He takes his partner and their dog to the beach in it on weekends, and doesn’t know what the mystery red button does. Yet, a year ago, while scouring Facebook Marketplace, the 30-year-old finance broker found his Impreza for sale, began negotiating with a South Island panel beater, bought it and had it shipped to Auckland. Because he can’t drive it yet, he bought the Pulsar, which is roadworthy, as compensation two months ago. “I always thought it was a bit bogany to be honest,” he says. Rob says he was “studious” at school and skipped the car craze in his teens. But, because of strict emissions laws, it’s undriveable on New Zealand roads until 2026. The other, a dark blue 96 Subaru Impreza STI at 90,000km, is in much better condition, with gleaming paint and shiny rims. The first, a black 92 Nissan Pulsar GTI-R with ripped carpets and worn seats that’s nicknamed “baby Godzilla” because of its heft, has 210,000km on the clock.
Sitting under a shaky carport, protected by light grey rain covers, resides his pride and joy: two ageing “boy racer” cars from the 1990s.
“Enough,” he says to Zack, his over-eager dog. As his dog barks incessantly, he unlocks a padlock, detangles a huge metal chain, and opens gate number two, the one leading to his most precious possessions. On a quiet suburban street in West Auckland, where recently planted tree seedlings line fences made of freshly cut timber, a resident called Rob lifts the latch to gate number one and welcomes his visitor inside. Prices for ageing Imprezas, Pulsars and WRXs are skyrocketing, no matter their condition.
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