Looking to rent a car

[sanfairyanne]

I'm flying over from England on June 20th and plan to spend until Nov 18th around Utah, Arizona, Wyoming and Colorado taking photographs of the south west. Initially I thought about hiring a vehicle and had quotes around $4000 for that period of time.

I could buy a vehicle but then I'd risk not being able to sell it when my visa expires.

So I thought I'd ask if anyone wanted to rent a car to me for 5 months, I'd be willing to pay something around $2000-$2500 dollars. Basically I thought that if someone has a car in their drive which they're already trying to sell for I don't know say $3000 then that person might be quite glad of my money.

I haven't really thought through the logistics of this, I guess the insurance would go up (which I'd of course pay) and I'd have to give some security, plus the hire cost up front.

I just know that if someone took my $3000 car and put say 8000 miles on it and gave me that much money I'd probably still be able to sell my car for $2000 so potentially it could work out well for both of us.

I'm a 37 year old male with a clean driving license, I'm not trawling websites to try to rip someone off. I've spent all winter researching photo locations, my flight is booked and whether this idea works or I take the rental option one way or another I'll be out in the south west this summer/fall. I'd also be delighted if the person hiring the vehicle would like to join me for some of the trip.

I can be e-mailed at andywaddington99@yahoo.com

Many thanks.

[adam8080]

Check out Top Gear's show where they buy cars and sell them when they are done on there trip to the states.

[asysin2leads]

There are places who will lease a vehicle for an extended period of time. Where will you be flying into? If it's Arizona, I may know of a place to lease one from. They do a lot of corporate accounts. Shoot me a PM w/ your arrival date, time and airport and I'll see what I can do. I do know a couple of corporate travel people who may be able to put something together for you as well.

[sanfairyanne]

Kevin, I hope I PM'd you correctly if not my message was basically saying that I fly into San Francisco on the 19th May so I could make my way to any airport or city in Arizona.

Thanks

[NickSimcheck]

With the way the used market is (around here at least) you should be able to buy a car for $2500 and sell it in 5 months for $2000 without a problem.

tax, plates (see if you can get a 6 month), insurance, you're looking at another $500.

Total cost would be $1000.

[ajbalazic]

Do you have a motorcycle license? This may be a cheaper alternative if you're travelling alone. You could get a bike with ample (secure) storage, save a lot of money on gas, and buy & sell relatively easily.

[sanfairyanne]

Hey, I wish I had a motobike license but I haven't one for anything over 125cc .

[tekkie]

Originally Posted by NickSimcheck

With the way the used market is (around here at least) you should be able to buy a car for $2500 and sell it in 5 months for $2000 without a problem.

tax, plates (see if you can get a 6 month), insurance, you're looking at another $500.

Total cost would be $1000.

the problem will be you need a US license to get plates / stickers for the car

[sanfairyanne]

Hey Tekkie,

I've checked on a website called Lonely Planet and many English people have confirmed that it is indeed possible to buy a car with U.K. nationality. I guess If I could buy a car for $2500 I wouldn't car if I gave it away after 5 months it would still be cheaper than leasing.

[tekkie]

maybe you are right but I can tell you that I am Canadian, moved to Michigan in the US and purchased a car but I could not get plates for the car without a Michigan license even though I had a Canadian one

but I cant say I did much investigation on it so maybe there was something else I needed to do

but yeah if you can do that for sure its your best option

be prepared to get somewhat expensive insurance rates as well because they told me they could not transfer my CDN record so it was higher

[tekkie]

btw if you did not see the top gear episode dont write "Nascar sucks" on your car lol that was the best episode ever

[NickSimcheck]

Originally Posted by tekkie

maybe you are right but I can tell you that I am Canadian, moved to Michigan in the US and purchased a car but I could not get plates for the car without a Michigan license even though I had a Canadian one

but I cant say I did much investigation on it so maybe there was something else I needed to do

but yeah if you can do that for sure its your best option

be prepared to get somewhat expensive insurance rates as well because they told me they could not transfer my CDN record so it was higher

Nah, it's just that us Michiganders are trying to keep you Canucks out!




Just messin' with ya!

[tekkie]

^ lol I almost wished it had worked hahahahahaa

[Synovia]

Originally Posted by tekkie

the problem will be you need a US license to get plates / stickers for the car

A lot of states require you to get a license for that state if you stay more than 90 days.


Plus, a lot of states don't observe international licenses. I know IL doesn't.

[sanfairyanne]

Thanks again for all your help, I better do some research on the cost of insurance.