Hi Geoff,

First and foremost, don’t go within a million miles of a car auction place, with Tan around! I did, and bought a heap of junk just to stop her insane twitching. Mind you, she was half her current age then.

I’m not sure if you’ve got the Rough Guide to NZ but when I took it out of the library it said under ‘cars’ be sure whatever you buy has its warranty of fitness certificate, valid for up to six months. This needs renewing every six months so you obviously don’t want to buy something with only a couple of weeks validity left. Also, check it’s been registered recently. Registration costs $110 every six months. It said you can get an AA vehicle inspection for $100 or so; and that reasonable cars start at $1500 …!

Also, if you’re buying privately, they suggest calling Autocheck debt check on 0800 658 934 to make sure the seller doesn’t owe money as you the buyer will become liable to it!

Finally, they mention having a fitness check done by the AA.

Well, that’s the Rough Guide.

Personally, I’d suggest checking the tyres to make sure they have some decent tread on them – ie, not shiny and bald – and asking the seller to show you where the jack is and where the specially strengthened places are for jacking the car up. Also, find the spare tyre and give it a prod to see if it’s not flat (and bald).

Apart from checking the oil, water, and brake fluid, etc, there’s not a lot you can do unless you take it for a test run and see if it changes gear okay and the brakes don’t pull. Also, not too much exhaust smoke (burning oil). You might cast a glance at the radiator for obvious leaks …

Buying a car off a traveller who’s leaving NZ (hopefully within a few hours, and therefore desperate) would probably be best because the price should be low and – presumably – the car’s done okay for them.

For insurance, we just took out the basic state insurance company third party policy.

Good luck. Trust your instincts and you should be okay.

Ah, the joys of car purchase!

A NZ rule you might not be familiar with although it sounds like the French priorite de droit is you’re expected to give way to traffic crossing or coming from your right. So, for example, if you’re pootling along and about to turn left into another road and a car coming towards you wants to turn right into the same road, he rather than you apparently gets to go first.

Hi dod,

We were just wondering what things we need to ensure are ok when we buy a car in NZ.
e.g. Insurance, registration documents, etc. + a few critical things to check for such as tyre tread, oil leaks, etc.

THanks,
Geoff

Hail all, no time to blog really, but still with the van crowed, which quite francly is a little sordid. They never wash, ahve worn the same p[ants since we met them, and are not fussy about washing cups and things. all a bit lax for me!!! Going to sydnet soon. James from durham is staying there at the mo so will try to see him for a day or so. all going well. sounds like bali is a bundle of laughs jul!!!

I will just regale you with our camping trip. We descided to set of with three people and a barral to a canoe. The barral we filled with what we imagined would be enough food, the tents and a couple of cloths. It was quite calm, and we set of blithly with a song on our lips. After about 10 mins of paddling i got a little bored as we didn’t seem to be moving. The current and the wind were against us and it was hard on the arms i can tell you. We pushed on, no one seeming able to find the mouth of the river we were suposed to turn into to get to the camp site called harry’s hut. at least it was sunny! No one else seemed able to row appart from me. finding this strange i endevoured to advise them ont he best rowing tecniques, but they did not seem receptive of me efforts and a mite of bellowing endsued!! WE found the mouth of the river at last, where i had asaid it was all along, and inched our way up it. the water was flowing out, and we had to work quite hard. after a stop for lunch we eventuallt got there!!! We saw a big bird that looked like a cormorond frying it’s wings on the way, but nothing alse appart from feeling like idiana jones and looking for crocs at every turn. The boys found this most amusing, and kept pointing out bitss of floating wood!! Highily amusing i found it. The water was dark red and inky, and if it had been cloudy it would have been scary. I am reading the tad w jul gave me at the mo. Most entertaining jul! I keep seeing the scenery round here as a part of feirie!! Well, the camp was just a clearing with a eco toilet and tap. I scouted the area for spiders and snakes, but all clear. We had a bit of light entertaiment and pushed geoff and will into the briney. It looked foul and stagnent to me..HAHAGAHA!!

WEll, put tyhe tents up and lit a fire as darknes set in. It never got really dasrk though because the moon is so bright. Had past, baked potatoes, sewwtcorn and some luscious kiwi’s!

Though we all kept a look out the only wild life we saw were some rat like things that kept getting near the fire at night, and these huge lizard things which climbed trees.

The canoes back was foul. Hude wind against us again, and waves on the middle of the lake!!! Most stressfull! we were glad to see the good old van. Hot showers at the camp site and them here to mail beofr eheadingto the supermarket to stock up on food stuffs! Well, speak to you later. Keep texting.

Love Tanya

As a tasty snack, i just consumed a LTJ Sandwich. I was quite apprehensive as I had used crabapple jelly instead of the traditional jam, but it was not only acceptable but actually quite toothsome.

I came across an article detailing where to get clay, wheels, glazes, kilns, etc. A career move shouldn’t set you back too much! Barbara was round the other day, commenting favourably on some of your pots.

I’ve uploaded all the photos on my computer. The link is on the left.