tend to be higher for Euro stuff than Jap if thats a factor.
On the other hand if you're never going far from civilisation then those factors won't make much difference to you. Parts prices tend to be higher for Euro stuff than Jap if thats a factor.
Edited by GravelBen on Thursday 6th June 03:01
grumbledoak said:
GravelBen said:
Parts prices tend to be higher for Euro stuff than Jap if thats a factor.
That sort of general information is what I'm after- maybe get a Honda over an Audi (I'd probably do the reverse here in Blighty). Any marques to avoid (I won't be bringing a TVR)?Thanks.
Audis do seem to be extortionate for parts but a few years ago I could get BMW parts much cheaper than the Honda I had before it ($250 for a sticker anyone?)
Bull1t said:
Thats an often repeated claim but I'm not convinced its always true.
Audis do seem to be extortionate for parts but a few years ago I could get BMW parts much cheaper than the Honda I had before it ($250 for a sticker anyone?)
Fair point, the reputation may be worse than the reality as a carry-over from the days when Euro cars were less common.Audis do seem to be extortionate for parts but a few years ago I could get BMW parts much cheaper than the Honda I had before it ($250 for a sticker anyone?)
I'd agree on the Audi Avant - we brought an A4 3.0 manual quattro over from the UK and love it, including the slightly taut ride. The exchange rate is very kind at the moment, though it's dipping.
If you want a manual gearbox bring the car over - I'd say 90-95% of NZ cars are autos whereas it's the opposite in the UK. Check the emissions code - it has to be at least Euro4. Audis have the code on the VIN sticker.
Diesels aren't big here so if you're thinking of resale a manual diesel could be a big gamble. High miles also kills Euro car value, I'd stick below 60k miles.
There are companies specialising in UK imports so they'll handle it all if you want.
Dan
If you want a manual gearbox bring the car over - I'd say 90-95% of NZ cars are autos whereas it's the opposite in the UK. Check the emissions code - it has to be at least Euro4. Audis have the code on the VIN sticker.
Diesels aren't big here so if you're thinking of resale a manual diesel could be a big gamble. High miles also kills Euro car value, I'd stick below 60k miles.
There are companies specialising in UK imports so they'll handle it all if you want.
Dan
Even accounting for the 15% GST you’d be better bringing one with you, if finances permit. My boss has just bought an Audi Allroad from the UK for half the price they charge here and Audi still honour the warranty for 2 years. Cost the same as a Subaru Outback - which would you prefer? Plus if you sell it in 2-3 years, you may well be able to have a couple of years ‘free’ motoring.
I have an Audi and a VW here and the servicing is MUCH cheaper then the UK - the dealer charges $90/hr for labour IIRC. I dare say a Jap import would be cheaper to run, but I won’t be getting one anytime soon.
A
I have an Audi and a VW here and the servicing is MUCH cheaper then the UK - the dealer charges $90/hr for labour IIRC. I dare say a Jap import would be cheaper to run, but I won’t be getting one anytime soon.
A
grumbledoak said:
That sort of general information is what I'm after- maybe get a Honda over an Audi (I'd probably do the reverse here in Blighty). Any marques to avoid (I won't be bringing a TVR)?
Thanks.
Honda, Toyota, Mazda, Subaru are all very popular (the Honda Accord and the Mazda 6 are pretty much the default family saloon choices around here). Euros can be more expensive and are more regarded as "prestige" cars by many (even Citroens, which is bizarre). Parts for Euros are very expensive from the dealers or local distributors, but it's often quite feasible to buy parts direct from the UK, sometimes for less than what you can buy equivalent Japanese car parts for here. I did that very successfully with my old Alfa 156. I have an Accord now though, and get trade prices from the dealer so that's pretty cheap to run too. Thanks.
Dan M said:
Diesels aren't big here so if you're thinking of resale a manual diesel could be a big gamble. High miles also kills Euro car value, I'd stick below 60k miles.
Something else to be aware of diesels, as well as what Dan has posted, is that they attract RUC (Road User Charges). While the fuel price at the pump is less than for petrol cars the overall running cost might not be.Another suggestion is to check what the NZ market has to offer. You may find something that you'd enjoy driving that makes it not worth the hassle and cost of importing.
You haven't mentioned a budget, what area you'll be living in (4wd needed etc) or your criteria.
You did mention your Missus had suggested the Hyundai i30 though.
If a 5 door hatch will suit then one car stands absolutely head and shoulders above the rest.
The new MK7 VW Golf TSI 1.4.
Not only is it better in almost every respect than the competition it's also cheaper.
They start at $32,750 vs $35,000 for the Hyundai.
The engine's incredibly refined, silent at idle, very smooth everywhere else, with supercharger and turbocharger it's torque rich (185lb ft) making it hugely accelerative low down but also very frugal - 45mpg round town, over 50mpg on a run. Mated to the 7 speed DSG gearbox (2k extra) it's an unbeatable package of refinement and imperceptible gearchanges.
The interior quality is way ahead of others and it wants for nothing in the way of equipment.
Amazing car, nothing comes close for the money.
Note: I have no affiliation with VW, I tried one of these cars recently after driving a MK6 Golf and just couldn't believe how good, or cheap, it was.
Let us know how you get on.
You did mention your Missus had suggested the Hyundai i30 though.
If a 5 door hatch will suit then one car stands absolutely head and shoulders above the rest.
The new MK7 VW Golf TSI 1.4.
Not only is it better in almost every respect than the competition it's also cheaper.
They start at $32,750 vs $35,000 for the Hyundai.
The engine's incredibly refined, silent at idle, very smooth everywhere else, with supercharger and turbocharger it's torque rich (185lb ft) making it hugely accelerative low down but also very frugal - 45mpg round town, over 50mpg on a run. Mated to the 7 speed DSG gearbox (2k extra) it's an unbeatable package of refinement and imperceptible gearchanges.
The interior quality is way ahead of others and it wants for nothing in the way of equipment.
Amazing car, nothing comes close for the money.
Note: I have no affiliation with VW, I tried one of these cars recently after driving a MK6 Golf and just couldn't believe how good, or cheap, it was.
Let us know how you get on.
Thanks cheddar, we will have a look.
Main use will be school run with three kids and shopping around Aukland. My gut feeling is Audi A3 or Golf. Kia Sportage was a better left field suggestion from the OH once I'd pointed her to the survey results.
How are Skoda supported over there? They win (Octavia) and come second (Superb) in the family car class in 2012?
Main use will be school run with three kids and shopping around Aukland. My gut feeling is Audi A3 or Golf. Kia Sportage was a better left field suggestion from the OH once I'd pointed her to the survey results.
How are Skoda supported over there? They win (Octavia) and come second (Superb) in the family car class in 2012?
grumbledoak said:
Thanks cheddar, we will have a look.
Main use will be school run with three kids and shopping around Aukland. My gut feeling is Audi A3 or Golf. Kia Sportage was a better left field suggestion from the OH once I'd pointed her to the survey results.
How are Skoda supported over there? They win (Octavia) and come second (Superb) in the family car class in 2012?
The new Audi A3 has just arrived in NZ, same platform as MK7 golf, same engines and gearboxes as MK7 Golf, higher quality interior, superior badge prestige and brand perception with those 4 rings on the gaping front grill. They start at just under $50,000 whereas the new Golf with the same engine, gearbox and chassis can be had brand new for just over $32,000 - how deep are your pockets and how much do you want those 4 Audi rings? Main use will be school run with three kids and shopping around Aukland. My gut feeling is Audi A3 or Golf. Kia Sportage was a better left field suggestion from the OH once I'd pointed her to the survey results.
How are Skoda supported over there? They win (Octavia) and come second (Superb) in the family car class in 2012?
Skoda are strongly aligned with VW and don't yet have enough market share to support standalone dealerships. The new Octavia doesn't arrive here until late 2013, it uses VW's MQB platform and, as with the Audi A3, uses the same engines and gearboxes as the Golf. Value is strong, they start at $37,000, but despite what Skoda salesmen might tell you, the general market perception of the Skoda brand is still quite poor here and residual values suffer accordingly.
The best engine overall in any of them is the 1.4 TSI 90kw.
All your choices are, within reason, one and the same car, the sweet spot is the Golf, lovely quality, a brilliant drive, strong residuals and incredible value - my only concern would be whether it's large enough for a family of 5. If not then a strongly haggled purchase of the (yet to be released) new Octavia estate might suit you better.
When do you move over?
Cheers cheddar. I see Audi/VW as roughly similar badge-wise, certainly not $10k difference. But NZ is a lot closer to the Asian market than ours so I maybe shouldn't trust my brand images. Final say will be the OH's, but she'll at least pretend to listen to my opinion.
We'll be over shortly after Xmas is the current plan, so probably too soon to have had the car a year if we do buy here.
We'll be over shortly after Xmas is the current plan, so probably too soon to have had the car a year if we do buy here.
grumbledoak said:
Cheers cheddar. I see Audi/VW as roughly similar badge-wise, certainly not $10k difference. But NZ is a lot closer to the Asian market than ours so I maybe shouldn't trust my brand images. Final say will be the OH's, but she'll at least pretend to listen to my opinion.
We'll be over shortly after Xmas is the current plan, so probably too soon to have had the car a year if we do buy here.
Closer to $18k like for like.....We'll be over shortly after Xmas is the current plan, so probably too soon to have had the car a year if we do buy here.
No point in importing a NEW car either, even with the cataclysmic drop in GBP vs NZD - a new MK7 1.4 TSI Golf 5 door costs a lot more in the UK than over here and that's before you've factored in shipping, compliance etc....
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