What car to choose in USA

avalon68

So I'm moving to the US in a few weeks to start a new job and I will need a car over there as I wont be based in a city. Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions on types of cars. My real concern is that the biggest car Ive ever driven is a 1L polo:o I would prefer something relatively small and as there will be snow for a large portion of the year I would probably be better off avoiding RWD cars - so no mustang suggestions please;) I wont be doing a huge amount of drivng - prob only 45min - 1h per day at most. So any suggestions?

v300

Front wheel drive:
Toyota Camry Automatic. They are a common and respected car in the USA.

Four wheel drive:
Ford Explorer. Ditto.

Sean Quagmire

mailforkev

What's your budget looking like?

Cars really are dirt cheap over there so if you have a few quid then you'll be laughing.

If you want something familiar then this goes on sale shortly:
http://www.fordvehicles.com/cars/fiesta/

avalon68

Sean Quagmire wrote: »

Well it would certainly be unique:D Dont think i could afford to be paying out those driver wages to homer though!

avalon68

mailforkev wrote: »

What's your budget looking like?

Cars really are dirt cheap over there so if you have a few quid then you'll be laughing.

If you want something familiar then this goes on sale shortly:
http://www.fordvehicles.com/cars/fiesta/

Id actually love a fiesta but Id say my budget wont be over 7000 USD - have been unemployed here for ages so by the time I pay out for accommodation deposits etc I wont have that much left over.:(

zilog_jones

The first generation Toyota Yaris was sold as the Echo over there but I think it was more common in Canada than the US so may be hard to find. Corollas and Honda Civics should be common enough and aren't too far from what you're used to. They have the Ford Focus there as well but with horrible engines.

Fries-With-That

Chrysler PT Cruiser


Drove one of these for the first time last year. Very comfortable, easy to handle, and all the switches etc seemed to be in the right places for someone getting used to driving on the opposite side to what we do here.

avalon68

v300 wrote: »

Front wheel drive:
Toyota Camry Automatic. They are a common and respected car in the USA.

Four wheel drive:
Ford Explorer. Ditto.

The toyota sounds like a possibility, but Id say the ford would be a bit too big for me

egan007

V8 Mustang with leckie hood - i know you said not to but you must be tempted....

robtri

might be a bit big... just for the fun, its a big one... but common as muck over there and the roads are easily big enough to drive it on...
the good ole F150
failing that take a focus......

avalon68

egan007 wrote: »

V8 Mustang with leckie hood - i know you said not to but you must be tempted....

Theyre lovely cars alright....well it would be lovely until I wound up in a ditch with it Maybe in a few years when I have a bit of experiencedriving in snow:)

avalon68

Fries-With-That wrote: »

Chrysler PT Cruiser


Drove one of these for the first time last year. Very comfortable, easy to handle, and all the switches etc seemed to be in the right places for someone getting used to driving on the opposite side to what we do here.

These seem nice enough, will def have a look at one of these when I get there

mailforkev

avalon68 wrote: »

Id actually love a fiesta but Id say my budget wont be over 7000 USD - have been unemployed here for ages so by the time I pay out for accommodation deposits etc I wont have that much left over.:(

Ok, that's a grand budget.

How about the Honda Jazz (Fit as it is everywhere else) or a Mini if you like something small and FWD.

For example http://tiny.cc/rgdxi or http://tiny.cc/0oz3f

You'd probably get a 00-01 Jeep Wranger if you want something very American for the snow.

lonestargirl

What state are you going to? Second-hand car prices do vary from state to state. Remember to factor the sales tax for your state into the price (varies from 0 - 13%), sales tax applies even in a private sale. You will also have to pay to title the car in your name.

What are the roads like where you are going? I'm in Houston and they are c**p, many are concrete and large potholes appear overnight (underlying clay), hence most people drive trucks :-)

Check the rules for your state rgarding driving licences for residents, many states allow visitors to drive on foreign licences for up to a year but once you become a resident you will have to get a US license (time varies from 10 days in California to 90 in Texas). You will need show validity of your immigration status to get a license.

The garage will require you to be insured before they let you drive away, this will be much cheaper if you have your US license. Get a letter with your claims history (or lack thereof) from your Irish insurer before you go, most will accept this.


(On a completely seperate note, make sure to budget for paying deposits for utilities, as you presumably don't have a credit history you will need a deposit for everything)

avalon68

lonestargirl wrote: »

What state are you going to? Second-hand car prices do vary from state to state. Remember to factor the sales tax for your state into the price (varies from 0 - 13%), sales tax applies even in a private sale. You will also have to pay to title the car in your name.

What are the roads like where you are going? I'm in Houston and they are c**p, many are concrete and large potholes appear overnight (underlying clay), hence most people drive trucks :-)

Check the rules for your state rgarding driving licences for residents, many states allow visitors to drive on foreign licences for up to a year but once you become a resident you will have to get a US license (time varies from 10 days in California to 90 in Texas). You will need show validity of your immigration status to get a license.

The garage will require you to be insured before they let you drive away, this will be much cheaper if you have your US license. Get a letter with your claims history (or lack thereof) from your Irish insurer before you go, most will accept this.


(On a completely seperate note, make sure to budget for paying deposits for utilities, as you presumably don't have a credit history you will need a deposit for everything)

Thats very useful information...Thank you! Hadnt thought of deposits for utilities. Bugger!! Must get on to the insurance company about a letter about my no claims history tomorrow. Im heading to NH, havent a clue what the roads will be like as I've never been to the area before. It seems kind of out of the way so Id assume they wont be in the best condition. Ive been trying to see if I will need to sit a test for my licence or if I can simply exchange it but their website it quite poor. Hopefully it will be a case of just swapping them over

oxegen85

im in the same situation.. had a similar post a few weeks back... if i have enough money when im over there my choice would be mustang GT500 shelby but they are bout $50k new so doubt it

W.Shakes-Beer

i've stayed in NH twice before and from my own observation the most common cars for up there tend to be subaru legacy's and foresters.

if thats any use

james1410

Ford crown victoria yeah there big but seem to be a very populer car in the us been most taxis and cop cars!

do some research as there seems to be so many different makes and models in the us and petrol i heard is cheap over there so dont be afraid to get a v8! i would!

TJJP

Not a Chrysler Neon that's for sure, or a Sebring, or any Chrysler. A Neon actually bit me.

Had a Honda Element for a bit, bit of a gas guzzler, no more than regular Honda's from my experience (V-tech mmmmmm..... Homer moment) but less power. Was well suited to Memphis, Alabama and the south without being a Ford PT.. Not snow country I know, but a good allrounder in 2005 so you'll find one cheap now and it's a Honda so it won't cause you problems.

Best US car? A Honda..... or an Accura or a Toyota or Lexus....

argosy2006

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=271108296&dealer_id=1327985&car_year=2008&engine=&fuel=&lastStartYear=1981&sort_type=priceDESC&systime=&default_sort=priceDESC&drive=&style_flag=1&body_code=0&seller_type=b&min_price=&color=&model=SX4&keywords_display=&advanced=&distance=0&doors=&keywordsrep=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&awsp=false&search_lang=en&showZipError=n&rdm=1263002647387&marketZipError=false&keywordsfyc=&search_type=both&transmission=&max_price=8000&max_mileage=&end_year=2011&make=SUZUKI&start_year=1981&certified=&num_records=25&make2=&address=91210&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&cardist=1178&standard=false
small awd car.. good for snow, cheap to run, should do 30mpg,,its 4x4

oxegen85

a little off topic but i saw the film "mirrors" last night and was wondering does anyone know the type of car kiefer sutherland drives in it... Looks good and 4 doors.. something I would want i think when im in america. I know its a strange question but someone out there might know.

avalon68

argosy2006 wrote: »

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=271108296&dealer_id=1327985&car_year=2008&engine=&fuel=&lastStartYear=1981&sort_type=priceDESC&systime=&default_sort=priceDESC&drive=&style_flag=1&body_code=0&seller_type=b&min_price=&color=&model=SX4&keywords_display=&advanced=&distance=0&doors=&keywordsrep=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&awsp=false&search_lang=en&showZipError=n&rdm=1263002647387&marketZipError=false&keywordsfyc=&search_type=both&transmission=&max_price=8000&max_mileage=&end_year=2011&make=SUZUKI&start_year=1981&certified=&num_records=25&make2=&address=91210&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&cardist=1178&standard=false
small awd car.. good for snow, cheap to run, should do 30mpg,,its 4x4

I'll definitely look out for one of these - would be just the right size for me Are this brand known to have reliability issues?

avalon68

oxegen85 wrote: »

im in the same situation.. had a similar post a few weeks back... if i have enough money when im over there my choice would be mustang GT500 shelby but they are bout $50k new so doubt it

Just had a look at your thread there - some nice cars suggested there - well beyond my budget (and driving capabilities ) though. What part of the states are you heading to?

oxegen85

avalon68 wrote: »

Just had a look at your thread there - some nice cars suggested there - well beyond my budget (and driving capabilities ) though. What part of the states are you heading to?

heading to maryland.. fairly close to washington dc.. id love a mustang with 4 doors but that doesnt happen

lonestargirl

avalon68 wrote: »

Ive been trying to see if I will need to sit a test for my licence or if I can simply exchange it but their website it quite poor. Hopefully it will be a case of just swapping them over

No, you'll have to do the test. How time consuming that will be depends on the state, it some you can just walk in with your paperwork and they'll do it there and then. In Texas I did the eye and written test one day and the road test about 6 weeks later. The road test is a joke, 5-10 mins. Get the rules of the road handbook for your state and read through it and the written test should be grand - don't ignore the stuff about minors and alcohol, just because it doesn't apply to you doesn't mean it won't be asked.

argosy2006

avalon68 wrote: »

I'll definitely look out for one of these - would be just the right size for me Are this brand known to have reliability issues?

as reliable as the next car, all cars are reliable if taken care of, suzuki is asian so it will be reliable:D,

Max_Damage

Ford Crown Victoria (or it's Mercury counterpart). They can be got dirt cheap 2nd hand, and they are incredibly reliable.

zilog_jones

oxegen85 wrote: »

a little off topic but i saw the film "mirrors" last night and was wondering does anyone know the type of car kiefer sutherland drives in it... Looks good and 4 doors.. something I would want i think when im in america. I know its a strange question but someone out there might know.

This place might help you: http://www.imcdb.org/

Max_Damage

oxegen85 wrote: »

a little off topic but i saw the film "mirrors" last night and was wondering does anyone know the type of car kiefer sutherland drives in it... Looks good and 4 doors.. something I would want i think when im in america. I know its a strange question but someone out there might know.

Dodge Charger

artielange

Your lucky as New England is used to snow and theState and local governments take care of the roads very well(when it comes to snow removal and treating for ice). The number 1 factor and most important will be your tires as most people swap out their regular ones for winter ones. There are alot of rear wheeled cars on the road. Basically the 2 only excuses for not driving is a Blizzard (white out conditions) or freezing rain/black ice. And remember Live Free or Die;)