DavidT

Looking at ways not to spend too much too soon, being a tight git.
Just a thought at this stage, i haven't seen it mentioned before, so if you have any ideas please chip in. Happy new year.

Pookin

Depends on how long you intend to lease it for. If you know your way around an engine, why not buy a cheap second hand car. At least you will get something back for it when you upgrade.

We got one of these 4WDs for $1600 after some haggling. It runs beautifully. Ours is painted gold on the bottom half and the wheel trims, so it's original and we should be able to get a $1000 for it. (hopefully!).

P.S Yes it's a Lada - wonderful Russian 'tank'!

owieb

We couldn't afford to buy a car when we first arrived so rented one for about 4 months from Bayswater (not sure if that is what you mean by leasing). It was costing us about $700 a month, but we didn't have enough funds to buy anything outright; even a "Pookin Tank" would have been too much!

We had steady income coming in so once we were settled a bit better we went and bought one on a chattel mortgage through my own company. We're still paying about the same amount a month as we were for the hire, but it will all be paid off in 2005. Putting it through the business gave us a few extra benefits, the main one being able to reclaim the GST immediately.

DavidT

Thanks guys, I am coming over in the next few weeks on a 457 visa, so will be able to put it through the business, should i ever find one. Happy new year.
The lease or chattel sounds like a good idea, i know little about cars, leave that for the oiks that know better.

ABCDiamond

Not too keen on leasing myself, i've done it before, but not again.
But it does depend on what your options are.

Bank Personal loan may be cheaper and does give you more control.

Leasing also comes in many different packages!

This time around I bought a S/Hand car for $1,000, kept it for 6 months till I found the car I wanted. It worked out well for me.