We bought a Toyota Estima Lucida year 1994 after a week searching for a
good one from gumtree and backpackersboard. We also went to the
Backpackers Car Market in the city. Finally found this through gumtree.
Can actually say that we are renting the car, because we have a buyback
option with the seller who is a trader.
We bought it at $3500, and after 3.5 months he will buy it back for $2500. He actually quote us $4500 if we were going to buy it but since we were gonna do the buyback, he sold at $3500. This guy Nigel in Auckland actually has his own website, www.optionsbackpacker.co.nz. The online forums say its harder to sell the vans once summer is over, we aren't pretty sure if mid Jan will still be able to sell the van easily so we do not want to take the risk of losing more money, so we thought to agree with the buyback option too. And it would take at least a week to sell the van too.. Consider paying $1000 for renting a van is quite alright for 3 months..
The car still looks alright and functioning well, from what we see. Fingers crossed, it will last us at least this short trip in NZ =)
We bought it at $3500, and after 3.5 months he will buy it back for $2500. He actually quote us $4500 if we were going to buy it but since we were gonna do the buyback, he sold at $3500. This guy Nigel in Auckland actually has his own website, www.optionsbackpacker.co.nz. The online forums say its harder to sell the vans once summer is over, we aren't pretty sure if mid Jan will still be able to sell the van easily so we do not want to take the risk of losing more money, so we thought to agree with the buyback option too. And it would take at least a week to sell the van too.. Consider paying $1000 for renting a van is quite alright for 3 months..
The car still looks alright and functioning well, from what we see. Fingers crossed, it will last us at least this short trip in NZ =)
With a built in bed and plenty of storage space. Hope we can save some dollars on accommodation!
First day of official travelling in NZ with our Kiwi Zai.. (the van =P) We went to the One Tree Hill Park in Auckland... There are so many sheep and little lamies here... in the garden! Not a farm... Haha cute..
Auckland City view
One Tree Hill is a nice place to spend a nice walk and especially now during spring, we get to see the Cherry Blossoms! So pretty...
Hide and seek
but the tree just too slim for us to hide.
After a good walk at the garden, we went to Hamilton, just another 'bigger' city in NZ, about an hour drive from Auckland... We spend our night at the Hamilton City Holiday Park near city paying $32 for unpowered site for 2 ppl. There's no way to find free camping in cities or towns of NZ unless there are designated free camp spots offered by the local council or Department of Conservation (DOC) =)
Celebrating our first night on our own in NZ =)
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