Government Limos

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Mad Scientist
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#1164719 29-Oct-2014 22:29

the herald article says 34, and thought they cost $90,000 (from a RRP of $170,000) each

you attending the auction? would be good buy for a can-DIY-mechanic type person

luckysurprise

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#1164726 29-Oct-2014 22:38

xpd:
networkn:

As if any beneficiaries have 60K lying around to buy a BMW :)

I'll be that guy...

Seem to be a lot of beneficiaries running around in nice newish model Holdens, have Sky TV and more holidays overseas than me, so why not one of them have a ex-govt BMW..... Im sure WINZ will cover the repayments.

(yeah, Im bitter :-p)

OK beneficiary here. I receive $311.56 per week after tax which includes additional payments to help with some of the extra expenses I have because of my ill health (eg prescription charges - I am on 12 meds each day, lawnmowing which I am unable to do, and a Spark landline for medical services). By which I mean that most beneficiaries (eg the unemployed) are receiving LESS than this amount. I do not drink, smoke, use (illicit drugs) or have any luxuries other than Broadband internet access. Please explain to me how I can afford a newish Holden (or any car at all, I don't have one), Sky TV and holidays of any kind, let alone overseas, on $311.56 per week?

And still be able to pay for food, accommodation, electricity, doctors appointments, travel to medical appointments in Palmerston North from Wanganui etc.

Even if WINZ "covered the repayments" they don't actually just throw around free money. Any repayments they may cover for something essential like a fridge, will be as a LOAN not a gift and the repayments are taken out of your weekly benefit.

The beliefs that some people like you have about life on a benefit are so very far from the reality one has to wonder what the expletive is the matter with you. Whatever problems you may have economically or elsewhere in your life, no welfare beneficiary is responsible for it. Look at those at the TOP of the economic tree, those driving around in the taxpayer funded BMW's, for someone to blame, not the poor sods at the bottom. The last thing people in a lousy state of health through no fault of their own, struggling to live on a pittance, need is people better off than them putting the boot in. If you envy my life buddy you are more than welcome to it.

(I am willing to provide proof of my finances, but not on a public forum.)

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#1164730 29-Oct-2014 22:52

KiwiNZ:
ilovemusic: some donkey on the news said the govt should get electric cars like the tesla model s.

yeah right !

must have been a crackpot grren.

lol

Electric is a good idea for a replacement.

I had the opportunity to drive a Model S in San Francisco. Awesome car I though VW groups DSG (dual clutch) transmission was pretty nice, but single speed direct drive setup in the Tesla makes it seam antiquated.

Head-room in the rear seat is really insufficient for the Model S to be suitable for Limo duty however. There was some talk of a long wheel base model being developed for the chauffeur driven Chinese market, but nothing came of it.

Tesla not selling its cars in NZ might also be a deal breaker, however a sizeable government contract might be enough for them to change there mind on that one, given they have already completed development on a RHD version.

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#1164736 29-Oct-2014 23:07

Please explain to me how I can afford a newish Holden (or any car at all, I don't have one), Sky TV and holidays of any kind, let alone overseas, on $311.56 per week?

It would be next to impossible on $311.56pw.

There are a few examples of beneficiaries who are involved with fraud / not accurately declaring there circumstances / working under the table / crime. There people are able to live a somewhat lavish lifestyle, and seem to be used demean all beneficiaries.

Also please remember that not every sky dish on a roof relates to a sky account as sky don't seem to recover there dishes. This means that areas with more housing turn-over are more likely to have sky dishes on the roof even if subscription rates are the same as areas with less housing turnover.

ajobbins

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#1164747 29-Oct-2014 23:44

If they can get such a good deal on 7-series beamers, they can also get good pricing on other cars. I'm sure Holden or Ford would just about give the cars away to have the government driving them.

Australia is due to get new cars soon, but the current C1 (The PM's car) is a 2003 Holden Caprice. That's 11 years old! John Key will soon be on his third new limo since taking office in 2008.

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Geektastic

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#1164748 29-Oct-2014 23:53

scuwp:
networkn:
Dratsab:
KiwiNZ: The deal the Govt has for these Limos means they get them for a very very good price, better than they could buy Toyotas for.

Just out of curiosity - what Toyota's cost close to $90K? (with the exception of the Landcruiser)

It's not just the up front cost, it's the whole "deal" which includes all sorts of other things.

If I recall correctly one year BMW came up with the best package to replace the Police fleet. Cheaper, better cars, fully kitted out, the works. They didn't get the contract because it wouldn't have been a good 'look' for Police to be driving around in Beemers. So they went with the more expensive inferior model (I think Ford had the deal back then).

As you say when considering the whole of life package things may not always be as they seem.

We had the same exact thing happen at one company I worked at in the UK.

Many of the 5000 staff had company cars because we had to get around to site meetings in remote locations and so on. BMW came up cheapest but on political grounds Rover got the contract!

Batman

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#1164749 29-Oct-2014 23:54

That's because the Oz govt give hundreds of millions to Ford and Holden for zero returns, hence the Holden and hence a 2003!

Which was what made Toyota shut shop coz they got not once cent from the Govt

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Batman

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#1164750 29-Oct-2014 23:55

Geektastic:
scuwp:
networkn:
Dratsab:
KiwiNZ: The deal the Govt has for these Limos means they get them for a very very good price, better than they could buy Toyotas for.

Just out of curiosity - what Toyota's cost close to $90K? (with the exception of the Landcruiser)

It's not just the up front cost, it's the whole "deal" which includes all sorts of other things.

If I recall correctly one year BMW came up with the best package to replace the Police fleet. Cheaper, better cars, fully kitted out, the works. They didn't get the contract because it wouldn't have been a good 'look' for Police to be driving around in Beemers. So they went with the more expensive inferior model (I think Ford had the deal back then).

As you say when considering the whole of life package things may not always be as they seem.

We had the same exact thing happen at one company I worked at in the UK.

Many of the 5000 staff had company cars because we had to get around to site meetings in remote locations and so on. BMW came up cheapest but on political grounds Rover got the contract!

It's amazing how cheap European cars are in Europe to own (not the new car price, but the overall owning)

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#1164763 30-Oct-2014 06:13

ajobbins: If they can get such a good deal on 7-series beamers, they can also get good pricing on other cars. I'm sure Holden or Ford would just about give the cars away to have the government driving them.

Australia is due to get new cars soon, but the current C1 (The PM's car) is a 2003 Holden Caprice. That's 11 years old! John Key will soon be on his third new limo since taking office in 2008.

The Limos are not just for the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the opposition use them as well as the Vice Regal and for visiting dignataries .

Oh in the time Mr Key has been in office we have purchased 4 new cars.

Batman

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#1164764 30-Oct-2014 06:18

Looking more and more reasonable.

I wonder how many Chinese cars it costs per repair! Maybe that's why they're getting rid of them

ajobbins

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#1164939 30-Oct-2014 11:50

joker97: That's because the Oz govt give hundreds of millions to Ford and Holden for zero returns, hence the Holden and hence a 2003!

NZ used to use Fords and Holden's too until the previous Labour govt switched to Beamers. You would think that they would have had a much newer model than a 2003 if Ford and Holden were trying to look after them.....

In any case, the 'return' the Oz govt got from their investment in the car manufacturer was jobs and exports. They didn't do it because they were feeling philanthropic towards foreign auto giants.

Which was what made Toyota shut shop coz they got not once cent from the Govt

Not true - Toyota was compensated just as Ford and Holden were.

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#1164945 30-Oct-2014 12:02

ajobbins:
joker97: That's because the Oz govt give hundreds of millions to Ford and Holden for zero returns, hence the Holden and hence a 2003!

NZ used to use Fords and Holden's too until the previous Labour govt switched to Beamers. You would think that they would have had a much newer model than a 2003 if Ford and Holden were trying to look after them.....

In any case, the 'return' the Oz govt got from their investment in the car manufacturer was jobs and exports. They didn't do it because they were feeling philanthropic towards foreign auto giants.

Which was what made Toyota shut shop coz they got not once cent from the Govt

Not true - Toyota was compensated just as Ford and Holden were.

I am sure if Ford or GMH put competitive bids they may win the contract but I doubt their pricing and packaging will be that great.

ajobbins

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#1164955 30-Oct-2014 12:25

I think part of the issue is that governments generally now require armoured vehicles, and the Holdens and Fords need extensive modification where as the likes of BMW and Mercedes can roll such vehicles straight off the production line.

That said, I'd much prefer to see the government in a nice hybrid Toyota (or even a Lexus if you can price it well) - which would help with NZ's clean, green image.

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#1164956 30-Oct-2014 12:25

KiwiNZ: The deal the Govt has for these Limos means they get them for a very very good price, better than they could buy Toyotas for.

So your telling me the Govt gets a 7 series BMW for less than 30K? I doubt it somehow. I have owned a 7 series before and they are no where near as cheap as a Corolla to service. A replacement filter was $70 odd and it took 7.5 litres of oil which meant buying 8 litres which was around $90-140 depending what oil I wanted.

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#1164958 30-Oct-2014 12:27

BTR:
KiwiNZ: The deal the Govt has for these Limos means they get them for a very very good price, better than they could buy Toyotas for.

So your telling me the Govt gets a 7 series BMW for less than 30K? I doubt it somehow. I have owned a 7 series before and they are no where near as cheap as a Corolla to service. A replacement filter was $70 odd and it took 7.5 litres of oil which meant buying 8 litres which was around $90-140 depending what oil I wanted.

The total package and net bottom line was very very favourable.

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