Astra VXR advice?
Discussion
Hi guys, I need some help/advice.
After 8 years in the UK my wife and I have decided to come home. One of the hardest choices we have yet to make is do we ship a car home?
I have a 7 year old Astra VXR which I've owned since new. I know they didn't sell many in NZ, consequently I'm really struggling to work out what it would be worth in NZ.
Does anyone have any idea where I'd find old car adverts to see what they have been selling for?
Also does anyone have any experience importing a car and any advice?
Really not sure what to do so advice and thoughts really appreciated!
After 8 years in the UK my wife and I have decided to come home. One of the hardest choices we have yet to make is do we ship a car home?
I have a 7 year old Astra VXR which I've owned since new. I know they didn't sell many in NZ, consequently I'm really struggling to work out what it would be worth in NZ.
Does anyone have any idea where I'd find old car adverts to see what they have been selling for?
Also does anyone have any experience importing a car and any advice?
Really not sure what to do so advice and thoughts really appreciated!
If your like the car that and want to keep it for a while the residual isn't really that big a deal. You'll probably get it here for very little money and as long as the chassis is clean, getting it registered shouldn't be an issue. Then you have a rare, special to you vehicle that you can happily run around in for years to come. It will also save you buying a new vehicle I mmediately you get here.
If your like the car that and want to keep it for a while the residual isn't really that big a deal. You'll probably get it here for very little money and as long as the chassis is clean, getting it registered shouldn't be an issue. Then you have a rare, special to you vehicle that you can happily run around in for years to come. It will also save you buying a new vehicle I mmediately you get here.
Apparently Clarkson's bagging of Vauxhalls has even reached these shores so its unlikely to be seen as very 'desirable' here when / if you do come to sell it.According to a mate of mine on the 2nd hand motor trade anyway 
I brought a bunch of cars and bikes over when I came 7 years ago. They arrived 6 weeks after I got here so we had to buy a car in between anyway.
TBH unless the vehicle is a 'bit special' I wouldn't now bother with bringing it over. Run o fetch mill cars are pretty cheap here and are not subject to the corrosion that UK cars get. WOF (MOT) inspectors here get palpitations when they see even a taste of tin-weasel (as its pretty rare most of the time) so UK cars are subject to much puffing and blowing IME.
My advice: Sell the Astra, buy and Elise, ship it over, enjoy the sunshine and the quiet backroads
I brought a bunch of cars and bikes over when I came 7 years ago. They arrived 6 weeks after I got here so we had to buy a car in between anyway.
TBH unless the vehicle is a 'bit special' I wouldn't now bother with bringing it over. Run o fetch mill cars are pretty cheap here and are not subject to the corrosion that UK cars get. WOF (MOT) inspectors here get palpitations when they see even a taste of tin-weasel (as its pretty rare most of the time) so UK cars are subject to much puffing and blowing IME.
My advice: Sell the Astra, buy and Elise, ship it over, enjoy the sunshine and the quiet backroads
When I came over to Wellington from Australia just before Christmas, I had to make the choice of either
a) selling my 130k km 2006 Astra Sri 2.2 manual for about AU$8k (hopefully or less maybe) and buying a similar car with less km's for NZ$14k (if you can find one that is)
or
b) import it (total for container with car and household stuff about AU$14k)
so I imported it.
Was valued at about NZ$10k for duty calculation. Have to own it for 2 years to avoid paying import duty. About NZ$1k to compliance and register.
Had to be cleaned by customs and it had to have rear disks skimmed at compliancing.
Any car here is even more overpriced than Australia, so I didn't have much of a choice rally.
Going well though, don't use it as much during the week because I'm using the bus it into work most days.
And wow, is petrol expensive as well, hasn't dropped much in price although crude barrel prices have almost halfed in price.
Oh well.
Best wishes deciding.
Jamie
a) selling my 130k km 2006 Astra Sri 2.2 manual for about AU$8k (hopefully or less maybe) and buying a similar car with less km's for NZ$14k (if you can find one that is)
or
b) import it (total for container with car and household stuff about AU$14k)
so I imported it.
Was valued at about NZ$10k for duty calculation. Have to own it for 2 years to avoid paying import duty. About NZ$1k to compliance and register.
Had to be cleaned by customs and it had to have rear disks skimmed at compliancing.
Any car here is even more overpriced than Australia, so I didn't have much of a choice rally.
Going well though, don't use it as much during the week because I'm using the bus it into work most days.
And wow, is petrol expensive as well, hasn't dropped much in price although crude barrel prices have almost halfed in price.
Oh well.
Best wishes deciding.
Jamie
pernod said:
Hi guys, I need some help/advice.
After 8 years in the UK my wife and I have decided to come home. One of the hardest choices we have yet to make is do we ship a car home?
I have a 7 year old Astra VXR which I've owned since new. I know they didn't sell many in NZ, consequently I'm really struggling to work out what it would be worth in NZ.
Does anyone have any idea where I'd find old car adverts to see what they have been selling for?
Also does anyone have any experience importing a car and any advice?
Really not sure what to do so advice and thoughts really appreciated!
The only one for sale that I can find is an ex UK, 80,000km, 2007 example, quoted as 'tidy condition' and priced at $20k.After 8 years in the UK my wife and I have decided to come home. One of the hardest choices we have yet to make is do we ship a car home?
I have a 7 year old Astra VXR which I've owned since new. I know they didn't sell many in NZ, consequently I'm really struggling to work out what it would be worth in NZ.
Does anyone have any idea where I'd find old car adverts to see what they have been selling for?
Also does anyone have any experience importing a car and any advice?
Really not sure what to do so advice and thoughts really appreciated!
For that money you can have your pick of Golf GTI's, R32's, Focus ST's (known as XR5 here), 130i's or all manner of quick hatches.
If you really love your car just ship it over Pernod.
And welcome home, wise move
Advert for Astra here:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/holden/a...
cheddar said:
The only one for sale that I can find is an ex UK, 80,000km, 2007 example, quoted as 'tidy condition' and priced at $20k.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/holden/a...
Thanks Cheddar, really helpful!http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/holden/a...
Even I can't see that selling for that much, but good luck to them for trying! I think mines only worth around £7k ($14k) over here
After a bit of research, only 18 were ever sold (under the Holden Astra VXR name) in NZ and a handful have been imported, so pretty rare on NZ roads.
I keep comming to the conclusion it's not worth the hassle of bringing it (and the $5k cost)... but then I go out and drive it again and I'm not so sure.
Still have a few weeks before I need to decide for sure so plenty of time to keep dithering on the decision.
Can someone remind me again, whats the deal with Diesel road tax in NZ these days? Are the economical compared to a petrol?
8 years ago when we arrived in the UK i was amazed at how cheap diesels were to run... but I don't know if that was just perception or if there are cheaper to run in NZ than I remember?
The reason for asking is, having looked at what I could buy for the same money, a M Sport 120D looks tempting.
8 years ago when we arrived in the UK i was amazed at how cheap diesels were to run... but I don't know if that was just perception or if there are cheaper to run in NZ than I remember?
The reason for asking is, having looked at what I could buy for the same money, a M Sport 120D looks tempting.
pernod said:
Can someone remind me again, whats the deal with Diesel road tax in NZ these days? Are the economical compared to a petrol?
8 years ago when we arrived in the UK i was amazed at how cheap diesels were to run... but I don't know if that was just perception or if there are cheaper to run in NZ than I remember?
The reason for asking is, having looked at what I could buy for the same money, a M Sport 120D looks tempting.
Bit complex pernod, with the current system the more economical your diesel vehicle is the more you are penalised with road user charges but in fundamental terms diesel powered cars are still slightly cheaper to fuel than petrol vehicles.8 years ago when we arrived in the UK i was amazed at how cheap diesels were to run... but I don't know if that was just perception or if there are cheaper to run in NZ than I remember?
The reason for asking is, having looked at what I could buy for the same money, a M Sport 120D looks tempting.
Given your potential choice of vehicle (ie a 5/6/7 year old quick hatchback) you should buy what you want to own rather than what will give the most mpg as it won't make that much difference.
The advent of hyper efficient modern turbo petrol's capable of nearly 50mpg like the MK7 Golf skew the maths more towards buying something petrol powered but I don't think you're looking at buying something that new.
I thought that was the case. Thanks!
It's almost a shame that the NZ system hasn't caught up with diesel technology yet. The low emissions and incredible milage of some of the modern diesels are almost enough to make a petrol fan an like me* consider making the switch here in the UK (as they are so much cheaper for surprisingly good performance).
I do have to laugh that our two 'fuel guzzlers' over here actually don't look bad by NZ standards
* I worked in a petrol station as a student for years... I swore then that I'd never own a Diesel as it's horrible stuff!
It's almost a shame that the NZ system hasn't caught up with diesel technology yet. The low emissions and incredible milage of some of the modern diesels are almost enough to make a petrol fan an like me* consider making the switch here in the UK (as they are so much cheaper for surprisingly good performance).
I do have to laugh that our two 'fuel guzzlers' over here actually don't look bad by NZ standards
* I worked in a petrol station as a student for years... I swore then that I'd never own a Diesel as it's horrible stuff!
For clarification:
You don't pay more tax if your diesel car is more economical, it just works out a higher percentage per km as the tax is bought in kms at $58 per 1000kms
For example: If your diesel car does 30mpg then (at todays prices) it works out at $8.50 per gallon ($1.86 per litre) if it does 50mpg it works out at $10.30 per gallon ($2.26 per litre) etc etc
Barring the extra cost of servicing a diesel engine it's about 15% less expensive using the dark stuff.
You don't pay more tax if your diesel car is more economical, it just works out a higher percentage per km as the tax is bought in kms at $58 per 1000kms
For example: If your diesel car does 30mpg then (at todays prices) it works out at $8.50 per gallon ($1.86 per litre) if it does 50mpg it works out at $10.30 per gallon ($2.26 per litre) etc etc
Barring the extra cost of servicing a diesel engine it's about 15% less expensive using the dark stuff.
I dont find used cars cheap here at all.
A 10 year old car in the UK ( unless it is special) is next to worthless. here it is $10,000+ , even older bangers seem to go for 2-4k. You can get a decent runner in the UK for hundreds, try that here!
But I wouldnt bring a warm hatch over here. Sell it in the UK and buy something else here. It does cost less overall to run a motor and there are some nice larger motors around or plenty of hot hatches, or 4x4 scoobs etc.
A 10 year old car in the UK ( unless it is special) is next to worthless. here it is $10,000+ , even older bangers seem to go for 2-4k. You can get a decent runner in the UK for hundreds, try that here!
But I wouldnt bring a warm hatch over here. Sell it in the UK and buy something else here. It does cost less overall to run a motor and there are some nice larger motors around or plenty of hot hatches, or 4x4 scoobs etc.
RobDickinson said:
I dont find used cars cheap here at all.
A 10 year old car in the UK ( unless it is special) is next to worthless. here it is $10,000+ , even older bangers seem to go for 2-4k. You can get a decent runner in the UK for hundreds, try that here!
But I wouldnt bring a warm hatch over here. Sell it in the UK and buy something else here. It does cost less overall to run a motor and there are some nice larger motors around or plenty of hot hatches, or 4x4 scoobs etc.
Interesting, I was coming to the same conclusion after looking at the various cars for sale there which are around $10k - you get a lot more here for the money.A 10 year old car in the UK ( unless it is special) is next to worthless. here it is $10,000+ , even older bangers seem to go for 2-4k. You can get a decent runner in the UK for hundreds, try that here!
But I wouldnt bring a warm hatch over here. Sell it in the UK and buy something else here. It does cost less overall to run a motor and there are some nice larger motors around or plenty of hot hatches, or 4x4 scoobs etc.
I'm intrigued by the 'warm hatch' comment though... looking at the NZ specs for the hot hatches they seem to be scaled back from what we get here, or am I missing something?
My 180kw Astra seems to be right up at the top end of what you get there? (The Scoobs and Evos are higher but I don't really want the service intervals that come with them!).
Why buy a hot hatch when you can buy a v8 holden or scoob?
Insurance here is much easier to get, cheaper and not legally required
There are hot hatches but I dont think its a segment that has exploded like Europe because of the more abundance of larger cars and far fewer tight cities with urban grind traffic.
Insurance here is much easier to get, cheaper and not legally required
There are hot hatches but I dont think its a segment that has exploded like Europe because of the more abundance of larger cars and far fewer tight cities with urban grind traffic.
RobDickinson said:
Why buy a hot hatch when you can buy a v8 holden or scoob?
Insurance here is much easier to get, cheaper and not legally required
There are hot hatches but I dont think its a segment that has exploded like Europe because of the more abundance of larger cars and far fewer tight cities with urban grind traffic.
What's not to love about a hatch! 8L/100KM on daily driving and a 6.4 0-100 time when you want it. I love being able to fold the seats down to put all the garden rubbish in the back and then get it to the dump in record time Insurance here is much easier to get, cheaper and not legally required
There are hot hatches but I dont think its a segment that has exploded like Europe because of the more abundance of larger cars and far fewer tight cities with urban grind traffic.
We are leaning towards bringing it back for a couple of reasons now:
- if we don't then our couch wont fit in the smaller container (and loosing the couch is about 1/2 the cost of bringing the car!).
- we have had it since new so know it's been treated great; it makes no sense to me to sell it to buy another hot hatch which may have been trashed just to save ourselves around $1000. If I don't bring it then most likely I'll just buy something plain and boring instead...
RobDickinson said:
There are hot hatches but I dont think its a segment that has exploded like Europe because of the more abundance of larger cars and far fewer tight cities with urban grind traffic.
Actually you are probably a good person to ask about the state of CHCH roads these days? The astras suspension is rather stiff Gdguyswin said:
If your like the car that and want to keep it for a while the residual isn't really that big a deal. You'll probably get it here for very little money and as long as the chassis is clean, getting it registered shouldn't be an issue. Then you have a rare, special to you vehicle that you can happily run around in for years to come. It will also save you buying a new vehicle I mmediately you get here.
So this might be a little late, but 9 years on I thought I'd pop back and say thank you.We brought our car back and of all the advice I received, yours was spot on.
It's getting a bit long in the teeth now, but I still. Love the old girl. I have indeed had 9 years of driving a rare, special to me, car which constantly puts a smile on my face.
Thought you might appreciate a 'in hindsight' thank you.
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