I kind of like the idea of tech in the car, but I don't think it's there yet, really. If and when they finally mandate self-driving cars, they better also turn the windshield into a view screen so I can watch whatever while I'm being electronically chauffeured. :)
I looked up some on a website and they had some 60s pickups in the $15,000 USD range. Didn't check to see where they were, but I imagine one of the expenses for you would be having it shipped from wherever it is if for some reason you can't find something in Australia. It's a big enough country, though. I would think there would be some older pickups running around somewhere. :)
I hate the idea of a self-driving car...I'm a car guy and like to drive. Having that taken away from me is one of my worst nightmares. Rolling around on a pre-determined path and speed like all the other cardboard people...Nightmare. I'm glad I'll be dead when the world finally goes full-retard in the future.
$15,000USD is $23000AUD. Then add shipping, some $15,000 and conversion to RHD *$15,000 or so...Makes no sense. I know people who import cars so it's something I could do quite easily but it's the cost of it that prevents me from doing so. $50,000AUD goes a long way towards other things and it's not like I don't have vehicles already.
There's loads of pick ups getting around here and when I buy something it will be local, probably when all those people go bust due to the flu and have to dispose of their toys for cheap. A nice restomod 60's pick up will be great.
You might find this interesting https://www.carsales.com.au/ (A car sales site for Australia. It'll give you an idea of what is around.) We can buy brand new pick ups here, Dodge, Ram and Chevrolet...They aren't cheap though. My Toyota Landcruiser 200 series cost me $100,000, a decent (new) pick up is that and more.
Fingers crossed that when i can buy something, I can find the right thing.
Holy cow. $100,000. Okay, now I can see what you're saying. I figured as much about the importing of the vehicle from here. I didn't know the exchange rate, which doesn't sound so favorable.
I also figured you'd have some used trucks to choose from. Only made sense. Do you have any of your own car makers? If so, how do they compare to American, German or Japanese made vehicles?
I'm not at all thrilled about the prospects of having a computer drive me around either. I find the whole idea less safe than if I drove myself. That and the fact I love to drive, too, does make it, as you say, a total and complete nightmare.
Yeah, most don't understand how it all works here as far as vehicle cost so I thought I'd demonstrate.
We had Holden and Ford. Holden owned by patent company GM. Both closed now though, a couple years ago. I worked as a manager at the Holden plant for 14 years actually. Holden used to export to the US too...The Caprice and for cop cars also. I have no idea what they were called there...Lumina maybe. Badged Chevrolet.
Our vehicles were of a high standard. Google Holden and HSV and that will give you more of an idea.