Frustrated in Auckland

Trying to buy a car here sucks. We decided we wanted to buy a campervan and have been competing with the billion other backpackers who have the same freakin' idea. We found a 1994 Mazda Bongo campervan that we loved - but we wisely followed the advice in the lonely planet....to check the VIN # on the van and get it inspected before buying. the owner was completely annoying and kept trying to get us to buy the van from him flat out - no inspections. We refused, but lost a bunch of $$ checking out the van and its history. Now - he still won't help us get a new warrant of fitness, so we dropped him (and our money). We are onto a new van now - a 1987 Toyota Hiace. These are sexy vehicles here. Maybe this one will work out? This VIN report was great (compared to the dodgy Mazda report) and the owner is a mechanic and worked on the van before putting it up for sale. But, he didn't mind that we wanted to get it inspected by another mechanic for piece of mind. If all goes well, you will be looking at some backpackers who will be living in a van down by the river for 5 months. Stinky for sure.