Looking to buy my first RV/SUV (first 4 wheeled vehicle)

[ducatilover]

For the Toyota Corolla, should I look at purchasing an import or a NZ new model?

There's not much difference between them generally. You may find that Jap import models have higher levels of spec.
Early 90's (AE9x series) NZ Corollas were better than the imports, but in the mid 90's that all changed. Early 90's had anti-roll bars in the rear whilst most overseas markets did not (you can thank mr Chris Amon for that )
Buy on condition, not kms, our '96 was at 508,000km half a month ago, probably just over 510 now and it has been very, very relaible.

[ducatilover]

Wont make any difference,just make sure you get it checked out by someone who knows what there doing.Generally the AA are pretty good though this being the internet theres bound to be someone who posts up a horror story (there is about everything else).Remember that whatever someones asking for a vehicle chances are they will take less and you have nothing to lose offering them less than the asking price.

Only horror story is many AA people check compression by comparing current draw on the starter motor to the original spec.
Not exactly a useful way to check condition of internals lol but you generally can't go wrong with them.
I think VTNZ may do inspections now?

[unstuck]

Yep VTNZ will do an appraisal. http://www.vtnz.co.nz/pre-purchase-inspection

[Matariki]

So I was doing some looking around for a Toyota Corolla and I found this dealer on Trademe who has a salesroom in lowerhutt - Tradeinclearanc. Has any dealed with this trader before? There were also several cars that they have that I'm interested in looking at that they currently have listed;

Nissan Sentra

Toyota Cynos

Nissan Pulsar

Nissan Wingroad

Toyota Paseo

[ducatilover]

So I was doing some looking around for a Toyota Corolla and I found this dealer on Trademe who has a salesroom in lowerhutt - Tradeinclearanc. Has any dealed with this trader before? There were also several cars that they have that I'm interested in looking at that they currently have listed;

Nissan Sentra

Toyota Cynos

Nissan Pulsar

Nissan Wingroad

Toyota Paseo

Sentra: Will be a bit underpowered on the open road/hills (read: impressively gutless), I'd recommend a 1.6-2.0 of that same shape, the 1.8s are real nice and 2.0 are the nicest, both of which run the later generation SR engines.

Cynos/Paseo: Not really anything wrong with them, as long as it's tidy it'll do you well, essentially it's just a Starlet in a dress without the price premium. I'd prefer a manual though, better on gas and better up hills.

Pulsar: The 1.5 aren't very grunty, but those engines are generally very robust. Some of the later ones with the GA15DE motor had seals around the plug holes in the rocker cover that cannot be replaced, but kiwi ingenuity fixes 'em. That one is a bit pricey for what it is, I picked one up for a mate with similar kms but it was a 2004-5 one for similar money.

Wingroad: same running gear as the Pulsar wagon, that particular one IMO is over priced.

You'd find much nicer examples of all the above for a significant amount less if you buy privately.
Feel free to send me a message if there are any cars further up north, I should be in the Hawkes Bay for a few weeks

[Matariki]

You'd find much nicer examples of all the above for a significant amount less if you buy privately.
Feel free to send me a message if there are any cars further up north, I should be in the Hawkes Bay for a few weeks

I've been mainly looking around the lower hutt/wellington region. Hawkes Bay is a little bit far for me to go up and collect a car. In saying that, I also found this dealer who is selling the following that is within my budget; (up to $3000). I would prefer to get a manual, but i'm not purchasing the car just for myself but also my older sister who prefers an automatic. I'm also looking for something that is under 2000cc as it will be cheaper to run petrol wise. I've never bought a car before, so I'm not sure about whether I should go with a dealer or a private seller. Basically I'm throwing ideas of what I could get, because I don't really know what I should be looking for (in terms of condition and value for money). Nissan and Toyota, at least from what I've heard so far, appear to be the best choices.

Toyota Camry

Toyota Corolla (NZ New)

Nissan Pulsar

I'm also looking at the Nissan Sunny, I also found this version of the Nissan Pulsar and this one too, and this Nissan Primera.

I also found some Toyota's as well; Toyota Camry GL, and there's this one too, and another, Toyota Corona and this Toyota Levin.

[ducatilover]

Pretty good choices in there.
I'd avoid that early model Corolla, mechanically they're great, but they love to rust.
And I wouldn't buy a Levin/Trueno with that 20 valve motor, just about every example you'll find is now eating oil.

Camrys are solid and dependable. The only thing to look out for is oil leaks at the bottom of the cam belt cover (drivers side engine bay, underneath on a 2.2) as they tend to leak oil from the oil pump seal, if you get a cambelt done on one make sure that is replaced and the nut on the pump drive sprocket loctited (very rare, but a few have fallen off)
They're very easy on the petrol for a 2.2

A better car of that year/class would be the 2.0 Mazda 626, they drive a little better and are a little cheaper to run (average just over 7l/100km). Only real common issue on them is the intake manifold gasket leaking, it's a 2 hour job and a $7 part.

Nothing wrong with the mid 90's Sunny/Sentra/Pulsar range. The 1.8 GTi is a nice little car and would serve its owner well.

The Corona is a good car, but a Camry does the same job and is much newer

[Matariki]

Pretty good choices in there.
I'd avoid that early model Corolla, mechanically they're great, but they love to rust.
And I wouldn't buy a Levin/Trueno with that 20 valve motor, just about every example you'll find is now eating oil.

Camrys are solid and dependable. The only thing to look out for is oil leaks at the bottom of the cam belt cover (drivers side engine bay, underneath on a 2.2) as they tend to leak oil from the oil pump seal, if you get a cambelt done on one make sure that is replaced and the nut on the pump drive sprocket loctited (very rare, but a few have fallen off)
They're very easy on the petrol for a 2.2

A better car of that year/class would be the 2.0 Mazda 626, they drive a little better and are a little cheaper to run (average just over 7l/100km). Only real common issue on them is the intake manifold gasket leaking, it's a 2 hour job and a $7 part.

Nothing wrong with the mid 90's Sunny/Sentra/Pulsar range. The 1.8 GTi is a nice little car and would serve its owner well.

The Corona is a good car, but a Camry does the same job and is much newer

Its good to know that I'm on the right path, thanks for the help so far.

[Winston001]

If I lived in the Wellington general area I'd buy an automatic transmission vehicle. You have lots of hills and windy roads - a bit like Dunedin.

My sister has lived in Wellington for years and always had manual cars - cos some wise friend told her autos are trouble. Recently I finally persuaded her to buy a 2005 Corolla auto and she is almost speechless with happiness. She genuinely had no idea how different an auto is to drive on steep winding Wellington hills. Its been pleasant to help someone who had no idea how much easier driving a car can be.

Do yourself a favour and buy an auto.