Buying a car at Auckland airport.
 

Anyone here done this ?
I found a few companies that offer to bring a car to the airport
for me. Apparently usual way is to buy in an online auction (Trademe),
and it is possible to view the comments on the
companies that do this, and possibly select a good one.
Still a personal story would be helpful.

I know its a bit of a long shot !
John

My sister in law did that years ago when backpacking around (if one can do that with a acr).

The company was genuinely called 'Rent a Wreck' and the car they 'bought' was a Hillman Hunter and this was in the 1990s !

Not with a bargepole...!
Do it like this: research what you want to buy, rent a car for a day or 2, look at at the vehicles that fit your expectations, have the AA do a tech check on the one that looks best and take it from there. AA will register the car for you, do a WoF/MoT and set you up with insurance ( which isn't compulsory in NZ - yeah, brainless.. - but highly recommended.)

Folks,
While I have no personal axe to grind, I would strongly suggest, being very careful indeed at Auckland Airport, with any motoring matter. Parking is an absolute rip off, taxi fares to the city are criminal & many off site car park companies are dubious at the least. This scenario might ring a bell in other parts of the world, but if you go down this route, take care.

In Australia, possibly NZ as well, there are a number of companies which sell "backpacker" cars with a buy back option at the end of your trip. Also there are car marts held on certain days where departing visitors can offer their cars for sale. Notice boards at backpacker hostels often have cars for sale.

This is of course the dodgiest end of an already dodgy business. Stolen, finance owing, unroadworthy etc cars are often got rid of through these channels by sellers who know you will have no come back once they are airborne.

car hire rates are pretty good in NZ - and if you want a car for long time the local renters will cut you a really good deal

When we went to NZ a few years ago we were recommended to Apex rent a car. We picked it up in Auckland and kept it for just over a week while we went up to the north and back. Then we flew to Christchurch took the train a day or two later to Greymouth and picked up another car. That one developed a gearbox problem and we swapped it in Christchurch (not a major issue in any sense). Eventually we took it on the ferry back to the North Island and finally dropped it in Auckland. We were in New Zealand for about 2 months and only had about a week without a car. Apex treated both rentals as one and charged us as if it was one 50 something day hire. Oh, and they threw in the ferry ticket between the Islands "free".

There are several companies hiring out campers. These are mainly the sort of thing we see on the roads in the UK - van chassis with a camper body. However, a couple were hiring Toyota Previa which they had modified by stripping out the back seats, fitting a bed and (not sure how) a two burner cooker. Not sure I'd want to sleep in one but in terms of economy a good deal and the campsites we saw all looked good.

similar story - hired from an off airport outfit recommended by locals

Car broke down a couple of weeks later in the sticks at the N end of N island on a Sunday. Mrs H retired to local hostelry to admire the view.... rescue turned up in 90 minutes, fixed car........ and very reasonable rates

Maybe silly...
 

I decided to go ahead with this. I can get a fresh from Japan low mileage
vehicle with guarantee, AA check and warrant of fitness for about NZ$6000.
Obviously I will sell the car at the end, but I know how to do, maybe not best price.
Rental for 5.5 months $5000+++. So we shall see.
Thanks to those who commented.
John

Good move! (Don't forget insurance,though)

esa-
Would appreciate a report on how it goes after trip finished. Both the purchase, and sale experience, and how the vehicle was for the trip.

Buying a car at Auckland airport.
 

About 4 years ago, we went on a post retirement geriatric world trip, very much a DIY effort, and included two months round NZ. We could have rented a proper campervan/RV but this would have cost several thousand quid for two months. So, we rolled up at the Christchurch Backpackers' car market, and ended up buying a converted Toyota Previa(?) for £600 from a young German guy returning home. We checked it out and there were no suspicious graunches, smoke, steering or braking issues. I admit it was a leap of faith, but what the hell?
The van performed faultlessly throughout our stay. OK, it was a bit 'cosy' at times but it did the job, and we sold it two months later, for £400, at the Auckland Backpackers' Car Market. We could have held out for the full asking price, and we would probably have got it but we only had two days to sell it before moving on in our travels. We took the first decent offer but the net result was that our transport and accommodation only cost us £200 !!

To follow up on my own post, I found many car dealers who would bring a car to
the airport for me There does not seem to be much risk in buying a high grade japanese import (aa inspected etc).
In the end amongst all the negotiations one of the prospective sellers offered me a long term deal at $20 (NZ) per day.
Eliminates all the questions of registration fees, insurance, disposal. So that is what I will do.

thanks for the update - we await events with interest!!

Got the car, seems OK, has huge boot, apparently demanded by
visitors. Auckland motorway, think UK byroad 1957. Took hours
to get out of town. Then eventually encountered the rain.
Was like being in cloud, no visibility, but everyone, except me,
driving over the limit. holiday weekend you see ! Lots of accidents,
fortunately not impeding me, and my truck driver
companion.
I think probably more expensive than purchasing,
but no insurance, no on road charges, no problems getting rid
of the vehicle. Obviously I thought it was a good choice. John