Utes top online motor listings
A Toyota Land Cruiser that spent much of its life in the Antarctic and an MP’s trusty old ute have been among the most-viewed vehicles on Trade Me Motors this year.
The 2004 Land Cruiser, pictured above, spent nearly two decades at New Zealand’s Antarctic research facility, Scott Base, where it was used as an exploration vehicle and for transporting people and cargo across ice shelves. It attracted 112,209 views before selling for $40,200 in February.
A red Mazda ute belonging to Labour MP Kieran McAnulty was the second most popular listing and gained nearly 108,000 views before selling for $3,400.
McAnulty sold the workhorse, below, after deciding to purchase an electric vehicle and the money from the auction was donated to the Rural Support Trust.
Jayme Fuller, Trade Me Motors sales director, says: “Another of our most popular listings was a bright yellow 1986 Honda City [pictured below] that was ‘chopped into a ute’, known as ‘hoonigan’.
“In a display of Kiwi ingenuity, the seller whipped out the back seats, added quad tyres, and popped on a tailgate. Though not road legal, the ‘hoonigan’ racked up 91,305 views and sold for $2,500.”
Fuller notes colourful vehicles also caught the attention of consumers in 2021 with a red 1973 Mazda RX3 Super Deluxe, a pink 1996 Toyota Starlet and an orange 2016 Ford Ranger with a custom-made LED light bar in the top 10 most popular vehicles.
Besides cars and utes, a police boat and a jet boat also made the list this year, with the latter powered by a RB30/26 Nissan Skyline car engine.
Trade Me’s most viewed vehicles in 2021
1. 2004 Toyota Landcruiser – 112,209 views, sold for $40,200
2. 1997 Mazda B2500 – 107,962 views, sold for $3,400
3. 1973 Mazda RX3 – 96,476 views, top bid of $131,700 but was withdrawn
4. 1986 Honda City – 91,305 views, sold for $2,500
5. 1999 Bakewell-White RHIB Police – 59,645 views, asking price $150,000
6. 1971 Holden Monaro LS Coupe – 47,669 views, sold for $50,100
7. 1981 Nissan Skyline – 47,481 views, sold for $16,600
8. Jet boat RB30 Skyline powered- 43,596 views, asking price $80,000
9. 1996 Toyota Starlet Glanza V – 42,172 views, sold for $4,010
10. 2016 Ford Ranger, pictured below – 40,902 views, asking price $47,500
