Be There Soon....What to Expect and What Car?

[Negative Creep]

Oh yes, in under a month I will be rocking up in Christchurch to spend a year travelling around the country . With regards to driving out there, is there anything I need to be especially aware of? I understand you can drive for 12 months on a full UK licence and that insurance isn't mandatory? I'll still get some though, but could this be more difficult without a permanent address?

Also, getting ahead of myself slightly but any ideas on what car to buy? Will be spending about 4000NZD on something that's RWD, has lots of space, easy to maintain and not for sale in the UK. Since I know very little about the domestic market, any suggestions on what to look for and what to avoid? Thanks!

[Fraster]

Have a bit of a hunt through this NZ forum,as the same questions come up a good deal. And have a play on www.trademe.co.nz

Edited by Fraster on Thursday 29th October 18:02

[Jem Thompson]

Negative Creep said:

Also, getting ahead of myself slightly but any ideas on what car to buy? Will be spending about 4000NZD on something that's RWD, has lots of space, easy to maintain and not for sale in the UK. Since I know very little about the domestic market, any suggestions on what to look for and what to avoid? Thanks!

It sounds like an old Ford Falcon will be a good bet for you. Not available in the UK, big, fairly reliable (from what I know), however 4k will not get you a very new one. Perhaps a Nissan Skyline 4 door, non turbo for that money though. Most of the rear drive Japanese cars go for kind of silly money here, because drifters and boyracers (chavs) seem to like them.

[GravelBen]

Basic spec Falcons/Commodes are very much taxis, not sure if you'd find the likes of an XR6 in that price range or not.

My standard recommendation is a Legacy wagon, does driving the front wheels are well as the rears count?

[Esprit]

Insurance should be pretty easy to get. Any of the major insurers will be well versed in helping tourists or short-term stayers out.

I echo getting something like a Falcon wagon. 4K will get you something mid-90s.

They're big, simple cars, can carry a huge amount of junk and they're big enough to sleep in with the seats folded down without being cramped.... a great thing if you're planning on roadtripping on the cheap

They're no performance car, but powerful enough to make overtaking a reasonable proposition.

As for things to look out for, we're pretty much the same as the UK in terms of road rules apart from our right-turn give-way rules, which work opposite to how they do in the rest of the world (lunacy!).

[uncinqsix]

Jem Thompson said:

Perhaps a Nissan Skyline 4 door, non turbo for that money though. Most of the rear drive Japanese cars go for kind of silly money here, because drifters and boyracers (chavs) seem to like them.

I think a Skyline would probably be a better drive than a Falcon of that vintage. How about this one?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Niss...

[Kiwi XTR2]

uncinqsix said:

I think a Skyline would probably be a better drive than a Falcon of that vintage. How about this one?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Niss...

It's orders of magnitude more likely to get stolen than an old-ish Falcon

[GravelBen]

Kiwi XTR2 said:

uncinqsix said:

I think a Skyline would probably be a better drive than a Falcon of that vintage. How about this one?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Niss...

It's orders of magnitude more likely to get stolen than an old-ish Falcon

But orders of magnitude less likely than the same car in Auckland

[Bull1t]

Esprit said:

As for things to look out for, we're pretty much the same as the UK in terms of road rules apart from our right-turn give-way rules, which work opposite to how they do in the rest of the world (lunacy!).

Yeah its amazing noone else has copied us yet. Itll be fine as long as you dont get too used to it then youll never be able to drive at home again...though most foreigners dont seem to have that problem

[uncinqsix]

GravelBen said:

Kiwi XTR2 said:

uncinqsix said:

I think a Skyline would probably be a better drive than a Falcon of that vintage. How about this one?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Niss...

It's orders of magnitude more likely to get stolen than an old-ish Falcon

But orders of magnitude less likely than the same car in Auckland

It's slightly shabby looking 4-door non-turbo, so probably wouldn't be a popular choice for thieves. Just make sure it's parked near an Evo or WRX and all should be fine

[cheddar]

Sounds like you don't mind taking a punt.
I can't recommend the Falcon or Commodore 'cos they're real nails at the money you're looking to spend. I think you'll regret it.

For $4k, forgetting the RWD only request, here's a few that popped up on trademe.

300Zx
Lexus Soarer
300E/320e Merc W124
Jag XJ6
BMW 5 series
Accord V6
Mitsubishi GTO

Those Merc 320's are 150mph cars and a lovely thing to waft around the country in. As long as the main engine wiring loom issue has been sorted they don't give much hassle.

Good luck.