Forums > Social Discussion > Hiring/Buying a car in Oz
Login/Join to ParticipateBRONZE Member
Classically British
5,689 posts
Location: Epsom, Surrey, England
Classically British
5,689 posts
Location: Epsom, Surrey, England
Posted:
Yo - how's everyone doing? Things are looking good here, a few extra squiggles at the end of posts, a few more repeated posts (and ensuing arguements
) but all looks well 
So, me and the (now poi-ing ) Mrs will be hitting Perth (and the west coast) for a month in a week or so, and after that we're flying to Adelaide, then out of Sydney potentially 3.5 months later.
It seems to make sense to either buy or hire a car of sorts for both legs of the journey, and was hoping some people could give us some advice on what to do...
Hiring seems expensive, but then buying (or more accurately "selling") could be quite hassely - what if we haven't sold by the time we need to fly out? Also, I've heard it's difficult selling a car from a different state than where it was bought...
Some companies seem to offer both one-way rental, and others offer gauranteed Buy-Back deals.
Does anyone have any companies they can reccomend (or advise against)? And rough costs of both things?
Size-wise, we don't neccessarily want a campervan - if there's space in the boot/back, we can just chuck a matress in the back and sleep in that (or a tent) But nothing too small either - we've got a lot of crap - i mean stuff - to carry with us 
Cheers m'dears and I hope to see some of you soon
Yo - how's everyone doing? Things are looking good here, a few extra squiggles at the end of posts, a few more repeated posts (and ensuing arguements
) but all looks well So, me and the (now poi-ing
) Mrs will be hitting Perth (and the west coast) for a month in a week or so, and after that we're flying to Adelaide, then out of Sydney potentially 3.5 months later.It seems to make sense to either buy or hire a car of sorts for both legs of the journey, and was hoping some people could give us some advice on what to do...
Hiring seems expensive, but then buying (or more accurately "selling") could be quite hassely - what if we haven't sold by the time we need to fly out? Also, I've heard it's difficult selling a car from a different state than where it was bought...
Some companies seem to offer both one-way rental, and others offer gauranteed Buy-Back deals.
Does anyone have any companies they can reccomend (or advise against)? And rough costs of both things?
Size-wise, we don't neccessarily want a campervan - if there's space in the boot/back, we can just chuck a matress in the back and sleep in that (or a tent)
But nothing too small either - we've got a lot of crap - i mean stuff - to carry with us Cheers m'dears and I hope to see some of you soon
Burner of Toast
Spinner of poi
Slacker of enormous magnitude
SILVER Member
Pooh-Bah
1,626 posts
Location: Southampton, United Kingdom
Pooh-Bah
1,626 posts
Location: Southampton, United Kingdom
Posted:
https://www.travellers-autobarn.com/new-design2/rentals-stationwagon.shtml
She's a beauty... about as cheap as you'll find I think.
https://www.travellers-autobarn.com/new-design2/rentals-stationwagon.shtml
She's a beauty... about as cheap as you'll find I think.
What a wonderful miracle if only we could look through each other's eyes for an instant.
Thoreau
SILVER Member
old hand
845 posts
Location: Adelaide, Australia
old hand
845 posts
Location: Adelaide, Australia
Posted:
Don't use the dodgy guy in Byron who sells/rents vw campers!!! So anyway fatty are you going to come to Adelaide before I go?
Don't use the dodgy guy in Byron who sells/rents vw campers!!! So anyway fatty are you going to come to Adelaide before I go?
Slicing the Loaf as we speak.
I need it..... Trust me!
BRONZE Member
nut.
756 posts
Location: Bouncing off the walls., England (UK)
nut.
756 posts
Location: Bouncing off the walls., England (UK)
Posted:
Hm.. I'm hoping to go visit Australia later this year too.. But I'd probably be there a year or so.. Any tips would be great..
Hm.. I'm hoping to go visit Australia later this year too.. But I'd probably be there a year or so.. Any tips would be great..
THE MEEK WILL INHERIT THE EARTH!
If that's okay with you?
GOLD Member
Self-Flagellation Expert
3,414 posts
Location: Bogged at CG, Australia
Self-Flagellation Expert
3,414 posts
Location: Bogged at CG, Australia
Posted:
There's a newspapery thing, called the trading post (at least here in SA, not sure about over in the west), where you can usually find really cheap cars. Like, in the $500AUD range (about 200-300 pound). Buy it, drive it, when you're finished/it starts dying, sell it off or blow it up or something
Only thing is, for about that price, you're going to get a box of snot. it'll go, stop and turn, but don't expect much more. Good thing is, if it's really not coping, it can be sold off, if you go to a wreckers, you should get at least a fifth of your money back.
That being said, 9/10 times, public transport isn't too bad...
There's a newspapery thing, called the trading post (at least here in SA, not sure about over in the west), where you can usually find really cheap cars. Like, in the $500AUD range (about 200-300 pound). Buy it, drive it, when you're finished/it starts dying, sell it off or blow it up or something
Only thing is, for about that price, you're going to get a box of snot. it'll go, stop and turn, but don't expect much more. Good thing is, if it's really not coping, it can be sold off, if you go to a wreckers, you should get at least a fifth of your money back.
That being said, 9/10 times, public transport isn't too bad...
"beg beg grovel beg grovel"
"master"
--FSA
"There was an arse there, i couldn't help myself"
--Rougie
GOLD Member
member
81 posts
Location: Brisbane, Australia
member
81 posts
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posted:
is that the 1800 - WICKED vans???
Doc
Written by: Parafinfairy
Don't use the dodgy guy in Byron who sells/rents vw campers!!! So anyway fatty are you going to come to Adelaide before I go?
is that the 1800 - WICKED vans???
Doc
SILVER Member
what goes around comes around. unless you're into stalls.
4,030 posts
Location: Bali, Australia
what goes around comes around. unless you're into stalls.
4,030 posts
Location: Bali, Australia
Posted:
There's quite a lively market in used cars, and some specialise in 'backpackers' cars...vans, station wagons etc often with tents and stuff thrown in. Some friends recently bought a diesel post office van through the trading post, did it up a bit with a platform for a bed and some curtains, threw in a tent,cooker and saucepans and made a profit! If you do decide to hire, check out carefully the mileage and 'offroad' restrictions. Public transport is just OK if you just want to go the beaten track, carry everything!
Selling 'across states' is not that hard, you have to get a roadworthy certificate and the new person has to change in the licence plates cos they are done on a state by state basis. In many states you have to get a roadworthy to sell in any case.
There's quite a lively market in used cars, and some specialise in 'backpackers' cars...vans, station wagons etc often with tents and stuff thrown in. Some friends recently bought a diesel post office van through the trading post, did it up a bit with a platform for a bed and some curtains, threw in a tent,cooker and saucepans and made a profit! If you do decide to hire, check out carefully the mileage and 'offroad' restrictions. Public transport is just OK if you just want to go the beaten track, carry everything!
Selling 'across states' is not that hard, you have to get a roadworthy certificate and the new person has to change in the licence plates cos they are done on a state by state basis. In many states you have to get a roadworthy to sell in any case.
.....Can't juggle balls but I sure as hell can juggle details....
Stargazer
6,650 posts
6,650 posts
Posted:
Is the Kings-X car market in Sydney still alive?
Bought a camper and a Landcruiser there, all fully equipped, drove it everywhere and further and sold it off after with only little lost... Buying and then selling with a profit is possible (though maybe morally not waterproof) - but ALWAYS check on your travel dates and the seasons. You'll have a hard time buying/ selling in/ off season...
When buying check the roadworthy certificate and best opt. might be to have the car checked once again from a certified mechanic.
Be careful when buying a car from travellers/ backpackers anyways... Why? ^ look up MiG's post... 
Many locals won't buy from travellers for those reasons 
Buying from locals (trading post), selling to travellers sometimes is a good opt. to consider.
Besides: A car needs more than just petrol... be aware on Kennedy development Road or anywhere in the outback... it's not only 300k's to the next gas station, but sometimes also days for the next car to pass...
So much from my side
Good luck
Is the Kings-X car market in Sydney still alive?
Bought a camper and a Landcruiser there, all fully equipped, drove it everywhere and further and sold it off after with only little lost... Buying and then selling with a profit is possible (though maybe morally not waterproof) - but ALWAYS check on your travel dates and the seasons. You'll have a hard time buying/ selling in/ off season...
When buying check the roadworthy certificate and best opt. might be to have the car checked once again from a certified mechanic.
Be careful when buying a car from travellers/ backpackers anyways...
Why? ^ look up MiG's post... Many locals won't buy from travellers for those reasons Buying from locals (trading post), selling to travellers sometimes is a good opt. to consider. Besides: A car needs more than just petrol... be aware on Kennedy development Road or anywhere in the outback... it's not only 300k's to the next gas station, but sometimes also days for the next car to pass...
So much from my side
Good luck
the best smiles are the ones you lead to 
SILVER Member
veteran
1,433 posts
Location: 8 days at Cloudbreak, 6 in Perth, Australia
veteran
1,433 posts
Location: 8 days at Cloudbreak, 6 in Perth, Australia
Posted:
It's called the Quokka over in the west (similar to the Trading Post but different name and company).
Brilliant little newspaper if you are wanting to buy anything fairly cheap and second hand...comes out every Wednesday or Thursday (can't remember which).
It's called the Quokka over in the west (similar to the Trading Post but different name and company).
Brilliant little newspaper if you are wanting to buy anything fairly cheap and second hand...comes out every Wednesday or Thursday (can't remember which).
BRONZE Member
old hand
1,107 posts
Location: In a test pit, Mackay, Australia
old hand
1,107 posts
Location: In a test pit, Mackay, Australia
Posted:
Be cautious with those places that buy your car back unless they have a set rate of depreciation based on milage; if you're leaving the country and desperate to offload a vehical they've got you over a barrel.
Don't be afraid of big engines either; to a European mind a 4.0L Falcon seems stupidly enormous, but for long distances they'll prove more economic than a smaller one.
Cars you can offload the easiest are Falcons and Commodores, plus they are easy to work on if they go wrong, just be careful on dirt roads if you're not used to rear wheel drive.
Be cautious with those places that buy your car back unless they have a set rate of depreciation based on milage; if you're leaving the country and desperate to offload a vehical they've got you over a barrel.
Don't be afraid of big engines either; to a European mind a 4.0L Falcon seems stupidly enormous, but for long distances they'll prove more economic than a smaller one.
Cars you can offload the easiest are Falcons and Commodores, plus they are easy to work on if they go wrong, just be careful on dirt roads if you're not used to rear wheel drive.
There is a slight possibility that I am not actually right all of the time.
SILVER Member
old hand
845 posts
Location: Adelaide, Australia
old hand
845 posts
Location: Adelaide, Australia
Posted:
Docta - no its not the Wicked Vans! I've never hired one but I've only ever heard very good things about them! No its a guy who lives in Byron who only rents out the old classic vw kombis and he let me down big time and I nearly lost $800 over it! He also does the buy-back but to be honest you'll lose a couple of grand over that too!
Docta - no its not the Wicked Vans! I've never hired one but I've only ever heard very good things about them! No its a guy who lives in Byron who only rents out the old classic vw kombis and he let me down big time and I nearly lost $800 over it! He also does the buy-back but to be honest you'll lose a couple of grand over that too!
Slicing the Loaf as we speak.
I need it..... Trust me!
SILVER Member
what goes around comes around. unless you're into stalls.
4,030 posts
Location: Bali, Australia
what goes around comes around. unless you're into stalls.
4,030 posts
Location: Bali, Australia
Posted:
I agree that to buy from a local is better than buying from another traveller. Chances are they've not flogged the poor old thing knowing that they are just going to sell it on and disappear. I would personally not get a Holden or Ford. I've had them and they're tinny. Toyota mate. Toyota. (well, I own a Subaru cos they are the best but not so easy for parts outback)
I agree that to buy from a local is better than buying from another traveller. Chances are they've not flogged the poor old thing knowing that they are just going to sell it on and disappear. I would personally not get a Holden or Ford. I've had them and they're tinny. Toyota mate. Toyota. (well, I own a Subaru cos they are the best but not so easy for parts outback)
.....Can't juggle balls but I sure as hell can juggle details....
SILVER Member
Mumma Hen
6,391 posts
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Mumma Hen
6,391 posts
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posted:
we are selling our much loved kombi, shes a beaut...that way we have a way of bribing you to Brisbane for a spin.
we are selling our much loved kombi, shes a beaut...that way we have a way of bribing you to Brisbane for a spin.
TAJ "boat mummy." VALURA "yes sweetie you went on a boat, was daddy there with you?" TAJ "no, but monkey on boat" VALURA "well then sweetie, Daddy WAS there with you"
GOLD Member
wandering dingo
167 posts
Location: Aussie in London, Australia
wandering dingo
167 posts
Location: Aussie in London, Australia
Posted:
The quokka is online also - https://www.quokka.com.au
might be worth a browse before you get here!
Just by chance, as we are leaving to the UK in May we have a couple of vehicles for sale in Perth.... But the nice big comfy one (NIssan Pathfinder) well suited to cross australia travel may be a bit expensive for ya, and the good value little cheap to run cheapy (mazda 121) might be a bit small.
You are right, buying will be easy, selling harder. But much more betterer than hiring.
Also in WA there is one main auction house, which sells government, ex rentals, and repossessed vehicles. I've bought from there twice over the years. They have twice weekly auctions. https://www.autogroup.com.au/Home/default.asp
EDITED_BY: Mojojo (1141192156)
The quokka is online also - https://www.quokka.com.au
might be worth a browse before you get here!
Just by chance, as we are leaving to the UK in May we have a couple of vehicles for sale in Perth.... But the nice big comfy one (NIssan Pathfinder) well suited to cross australia travel may be a bit expensive for ya, and the good value little cheap to run cheapy (mazda 121) might be a bit small.
You are right, buying will be easy, selling harder. But much more betterer than hiring.
Also in WA there is one main auction house, which sells government, ex rentals, and repossessed vehicles. I've bought from there twice over the years. They have twice weekly auctions. https://www.autogroup.com.au/Home/default.asp
EDITED_BY: Mojojo (1141192156)
Only three things are certain: Death, Taxes, and that England will not win back the Ashes in this lifetime.
GOLD Member
*slou?
6,555 posts
Location: Adelaide, Australia
*slou?
6,555 posts
Location: Adelaide, Australia
Posted:
heya durbs!
there's the Tradingpost cars website, most probably the cheapest option through that type thing.
there's also the carsguide, though tends to be much more on the expensive side.
heya durbs!
there's the Tradingpost cars website, most probably the cheapest option through that type thing.
there's also the carsguide, though tends to be much more on the expensive side.
SILVER Member
member
116 posts
Location: Calgary, Canada
member
116 posts
Location: Calgary, Canada
Posted:
BUY A HOLDEN, V8 O'COURSE!!
BUY A HOLDEN, V8 O'COURSE!!
we were somewhere near barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the drugs began to take hold...
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