Cheap cars to buy / run / insure?
Jul 27th 2004, 1:42 pm
#1
Gravity Always Wins
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2004
Location: Scotland -> Delaware - >Scotland?
Posts: 47
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?
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?
Jul 27th 2004, 1:45 pm
#2
@matthewb76
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Missouri
Posts: 21,886
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.
for example a 1993 Ford Tempo worth about a grand and have just third party (PLPD) insurance on it.
Jul 27th 2004, 1:51 pm
#3
Gravity Always Wins
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2004
Location: Scotland -> Delaware - >Scotland?
Posts: 47
Originally posted by manc1976
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.
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?
Jul 27th 2004, 1:55 pm
#4
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2003
Location: East Kilbride, Scotland
Posts: 310
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 was told from friends that most contractors give company cars, is it worth while or not?
Jul 27th 2004, 1:58 pm
#5
@matthewb76
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Missouri
Posts: 21,886
Originally posted by a lad insane
How much would insurance be likely (roughly) to cost for that car? (I'm 26, going to live in DE.) Any idea?
How much would insurance be likely (roughly) to cost for that car? (I'm 26, going to live in DE.) Any idea?
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)
Jul 27th 2004, 2:04 pm
#6
Gravity Always Wins
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2004
Location: Scotland -> Delaware - >Scotland?
Posts: 47
Originally posted by manc1976
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)
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.
Jul 27th 2004, 3:25 pm
#7
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 18,950
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.
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.
Jul 27th 2004, 9:50 pm
#8
Just Joined
Joined: Jun 2004
Location: Downers Grove, IL
Posts: 11
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...
Jul 27th 2004, 9:51 pm
#9
@matthewb76
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Missouri
Posts: 21,886
Re: Cheap cars to buy / run / insure?
Originally posted by sabba
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...
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...
Last edited by manc1976; Jul 27th 2004 at 9:54 pm.
Jul 27th 2004, 10:33 pm
#10
Former Blonde
Joined: Nov 2003
Location: In a wibbly-wobbly world of my own
Posts: 1,380
Re: Cheap cars to buy / run / insure?
Originally posted by sabba
you don't need to take a new test.. exchange your UK drivers license for an american one...
you don't need to take a new test.. exchange your UK drivers license for an american one...
since when has Washington DC been in Delaware?
Jul 27th 2004, 11:53 pm
#11
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 22,105
Originally posted by a lad insane
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.
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.
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.
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.
Jul 28th 2004, 12:55 am
#12
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 18,950
Originally posted by AmerLisa
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.
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.
Jul 28th 2004, 1:24 am
#13
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 22,105
Originally posted by syllk
Can't you go to traffic school and get that wiped from your record?
Can't you go to traffic school and get that wiped from your record?
Jul 28th 2004, 2:04 am
#14
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 18,950
Originally posted by AmerLisa
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!
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!
Jul 28th 2004, 2:16 am
#15
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2004
Location: Millington, TN
Posts: 533
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
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
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
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