Buying A Unique Car - Insurance & Finance

[GTR R35]

I am looking to purchase a Nissan Skyline Crossover for about $60k, the problem is nobody knows what the hell this car is.

Before I commit to the purchase I would like to know the insurance cost as well as find someone who can do the finance on it. As the car is only 2 years old, I should be able to get Corporate Hire Purchase, but again finance companies are a bit funny about lending money on a unique car.

Can anyone offer some guidance to the places that will insure it and finance it.

I have a 60% NCB and have a great credit record, so I do not need anything dodgy.

[nathanau]

Heya, i don't know about Finance on cars so much but i do know insurance, you should speak with Shannon's. Best by far compared to other insurers based on my own experience, in as many accidents as people have inflicted onto me im well qualified.

Important things are not just cost of cover, it's about what happens if something is damaged and needs replacing like for example an exhaust... Most insurers will replace stuff with factory fitted, but what if you have ummm something like a HKS or other performance part ? They wont recognise after market stuff, where as Shannon's will. Also, Shannons will recognise the actual value of your car and not go by some book ( see redbook and other such books of market values) so you will be paid out what it is worth in the event of total loss. IF you have a unique car don't go with any insurer cause they might be a few bucks cheaper, make sure everything is covered, even things like floods. There is a difference between floods from a drain or floods from a river or floods from a dam for example, some cover will apply, some will not, yet you think your covered...

What about fire? Same again, what are you covered for in fire? and is there a difference between one fire and another. Ive been given every bit of shit excuse from insurers as to why they wont cover things, I've even been told in a storm when i lost my Yacht that God did it and im not covered for stuff God does despite me having full comprehensive insurance....

Now days its all the trend to experience (if u live in coastal places on the plannet) Tsunamis…so you might want cover for that too, everything needs addressing or the insurers will rip you blind, bend u over a table and....... *coughs* you….when it comes to making a claim.

I have dealt with Shannon's, x 3 claims on them alone now and they represent EXCELLENT service!!!! Hands down.

I have an odd feeling Shannon's do not cover for Tsunamis but as i don't live on the coast it not a problem. I think Finance would be hard to do without a Hefty Deposit for a unique car (at a guess) and decent provable income in the current economic times. Good luck dude.

Edited February 7, 2012 by nathanau

[GTR R35]

I tried shannons website, but they did not list the crossover (or any skyline), so I will need to call them. Having the means to pay the finance is not a problem, I am more after companies that are understanding of a unique car.

Thanks for the feedback about Shannons.

[evil_weevil]

call them 13 46 46 - they wont list high risk cars online.

also call LSV - very competitive as well as Enthusiast underwriting and Ryno. All have very similar benefits for cover.

Unfortunately Shannons seem to have got too big from being taken over by suncorp back in 2007 and all only interested in getting the sale and nothing else.

Id suggest reading the PDS of each insurer you get the quotes from so you can make an informed decision.

[evil_weevil]

wait,

is this the vehicle?

doesnt seem unique to me?

looks like the Murano but US/JDM version with the V36 fornt end!

just cars might do it too.

[GTR R35]

Yep that is the one. Want the 370GT Four Type P, it is the AWD one.

They are heaps nicer than a Murano.

[iwanta34gtr]

+1 for just car

[Adriano]

I would guess that once you can show that it can be insured, finance will become less of a problem, as it becomes secured. Just getting an agreed value might be tricky.

[evil_weevil]

agreed value on the purchase price is simple.

[scarf]

I got insurance through Just Cars for my 370gt, but didn't really do much shopping round.

Westpac gave me the loan, but I had to put a 20% deposit on the car.

If your going through a dealer they'll be able to adjust the figures

making it appear you put down 20% and are borrowing 80% of car value. But in reality you'll borrow 100%.

[ras1983]

My 2 cents: don't get such a unique car. I had a Legnum for a year and I cannot begin to tell you what a hassle it is to own a car that is so relatively unknown or un-owned that you can't find parts and can't sell the car for a decent price.

For example, my Legnum's clutch master cylinder needed replacing. the car, which was a manual, would not let me put the gearbox in gear. There were not replacement clutch master cylinders in Australia. Through the help of the ozvr4 forum I tracked down a replacement through Ralliart in New Zealand, but it took a total of three weeks to locate the part and have it sent to my address. The car sat in the carpark of my apartment block the whole 3 weeks and I was stuck without a car, which was a real pain in the a$$.

So my advice is to get something a little more common so that you can find the parts you need when the time comes.

[Iron Chef]

1) He's buying a car that's about 10 years newer than any Legnum, chances are nothing major is going to break any time soon

2) He's buying a Nissan, so it won't be hard to get parts through Nissan Australia, unlike Mitsu Oz who really have NFI

3) Air freight from Mitsubishi NZ takes 3 days - I did it quite regularly when I owned my Galant, there are a stack of models sold in Australia where owners have to wait longer than that for parts

4) If he didn't want something rare and unusual, he could've bought a Commodore SS

[Hadouken]

Or a skyline.

Oooooooooooooooo