Hello NZ PHers

[A44RON]

Hello,

Thought I'd introduce myself, having returned to NZ after 5.5 years back in the UK

A bit of background; I moved to Christchurch with my parents aged 19 back in 2007, spent two years at journalism college and a year writing for New Zealand Autocar mag, before getting itchy feet for Europe and went back August 2010. A rather silly decision, considering a recession was still going on at that point...

Anyway. I then spent the next couple of years working in Life & Pensions IT saving up for a Master's degree in Automotive Journalism, which I somehow completed & landed a job at What Car? and Autocar a couple of years ago as staff writer. Moved back just before Christmas, due to missing family too much and my dad suffering health-wise.

Since being back in this beautiful country I've been pondering what would be the ideal car for NZ's roads - South Island, in particular - and this is where your input will be valuable, too!

With fuel being much cheaper than I'm used to, roads a little wider but bumpier, and speed limits/traffic-flow lower (I'm pining for proper motorways already), I think a comfy barge is in order; a 2005-2007 Audi S4 4.2 V8 saloon is currently leading, but also an FG Falcon XR8 2008-2010 seems rather appealing. A strong preference for aural drama over outright performance given NZ's interesting speed tolerance laws...

The used car market here continues to baffle me. Trying to pick up a half-decent fun motor for less than $5k is a challenge in itself, while some tidy used Europeans $15-25k out there seem pretty good value-for-money (Merc C55 AMGs, S4s, BMW 330CIs etc). V8 HSVs and FPVs by comparison appear eye-wateringly over-priced; I almost pulled the trigger on a 2004 HSV Clubsport R8 until I spotted the $24k price tag. I'd rather have the S4 at that price.

Look forward to your thoughts and getting to know you all on here. Hopefully I can get along to an NZ PistonHeads meet

[ringram]

The Aussie v8's should hold up pricewise very well considering they end of production there over the next 18 months or so.
They will give you the authentic experience.

[CR6ZZ]

I went from a Falcon XR6 to a 4.2 S4 a few years back. Have not regretted it for one instant. Still, the Aussie V8s (either Ford or Holden) are reasonably bullet-proof. Another one to consider would be a BMW 540, and Alfa 159s are currently surprisingly good value (in my opinion).

[Tony Starks]

CR6ZZ said:

I went from a Falcon XR6 to a 4.2 S4 a few years back. Have not regretted it for one instant. Still, the Aussie V8s (either Ford or Holden) are reasonably bullet-proof. Another one to consider would be a BMW 540, and Alfa 159s are currently surprisingly good value (in my opinion).

Sshhh, I'm keeping a watchful eye on these. So the less people that buy the good ones the better

[A44RON]

Thanks for the input. I've decided on a Merc C55 AMG saloon, in all its hand-built 5.4-litre V8 gloriousness.

Large naturally-aspirated engine in a relatively small car