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The Good Oil - Issue 7 May 2010
Over the last few weeks we've been busy selling all manner of the weird and wonderful - everything from a high spec BMW race car in our Classic Auction to the entire contents of what was one of Auckland's best boutique hotels. Read all about it below, and don't miss our free trial offer for our cool new online vehicle valuation service, Price Check.
• Best Buys? Ex Lease!
• Comparison: Mazda3 GLX vs. Ford Focus LS
• See it at a race track near you
• Highly hospitable bargain hunting
Best Buys? Ex Lease!
 Some people will tell you that the best used car to buy is the one that's been owned by a little old lady who only used it for trips to the shops. This may be so, but there are two problems with finding one of these cars. Firstly, despite the increasing average age of our population, there are only so many little old ladies with nice cars. Secondly, the little old ladies who buy new cars tend to keep them for at least 20 years. So, if you're looking for a nice 1987 Saab 9000 , then you could be in luck. However, if you're looking for a car that was made in the current millennium, then you may have to widen your search.
Ex-lease cars are a more realistic option for a buyer looking for a late model. They are usually 2-5 years old and, typically, a three year old ex-lease car at auction, with 60,000km on the clock, will cost roughly half what it was new.
Now it's true that most lease cars aren't driven by little old ladies, but that doesn't mean they've necessarily had a tough life. There are two main reasons for this. Firstly, most leases are of the fully maintained variety. Secondly, a driver who returns a car in a shoddy state will get an ugly damages bill, or worse, their boss will. There's nothing like financial penalties to encourage good behaviour.
To make it easier for you to pick up a good ex-lease car, Turners Auctions holds regular dedicated auctions on behalf of lease companies. These auctions feature between 25 and 30 cars, and each one is Turners Certified, meaning we consider them to be the best of the best and, as such, offer them with a free six month warranty. Probably about the safest used car bet there is.
The next Turners Certified Ex-Lease Auction will be held on Saturday the 15th of May at our Auckland branch. If you're out of town then don't feel left out - bid online via Turners Live instead. Alternatively, keep an eye on our website www.turners.co.nz for ex-lease auctions at our other branches around the country.
 Comparison - Mazda3 GLX vs. Ford Focus LS.
In our latest head-to-head comparison of two popular models regularly sold at Turners, we look at the Ford Focus LS and the Mazda3 GLX, two alternatives to the perennial compact class chart topper, the Toyota Corolla.
Mazda 3 GLX Auto Hatch
Engine size: 2.0L - 109kw
Transmission: 5 Speed auto
Fuel economy: 4/6*
Co2 emissions: 4/6*
Safety rating: N/A
Features
2x Airbags
ABS
CD/Radio player
Air conditioning
Service intervals: 10,000km
Price when new: $31,345
Est. auction price
70,000-90,000km: $13,000-$17,000
*From www.rightcar.govt.nz |
Ford Focus LS Auto Hatch
Engine size: 2.0L -107kw
Transmission: 4 speed auto
Fuel economy: 4/6*
Co2 emissions: 4/6*
Safety rating: 5/5*
Features
4x Airbags
ABS
Cruise control
CD/Radio steering mounted controls
Air conditioning
Service intervals: 20,000km
Price when new: $32,190
Est. auction price
70,000-90,000km: $12,000-$16,000 |
Verdict
It's no surprise that both of these cars are popular. The Mazda is pretty, drives well and has the air of a bigger, more expensive car than it is. The Focus on the other hand, has the benefit of following on from its hugely successful predecessor, the brilliant Mk 1 Focus, and it carries on the great work. While its styling may be a bit more conservative than the Mazda, it has an understated elegance and is a peach to drive.
The Focus has the edge in equipment with more airbags, cruise control and steering mounted stereo controls. To get these on the Mazda you'll have to stump up for the more expensive GSX model. Another factor in the Ford's favour is the 20,000km service intervals which are twice as long as the Mazda's and makes maintaining it a bit easier on the pocket.
See it at a race track near you.
 Last month we featured this BMW race car that was coming up for auction in April. Well it seems some of you took heed of the 'potential bargain' advice and gave it a good nudge. The $40,000 reserve was bettered by a whopping $16,000. Still, you couldn't build one for that, so it remained a bargain we reckon!
Highly hospitable bargain hunting.
 The start of May saw the entire contents of what was once the highly luxurious Hotel Du Vin hotel and spa go under the hammer at an on-site auction held by Turners' Auckland general goods branch.
The catalogue of more than 200 items ran the full gamut, from mini bar fridges and manchester out of the hotel's 45 guest rooms, to a massage stone heater and 384 women's tangas that had been part of the spa (incidentally, if you're not sure what a tanga is - we weren't - click here).
All lots were auctioned on behalf of the new owner of the site, Dilworth School, who needed the buildings cleared out so that it can open a new school campus next year.
Among the bargains that were snapped up was a 25-inch TV that sold for $25 and a digital safe that went for $35. And the women's tangas? One lucky buyer walked away with the whole lot for just $2.
To keep up to speed on other weird and wonderful items coming up in our general goods auctions, check out our website.
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If you need to move a car from A-Z then give the team at Toll a call...
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What's that car really worth?
Working out what a car is worth can be a challenging puzzle. You can search the web for a comparison, but this isn't necessarily what the car will sell for. You can ask friends and colleagues who will give you wildly conflicting views. Or you could use Turners' new and improved Price Check service.
This month sees the launch of the enhanced tool, which uses Turners' sales data to come up with a value for your car. It's fast and easy to use, and the information you get back is comprehensive. Not only will you get an estimated value for the car but you'll also get to see the actual examples used to come up with the figures. It all sounds simple but it took some people with abnormally large brains to get it to work.
To celebrate the launch, we're making Price Check free for a limited time. To check it out visit www.turners.co.nz/pricecheck
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Calling all budding filmmakers.
In April Students Against Driving Drunk (SADD) launched its second annual, Turners Auctions sponsored, short film competition.
The theme for this year's competition is 'PLAN B4 U Party' and secondary school teams around the country are invited to submit their entries up until 17 September. The final six films will be shown at an awards ceremony in Auckland on 15 October, with the winner taking away $1,000 for themselves, plus $1,000 for their school.
So if you, or someone you know, is a budding filmmaker then check out the SADD website for more information, including how to enter...
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 Future cars
Leaning in the right direction?
Do you fancy riding a motorbike but don't want to get wet or skid off under a bus? Maybe you liked the idea of the BMW C1 but wanted more wheels? Did Piaggio's MP3 appeal but you really had your heart set on a roof? Well now there are two concepts that marry the best bits of a motorbike with the comfort of a conventional car.
Nissan's Land Glider is a four wheeled one person electric car that leans like a motorbike. Ok, it's no looker but I bet it's fun to drive... or ride.
The BMW Simple is a three wheeler that also leans and handles like a motorbike and is powered by a petrol engine, which means it'll be quick too. Both of these cars do the leaning automatically, you just turn the steering wheel like you're in a car. Importantly, the interiors look comfy too.
Both of these cars are still in the concept stage so we may have to wait a while to buy one. I just hope when they do become available we'll all be issued with 'Tron' style clothing to match.
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