Date: Tue, 17 Sep 2002 11:56:23 +1000
Reply-To: Andrew Jack <andrewxp@AJ.DNSALIAS.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Andrew Jack <andrewxp@AJ.DNSALIAS.NET>
Subject: Re: Australian travel (long)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Sunah/Malcolm,
I would think that shipping a van out here could be fraught with problems.
Firstly, the distance is a lot greater than "across the pond" US East
Coast/Europe, and the volume of traffic is a lot less - so MUCH more
expensive. I bought a European car in '85 with a European Delivery
program - went over, picked the car up drove it for a month in Europe, then
left it with the shipping agent in Frankfurt. The radio was not fitted in
Europe, as the shipping company advised that they usually went missing
enroute. Even so, when the car arrived (3-4 months later) in Australia, the
tools had all been stolen from the (comprehensive) fitted toolkit in the
trunk. Fortunately the shipping insurance replaced them. The vehicle was
about 10% cheaper than the Australian list price landed. Obviously, some
haggling could have reduced the margin somewhat. Payment for the vehicle
was in two installments, the vehicle cost plus shipping and some local costs
before delivery, then almost exactly the same amount again (actually
slightly more IIRC) for the Australian Duty before local delivery.
Containerization would be ideal, if not for the cost - if you have other
stuff to send it may work out.
Local registration is also a minefield - we do not have "Tourist Plates"
etc. It is also almost impossible to register a Left Hand Drive vehicle.
Obviously, if the intention is to sell the vehicle afterward, then this
takes on extra significance - vehicles without an Australian compliance
plate typically command much lower resale values.
Vanagons in Australia are now considered to be "long in the tooth" - the
Eurovan was readily accepted here and there was only a short time from the
last Vanagon ('92) to the first of the Eurovans ('93). More damning is the
Australian prediliction for Japanese and Korean vehicles. We have huge
numbers of Toyota/Nissan/Mitsubishi et al vans on the road, and they are
available in a large range of variants, including 4WD/AWD. Having said that
(and ducking from the flames) a Syncro Westie in good condition with front
and rear diff locks (chuck in a decoupler for good measure) could make the
afficionados salivate - but be prepared for a long wait as the market here
is much smaller.
Certainly for a short trip, there are a number of motorhome hire companies
out here, Maui and Britz spring to mind. They have vehicles from two person
campers up to luxury six berth or so models. The little ones are usually
based on a Toyota Hiace or similar, with mid range using the Mercedes
Sprinter and larger models using light truck chassis. The companies turn
their fleets over every 2-3 years, and often a bargain can be had purchasing
an ex rental motorhome - be aware that they are usually underpowered
compared to conventional wisdom, although are usually quite well equipped
and in good condition, although caveat emptor with regard to the condition
of the drivetrain as these vehicles have been driven by a large number of
inexperienced drivers.
Andrew
----- Original Message -----
From: "Malcolm Stebbins" <Malcolm.Stebbins@MSVU.CA>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, September 17, 2002 4:05 AM
Subject: Re: Australian travel
> Why not look into shipping your van over there. Try a RORO (Roll On, Roll
Off)
> service or a container. Renting in Europe versus shipping one's van over
has about
> a 3 week breakeven point. Before I die, I hope to buy a UK van and ship
it to Aust.
> for a 6 month tour, sell it there and hop back home.
>
> Also you might so ".au" search in the archives (i'd do it year by year)
and then p-mail
> the folks who have contributed from Aust.
>
> You could try the Aust. news papers too for ads. Good luck. M
>
> On 15 Sep 2002 at 17:32, Sunah Caroline Cherwin wrote:
>
> > Does anyone know of Vanagons or WV Campers for rent near Adelaide,
> > Sydney or Melbourne, or how to find them? I want to drive to Ceduna
> > end of November for the solar eclipse. -- BigBrainEditing.com +!+
> > Sunah Caroline Cherwin +?+ Sunah@BigBrainEditing.com
>
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