Buying, Owning, Driving and Maintaining a car in North America

tsk1979 · 11th August 2008, 14:53

The most Fuel efficient car I could rent was the Nissan Altima Hybrid. But rentals for hybrids cost much more.
A cobalt will easily give you 30mpg city and 35mpg highway
Best is to search sites like avis/fox rent a car/budget car rental etc.,
you will get a car for 150-170$/week + Insurance. LDW(Loss damage waiver) is another 9$/day.
Your total cost will be 12+9 for Insurance and LDW/day(same everywhere)
Add another 10$ minimum for the car
So total cost all inclusive should be less than 1000$/month.

For example Fox rent a car gives car for $9/day in LA

Another thing, get in touch with rev_hard and scout for some Non airport locations.
This means you save as much as $9/day over non airport locations

IndianDawg · 11th August 2008, 23:07

Hey,
Thanks a lot guys !! I really appreciate.
@tsk Thanks for the info it has helped me a lot. 1000$/month is a bit too much for me, I just want to pay till 600-700$.

@rev_hard Thanks a lot brother. My bugdet is 600$/month but last I'll pay 700$ if I find a good car. Please let me know which cars do I have in option.

Thanks.

deep_bang · 11th August 2008, 23:24

Hertz rents Prius Hybrids now a days and i found it to be a good car in terms of fuel efficiency. On long drives it gave me about 48mpg. Even on short drives it is supposed to give more than 45mpg this i heard from a Prius owner.

tsk1979 · 12th August 2008, 00:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by IndianDawg

Hey,
Thanks a lot guys !! I really appreciate.
@tsk Thanks for the info it has helped me a lot. 1000$/month is a bit too much for me, I just want to pay till 600-700$.

@rev_hard Thanks a lot brother. My bugdet is 600$/month but last I'll pay 700$ if I find a good car. Please let me know which cars do I have in option.

Thanks.

IndianDawg, the problem is insurance.
The cheaper LDW(Loss damage waiver) is 9$/day
Insurance(compulsary for you since you need third party damages) is 12$/day
So if somebody gives you a car for free you pay
21$/day = 650$ approx
The cheapest car you can find is probably 10$/day, this comes to 300$
So there is no way you will be able to fit below 900/month

I suggest you rent a car for weekends(weekend rentals are cheaper than weekday rentals), and on the weekdays you take the bus
I know california public transport esp in LA and San Diego sucks, but if you plan your trips in advance and check bus timings on website you can travel unlimited for 3-5$ a day depending upon the area.
When I was in Irivine in 2006 I did a lot of bus riding since I did not have a car.

abhijitaparadh · 12th August 2008, 00:36

Better option would be to buy a decent secondhand car (say a 2002 Civic for example)....for around $10k and sell it off at the end of 6 months...it wold cost you about the same if not less.

On east coast, Enterprise has a special scheme for long term car rentals....check out if CA has any rental agencies that have such schemes.

Vid6639 · 12th August 2008, 00:45

I got Cobalt from enterprise at $560 for a month in LA without insurance. My company has the insurance so I didn't have to take the additional Enterprise insurance.

This is corporate rate for a month. For short terms it's much more expensive.

Now I upgraded to a Chrysler Sebring at $660/month.

rev_hard · 12th August 2008, 09:13

hey dawg. gas was almost 5 bucks a few days ago. now its around 4.50 a gallon. consider this very seriously. if you are planning to commute anything over 20 miles one way everyday then please consider buying a sub $2000 car and get rid of it when you leave.

rentals are minimum 1200-1300 all incl but w/o gas. civic is for 1350 a month.
do ask your visa sponsor if the company you are going to work for will pay your insurance and/or car rental cost. sometimes, if you are lucky, they do!

a slightly risky option is not taking the complete insurance cover but getting just the $12 basic insurance. but then you won't be able to drive it like you stole it on these amazing roads. your call.

IndianDawg · 12th August 2008, 12:58

Thanks once again.
Will keep in touch

IndianDawg · 13th August 2008, 21:56

Hi guys,
I'm back with another bang now hehe
I'm 20 and i'll be turning 21 this December.
I checked out Atwest Rent and Auto Rent both in San Diego and also I heard Enterprise who gives car to rent for under 21.
When I checked out Enterprise site it says I cannot rent as am underage.
Atwest do give cars to rent for under 21 but covers no insurance.
Still I have to phone Auto Rent and find out more about it.

Anybody who can help me out in this bad situation.
Thanks, I have been a noise around but I really appreciate your help.

tsk1979 · 13th August 2008, 22:19

oops. You are in trouble buddy.
Most places are very strict for under 25. You have higher rates etc.,
Under 21 its very very difficult, if not impossible.

reignofchaos · 13th August 2008, 22:33

Rental under 21 is very expensive if available. Most of these rental companies need the renter to be atleast 25 or else there are various random fees.

My advice... buy a cheap car and then sell it off when you are returning.

deep_bang · 13th August 2008, 23:05

For a 6 month period, buying a cheap japanese car sounds like a good idea.

When i was under 25, i used to rent from National Car. I dont remember whether they had any underage clause, but if it was there, there was a cheap alternative.

Under 21- I am not sure.

IndianDawg · 14th August 2008, 00:36

Thanks for your replies.
E-mail from AutoRent
Here are the details for your inquiry. Picking up August 28th 2008, to March 26th, 2009. We calculate a monthly rate, based on 4 weeks. Every 4 weeks, counts as 1 month. You would have the vehicle for a total of 8 months. I can give you a discounted rate of $700 per month. Which include full coverage insurance, that consists of liability, and collision. This also includes the fee of you being under the age of 25 years old. Total for the 8 months would be $5,600.00 total.
Auto Rent Car Rental of San Diego - Best rates for all car rentals in San Diego, California 888-809-2727

rev_hard · 14th August 2008, 04:53

awesome find dawg! ask them about taxes though. its about 7% here. overall it might bump the cost by $600.

IndianDawg · 14th August 2008, 08:14

Already 50$ down bro lol still i'll get him to 600$
Thanks

Note from the Team-BHP Support : Please take the time to use proper punctuation as per Team-BHP rules. Thanks.

11th August 2008, 14:53	#136
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,717 Thanked: 22,825 Times View My Garage	The most Fuel efficient car I could rent was the Nissan Altima Hybrid. But rentals for hybrids cost much more. A cobalt will easily give you 30mpg city and 35mpg highway Best is to search sites like avis/fox rent a car/budget car rental etc., you will get a car for 150-170$/week + Insurance. LDW(Loss damage waiver) is another 9$/day. Your total cost will be 12+9 for Insurance and LDW/day(same everywhere) Add another 10$ minimum for the car So total cost all inclusive should be less than 1000$/month. For example Fox rent a car gives car for $9/day in LA Another thing, get in touch with rev_hard and scout for some Non airport locations. This means you save as much as $9/day over non airport locations Last edited by tsk1979 : 11th August 2008 at 14:59.
	() Thanks

11th August 2008, 23:07	#137
IndianDawg BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 95 Thanked: Once View My Garage	Hey, Thanks a lot guys !! I really appreciate. @tsk Thanks for the info it has helped me a lot. 1000$/month is a bit too much for me, I just want to pay till 600-700$. @rev_hard Thanks a lot brother. My bugdet is 600$/month but last I'll pay 700$ if I find a good car. Please let me know which cars do I have in option. Thanks.
	() Thanks

11th August 2008, 23:24	#138
deep_bang BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bangalore / Boise Posts: 888 Thanked: 1,272 Times	Hertz rents Prius Hybrids now a days and i found it to be a good car in terms of fuel efficiency. On long drives it gave me about 48mpg. Even on short drives it is supposed to give more than 45mpg this i heard from a Prius owner.
	() Thanks

12th August 2008, 00:36	#140
abhijitaparadh BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 222 Thanked: 3 Times	Better option would be to buy a decent secondhand car (say a 2002 Civic for example)....for around $10k and sell it off at the end of 6 months...it wold cost you about the same if not less. On east coast, Enterprise has a special scheme for long term car rentals....check out if CA has any rental agencies that have such schemes.
	() Thanks

12th August 2008, 00:45	#141
Vid6639 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 17,730 Thanked: 43,479 Times View My Garage	I got Cobalt from enterprise at $560 for a month in LA without insurance. My company has the insurance so I didn't have to take the additional Enterprise insurance. This is corporate rate for a month. For short terms it's much more expensive. Now I upgraded to a Chrysler Sebring at $660/month.
	() Thanks

12th August 2008, 09:13	#142
rev_hard BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 361 Thanked: Once	hey dawg. gas was almost 5 bucks a few days ago. now its around 4.50 a gallon. consider this very seriously. if you are planning to commute anything over 20 miles one way everyday then please consider buying a sub $2000 car and get rid of it when you leave. rentals are minimum 1200-1300 all incl but w/o gas. civic is for 1350 a month. do ask your visa sponsor if the company you are going to work for will pay your insurance and/or car rental cost. sometimes, if you are lucky, they do! a slightly risky option is not taking the complete insurance cover but getting just the $12 basic insurance. but then you won't be able to drive it like you stole it on these amazing roads. your call.
	() Thanks

12th August 2008, 12:58	#143
IndianDawg BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 95 Thanked: Once View My Garage	Thanks once again. Will keep in touch
	() Thanks

13th August 2008, 21:56	#144
IndianDawg BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 95 Thanked: Once View My Garage	Hi guys, I'm back with another bang now hehe I'm 20 and i'll be turning 21 this December. I checked out Atwest Rent and Auto Rent both in San Diego and also I heard Enterprise who gives car to rent for under 21. When I checked out Enterprise site it says I cannot rent as am underage. Atwest do give cars to rent for under 21 but covers no insurance. Still I have to phone Auto Rent and find out more about it. Anybody who can help me out in this bad situation. Thanks, I have been a noise around but I really appreciate your help.
	() Thanks

13th August 2008, 22:19	#145
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,717 Thanked: 22,825 Times View My Garage	oops. You are in trouble buddy. Most places are very strict for under 25. You have higher rates etc., Under 21 its very very difficult, if not impossible.
	() Thanks

13th August 2008, 22:33	#146
reignofchaos Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,542 Thanked: 2,450 Times View My Garage	Rental under 21 is very expensive if available. Most of these rental companies need the renter to be atleast 25 or else there are various random fees. My advice... buy a cheap car and then sell it off when you are returning.
	() Thanks

13th August 2008, 23:05	#147
deep_bang BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bangalore / Boise Posts: 888 Thanked: 1,272 Times	For a 6 month period, buying a cheap japanese car sounds like a good idea. When i was under 25, i used to rent from National Car. I dont remember whether they had any underage clause, but if it was there, there was a cheap alternative. Under 21- I am not sure.
	() Thanks

14th August 2008, 00:36	#148
IndianDawg BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 95 Thanked: Once View My Garage	Thanks for your replies. E-mail from AutoRent Here are the details for your inquiry. Picking up August 28th 2008, to March 26th, 2009. We calculate a monthly rate, based on 4 weeks. Every 4 weeks, counts as 1 month. You would have the vehicle for a total of 8 months. I can give you a discounted rate of $700 per month. Which include full coverage insurance, that consists of liability, and collision. This also includes the fee of you being under the age of 25 years old. Total for the 8 months would be $5,600.00 total. Auto Rent Car Rental of San Diego - Best rates for all car rentals in San Diego, California 888-809-2727 Last edited by IndianDawg : 14th August 2008 at 00:38.
	() Thanks

14th August 2008, 04:53	#149
rev_hard BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 361 Thanked: Once	awesome find dawg! ask them about taxes though. its about 7% here. overall it might bump the cost by $600.
	() Thanks

14th August 2008, 08:14	#150
IndianDawg BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 95 Thanked: Once View My Garage	Already 50$ down bro lol still i'll get him to 600$ Thanks Note from the Team-BHP Support : Please take the time to use proper punctuation as per Team-BHP rules. Thanks. Last edited by aah78 : 18th September 2008 at 04:13. Reason: See note.
	() Thanks