Cars - Worth bringing mine over?
 

Hi All,

In the process of researching costs to ship goods over. I really would like to bring my car with me. I plan to ship over my furniture and car together if poss (40 foot container) UK (Cambridgeshire to Auckland) approx june 2007.

I have a few questions if someone could help me.

Car - 2006 Ford Focus ST 2.5 litre (Group 17 Insurance in UK)

I'm 41 by the way :rolleyes:

Costs:

1. Shipping costs (recent approximations would be great)
2. Insurance Costs (Generally higher or lower in NZ)
3. Tax
4. Fees to register
5. Current fuel prices (does 30mile to the gallon -if lucky) :rolleyes:

I've done a search on some forums but nothing is really up to date so anyone with recent experience would be very helpful.

Thanks for all the posts on all subjects as it all adds to the discussions for me and the OH to weigh up the pros and cons.

We're doing our recce trip in Feb and I have a job to go to so hopefully we'll like it in Feb.

Cheers

Re: Cars - Worth bringing mine over?
 

Has it got air con? Don't do it if it hasn't!!!!

Air con is a must over here!!!!

Re: Cars - Worth bringing mine over?
 

Do a Google search for International Shippers - we've had quotes from DIY £3,500 up to full pro packing and shipping £8,500.

Unless you have a car that is super -d- dooper special I wouldn't bother! Get cheap Japanese import for far less when you get there?!

Plus from what I've read NZ MAF are quite likely to charge you additional costs to have it fumigated! More money out!

Re: Cars - Worth bringing mine over?
 

After speaking to hubby, he sayes, don't even think about it if it hasn't got all the mod cons because new cars have a higher speck level over here.
Re sale value is a thought...Ford is deffinatly the under dog over here.
Also consider that we are in Km not miles.
Once you get it off the Warf it is going to be around $1000 for Complicence, Warrent (M.O.T), Registration (TAX), and No. Plates. Providing they don't find anything wrong with it.
But the on Warf costs I have no idea of, (Cleaning, inspection, transport costs) we imported my car from Japan though work but by time it was all done it was only just cheaper than buying over here.

Re: Cars - Worth bringing mine over?
 

As nobody has answered your question about insurance.......make sure you're sitting down when you get a quote out here - you won't believe how cheap it is :D . I bought a Toyota Caldina GT-T (doesn't exist in the UK), but it's a 4x4 estate, 260bhp turbo, bit like a Subaru Legacy....I'm paying just over $300 (with full no-claims) and no, I haven't left a "0" off that figure...it's £100, and they even reduced it when I changed my address to Paraparaumu.

Laurence

Re: Cars - Worth bringing mine over?
 

Yeah insurance is pretty reasonable here. We paid more to insure my tiny runaround Honda that we did for our new Mondeo though. I just changed my car for a 4wd CRV and its hardly any more expensive than the runaround tin can thing.... great! :)

Re: Cars - Worth bringing mine over?
 

Thanks for the replies, everyone.

Despite the costs quoted, it will only be just over a year old when I come over and it is pretty well loaded, air-con, etc.

I paid nearly £19,000 and would probably only get £12-13,000 when I come to sell which would hurt me as it's a fantastic car to drive.

225bhp 2.5L turbo in a Focus. It's a pretty new model over here and although having had BMW's, a MIni Cooper S etc.. I have to say, despite being a Ford, it's a pretty special car and probably the best handling car I've ever had.

I'm taking it a track day soon to learn how to handle it better. Although I'm way beyond boy racing!! I drive pretty sensibly on the road.

This brings me to another couple of questions.

Are the roads/driving habits wildly different to the UK. I've heard a few horror stories of driving conditions/drivers abilities and the odd rules when giving way to cars in certain conditions, different to the UK.

Secondly, if I was to sell my car prior to bringing over, I would have about $35,000 to spend, although I would probably look to spend less until we got settled.

Are there any popular cars to go for (or ones to avoid). Any advice would be gratefully received. Something fun, s we have no kids and plan to do a lot of miles (sorry.. KMs!!) touring.

Cheers for any help and thanks once again to all those who replied to my post.

Friendly lot!! :beer:

Re: Cars - Worth bringing mine over?
 

Many thanks Laurence...

I am sat down and WOW thats very cheap.. Mines a 225 bhp turbo and flys (not literally - cheaper shipping costs though ;) ) I can imagine driving around the mountainous areas with a big smile on my face. (I'm not reckless driver either BTW just drive within the limits.

Thanks for the reply.. made me smile, costs wise.

Re: Cars - Worth bringing mine over?
 

Driving's not hugely diff here, although some who have limited horizons will tell you it's horrendous - obviously never been to Greece, Turkey, Africa, Italy etc etc. You do get a few hoons who flout the rules, how they get away with it is a mystery because there's loads of cops around. There is one main different law - you give way if you're turning left at x-roads to someone turning right - takes a bit to remember but sort of makes sense.

It sounds like a great car, but for the $45-$50k it's going to cost you all in to get on the road, I'd probably spend $25k on an Impreza, Legacy or Forester and pocket the change - similar performance and economy with the advantage of 4wd. Just my $0.02

Re: Cars - Worth bringing mine over?
 

Are you still sitting down?
Has anyone told you this is "HOLDEN COUNTRY" (Vauxhall).

$35,000 will buy you a decent car!
-A version 8 Suburu WRX STI (300bhp) 2003/4
-A EVO 8 (300bhp) 2002/4
- A R33 GTR Skyline (300bhp) 1994/1998.
- Nissan 200sx S15 Turbo 1999/2000.
- Toyota Supre Twin Turbo (300 bhp)1998
Aparently these only have 300bhp because they are regulated from Japan and with a easily boost modification for $500 400bhp is easily aichievable!!!

There is no "need to have new" over here as there is in UK.
(And thats not an insult I have owned a brand new car and don't you just love that feeling!!! and the smell!!!)
No Jones' next door to keep up with. Cars just go on for ever over here...there are still mk ii escorts on the road!!! And I can see a MKiv Cortina from my window!!! As there is almost no rusting.

And as for insurence for the above we have just paid $895 for our 2001 WRX STI, yes blue gold wheels!!!!
Which instandently was only a little bit dearer than I paid for my FTO!!!
And we paying Auckland prices!!!

Yer you guessed it Hubby in the Boy Racer Buisness 35 going on 20!!!

Re: Cars - Worth bringing mine over?
 

Thanks for the info!!

I've been to Aus before and used to marvel at the huge engined Holdens but never wanted to run the Monaro (as sold in UK now) due to the running costs.

I think I'll have to review my plans. I've just had a quote to ship in a shared container for £1100 (six weeks shipping time) Thats not bad at all but I think I'll have to take a hit on the depreciation and sell it before I go. I'll lose a packet in depreciation but much less hassle.

I don't have a Beat the Jone's attitude either, I sold my one year old BMW 3 series fully loaded after a year as it was dull and after taking the Focus ST for a spin, I was hooked.

But moving to NZ will be a re-evaluation for us too. Minimise the mortgage, have more free time. And try to lose that capitalist 'must have' mentality.

I've pretty got all my gadgets including High Definition TV whch is stunning. I hear NZ might get it late next year?

But I want to take a step back from the constant pressure of having to push to the next level.

The Impreza sounds great but I might look for an older Lexus or Audi, few moe gadgets and more comfortable. I'll invest the rest in a new Motorbike as I'll have to sell mine also before we go. I'll have my fun on the bike and the wife can have the car.

As for the other posts on driving standards, it sounds pretty tame to Turkey, Middle East, Sierra Leone and Afghanistan so I think I'll cope.

The latest joke going round the UK is that the DVLA can locate the address of over a million uninsured and un-taxed drivers but haven't a clue where half the illegal immigrants are. There is a proposition for the DVLA to take over the Immigration service!! :D

Thanks for everyone's advice.... (now where's my Auto trader)

NZ - 2007 here we come

Re: Cars - Worth bringing mine over?
 

Bring the bike as well, expencive over here !

Have a look www.trademe.co.nz

Ian

Re: Cars - Worth bringing mine over?
 

Thanks for the tip Ian, but I was planning to upgrade anyway so I'll check out the shipping costs and compare to buying new/second hand in NZ.

Oh well.. more research. :rolleyes:

Cheers

Dave

Re: Cars - Worth bringing mine over?
 

mmmm Audi TT I looking at the mo, although only looking...and dreaming...they bout $28,000

Re: Cars - Worth bringing mine over?
 

Dash,
( I might have missed it reading the thread)
I have a friend who took two cars ( A BMW 5 and a SAAB) and three(?) vintage motor cycles to Christchurch eighteen months ago. The one thing I remember him telling me is that you have to have owned the vehicles for two years otherwise you pay VAT (equivalent GST{??} ) again.

I dont know if the same is true today but thought you might like to know as part of your decision making.