Seppia wrote: ↑Mon Oct 31, 2022 1:55 am
I will be moving to the states in around 10 days and will need to purchase a car.
I need the forum wisdom on 1/ which car to buy and 2/ how to navigate through some admin hell
1/ which car?
I am not a car guy, but living in FL I'll need one. Family is wife, 3yo son and myself.
If it were for me I'd get a shit car like a Nissan Versa, but because of my job I need something nicer.
Some things to keep in mind:
- I plan to drive as little as possible (ie looking to rent close to the office).
- I need a car that can be driven by my wife, so anything larger than a Midsize SUV is a no go (so no Yukon/Tahoe etc)
- I want something reliable and as low maintenance as possible
- Looking to buy second hand with low mileage (thinking sub-30k? what do you think?) as this has always seemed to me like the best deal in general: you get a car that's almost new at 25-30% off sticker price (in normal times - now maybe 20-25%)
- Don't need too many bells and whistles but would probably not buy the base models for mainstream cars (could certainly work for luxury stuff like Audi/BMW etc)
- will buy in cash if that can be a way to negotiate a better price? is it "better" for the dealer to sell to a cash buyer?
- looking to spend as little as possible, but realistically I'm hoping I can get away with $30-36k max
Candidates so far are:
- 2019/2020
Jeep Grand Cherokee - probably Limited Trim. Like: widely available, flies under the radar, 6cyl, I assume low cost of maintenance?
- 2020
Volkswagen Atlas or Atlas Sport with 6cyl engine - probably SEL w/technology. Like: seems like an incredible value for money (VW have probably a higher positioning here in Europe VS the US. I understand Atlas is made for the US/Mexico market but these cost less than a Telluride second hand)
- 2019 or so
Audi Q5 base model. Like: probably the size my wife will prefer (Jeep and Atlas are bigger than she'd like), don't like the 4cyl engine.
-
Volkswagen Tiguan. Like: the cheapest of the bunch, my wife would love it. I'm thinking though perception wise this is not a "good" car in the USA?
-
Honda CR-V. Like: can probably buy a nicer trim. Probably same "perception" issue of the Tiguan?
-
Telluride. probably would be an EX trim, on the upper end of what I'd like to spend. The doubt is they tend to hold their value very well. Good for the seller - not so for me.
What do you guys think?
I'm open to any suggestion!
2/ I also have a question on driver's licenses, maybe someone here can help
- I have a NY driver license which is expired.
- I do understand one needs a valid driver license to buy a car? is that correct?
- I understand I would need to go to the DMV in Florida (relocating around Miami) with proof of address.
- issue is I do not have a set apartment at this moment (booked an Airbnb for a month so that the wife can look for what she likes).
Is there any way (through my employment contract, or any other way) that I can show that I actually live in FL so that they give me a FL Driver License?
If possible I’d like to avoid renting a car for multiple months… I booked a shit car for one month and it's $1300 when everything is said and done...
Thanks!