Shiteing across the US

[Danblez]

I am very fortunate to be going to the US (Washington) in July with work and am hoping to stay on and drive across to San Francisco.

 

The cost of car hire is prohibitive ($1700) and so I really want to do this by buying some shite and selling/scrapping at the other end, however MrS D is a little reluctant with this idea at the moment. She has found this company where you can drive someone elses car free of charge, or even get a few quid thrown in for fuel. Sounds like a great idea, but not sure of the legal complexities

 

http://www.autodriveaway.com/view_car_list

 

I know zip about driving in the US or what requirements there are for MOT equivalent, insurance etc. From what I can gather from watching factual documentaries such Gas Monkey Garage/ Roadkill etc there are no laws whatsoever.

 

Anyone done anything similar over on the other side of the water or got any bright ideas?

[billyboy406v6]

Top Gear tried driving shite cars across US, with interesting results !

[rainagain]

I was on holiday in Florida last year I thought the car prices were really strange, new cars seemed really cheap, old cars even those that looked they'd be dragged from a swamp were really expensive for what they were.

[Liggle]

I was on holiday in Florida last year I thought the car prices were really strange, new cars seemed really cheap, old cars even those that looked they'd be dragged from a swamp were really expensive for what they were.

 

I found the same, they seem to depreciate a lot slower over there

[rainagain]

Just looked at your link, I've heard other people doing this sort of thing but they found the schedule can be a be grueling, basically they couldn't stop anywhere during the trip for a look about if they passed through anywhere interesting. This is only what I've heard though I've never done it myself.

 

Driving in America (Florida) I found more relaxing than here, people are a lot easier going for example letting your change lanes when it's busy, the road signs though are terrible though so make sure you have a good sat nav.

[rainagain]

I found the same, they seem to depreciate a lot slower over there

Which is really odd as new cars are so cheap you'd think it would be the opposite

[cort16]

Is it so high because it's one way ? Hire a u haul truck for the journey, sleep in the back and save $$$

[cort16]

They tend to ring the life out the cars over there. Apparently the buying cycle is like every 10 years . However when the do change the want to do it immediately and drive the car off the same day.

 

Does anyone remember the program Dave Gorman did when bought a 60's Torino wage and drive it across the states using only independent businesses ? I'd like to see that again .

[hauserplenty]

IMHO, any car you buy for less than 3K, without having someone on the ground to not only check it out, but drive it for a while, will need at least a 60K service to become dependable. We have no MOT-type laws in California, except for emissions testing. However these requirements vary by state.

I suggest you shop around further for rental cars, and look into possibly joining a roadside assistance club if you do decide to buy. Insurance is mandatory in all 50 states now I believe, so that cost will need to be factored in as well.

 

http://www.calif.aaa.com/home/publications/westways/car-tips/drive-smart/2015-inexpensive-cars.html

 

 

Sub-$3000 cars are in "iron lot" territory, most of which make Arfur Daley look like St. Christopher. You could easily spend double or even triple that rental car figure, not to mention the time it would take to sell a car in California, and the smog check you would be responsible for, as well as repairs if it fails, etc.

 

As for the link, it appears they are a shipping company, so likely not a viable option.

[Jazoli]

Getting insurance as a non resident could well be an issue over there, a friend tried to do something similar and it was very expensive

[Danblez]

IMHO, any car you buy for less than 3K, without having someone on the ground to not only check it out, but drive it for a while, will need at least a 60K service to become dependable. We have no MOT-type laws in California, except for emissions testing. However these requirements vary by state.

I suggest you shop around further for rental cars, and look into possibly joining a roadside assistance club if you do decide to buy. Insurance is mandatory in all 50 states now I believe, so that cost will need to be factored in as well.

 

http://www.calif.aaa.com/home/publications/westways/car-tips/drive-smart/2015-inexpensive-cars.html

 

 

Sub-$3000 cars are in "iron lot" territory, most of which make Arfur Daley look like St. Christopher. You could easily spend double or even triple that rental car figure, not to mention the time it would take to sell a car in California, and the smog check you would be responsible for, as well as repairs if it fails, etc.

 

As for the link, it appears they are a shipping company, so likely not a viable option.

 

Thanks, that's probably enough to put me off the buying idea. We have been in touch with the company above who are happy as long as we have full clean licenses and have an exit Visa, whatever one of those is! I just wasn't clear on any insurance liability. It all sounds a bit too good to be true, which always makes me nervous!

 

Had a few quotes on car hire and all expensive due to it being one way.

[cort16]

There's a lot of 3 grand ex Ameri-plod crown vics on eBay .

[danthecapriman]

Buy something big and old, drive it around for your holiday, then ship it home. That's what I'd do anyway! Actually I'd do that but bring a couple of container loads home instead of just one car!

[Junkman]

The rules and regulations vary from State to State, but I always managed to get temporary tags and the associated insurance.

[MrBiscuits]

They tend to ring the life out the cars over there. Apparently the buying cycle is like every 10 years . However when the do change the want to do it immediately and drive the car off the same day.

 

Does anyone remember the program Dave Gorman did when bought a 60's Torino wage and drive it across the states using only independent businesses ? I'd like to see that again .

I remember that, although unfortunately not the title. Didn't he have an exhaust scratch built for it?

[rml2345]

I remember that, although unfortunately not the title. Didn't he have an exhaust scratch built for it?

"Dave Gorman's America Unchained" IIRC. You can get it on DVD so there's bound to be somewhere on the web that you can watch it for nowt.

[OwdChina]

How long you over for ? A work visa will entitle you to rent a property, which gives you an address, which makes life easier. Or is it just over here for a couple of weeks or so to do something then back to Blighty ?

 

Edit; Washington DC or state...........DC to San Fran is a bloody long way.

 

Google: Washington DMV Guide  (Washington State)

              Washington DC DMV Guide  (Washington DC)

 

Would have put the links up but for some reason my laptop wont paste from tab to tab and I can't figure out why.................I is fik.

[hauserplenty]

The Crown Vic's might be an option, since taxicab fleets have mostly converted to Priuses. They were buying a lot of the ex-police cars for obvious reasons, but the market is still a bit flooded. Plenty should be around, cheapish. As in less than 2500 for a 300K+ example. They're a tough old breed of horse, even if they do like their humans to tie on the old feed bag at least once or twice a day.

 

http://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/exit-visa.asp

 

https://www.usa.gov/travel-and-immigration

 

http://www.immihelp.com/travel/departing-united-states.html

[hauserplenty]

https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAIcCFabfi6_K2RDg_Q7gBTE__23frPsG

 

This guy's really shovellin' coal:

 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?list=PLE1EC895177F4AB62&v=grKP02gWpnE

[jonathan_dyane]

I'd bloody love a Crown Vic mind.