HI,

Has anyone used or any experience of International AutoSource?

We have been offered this service and from the info so far it looks like a good deal for getting a car.

It comes at a discount, is delivered to our place of residence within the first two weeks of us arriving, gives us preferential rates on finance as we have no US credit history and will take into account our No Claims bonus from the UK.

We just have to order before we leave the UK.

I have been doing a lot or research on getting a car in the US and am getting a little lost and confused with all the models and variations available, yet it seems there is less choice than here in the UK? No french cars for example?

As a family we need two cars, a small hatchback type for the family of four, a fiesta or a honda fit would seem to suit and then a car that can take 6 people and a bit of luggage comfortably for when my two eldest sons are over for the summer.

I know some may say for those 6 weeks when there are 6 of use two cars but with long trips planned it is so much better to have one car. Here in the UK I had a Honda FRV which gave us a middle seat in the front so we had two rows of three and still a trunk for luggage, this was brilliant for long trips to France and I used it if February to take the six of us skiing. I am struggling to find something similar in the US that is not a really big vehicle which I would not be comfortable with. So far it seems the closest is a Mazda 5 but when it takes 6 there is no room for luggage.

Does anyone have a large family of 6 that can recommend a vehicle not the size of a tank!

I used IA, and have recommended them many times here on BE. Yes, they really are that good!

If you're carrying six plus luggage, you would need is sizeable vehicle, as the third rows seats in smaller seven seaters are not generous in size, and cramming six people plus luggage into the smallest possible vehicle when its 90°F, or more, outside is not a pleasant prospect.

The Ford Explorer is about 2½ feet longer than a Camry or Accord, and is at the top of the list for my next vehicle. It is now a crossover (no chassis), available as a two wheel drive, and looks so much better than a minivan.

If cost is an issue, you might consider two smaller vehicles and then just rent a larger vehicle when you need one.

BTW. No French cars is one of the hidden benefits of living in the US.

Buick Enclave/GMC Acadia. The Chevvy traverse is the same too but I personally don't care for it anywhere near as much as the other two.

It's smaller than the behemoths, and drives more like a car than many of the large SUVS (it's classed as a midsize CUV). The new Ford Explorer as Pulaski mentioned is also a good option.

The other option is to buy a truck which will have 3+3 seating... Not small though!!

I have a GMC acadia with 2+2+3 seating and have sat 6 in it comfortably. There is luggage space behind the rear seats but don't expect to get 2 weeks worth of luggage for 6 people behind there... That is true of all of the midsize CUV/SUVs that have 3 rows of seats.

Oh, and as for the Mazda 5 - I wouldn't dream of trying to fit 6 people in it, unless 4 of them were 5 year olds. It's really pretty small.

Of course, you could also get a minivan...

Loads of threads on IA, can search them up easily enough.

You'll need two cars too...getting by on one is really tough and it's shit.

To throw in another recommendation to the aboves, Nissan Pathfinder is a lot of fun and pretty decent.

Suppose it's all about budget. New motor, no driving/credit history, should budget $1k per six months to insure a pop, though if you chuck in renter/home owners insurance you'll get a bit of a discount.

Take a look at the Kia Sorento. Bought one for my daughter 2 years ago. Very impressed with what you get for the money. You can have 2 or 3 rows of seats if needed. About the same size as a Ford Explorer, but about $5-6k cheaper for a very well equipped one. Comes with a 10 year 100,000 mile warranty. Had no trouble of any kind over the past two years and nearly 30k. So if you're thinking non-US brand, this is one to consider though it's actually made in Georgia I think. Kia/Hyundai have me converted and I was and still am hard core German brands. Next time, maybe we'll buy one as they really have everything coming together now.

FWIW whilst I havent taken receipt of my vehicle yet, I have one on order with IA. I have found the whole process very easy, and the next steps dont seem difficult either. Insurance quotes seems reasonable (they use a IAG partner) and take into account that you have driven overseas.

I found the sales people easy to deal with and transparent. It appears that IA started roots as a return servicemen business, assisting vets returning from service who would be impacted by their long tours of duty on things lik credit history etc.... and have expanded the business from there.

The only thing I would say be aware of at the moment (and it may not be an issue depending on the model you chose), but 2013 stock is in decline and new 2014 is taking orders. As a result, there may be a lead time on the arrival/delivery of your new car. For us, our lead time is three months, so we dont get ours till start of March. That is for an Audi. We also looked at the 2014 Ford Edge Sport, and it had a lead time of a couple months also.

Good luck, but I believe you will find IA a god source and as others have said, there are a stack of threads on here and other forums about them.

On a related note I was doing some research on getting cars in US when I am there. Would I be able to get finance if I put 50% down on this one?

http://www.geraldnissannaperville.co...abb4515c1b.htm

i did speak to IA about 2nd hand cars and they do do it, but its through another affiliated company. They indicated they will loan you the money, but it will be at a higher interest rate.

I also tried the Citi Gold side of things (similar to HSBC premier) where the will passport your profile from one country to another, but after them originally indicating that they would do it, then said they wouldnt lend funds based off another countries profile from a retail perspective, but apparently would consider it for a mortgage... go figure... HSBC are more retail based so maybe that is an option?

But i believe there are posts on here about people getting loans and mortgages quite easily after a short period of time Not sure what he secrete was.

I've not sat in the 3rd row of the Sorento but will also add I think that Kia, along with Hyundai, produce solid cars these days (my wife drives a Hyundai Elantra and I had a Hyundai SantaFe when I came over). I've test driven the new Hyundai SantaFe Sport and liked it and they produce the new regular SantaFe too which has 3 rows of seats which I've not been in at all yet.

Second vote for IA - we used them when we moved 2 months ago and all went well. We were warned to be careful about the car we ordered with them due to long lead times, as a result hubby got a Ford focus sedan with them which they had in stock and ready to deliver when we wanted it.
After having a Ford Galaxy for 11 years, I'd had enough of minivans so went the other direction here and I've bought a 3 year old Honda Fit which I think is great, lots of space inside and I can throw the dog in the back. Insurance costs can be high so bear that in mind when you're doing the budget for cars, especially if you have teenagers who will be driving.
If you want a car to fit 6 people in, then just about everyone in my area doing school runs has a Honda Odyssey minivan.