dyhppy

do we have a NZ forum? if one wanted to drive a S in NZ or AUS on a trip from the USA, any thoughts besides buying one there? any place to rent one?

thanks

RedRover

Although New Zealand is just about the perfect place to drive an S2000 I doubt that there are many there. Chances of finding one for rental would be very low. If there was some method of cheap transport I'd love to take my S to NZ and drive it around both islands. Somebody should start a ferry service (like we have to Tasmania) that you can take your car on.

There are a few rental companies in Australia that will rent sports cars & convertibles but they tend to be expensive. Google is your friend.

Johnny Storm

New Zealand [I]is the perfect place. As for rental? You'd be lucky! I've had my car or 6 months and in that time I've seen no more than 10 S2's and I live in Auckland and some of those I may have seen twice. Over 50% of the NZ car market is made up of Jap imports. So we have to wait till our Japanese friends grow tired of the S2 (yeah right) before they put them on a boat for us to enjoy. There are also the stringent emissions test that promt most to sell and export. Either way they are thin on the ground, which suits me fine, a bit of individualism....for now.

dyhppy

ok, im guessing i will never get to drive a s2k in NZ. can you tell me about what it's like to cruise around milford sound, invercargall, north island, anywhere!!!

Johnny Storm

Having only been here 6 months and done little travelling, im probably not the best to reply. The roads here can be extremely exciting. I've grown up driving in the UK where I believe the some of the best standards of driving to be found. Dont believe me, try taking the UK test. The NZ drivers are a little wreckless and the crash/death rate is way too high for a developed nation with so small a population. Drink driving is also a huge problem. The police take speeding very seriously. I dont feel relaxed while putting my foot down. The max speed limit here is 100kph. All that said the scenery is awesome. Be aware that a good number of roads off the beaten track will be gravel roads more suited to EVO's and WRX's and other 4 wheel drives. I found a beautiful road at the weekend, 9ks long and at no time did the road stay straight for more than 50 metres, S2 territory. My advice? Come on over. This country is the same size as the UK with only 6% of the population. Its empty. And so are the roads one you leave the cities.

RedRover

Although good rental CARS are hard to get in NZ - it is easy to hire good Motorbikes. If you're an experienced motorcyclist - Touring NZ on a motorbike would be just about bikie heaven.

However, if you're not a bikie perhaps the best you might do is a Mazda MX5.

VGSS2K

Hello There~

As a guy from New Zealand, I have to say that the Milford Sound cruise is mint.

But keep in mind though most New Zealand roads are crap, have pot holes and are unpredictable just like the weather

If youre in Auckland Piha beach roads are very windy just good for the S2K. The silvia (200sx) boys love that road too

If you want winding and tricky roads in the north island head to the east coast they have some windy roads there (Auckland to Gisborne).

Basically since I bought my car I've only seen 2 yellow S2K's one black and one silverstone and thats in Auckland. Its basically a rare sight and where ever you go you get the "nice car man" comment.

Keep in touch if you want dyhppy

VGSS2K

The families are all heading out to places all over Auckland. The roads near Aucks maybe slightly freed up but most of the times there will be some cars to hinder you getting a good cruise.

It depends on when you start your trip from mid january on it would free up much more with most parents going back to work.

The fact that we have crap overtaking lanes or not as much as we would like it can get pretty dangerous.

The police would be on full alert too so just got to keep that in mind too.

RedRover

[QUOTE=dyhppy,Dec 16 2006, 10:04 AM] do we have a NZ forum?

RedRover

Have been browsing around Hope these help.

Info 0n NZ

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/des...fic/new-zealand

https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications...k/geos/nz.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand

http://www.answers.com/topic/new-zealand

http://www.concierge.com/destination/newzealand





Info on Australia

http://www.concierge.com/destination...ia?mbid=google

https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications...k/geos/as.html

http://www.answers.com/topic/australia-continent

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia

http://www.touristaustralia.com.au/