Yesterday, Natalie and I purchased a 1998 Subaru Legacy. Yup, its a station wagon. Allow me to explain. In most places in the world, the idea of purchasing a car for 3-6 months is a luxury. However in New Zealand (and Australia), used cars can be purchased on the cheap and offer the avid traveler an infinite amount of flexibility to cheaply travel the country.

Nomad Backpackers has now gone mobile. Seriously mobile.

The Subaru Low Down

Here are the relevant specifications for our new car.

- 1998 Subaru Legacy

- 269,000 Kilometers or 167,148 miles

- 5 speed manual

- 2 Liter engine

- 4 wheel drive

- Power doors/locks/mirrors

- Full size spare

- Cd player tape deck combo

- Air conditioning

If your are interested in the gory details of buying a car in New Zealand, see below. If you want to know the quick and dirty way to buy a car in New Zealand, keep reading.

The Quick and Dirty

First, get yourself to Christchurch. Many backpackers are selling cars in Christchurch and this is where you will get the best deal. Next, go see Ian at the Backpackers Car Market. Despite all of my suspicions, this company actually does what it says it will do. Mainly, they provide a way for backpackers to sell cars to other backpackers while offering independent advise to both (they make their money buy charging the seller a parking fee and buy selling the peripheral necessities to to the buyer. No commissions.) . Natalie and I were able to find our Subi, obtain a VIR report, get the Subi inspected by a off site mechanic (Tim), as well as purchase insurance, road side assistance, and the change of ownership paperwork. Best of all, Ian (the helpful guy who works at Backpackers Car Market) helped us through the entire procedure and explained each step to us in detail. To further sweeten the deal, everything from the inspection to the insurance was cheaper than I had been able to find on my own. What a great experience. Natalie and I were able to get everything done, including buying the Subi, for about $US 1900. This was a great deal and a wonderful buying experience. Thanks Ian.

How to Buy a Car in New Zealand

Many of the people that we have met in New Zealand talk about how travelers come to New Zealand, buy cars, and end up getting screwed because they purchased a lemon. After traveling the backpacking circuit for a couple of months, that makes sense. Many backpackers take the easy way out and skip really important steps. Like paying for a mechanic to inspect a vehicle before buying it. Natalie and I completed the following steps before purchasing our new Subi. It may break down in the future, and if it does you will hear about it, but I hope that these steps helped to eliminate most of the risk.

Buy a car in Christchurch
Many backpackers buy cars in Auckland (where they start) and sell them in Christchurch (their last stop before flying to Auckland and leaving the country). If you try to buy a car in Christchurch, their is a much larger market and prices are cheaper.

Get an Inspection
Buying a used car is like playing Russian Roulette. Take some of the risk out of the game and get an inspection

- www.aa.co.nz ($NZ130 at inspection center $NZ 145 for the mechanic to come to you)

Obtain a VIR (Vehicle Information Report)
This is basically the New Zealand Version of Car Fax. Make sure the car is not stolen, see the previous owners, etc

- www.vir.co.nz

Check the WOF (Warranty of Fitness)
In New Zealand, every car needs a warranty of fitness to prove that it is road worthy. For cars older than 6 years, this needs to occur every 6 months. When buying a used car, make sure the vehicle has at least 5 months left on its WOF.

- Get A WOF

Current License
All cars need a current license (similar to a license and registration in the states). In New Zealand, this is tied to the car and not the driver. Thus, a used car should be properly plated and licensed with at least 6 months to go before the license runs out.

- License Facts

Transfer of Ownership
This painless procedure can be performed at the New Zealand Post Office for $NZ 25. If you want to officially own the car (and why would you choose otherwise) pay the money and get this done.

Insurance
Fire and Theft insurance is all you need to cover you for insurance. This protects any cars that you hit and it also covers you if your car is broken into or happens to catch on fire.

That is it, if you can get all this done, you are ready to wander freely about New Zealand. Congratulations!

Tags | New Zealand