- #554 of 562
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Re: Moving to US, need help with car [newgirl2]
by qbrozen
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Sep 12, 2009 (4:34 pm)
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Replying to: newgirl2 (Sep 11, 2009 11:05 pm)
I will likely be coming back in 3-4 years.... It will be used for a very short daily commute as well as shopping and the odd road trip
Have you considered leasing?
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- #555 of 562
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Re: Moving to US, need help with car [newgirl2]
by newgirl2
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Sep 12, 2009 (8:08 pm)
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Replying to: newgirl2 (Sep 11, 2009 11:05 pm)
Thanks for the replies so far. I'm moving to Birmingham AL, so good air conditioning is important. Must remember to turn the A/C on during a test drive, it's something I usually forget to do. I think it's quite a hilly city.
I have thought about leasing, it does have advantages - new car, full warranty, no hassle of selling when I leave - but I have no credit history in the US and I assumed this would make leasing difficult and more expensive. Does anyone have experience with this situation?
I'll also look for slightly older Hyundais, because the resale issue explanation makes lots of sense. The Hyundais get very good reviews and come with just about every gadget and safety feature anyone would need, which makes them stand out above some of the competition.
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- #556 of 562
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Re: Moving to US, need help with car [newgirl2]
by kirstie_h HOST
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Sep 14, 2009 (6:23 am)
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Replying to: newgirl2 (Sep 12, 2009 8:08 pm)
Maybe some of our finance experts can jump in here, but leasing can be (or used to be, at least) difficult for someone who hasn't established credit in the US. When I shopped with British friends who weren't yet permanent residents, they had difficulty getting car loans.
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- #557 of 562
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Re: Moving to US, need help with car [tallman1]
by steine13
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Sep 14, 2009 (6:26 pm)
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Replying to: tallman1 (Sep 12, 2009 7:11 am)
Resale and low maintenance are strong points of the Accord. Those years also get great gas mileage.
I don't think good resale is a "strong point" when one is buying a used car...
-Mathias
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- #558 of 562
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Re: Moving to US, need help with car [steine13]
by suydam
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Sep 15, 2009 (5:29 am)
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Replying to: steine13 (Sep 14, 2009 6:26 pm)
But it is a "strong point" if you will have to sell it again in a few years.
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- #559 of 562
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Re: Moving to US, need help with car [steine13]
by tallman1
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Sep 15, 2009 (6:32 am)
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Replying to: steine13 (Sep 14, 2009 6:26 pm)
I don't think good resale is a "strong point" when one is buying a used car...
Well, the OP said that was one of her priorities since she was going to be selling it in a few years when she went back home.
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- #560 of 562
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Re: Moving to US, need help with car [tallman1]
by kirstie_h HOST
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Sep 15, 2009 (12:28 pm)
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Replying to: tallman1 (Sep 15, 2009 6:32 am)
Good point; however, as someone else pointed out, one could also do well by purchasing a used vehicle on which the major chunk of "resale hit" has already been taken. It just depends on the vehicle and at what price point you purchase.
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- #561 of 562
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Re: Moving to US, need help with car [kirstie_h]
by jproc
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Sep 15, 2009 (6:02 pm)
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Replying to: kirstie_h (Sep 15, 2009 12:28 pm)
Honda's retain their value at an amazing rate.I was looking at used civics last december and almost choked when I saw what the dealers wanted for 2-3 year old certified Honda's.If you are only going to want a car for 3ish years I think leasing makes the most sense.Don't have to worry about resale and u know upfront what it is going to cost
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- #562 of 562
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Re: Moving to US, need help with car [jproc]
by kirstie_h HOST
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Sep 17, 2009 (6:31 am)
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Replying to: jproc (Sep 15, 2009 6:02 pm)
Perhaps in the best of situations. But again, we're looking at someone who is just moving to the country. This could make it difficult to get financing on a lease. I know it *used* to be a problem.
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