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Foreigners buying a cheap car for roadtrip?

burntheladleburntheladle Registered User regular
edited December 2010 in Help / Advice Forum
Some friends and I are coming to north america and roadtripping from San Francisco to Vancouver. We were just going to rent a car/use greyhound/amtrak, but then someone suggested that we just try to buy a cheap car and offload it at the other end...

How would we make this happen? What do we need to do for insurance? I have a US address (I've been living here for a year), so that might help? No US DL though, but I could work on that. Is there anything else we need to think about? Is it just completely unfeasible? Is there anyone in San Francisco who wants to sell their car?

What would Zombie Pirate LeChuck Do?
burntheladle on

Posts

  • KyouguKyougu Registered User regular
    edited December 2010
    I can't imagine this being easier than just renting since you would have to register the car which you bought under someone's name.

    Kyougu on
  • EggyToastEggyToast Jersey CityRegistered User regular
    edited December 2010
    This is a common thing to do in other countries, such as Australia. Sadly, there is no such infrastructure within the US to make it at all manageable -- stick with renting.

    EggyToast on
    || Flickr — || PSN: EggyToast
  • a5ehrena5ehren AtlantaRegistered User regular
    edited December 2010
    I wouldn't bother because there's no guarantee you'd be able to sell the car at the end.

    a5ehren on
  • DeebaserDeebaser on my way to work in a suit and a tie Ahhhh...come on fucking guyRegistered User regular
    edited December 2010
    I don't know of any restrictions re: non-US drivers licenses, but all you need to do is
    Buy car - $???
    Register Car - shouldn't be more than $200
    Insure car

    Deebaser on
  • bsjezzbsjezz Registered User regular
    edited December 2010
    EggyToast wrote: »
    This is a common thing to do in other countries, such as Australia. Sadly, there is no such infrastructure within the US to make it at all manageable -- stick with renting.

    really? i've never heard of that. particularly considering even crappy old used cars are so bloody expensive here. it's an isolation thing.

    op: attached is a relevant documentary for your information

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttpUmYmQqCA

    bsjezz on
    sC4Q4nq.jpg
  • kaliyamakaliyama Left to find less-moderated fora Registered User regular
    edited December 2010
    I like the idea but the hassle of trying to sell it off at the end makes it less fun. Especially as you'll be essentially importing the car from the US to Canada, which might well raise customs and tax issues. You should look at if anyone offers long-term car rental rates. I'd expect to pay a premium for not bringing it back to the same destination. So it may be that you come out ahead even if you eat the cost of the car (or donate it to charity for a tax write-off?) depending on the cost structure. How much are you looking to spend?

    kaliyama on
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  • LailLail Surrey, B.C.Registered User regular
    edited December 2010
    The guys from departures did this (great TV show: http://www.departuresentertainment.com/) when they were in Australia. When they got to where they were going they just gave the truck to some random guy.

    The problem with bringing it to Canada is that whoever you sell/give the vehicle too will have to get an out of country inspection on it, which costs ~$100, if they want to get insurance. So if you're buying a beater, it won't be worth it. Unless your plan was just to leave it somewhere...

    Lail on
  • CasualCasual Wiggle Wiggle Wiggle Flap Flap Flap Registered User regular
    edited December 2010
    Basically it's a gamble. If absolutely nothing goes wrong it can work. If you get the cheapest insurance, 3rd party only or whatever and find a good deal on a car that'll run the whole way then you could save money and have a more convenient way to travel.

    On the other hand, if it breaks down mid way, you're fucked. If you get in an accident, you're fucked. If you get pulled over by the cops and fined, you're fucked. If you get car jacked, you're fucked. If you have more trouble than you thought getting rid of it on the other end, you're fucked. The list goes on but you get the idea.

    Rental companies cost more for a reason, because they offer you some much needed arse covering if the shit hits the fan. It seems like a waste of money when you end up not needing it but believe me you're thankful for it when you do.

    Casual on
  • kaliyamakaliyama Left to find less-moderated fora Registered User regular
    edited December 2010
    Casual wrote: »
    Basically it's a gamble. If absolutely nothing goes wrong it can work. If you get the cheapest insurance, 3rd party only or whatever and find a good deal on a car that'll run the whole way then you could save money and have a more convenient way to travel.

    On the other hand, if it breaks down mid way, you're fucked. If you get in an accident, you're fucked. If you get pulled over by the cops and fined, you're fucked. If you get car jacked, you're fucked. If you have more trouble than you thought getting rid of it on the other end, you're fucked. The list goes on but you get the idea.

    Rental companies cost more for a reason, because they offer you some much needed arse covering if the shit hits the fan. It seems like a waste of money when you end up not needing it but believe me you're thankful for it when you do.

    Why are they fucked if the cops give them a ticket?

    kaliyama on
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  • CasualCasual Wiggle Wiggle Wiggle Flap Flap Flap Registered User regular
    edited December 2010
    kaliyama wrote: »
    Casual wrote: »
    Basically it's a gamble. If absolutely nothing goes wrong it can work. If you get the cheapest insurance, 3rd party only or whatever and find a good deal on a car that'll run the whole way then you could save money and have a more convenient way to travel.

    On the other hand, if it breaks down mid way, you're fucked. If you get in an accident, you're fucked. If you get pulled over by the cops and fined, you're fucked. If you get car jacked, you're fucked. If you have more trouble than you thought getting rid of it on the other end, you're fucked. The list goes on but you get the idea.

    Rental companies cost more for a reason, because they offer you some much needed arse covering if the shit hits the fan. It seems like a waste of money when you end up not needing it but believe me you're thankful for it when you do.

    Why are they fucked if the cops give them a ticket?

    Depends on what the ticket is for, my point was if they end up with a large fine (which is possible if they decide your old banger isn't road worthy) and a court appearence then renting would have been easier.

    Casual on
  • EggyToastEggyToast Jersey CityRegistered User regular
    edited December 2010
    bsjezz wrote: »
    EggyToast wrote: »
    This is a common thing to do in other countries, such as Australia. Sadly, there is no such infrastructure within the US to make it at all manageable -- stick with renting.

    really? i've never heard of that. particularly considering even crappy old used cars are so bloody expensive here. it's an isolation thing.

    Yep, my aunt & uncle who are naturalized citizens now "bought" a Jackaroo. The people who sell them essentially do it like a sort of extended rental, when it comes down to it, since they guarantee the buy-back price when you return it. In their case, they could buy an outback vehicle without having to actually commit to living regularly in the outback.

    But since there's companies set up for it, it's relatively straightforward. In the states it's own, lease, or rent -- no real wiggle-room in between.

    EggyToast on
    || Flickr — || PSN: EggyToast
  • bsjezzbsjezz Registered User regular
    edited December 2010
    oh

    that australia

    bsjezz on
    sC4Q4nq.jpg
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