Buying a car in Auckland?

spunkymunky

Hi All

Im looking to get car while im living in Auckland. I have about 4000 give or take that im willing to spend. Have been looking about trademe and turners but am reluctant to view or purchase as I have no idea about cars and cannot go out an check them. Also I dont know any mechanics here to help me:(
Does anybody know any decent dealers that are cheap enough?
With Turners, are the cars generally in good condition, as in would i need to get them checked over?
Any help would be great
cheers
Munky

pclancy

I bought my car from Turners a few years back and it was fine as most Jap imports are well looked after in Japan BUT I still had it checked over by a garage as soon as I'd bought it....if you're only going to spend 4K on a car you have to either risk it is being potentially dodgy or pay up front to have it inspected and give you peace of mind.

If you're not prepared to take it to a mechanic then the AA will do a comprehensive check for you onsite for $169.

http://www.aa.co.nz/motoring/buy-sell/pre-purchase-vehicle-inspections/

Thats your only option really.

spunkymunky

Thanks Mate

Any cars to stir clear off. Have heard that older subaru can run into problems.
There are lot of circa 1999 - 2001 Mitsubishi's going cheap. Is that for a reason?

pclancy

Well NZ is FULL of jap imports as the second hand parts market is massive. Toyotas, Hondas, Mazdas, Subarus and Mitsis are very popular, different brands depreciate more and I think Mitsubishi moreso then others. Only problems i've heard with subarus are the turbos giving up, lots of families drive Subarus station wagons here. Toyotas hold their value exceptionally well down here so wil be more expensive then others. If you've got four grand try get yourself a mid or late 90s corolla, civic or accord type denter. If stuff goes wrong they'll be very easy fix at any garage. Fords and Holdens are next in line of cheapness but probably not as reliable or cheap to maintain.

I made the mistake of buying an old BMW when I got here that was going cheap, I found out quickly that parts for European cars are VERY pricey compared to the japs so I'd avoid BMWs, VWs, Fiat, the french brands and volvo unless you can afford to spend $10K+ on a newer model with a service history or are prepared pump a few grand now and then to keep an old one going.

Its a great place for cars, i've driven some crazy stuff that I would never have seen in Irland. The WOF is a joke compared to the NCT, they don't even test emissions!!!! So there are, in general way more older cars still on the roads down here, usually well maintained and loved despite their age. You'll get overtaken by stuff that you havent seen since you were a kid!

cantdecide

Cars in Aus/ NZ have a waaaaaaaaay longer life than they do in Ireland. A toyota that would be near the end of it's life here would only be run in over there.

The wof being every six months probably does keep cars in good general repair which is good news for 'casual' buyers. I'd stick with Japanese cars. Don't be afraid of proper cars. You aren't punished for driving them like you are here.

I absolutely would find someone to inspect the car. Ideally, a specialist in that brand and make sure it goes up on a ramp as gets a thorough inspection. I would come up with a shortlist of cars you want to consider and post them on Boards Motors. They'll let you know some specific things to worry about.

Look here too http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/

opelastra

OP my brother is in Auckland at the moment and is selling his car. PM for more details if your interested, thanks

spunkymunky

Hi, thanks for all the advice.
Ended up going for a bmw, despite the cost of parts, from a place called ezybuy, auction type place.
The dealer said its not as bad any more. Car is in good nic, drive well and i think i got a decent deal. Also, beemers are pretty well built. This feels like a tank. So hoping it keeps me well on the road.
I was looking at mazda and mitsi's and they just didnt excite me. Decided id go for something i actually want.
cheers

pclancy

You bought an old BMW without getting it inspected? Ah well fingers crossed. What did you get, a 320? Keep the fluids topped up and watch out for coolant leaks near the heater matrix. Make sure all your rear lights are working properly too as they had horrible corrosion due to the boot lid not draining properly.

I'd at least take it to someone to make sure its got a new water pump (as they died a lot) and has had its transmission and belts looked after.

All the best with it they're lovely cars to drive!

spunkymunky

pclancy wrote: »

You bought an old BMW without getting it inspected? Ah well fingers crossed. What did you get, a 320? Keep the fluids topped up and watch out for coolant leaks near the heater matrix. Make sure all your rear lights are working properly too as they had horrible corrosion due to the boot lid not draining properly.

I'd at least take it to someone to make sure its got a new water pump (as they died a lot) and has had its transmission and belts looked after.

All the best with it they're lovely cars to drive!

Eh yeah! Speaking to the dealer i got a sense that that car was in good shape (I know its his job to sell!). He said he was and ex BMW mechanic and the car was running well, i was slightly hungover when i bought it....ive been known to make a few stupid hangover purcahses! Hoping this doesnt bite me in the ass....or wallet!! Scaring me a little clancy. I'll probably get it checked so and cheers for the area to watch out for.
Yeah it's a 320 and it drives beautifully. Hoping for a good life together!

pclancy

Yeah just for peace of mind get it AA checked or into a local garage that specialise in european brands. I'm not trying to scare you its just a common misconception that BMWs are "good cars" just because they're so expensive when they're new. They drive nicely and feel well made but every brand has its faults and quirks. I also believe if you buy a bmw, merc, jag etc you've got to add some money in your head to the purchase price to cover its higher cost of running then you might with a jap car.

I put about 8,000kms in five months onto my 1995 320 when i had it and sold it on for the same price i paid for it before its first WOF. During the time i had to spend approx $1500 on it due to coolant leaks and an electrical fault. The bloke who bought it from me paid $800 to get it through the WOF. Gorgeous car if a bit underpowered and was great to tour New Zealand in.

Now as I'm gigging more and doing more driving i've got a cheap old toyota that has never cost more then $50 to WOF and is way faster then the BMW was. But I miss the solid clunk of closing the doors and the feeling of german precision when cornering

spunkymunky

I will get it done but the car has just passed its WOF so some peace of mind there, also rego paid till December, which is nice.
I figured buying a car of this age (which ever one I was going to buy) would probably have a some follow up cost, so ive budgeted for that. I work in the city so the car will not get a much daily city use. Hoping to get on the highways at the weekends and open him (I drunkenly named it Brian on Saturday, not after Drico but cant really remember why!!) up. I cant imagine doing 8Km in the year!