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

Jomz · 12th July 2008, 00:37

Yeah Kinda racist & patriotic... Driving a Honda to a local workshop gives queer looks

And the Honda looks lost among hordes ofGrand Am's, Grand Prix's, Dodge Ram's,Jeeps, GMC 1500's and all.. the only Jap which has UP's approval is Subaru

Queer place... I'm stuck here because I already have my project running cannot transfer

spawnofsatan · 12th July 2008, 00:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jomz

Yeah Kinda racist & patriotic... Driving a Honda to a local workshop gives queer looks

And the Honda looks lost among hordes ofGrand Am's, Grand Prix's, Dodge Ram's,Jeeps, GMC 1500's and all.. the only Jap which has UP's approval is Subaru

Queer place... I'm stuck here because I already have my project running cannot transfer

Yeah I know, I went there a few times (to the UP) and hated it, if you goto a big city like NYC or on the west coast you will see the difference in cars, I barely see a pontiac and gang here....which is a good thing !!!

Jomz · 12th July 2008, 07:32

Pontiac is like the old amby.. It breaks down really often but any garage can fix it, It'll be on the road within a day. The UP way of life..

midlifecrisis · 18th July 2008, 15:26

Try to buy direct from owner (preferably first owner) Check carfax and make sure it's got a clean history. No accidents means you'll be able to sell your car quicker.
Get the car checked by pep boys os someone similar.
Something else I've realised( too late) is that while selling, you'll lose a similar amount in money terms irrespective of the cost of the car. But a $8000 car will be more reliable than a $3000 car.

spawnofsatan · 19th July 2008, 00:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by midlifecrisis

Try to buy direct from owner (preferably first owner) Check carfax and make sure it's got a clean history. No accidents means you'll be able to sell your car quicker.
Get the car checked by pep boys os someone similar.
Something else I've realised( too late) is that while selling, you'll lose a similar amount in money terms irrespective of the cost of the car. But a $8000 car will be more reliable than a $3000 car.

I agree !!!

One more thing I have learnt is carfax does not show everything, even if the carfax report is clean the car could have got into a accident and just not been reported. Take the car to a bodyshop too and they can do a quick inspection.

Jomz · 19th July 2008, 01:15

8000$ car??? In that budjet you can go for Certified Preowned from the dealer itself.

kamalakannan · 19th July 2008, 20:15

hey guys lots of refined information than what i have far sure you guys are impacting my car purchase a lot. Thank you all. So is subaru all the way to go ????? in Orange County although i did'nt even find one so far.

spawnofsatan · 20th July 2008, 00:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by kamalakannan

hey guys lots of refined information than what i have far sure you guys are impacting my car purchase a lot. Thank you all. So is subaru all the way to go ????? in Orange County although i did'nt even find one so far.

Why didnt you mention you were in So Cal? I can personally help you here, PM me and I can send you my number.

Jr Godzilla · 3rd August 2008, 12:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by midlifecrisis

But a $8000 car will be more reliable than a $3000 car.

Not necessarily.

I've bought a Nissan Altima 1990 in ME for under 2500USD with 143k kms on the odo.

Its the 4th ownership but it has a service history which is brief but points towards the basic maintainence of the vehicle. I have maintained a thorough log and service parts change over period of last 6 yrs.

The vehicle has now clocked 219k kms and is as good as miantence free with the timely oil / filter changes
but i have changed the timing belt, tensioner bearing, serviced the AC, changed the clutch - done all these repairs / service costing under USD 800.

So I would not hessitate to pick a car even if it has more than 250K as long as it has
service history
basic look of car external and engine bay
a drive feel
above all first preference TOYOTA COROLLA
then Altima, Sunny, & Camry

my personal experience if you are on a budget!!

IndianDawg · 11th August 2008, 02:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsk1979

Actually from dollar, you will pay 30$/day for a midsize(Charger) which is including LDW and Insurance.
On Indian license, you " need" insurance. Its 12$/day.
In case if LDW its your choice.
A mercedes C class has arond 30$ LDW from enterprise.
A Mustang has 14$(but I paid 9$ which is same as a economy),
It pays to make a good relationship with the rental center. A smile and small chat always helps.

Hi
Am gonna be there for 6 months and I am a Gujurati who wants to save money through good mileage. I cant decide which car I shoud go for as I have a good lack of knowledge about foreign cars.
Besides that within 500-600$ including insurance is possible then its great. I am not keen to buy any specific car or any high end car as my purpose is to travel and not having a good ride but I need the car in a good condition and if possible, latest model but I don't mind even if its a Fiat

Thanks

tsk1979 · 11th August 2008, 09:12

Are you going to be renting a car there for 6 months or are you leasing?

IndianDawg · 11th August 2008, 11:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsk1979

Are you going to be renting a car there for 6 months or are you leasing?

Renting car for 6 months cause it covers insurance if I am not mistaken.
Why what do u suggest

tsk1979 · 11th August 2008, 11:30

With insurance the cheapest you can get it 700$/month
The most FE cars are Aveo/cobalt and Honda Civic
Try dollar.com for Civic and Avis/Hertz etc., stock chevy's
Where exactly in california are you going?

IndianDawg · 11th August 2008, 14:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsk1979

With insurance the cheapest you can get it 700$/month
The most FE cars are Aveo/cobalt and Honda Civic
Try dollar.com for Civic and Avis/Hertz etc., stock chevy's
Where exactly in california are you going?

Thanks.
I'm going to Carlsbad, CA. Yeah I have checked out Aveo and Cobalt but didn't notice about Civic. I heard you get cheap rates at auto rent at San Diego. I think Civic is a very good option and with 700$+insurance sounds good to me.
But I want to know from all of you as you all are experts in automobile, which car (FE Car) would you rent?

rev_hard · 11th August 2008, 14:48

carlsbad is just about 20 miles north of where I live in San Diego. Hit up dawg once you are here. if you give me a specific budget all inclusive of taxes, insurance, misc charges and gas cost you are willing to incur, i'll try and find you some real time info around here.

welcome brother

12th July 2008, 00:37	#121
Jomz BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Detroit, MI,USA Posts: 834 Thanked: 335 Times	Yeah Kinda racist & patriotic... Driving a Honda to a local workshop gives queer looks And the Honda looks lost among hordes ofGrand Am's, Grand Prix's, Dodge Ram's,Jeeps, GMC 1500's and all.. the only Jap which has UP's approval is Subaru Queer place... I'm stuck here because I already have my project running cannot transfer
	() Thanks

12th July 2008, 07:32	#123
Jomz BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Detroit, MI,USA Posts: 834 Thanked: 335 Times	Pontiac is like the old amby.. It breaks down really often but any garage can fix it, It'll be on the road within a day. The UP way of life..
	() Thanks

18th July 2008, 15:26	#124
midlifecrisis BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 122 Thanked: 5 Times	Try to buy direct from owner (preferably first owner) Check carfax and make sure it's got a clean history. No accidents means you'll be able to sell your car quicker. Get the car checked by pep boys os someone similar. Something else I've realised( too late) is that while selling, you'll lose a similar amount in money terms irrespective of the cost of the car. But a $8000 car will be more reliable than a $3000 car.
	() Thanks

19th July 2008, 01:15	#126
Jomz BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Detroit, MI,USA Posts: 834 Thanked: 335 Times	8000$ car??? In that budjet you can go for Certified Preowned from the dealer itself.
	() Thanks

19th July 2008, 20:15	#127
kamalakannan Newbie Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cypress,CA Posts: 14 Thanked: 0 Times	hey guys lots of refined information than what i have far sure you guys are impacting my car purchase a lot. Thank you all. So is subaru all the way to go ????? in Orange County although i did'nt even find one so far.
	() Thanks

11th August 2008, 09:12	#131
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,717 Thanked: 22,825 Times View My Garage	Are you going to be renting a car there for 6 months or are you leasing?
	() Thanks

11th August 2008, 11:30	#133
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,717 Thanked: 22,825 Times View My Garage	With insurance the cheapest you can get it 700$/month The most FE cars are Aveo/cobalt and Honda Civic Try dollar.com for Civic and Avis/Hertz etc., stock chevy's Where exactly in california are you going?
	() Thanks

11th August 2008, 14:48	#135
rev_hard BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 361 Thanked: Once	carlsbad is just about 20 miles north of where I live in San Diego. Hit up dawg once you are here. if you give me a specific budget all inclusive of taxes, insurance, misc charges and gas cost you are willing to incur, i'll try and find you some real time info around here. welcome brother
	() Thanks