Moving to America - Its not all bad
Discussion
Been offered a permanent contract working in the US and have been looking at car options.
Went through the usual Mustang/Charger/Camaro thoughts before coming to the conclusion that they will be worse than useless when the Mid West weather bites. Plus the Charger Im using as a hire car at the minute has some pretty big limitations.
Went to test drive a couple of cars at the weekend and it was a real eye opener. Not so much the cars, more the deals on offer.
Went to look at a GT-86 (or a Scion FR-S as its known here). Liked it, but I really dont think it makes too much sense in an area where big open (mainly straight) roads are everywhere.
Took out a Focus ST and loved it. Huge power for the endless motorways, enough handling for when I find some twists and a practical everyday car. Ideal. Looked at some numbers and this is what Ive been offered before any haggling on a new ST (black with the only cost option being the anthracite wheels) on a 15k pa lease.
£5,000 deposit, 24 payments of $230
In GBP that equates to roughly £3,150 deposit, with a monthly of £144.
Seems more than reasonable :-)
Went through the usual Mustang/Charger/Camaro thoughts before coming to the conclusion that they will be worse than useless when the Mid West weather bites. Plus the Charger Im using as a hire car at the minute has some pretty big limitations.
Went to test drive a couple of cars at the weekend and it was a real eye opener. Not so much the cars, more the deals on offer.
Went to look at a GT-86 (or a Scion FR-S as its known here). Liked it, but I really dont think it makes too much sense in an area where big open (mainly straight) roads are everywhere.
Took out a Focus ST and loved it. Huge power for the endless motorways, enough handling for when I find some twists and a practical everyday car. Ideal. Looked at some numbers and this is what Ive been offered before any haggling on a new ST (black with the only cost option being the anthracite wheels) on a 15k pa lease.
£5,000 deposit, 24 payments of $230
In GBP that equates to roughly £3,150 deposit, with a monthly of £144.
Seems more than reasonable :-)
miniman said:
My thoughts entirely. Four cylinders too few.
Now, I have thought about that - Im surprised I came to that conclusion too. In fact, Im worried Ive missed something obvious.Any other suggestions?
Under $30k
Front or four wheel drive (the winters are long and hard)
Manual
Not an SUV or an Impreza.
Just got back after 2.5 years out there. I made a foolish mistake in buying a european car (GTI). I really enjoyed driving it but suffered on resale because in all truth it's a limited market. Just go the whole hog and buy some camaro fire breathing nut car. Enjoy it and then get most of your money back at the end because you're most likely to be a low miler.
Unless you're moving to the UP or something don't worry about the weather. Last winter was the worst Ohio and the rest of the Midwest has seen for decades and it was a breeze thanks to the roads being so well tended to - plows running constantly. I ran a challenger through most of it and had no problems beyond the noise from the passenger seat whenever a walmart car park was empty.
Know anyone who works for ford in the US? Discounts can be mega if you do.
As for suggestions, wait for the new mustang, or grab a 1 year lease on a challenger while you can.
Know anyone who works for ford in the US? Discounts can be mega if you do.
As for suggestions, wait for the new mustang, or grab a 1 year lease on a challenger while you can.
Olf said:
BTW first year insurance out there can be painful too...
First quote I got (and that was being very creative with the "since what age have you been licensed to drive in the US" - I put 17, as technically once I got my UK license I was allowed to drive in the US - probably pushing it a bit/a lot), was $160 a month. Painful...Stu R said:
Unless you're moving to the UP or something don't worry about the weather. Last winter was the worst Ohio and the rest of the Midwest has seen for decades and it was a breeze thanks to the roads being so well tended to - plows running constantly. I ran a challenger through most of it and had no problems beyond the noise from the passenger seat whenever a walmart car park was empty.
Know anyone who works for ford in the US? Discounts can be mega if you do.
As for suggestions, wait for the new mustang, or grab a 1 year lease on a challenger while you can.
Its Ohio. When I arrived in february, it wasnt great. The area Ill be living in is a bit out in the sticks, hence my reluctance to go down the musclecar route. Ive got a hired Challenger at the minute. I dont like it as much as I thought I would to be honest...Know anyone who works for ford in the US? Discounts can be mega if you do.
As for suggestions, wait for the new mustang, or grab a 1 year lease on a challenger while you can.
spodrod said:
Its Ohio. When I arrived in february, it wasnt great. The area Ill be living in is a bit out in the sticks, hence my reluctance to go down the musclecar route. Ive got a hired Challenger at the minute. I dont like it as much as I thought I would to be honest...
You could just fit the right tyres to an RWD car and buy something a tad more interesting than a Focus?Living in similar situation, I've been looking at:
Cadillac CTS 3.6 AWD
Cadillac STS-V (supercharged V8, AWD...)
Ford Flex turbo (V6 Turbo, AWD)
Ford Taurus SHO (V6 Turbo, AWD)
Acura TSX (kind of a big AWD Accord with 300hp)
Chevy Trailblazer SS (V8, AWD in an SUV)
Volvo S60 / S80 (turbo or V8, AWD)
all can be had under 30k if you're looking used...
personally i would look at the STS-V....but if you're in the sticks, a high-specced pickup with the biggest V8 you can afford would be a giggle...
Cadillac CTS 3.6 AWD
Cadillac STS-V (supercharged V8, AWD...)
Ford Flex turbo (V6 Turbo, AWD)
Ford Taurus SHO (V6 Turbo, AWD)
Acura TSX (kind of a big AWD Accord with 300hp)
Chevy Trailblazer SS (V8, AWD in an SUV)
Volvo S60 / S80 (turbo or V8, AWD)
all can be had under 30k if you're looking used...
personally i would look at the STS-V....but if you're in the sticks, a high-specced pickup with the biggest V8 you can afford would be a giggle...
spodrod said:
Not so much the cars, more the deals on offer.
I'm always amazed when I'm in the US and TV and newspapers are swamped with offers at prices that just seem astonishing.The really bonkers thing is that even though they're so much cheaper to start with they still hold their price much better than cars in the UK.
Fox- said:
I cannot imagine moving to the USA and then buying a Ford Focus. Surely you can do better than that?
Indeed, what sort of gump would go to America and lease a cheap Eurobox? Go and get a Town Car or a Mustang for daily use and buy a motorbike for having fun. Whatever you get, get at least a V8.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff