Car for new immigrant
 

I am planning to move to Idaho on a green card late next summer.

I will have no credit history and a foreign driving licence at first so, following the many suggestions on this forum, I contacted International Autosource for a quote for a new car financing.
I am looking for a compact SUV (All Wheel Drive) and this is what I got (excl. taxes):

- Jeep Compass Sport: Price $26,050
36 Months Loan. $15,000 Down Payment = $363 per month

- Nissan Rogue S: Price $27,160
36 Months Loan. $15,000 Down Payment = $397 per month

Are these good deals in your opinion? Do you think I can get better deals by going to local dealerships once I have moved? I would need a car as soon as possible, so I cannot wait until I have established a decent credit history.

Since I have some savings and I am willing to spend these on the car, the alternative I was thinking about is to buy cash a used SUV, in the range $15,000-$20,000. However, I was told not to trust used cars in the USA, given the 'ability' of the average American driver and the fact that many used cars were leased, so drivers do not care about keeping the car in good condition. Is this true? Would you suggest a used car bought cash?

Thanks.

Re: Car for new immigrant
 

If you have the $15k to put down, I would pass on these in favor of going to a dealer when in country. They will be falling over themselves to help you out. If you are looking for used, you can take your time and again go to dealers - you might pay a little more, but you will usually get some sort of 'certified pre-owned' warranty from a good one.

If the car is in good condition, and never been wrecked, they will offer a 'free carfax report' or something similar. Any that doesn't offer that, get one yourself for about $30.

Both the Rogue and the Compass are considered small for this country, just FYI. They are the smaller cousins of the Pathfinder (Nissan) and Cherokee (Jeep)

Re: Car for new immigrant
 

I agree, $15k will get you a decent used car.
Save the $397 a month for something else.

Re: Car for new immigrant
 

I would disagree with this -- there was a time when they might have been, but nowadays I think they are a pretty average size vehicle.

Re: Car for new immigrant
 

Thanks for the advice. I thought that dealers would make more money from financing, so would back off from a cash purchase.

Should I wait to get a state driving license before shopping for a car?

And what about insurance? Are there companies providing reasonable insurance plans for expats with no credit nor driving history?

Re: Car for new immigrant
 

Yes dealers do of course make more money from financing, but they also want to make sales, and you $15k will get you good service.

Depending on your state, you may have as little as 10 days to get a state license when you become resident. This should be a priority when you get here.

You should expect to pay over the odds for car insurance - the US is expensive anyway, and as you rightly point out you will have no credit or driving history. Some companies will take UK history into account, but you'll need to ship around. Will you be looking for liability only or full coverage in the first instance? Either way be prepared to pay a pretty penny at first.

Re: Car for new immigrant
 

OP is moving to Idaho. Looks like it is 90 days to get a license.

DMV | Idaho Transportation Department

Re: Car for new immigrant
 

Another advantage of buying a used car is won't have to have full coverage insurance, just liability.

Re: Car for new immigrant
 

Thirding what everyone else is saying.

Spend your money on a 2 or 3 year old Japanese vehicle.
Depreciation on Merkin vehicles is ridiculous.

Just read the bit about the "ability" of American drivers. Whoever told you that is a moron.
Most cars here are automatic and are like bumper cars. Go and stop pedal.

Do yourself a favor and dispel yourself of the notion that North Americans are simple rubes and you're an enlightened, sophisticated European.

Re: Car for new immigrant
 

Agree with buying a good used car when moved here.

Re: Car for new immigrant
 

I think you mean "Grand Cherokee", the Cherokee is quite small.
I think that is a perspective from New England that may not apply a cross all regions.

Re: Car for new immigrant
 

Anything less than an F150 is considered small in Texas, IMO.

Re: Car for new immigrant
 

An F150 is smaller than my truck, and I don't even live in Texas! :lol:

Neighbors had his 'n' hers trucks - hers was the same as mine, his was larger. :nod:

Re: Car for new immigrant
 

Yes we all know you like your F250 :rofl:

I get by just fine with my little play truck!

Re: Car for new immigrant
 

Following that a car just off a lease can be a great deal.
The cars usually have limited mileage per year, condition security deposits and routine servicing so are normally taken care of.

Re: Car for new immigrant
 

I just bought a new 2018 Tacoma 4x4. They are making the Tacomas bigger now almost identical to the old Ford F-100 from 1950's and 60's. For my needs a perfect size truck.

Re: Car for new immigrant
 

I meant no offence. That is what I was told by some Americans and I have also read it just a few days ago here on this forum.

Re: Car for new immigrant
 

In my experience most American car users make sure that their oil is changed on time to the total exclusion of almost everything else.

Ignore the other poster - Americans cannot drive (because they have no cause to have to learn, the road test is a joke) and driving here is dangerous. It's a fact of life.

Re: Car for new immigrant
 

I am not sure even that is the case. I have recently looked at the Carfax reports on some used vehicles and have been staggered to see that first oil changes have not been done until 40/50,000 miles. These are cars at reputable dealers.

Re: Car for new immigrant
 

I would not rely on carfax to collect all the service details.
I'm pretty sure quickylube ect does not report oil changes to them.
Maybe just the dealerships.

Re: Car for new immigrant
 

For instance, looking at a local used cars dealership I found these pre-owned cars:

2016 Jeep Compass Sport, 22860 miles, $15,980
2015 Toyota RAV4 LE, 30600 miles, $19,980

Do these sound like good deals? If I buy cash, how likely it is to negotiate a rebate with the dealer?

Re: Car for new immigrant
 

I wouldn't personally buy an ex-fleet vehicle (like a former rental car) because it might have been thrashed, and they all tend to be brands I wouldn't usually be interested in (Ford, Chevy, Dodge, Nissan, etc).

Buy German or Japanese and you're good to go. Well, Japanese. :) Honda,. Toyota are the reliability gold standard.
Use a car broker if you want. Or do a private sale. Good thing is modern cars don't really need a break-in period.

And no offence taken. I was being curmudgeonly. And ignore that other poster 'civilservant'. She doesn't know a thing about cars or anything really.

Re: Car for new immigrant
 

So I should look for pre-owned cars, right? I found good deals at the local Thrifty Car Sales dealership, but I assume it's all former rental cars.

Re: Car for new immigrant
 

Look at edmunds.com or Kelly Blue Book. It'll give you a good idea.
I wouldn't buy a Chrysler product, unless it was a Wrangler.

The RAV4 is small, but an excellent vehicle.

Re: Car for new immigrant
 

Start studying your future state's driving laws a bit in advance so you can get the licence as soon as you like (Idaho here: https://itd.idaho.gov/wp-content/upl...ver_manual.pdf)

Even though a lot of it is common sense, it helps to know some of the distance-related regulations, and what all the road signs mean.

A state-issued drivers licence is extremely useful for things other than driving, eg, boarding a domestic flight

Re: Car for new immigrant
 

Private sales are good. You can probably save a grand or two. 30,000 for the Toyota is like a new car. Still under warranty, I'm guessing.

Seriously, depreciation is significant on American models. You spend 50,000 on a fancy Ford, Chevy and Dodge pick-up, and two years later, it's worth 30,000. They even sell underwater insurance at dealerships, because you'll owe more than the vehicle is worth.

Re: Car for new immigrant
 

Also, another tip based on my experience of having had a regular sedan and now a SUV. Get an SUV. You already seem to be favouring this option anyway, but I thought I would reinforce it.

Every other sucker is out on the road in one, so if you are sat at car-driver height, you have obstructed vision. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

Re: Car for new immigrant
 

I have to get an SUV and AWD/4WD is mandatory too. The place where I am moving has snow on the ground from December to March, and it can get 10in of snow overnight.

So much for people wanting to move to the USA for the milder climate...

Re: Car for new immigrant
 

Also keep in mind that unlike the UK, the price is almost always exclusive of tax, title and license.

For example in Texas, expect to pay the cash price + around 7%

Of course you can always negotiate the actual price down, but keep that in mind.

Re: Car for new immigrant
 

Pfft, just an F250?

This is a real truck. (F350 Dually)

Edit: Also, if it's not lifted, you're the odd one out in Texas, especially East Texas.

https://d2uf4zk8t94n2d.cloudfront.ne...-2048x1360.jpg

Re: Car for new immigrant
 

Certified Pre-owned from the manufacturer dealer is often the best way to go.

For AWD cars, look at Subaru.

Re: Car for new immigrant
 

Any reason your are not considering a Truck?

Re: Car for new immigrant
 

Fuel economy and price. I imagine trucks are more expensive than compact SUVs, am I right?

Re: Car for new immigrant
 

Now I'm a homeowner almost daily I wish I had bought a truck.

Still considering a couple thousand beater truck for odd jobs.

Re: Car for new immigrant
 

She's a he, as you well know :hand:

As for the last part, how well you know me!:sarcasm:

Re: Car for new immigrant
 

<waves back> <blows kisses>

You're right though. A lot of Americans aren't very good drivers. Namely teenagers, women and Asians. And Mexicans. And Texans. And Wyomingans.

Re: Car for new immigrant
 

My first job in this country was a salesman for the main Ford dealer in our area. I did learn this .... You will need to obtain a US driving licence to lease or buy a new car, your UK licence will not be valid after 30 days anyway.
As for the credit history ... A car loan is the fastest and easiest way to build up your credit, most banks will lend you money for a car if you put a lump sum down.

Re: Car for new immigrant
 

That's not true in most states.
That is only true in some states, it varies between 10 days and 90 days depending on the state, and PA allows new immigrants 365 days.

Re: Car for new immigrant
 

So, do I need to have first the SSN card and the state driver's license to buy a car with cash and to set up insurance for that car?
Or can I do both before having the SSN?

I plan to get the driver's license as soon as possible, but, according to the Idaho DMV requirements, to apply I need first to get the SSN card and a proof of address.

Re: Car for new immigrant
 

And get a decent warranty. We probably overpaid for the car but got a "free" warranty that subsequent dealerships said was pretty comprehensive. Anyway, long story short, well over $2k of labour and car rentals charged to the warranty people to replace a $5 part cost us $50 in co-pays. They basically had to take everything out of the engine compartment to get to this one little rubber gasket which was a multi day job.