Road trip in the US, I have some questions. Max 4k on a used car.

"AndersSim - V10'ING" (anderssim) 01/05/2014 at 23:22 • Filed to: None

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Firstly, me and my 3 mates are planning a road trip from New York to Los Angeles, and we would very much like, if its possible, to buy a car instead of renting one, but after some research, we find out that Insurance in mandatory. Is this also the case if we are only owning this car in 1 month maximum.

- Is insurance mandtory, even though you are only going to own the car for 1 month maximum?

- What places should we visit on the trip to LA?

- Is there anything we need to know about buying cars in the US(NY) that could take s by surprise?

- We are planning on using maximum 4k dollars on a used car, exclusive the mandatory insurance(if this is the case). I have been looking on the used Crown Vics, but if you have better advices, I would be glad if you commented, and linked me. It wouldn't hurt if it had some power under the hood.

- We are on a tight budget, so we are planning on sleeping in the car or at cheap motels most of the time, or even buying a tent, although this might be illegal.

Aaron James > AndersSim - V10'ING 01/05/2014 at 23:25

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Yes, you have to have insurance, it might be hard to get since you are not a citizen

AndersSim - V10'ING > Aaron James 01/05/2014 at 23:27

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Would it be impossible though? And how much would it approx cost on a mid sized normal american sedan?

Edit: If its even possible to pay an insurance month by month.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > AndersSim - V10'ING 01/05/2014 at 23:30

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I want to do a similar road trip, but with my own car.

Aaron James > AndersSim - V10'ING 01/05/2014 at 23:31

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You would be much better off renting a car that is insured, there are many options starting at 1500 bucks at this link

but I'm sure if you researched it more, you may find a better deal. I'm pretty sure you need to be at least 21 to rent in most places, some 25. With a rental you wouldn't have to worry about breakdowns, private insurance and so forth.

AndersSim - V10'ING > Aaron James 01/05/2014 at 23:34

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its the 25 years old I'm worried about, and next year(2015) are the last year we have time and money for this, before we all head to university.

Thanks for the link, I will look in to it, gonna be hard with 4 gearheads in a rental corolla though ;)

Aaron James > AndersSim - V10'ING 01/05/2014 at 23:39

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Here's the thing, I don't know that you could even register a car unless you had a long-term or a work visa. And without a US address and everything, I think it would be next to impossible to buy a car, register it, and get insurance. I could be totally wrong here. What country are you guys coming from?

AndersSim - V10'ING > Aaron James 01/05/2014 at 23:41

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Denmark, so I think you have a pretty valid point on it being next to impossible, sadly. Not to mention that we are all under the age of 25.

The Real Dacia Sandero > AndersSim - V10'ING 01/05/2014 at 23:45

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Crown Vics are good, maybe an older Accord wagon with a 5 speed. You'll need some kind of temporary registration usually, this may be a bit difficult. It might be best to get someone you know in the states to buy and register it for you. I don't know the full specifics though.

For cheap places to stay look at state parks, national parks, koa campgrounds, etc. $15-30 a night gets you a quiet place to set up a tent, hot shower, and a place to cook/eat/stretch out without anyone bothering you.

Aaron James > AndersSim - V10'ING 01/05/2014 at 23:46

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Check this site out for ideas, you can also look through the forums and find some info there. I'm sure they can answer any questions that you don't see answered in the forums. Sounds like it will be a great trip for you guys, I hope it works out.

www.roadtripamerica.com

Aaron James > AndersSim - V10'ING 01/05/2014 at 23:48

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If you are over 21 I think you'd be able to rent a car. There isn't really an age limit for buying and insuring a car, but I think it would be a logistical nightmare that could end up taking a chunk of your trip time to work through.

AndersSim - V10'ING > Aaron James 01/05/2014 at 23:49

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Thanks man, I will check it out! I will post a story of the trip here on oppo after its done, with a bunch of pictures :)

Aaron James > AndersSim - V10'ING 01/05/2014 at 23:56

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Ok I checked on the Alamo rental car site. These are the prices for one month for a 21 yo from Denmark. Pick up in NY at JFK airport, drop off in Los Angeles at LAX.

Looking and calling around may lead to a better deal.

Aaron James > AndersSim - V10'ING 01/05/2014 at 23:57

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I'm sure it will be a wonderful trip. I'd love to do something like that but now that I have kids that window is long gone.

Mathias Rios > AndersSim - V10'ING 01/06/2014 at 00:01

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There's a company called Wrent-a-Wreck, that rents cars that are a few model years older than what the normal rental companies rent and they supposedly have cheaper rates.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > AndersSim - V10'ING 01/06/2014 at 00:11

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Insurance costs could be all over the place depending on your age, vehicle choice, amount of coverage, # of drivers of said car. Yes, you can often buy insurance for short durations.

For NY registration start here.

I am not sure about about being a non resident and buying a car. I know some states are a pain in the ass to go through the process, don't know about NY.

Good luck!

AndersSim - V10'ING > Aaron James 01/06/2014 at 00:12

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Could you link that?

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > AndersSim - V10'ING 01/06/2014 at 00:15

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This sounds awesome. Personally I would recommend a minivan just because of mpg and space. Everyone else seemed to answer all the other questions. Have a blast and best of luck. Don't drink our shitty beer, hell I even drink Fosters sometimes. My Aussie friend says American beer is like sex in a canoe, fuckin' close to water.

AndersSim - V10'ING > Aaron James 01/06/2014 at 00:15

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Exactly our mindset, in 2 years, this opportunity is long gone for us aswell.

AndersSim - V10'ING > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 01/06/2014 at 00:17

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Remain calm, I for one would never drink your beer, been there done that, never coming back! ITS WATER! And thanks!

Aaron James > AndersSim - V10'ING 01/06/2014 at 00:20

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You can go to Alamo.com, you'll have to reenter the details, the link doesn't have the search parameters in it. https://www.alamo.com/en_US/car-rent… Do all you can while your still young, these are the glory years.

911e46z06 > AndersSim - V10'ING 01/06/2014 at 00:21

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So you wouldn't get to experience the gloriousness of a good ol' 'Merican car, but an e39 528i would probably be a good call. I had one that I took across the country I think 8 times. It's ok (a little cramped) for 4 people, it gets great gas mileage (I could average 40 mpg when I was trying), it's fun to drive, it's very comfortable on long trips, and they are stupid cheap right now.

http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/cto/427247…

http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/cto/427146…

http://newyork.craigslist.org/brx/cto/426256…

stuttgartobsessed > AndersSim - V10'ING 01/06/2014 at 00:22

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You have to get insurance but I have some Europeans who have done what you want to do so I'm sure there is a website somewhere with advice on that. And a tent is not a bad way to go. It's only illegal if you pitch the tent where you're not supposed to. However there are many campsites and you can put up a tent where ever you want as long as you are in a National Forest

jsmizira > AndersSim - V10'ING 01/06/2014 at 00:23

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What if you were to connect with someone in l.a. Who wanted a car from ny. And you drove said car for them cross country. Free car, registration is covered and your budget is slashed.

AndersSim - V10'ING > stuttgartobsessed 01/06/2014 at 00:26

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Well that is insuring, thanks!

Aaron James > AndersSim - V10'ING 01/06/2014 at 00:26

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Make sure you check out the other companies from that Kayak search I posted also, there might be a big price difference.

AndersSim - V10'ING > jsmizira 01/06/2014 at 00:27

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but, said the police, catch me, and said knowing I'm lying, wouldn't me and my friends be in a great amount of trouble?

AndersSim - V10'ING > Aaron James 01/06/2014 at 00:28

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I have bookmarked that link already :)

jsmizira > AndersSim - V10'ING 01/06/2014 at 00:35

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Not if you are bringing this car back to la for a new owner. And you would be legal and providing a service for a friend. http://bringatrailer.com/2014/01/03/196…

jsmizira > AndersSim - V10'ING 01/06/2014 at 00:35

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Not if you are bringing this car back to la for a new owner. And you would be legal and providing a service for a friend. http://bringatrailer.com/2014/01/03/196…

Aaron James > AndersSim - V10'ING 01/06/2014 at 00:38

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Great, that search was based on 25 and American, I'm sure the other companies websites will have options for international visitors as well but I'm not sure about kayak.

Bird > AndersSim - V10'ING 01/06/2014 at 00:44

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Google is going to be your best friend in this endeavor. How old are you? If over 21 this should be totally possible, if 18+ but not 20, insurance may be a little trickier.

Start with the link gmporschenut gave you, and find the insurance requirements. Start googling for non citizen insurance new york, as well as other variations of that.

If you run into a road block in NY, you can always try another state. Our laws vary from state to state, so it may be easier to register a vehicle and get insurance there. Once you're registered and insured in any one state, you can freely move between all states with that registration and insurance.

This summer my girlfriend and I are taking a road trip going through St Petersburg, Moscow, Kiev, and then on to Amsterdam. We purchased a Lada 2103 in Estonia for the trip. We've got a blog if you're interested.

AndersSim - V10'ING > Bird 01/06/2014 at 00:57

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bookmarked, its looking like it could provide us with good information! Have an awesome trip, cool car!

Desu-San-Desu > AndersSim - V10'ING 01/06/2014 at 01:18

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Yes, you have to have insurance. Not sure how that works for non-citizens, though. Basically, you'll need insurance to get 45-day temporary tags on the car.

As for the car, I'd recommend something Japanese, due to the reliability concerns of a long trip, as well as fuel costs. Since you're looking into possibly sleeping in the car, I'd recommend a wagon. Which narrows down the field quite a bit. If this trip is taking make place anywhere within the next few months, you also need to be aware that half of your trip will be in the snow and the other half will not.

As such, my suggestions are as follows:

Subaru Legacy Outback Wagon H6

Subaru Impreza Outback Sport

Mazda Protege5

Honda Accord Wagon

Toyota Cressida Wagon for RWD goodness.

AndersSim - V10'ING > Desu-San-Desu 01/06/2014 at 01:21

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DAT ACCORD THOUGH O.0

The trip will be in summer 2015

M54B30 > AndersSim - V10'ING 01/06/2014 at 02:06

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Just rent. Buying a $3k car to go across the US is a gamble. 80% of whatever is out there might do it fine, but that 20% will leave you in a bad place - a dead car and no money for a rental anymore. Plus, you can get insurance for a rental car from the company. I don't know that you can get insurance without a stateside address. Good luck!

So many sights to seem its impossible to narrow down

big eagle > AndersSim - V10'ING 01/06/2014 at 02:50

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As to what car you should pick up I have three words: chevy. caprice. wagon. Big Roomy and very American if that's what you're going for.

hendo1983 > AndersSim - V10'ING 01/06/2014 at 07:36

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A Crown Vic is a fine choice. They are cheap, plentiful, parts are easy to find, cheap and easy to replace with simple tools. As long as you by the car outright you can insure it with Liability only coverage. It should only cost you a few hundred dollars to get an insurance card faxed to you from a discount agency. You will have to use an address. Maybe use the address of the seller? good luck :)

GRawesome > AndersSim - V10'ING 01/06/2014 at 13:00

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As for the insurance, as others stated - you will need it. Though it doesn't have to be on a monthly basis. You could get a 6-month plan (paying by the month) and cancel it when you are done. might even save some money over just one month of insurance.

The real problem is going to be in registering the car, it could takes days or longer depending on which Depart of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office you go to. Maybe a NY Oppo could help you out and fill you in on which DMV is best. I think one in New York City would be infinitely more complicated then one just a few hours upstate that gets less business and probably better prepared people coming in.

Your best bet (I think) would be to buy the car from a dealer or salesman that can provide you with a temporary registration (usually good for 30 days) and you can skip the whole DMV hassle all together.

I would also check the laws of different states, it may be a lot easier to register/insure a car in one of the other states around New York. It is a state by state thing so maybe New York allows it but maybe it doesn't and another state does. I know here in Florida it is pretty easy to register everything and get insurance.

Good Luck! Looking forward to hearing about how the trip goes.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > Aaron James 01/07/2014 at 01:33

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Alamo is probably your best bet since they allow unlimited miles on all of their rentals. Buying a car will be problematic less because of insurance and more because of getting it registered and plated since you don't have a US address or Drivers Licence. If you are looking to save money then camping is probably the way to go. Simply pitching a tent next to the side of the road will get you in trouble but campsites are normally cheap and some are even free: http://freecampsites.net/usa/

bob and john > AndersSim - V10'ING 01/10/2014 at 00:56

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umm. how about a school bus?

Dsscats > AndersSim - V10'ING 01/10/2014 at 09:56

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I'd go with a crown Vic. Big, comfy, cheap, not terrible on gas, RWD V8 aaaannnd fun to drive!

jabrother > AndersSim - V10'ING 01/19/2014 at 04:23

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Hotwire and Priceline are your friend for cheap rooms although you may have to have a us credit card. I'd recommend a 10 yr old maxima for the road trip with a manual trans. Those are super road cars. Have a blast! Oh and hit the ky derby in early may...its an experience of a lifetime!