Saturday, Feb 27, 2010 at 02:52
"Importing seems expensive, allowing for the conversion."
Not really. We imported a GMC 3500 Dually Crew Cab Long Bed 6.6 Duramax
and including freight and conversion it was much less than a top of the range Toyota. And it was brand new with all the bells and whistles, Since we run it through the business we got the GST back and depreciation brings the cost down further. It is a much much better vehicle to drive and tow than any Landcruiser, Patrol or any other Jap 4x4. The F250s have only a short bed and the 350s never came with crew cab or decent trim in Australia. The prices are low in the US, the $ is much better than 2006 when I purchased the vehicle.
Since it is a truck the maximum vehicle value for depreciation does not apply.
With a wagon you will have trouble with the taxman.
The prices for the Toyotas are a joke compared to these US trucks. You also get autolockers in the rear and limited slip diff in the front which makes it go anywhere without modifications. We left it as a truck (GVM over 4.5) because we need the payload for our truck camper.
Off the shelf purchase of such a truck is
well over 130K and you pay for the convenience of not organising it yourself. Our total cost was below 90K and that included the GST and everything to get it on the road plus the add ons which I purchased straight with it and shipped it to OZ at the same time including a truck camper and a boat.
good luck
gmd
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