Cheap cars to buy / run / insure?
 

Yeah! Finally received my L-1 yesterday, due to start my new job in September in the US.

I was wondering what cars people here recommend as being cheap to buy / run, and especially insure. I have been told that once I re-take my driving test in the US I will be classed as a novice driver and insurance will be pricey accordingly.

(Ach well, there goes my plan of buying a Mustang!) :(


Does anybody have any experience to share on this topic?

My advice for the first year is buy an old piece of sh1t.........
for example a 1993 Ford Tempo worth about a grand and have just third party (PLPD) insurance on it.

How much would insurance be likely (roughly) to cost for that car? (I'm 26, going to live in DE.) Any idea?

I take it that getting a company car is better than getting one over here in UK then, I have opted out of mine for the last 4 years due to the tax man wanting half my bloody wages due to me having company cars.

I was told from friends that most contractors give company cars, is it worth while or not?

I am licensed in the State of michigan only to sell insurance.
DE may/will have different laws.

If you are over 25, with a clean US driving license expect to pay no more than $350 for 6 months for PLPD on the said 93 Ford Tempo. (around the rural area I live)

However different rates for different states and areas of the country.
Some states even allow credit rating to be taken into consideration when being given a quote. (I strongly disagree with this as paying your bills on time has no effect on your ability to operate a car IMO)

Thanks!

The credit thing is another issue entirely...I've been told to expect to run into a few difficulties until I build up a credit rating.:zzz:

Also, don't let your auto insurance lapse...not even for a day, otherwise you'll lose your no-claims bonus. Well, that's what happens here in California anyway, but the way how most insurance companies operate, I would expect it to be the same elsewhere.

With regards to building up credit, get yourself a UK Amex card before you come over, and once you're over here, get it swapped over for an US Amex card. Then, use it a lot but keep it paid off.

Cheap cars to buy / run / insure?
 

you don't need to take a new test.. exchange your UK drivers license for an american one... that's what I did in Washington DC... they have a book of countries where you can exchange a license from...

Re: Cheap cars to buy / run / insure?
 

since when has Washington DC been in Delaware? :confused:

Re: Cheap cars to buy / run / insure?
 

It all depends on the state - I had to take a test to get my MD drivers license.

Wasn't anywhere near there last time I drove through it - totally opposite direction...

Too true!! Geico, who has supposedly the cheapest insurance, came out the highest for us, because we had no credit, hubs was a novice driver and I hadn't had insurance in the States for quite a while (lived in the UK) Anyway, they wanted to charge us $1500 for 6 months for both of us driving a 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan! :scared: :scared: :scared: My aunt recommended State Farm and imagine our surprise when it came down to $500 some odd for 6 months. What a total ripoff Geico would have been and I told them so. :mad:

Of course we're still in our first 6 months and I got my first ever speeding ticket last month, I hate to see what that will do. :rolleyes: :(

Can't you go to traffic school and get that wiped from your record?

I see your in California, that's where I'm originally from. Yes in California you can do that, but not here in Washington. Imagine my surprise when I looked at the ticket and there was three options on the back, guilty, guilty,guilty. You just mail in the money and presto bango its on your driving record. Lovely! :rolleyes:

Bummer, sorry to hear that.

Re: Cheap cars to buy / run / insure?
 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by FlyergirlUK
It all depends on the state - I had to take a test to get my MD drivers license.

It's all very confusing - I still haven't taken my test what with everything else going on.... I downloaded the whole 115 page driving booklet from the TN Gov website and it totally contradicts itself... one page says within 30 days of arriving in state you need to take test, then on the other leaflet i had it said 3 months.. and then when i called them they said I could just drive on my UK license, then the driving test place said since a new law was passed in July you only get a certificate of driving if you are on a temporary visa :rolleyes:

In any event, I switched my insruance from Farmers to State Farm last week - they said its valid on UK license, but I will take the test soon anyway. I was paying $600 for 6 months of liability and uninsured motorist cover only and that has gone down to $480 for 6 months with liability, uninsured mot, fire and theft and medical with State Farm - and that's on a 98 Ford Escort. Not bad at all I thought :)