February Newsletter

It’s American, has a dodgy past, has more power than its chassis is qualified for, and has tiny wheels. And more than half those looking at it will want to buy it. It seems like a familiar story, but I can’t quite put my finger it. To some, this ageing Dodge Ram will represent everything that’s wrong with the world, while others see it as quite the opposite. If you are in the latter group, now is your time. Read on...

BMW’s first EV was launched in 2013 and despite being out of production for two years now, the i3 still stacks up as one of the best in its class today. It’s a small car by today’s standards but is roomy and has futuristic modern styling. Older examples are still consistently hitting their range targets and they have a pretty good reliability reputation. The BMW i3 might just be a canny used EV buy. Turners Hamilton has this very low mileage example available to buy now. Read on...

This 1990 Japanese imported Toyota Hiace minibus has racked up 1,236,560 kilometres, the vast majority of those kms in NZ! That’s the equivalent of going to the moon and back…3 TIMES! Or 30 times around Earth’s equator. It still runs and drives and has a current WOF and rego. I guess it had to be an old Toyota, and it could be your old Toyota next. Read on...

People argue all the time over how old a car needs to be before becoming a classic. But a simple rule could be that it’s any car that needs a WOF every six months, which just happens to be 25 years and older. It may make some readers feel positively ancient, but this 1999 Toyota Starlet Glanza S is considered a classic under the rule that I just made up, and you can buy it right now. Read on...

When the Toyota 86 was released in New Zealand in 2012 it caused quite a stir. There were limited numbers and all were spoken for before they had even arrived. It wasn’t particularly rapid but it was a focused drivers car and it was a classic before it had even left the showroom. Read on...

Fiat’s modern take on the original 500 is a cute little commuter car, somewhat in keeping with its great grand dad. But there’s also a fast Abarth version, also in keeping with its ancestor, and despite its spritely performance, modern tech and safety features it is also cheaper than buying one of the old timers. This 2014 500 Abarth, with its 133hp turbocharged 1.4L engine, reading just 41370km, has an auction estimate of just $14,200 - $15,000. That’s less than a quarter of what you’d have to pay for a 60s example. Read on...

If you need a car for your daily commute then this Jeep Wrangler Unlimited will be perfect for you... if your commute involves war zones, mountains, or boulder strewn muddy fields. It will also be perfect for the school run if the school is located on top of a mountain with no road access. This 2016 NZ new example is available now. Read on...

When you mention Renault to many NZ drivers you, perhaps ironically, get a very Gallic shrug of the shoulders or a dismissive wave of the hands. This is odd because when it comes to hot hatches Renault has got form, seriously good form. So while others are stumping up big dollars for hot Golfs or Focuses the Renault Megane RS can be picked up for a snip. Read on...

Small, sporty cars are the most fun. They may not be the fastest, most comfortable or quietest, but they bring the joy to driving. An SUV may give you comfort and a sense of security but it won’t be as much of a hoot over a windy country road as a little car like this 2018 Volkswagen Up! Gti. And with an auction estimate of $5000 - $7000 you could argue that it’s cheap fun, too. Read on...