We are moving to Taupo in July for a year. We will be purchasing a vehicle for use during our stay.

This gives me the opportunity to make our family hauler something fun as well.

What I want:

• Wagon or wagon-ish storage capacity
  
• Trubo!
  
• Awd or rwd
  
• used, let's say < $10k

Something I can have fun with. "Grasskana" looks like fun.

So what models am I looking for? I'm unfamiliar with what's been offered over the years outside the US. Apparently there are some Mitsubishi wagons that fit the bill, and I assume some Subarus. What else should I be considering? Point me out some examples please.

Thanks!

 

Galant VR4 Wagon

 

**** that for a joke buy a stagea. It will be almost free, almost free to maintain, RB25DET, AWD, unlimited almost free upgrades everywhere here for them. etc.

Dann

 

I have learned this is called a Legnum. Greddygalant has recommended one.

He also recommended a stagea. I will investigate this more. I won't really be able to work on / mod whatever car we get, as I won't have any tools, but this looks promising.

Since greddygalant has basically cornered the US supply of shift forks for his transmission, I'm leaning towards the stagea

 

TradeMe.co.nz - stagea for sale, New Zealand

 

Wtf only 660? Mitsubishi Legnum ST-R 1998 | Trade Me

 

Ugh.... If they sold Stageas in the US I would buy one in a heartbeat.

 

Does this mean you will be bringing it back to the US?

Also do you/your wife work when your down there or is it a sabbatical sort of thing.

 

Ms Mobius will be working in the hospital in Taupo.

Will not be bringing the vehicle back. Plan is to buy a "not-quite-a-beater". I don't need a RHD wagon in the US.

Latest quote on shipping my car is $2600, which is tempting, but I'd have to daily on RS3's or equivalent. I'm better off doing Gentleman Driver days.

Hell for $5200 round trip I can probably buy an mx5 down there as well.

 

Get a 1.6 and have nitrodann boost it.

 

Toyota Caldina might be worth looking at.

 

Almost no manuals and little aftermarket support.

 

He's staying there for a year, not 5 years.

I would be looking for a car that is plenty availably (so easy to find a good one), reliable with a recent service (not need to change belts and whatnot on a car you'll be dumping in 6-9 months), and easy to sell once you're done.

I would definitely not look for a car to mod if I was only going to be staying there for a year.

 

Like a stagea.

We are comparing a reliable RB powered common car to things liek legnums which are transverse mounted quad cam twin turbos and corollas which there are 15 of in total, all auto, uncommon engine etc etc etc

Skylines are almost as common as taxis over here.

 

For a single year, I'd lease something expensive and beat the hell out of it.

 

I think you're on the right track with the stagea, just don't get one of those awful 2.5 V6 ones. oi.

 

He said Caldina, not "Corolla."

 

Also: I thought the answer was RB30 powered Commodore?

 

Did they ever offer a Falcon wagon?

Edit: ah, nvm, what I'm thinking of would be too much of a specialty vehicle to beat on and then unload quickly. I'm liking the stagea. Tips on models to looks for, things to watch out for, etc?

 

Yes.