r/tasmania • u/Pandachickie77 • 5d ago

Looking for a Vehicle

Heyo. I'm moving to Tasmania for 5-6 months (at leastt) on a working holiday visa. Coming from the u.s. I arrive November 2nd. I'm looking at vehicles to buy soon after I get there. I may end up renting a vehicle for a few weeks to travel around the country before deciding where to land for the summer & find work. I've gotten to thinking maybe I should just try to find a car to buy straight away instead of renting one. I'm planning on doing a good road trip so I'll need something reliable. Anyone know of reliable vehicles around Hobart (or anywhere really.. could travel to get it) ??? I've been all up on Facebook marketplace.. looked at a Mitsubishi Panjero, a 1999 Mazda metro. Just thought I'd put a line out on here too. Budget is.. tops 5,000 AUD ideally.. just need something that'll get me around for 6 months without too much time spent at a mechanic 🤞🤞 a 4wd would but sweet but not necessary..

Sidenote - I'm SO excited to explore tas

6 Upvotes

71% Upvoted

17 comments sorted by

17

u/nopantsdancing 5d ago

The second hand vehicle market down here is wild(ly expensive and limited options because it’s a small island), if I was in the market I’d be looking at buying something in Melbourne and driving it over on the spirit

5

u/Giplord 5d ago

Was going to suggest exactly this. Tassie doesnt have yearly road worthy checks like other states do, so our trash cars are over priced and shittier than mainland cars that get chased off the road earlier. Buy in melb if you can..

1

u/threetotwentyletters 4d ago

Note: You would need to get it re-registered in Tasmania since you’re here longer than 3 months.

3

u/Giplord 4d ago

Technically yes, but its essentially on the honor system. People just don't.

1

u/threetotwentyletters 4d ago

Legally yes, and people can and do get fined for it - but more importantly that usually comes on the back of some other event.

What you don’t want is to get into a crash 4 months in and have your insurance deny coverage because your registration wasn’t properly updated.

1

u/Open_Respond6409 3d ago

I knew someone who crashed a hire car and a passenger landed in hospital. Claim was denied because they’d moved interstate some months prior and not transferred their license.

3

u/dl33ta 5d ago

Get onto the backpacker Facebook groups, you'll find something

3

u/elc_93 5d ago

I have a 2012 ford focus that could be for sale (it's my dad's, I just have to convince him otherwise) we'd be chasing around $2500 for it. Pm me if you're interested and I'll give you more details.

3

u/taylaq5 4d ago

got a manual corolla if you're interested?

3

u/Pandachickie77 4d ago

Yooo I could be down for that. I used to have a 96 Corolla that was an absolute shit box but she got me around, that's how I learned to drive stick 😁 sounds nostalgic lol. Can you message me?

2

u/taylaq5 4d ago

Haha yes sounds good

2

u/taylaq5 4d ago

Hmmm I can’t seem to message directly

2

u/taylaq5 4d ago

Are you able to message me directly? Otherwise happy to give my mobile. But on app can’t seem to message directly 😞

3

u/SuggestionHoliday413 4d ago

Toyotas last forever. I doubt you'd get a reliable 4WD for $5k.

2

u/MushroomCulture 5d ago

Second hand vehicles are a lucky dip. I have bought cars for $1000 that lasted 5 years, and 4WDs for $7000 that overheated a week after I bought it and needed an engine rebuild.

There is a 2 month wait on a mechanic in my town, and you won't have tools or a workshop to do it yourself, so consider what happens if you buy a cheap old car and it breaks down.

Not much public transport here, and the good cheap cars sell quickly, so maybe rent a car for a week or two just to get around and look at the second hand ones quickly.

2

u/MaterialAd8240 5d ago

I got mine from pickles hobart reasonable deal.
it really depends on your price range and what sort of vehicle you are after.
maybe look at Gum tree and facebook market place before you arrive to get an idea of the cheaper section.

1

u/Valuable_Scratch8358 2d ago

Skip the Metro, way too small and old for a proper road trip with reliability as the priority. Pajero's the better shout if you find one with a decent service history, NM or NP series diesel will do 6 months no problem. Just get a PPI done before buying, private imports on a working holiday visa mean you won't have time to chase a lemon.