Traveling around the USA

[Black Eye Guy]

Yo dudes, I have a couple of questions for our American members.

Next year(or in 9 months) im gonna be heading to the states to vacate for 5 months, Im working full time at the moment and plan on having enough money to not work over there.

From what I've been told it would be cheaper to buy a car while we're there, would this be true? Where can you look for cars to buy on the Internet?

Also how to cell phones work in the states, if you have a cell phone bought in California can it be used all over the states?

 

[Blondie Bear]

Can't help you with either of those questions, but if you happen to drive through SW Virginia, let me know and we can hang out.

 

[Angels baby101]

Honestly.... I dont know where you could buy a car online really i mean i do have certin sites you can go to and put in the zip code your going to be in when you want to buy a car I mean thats usually the way to go anyways because you really kinda wanna check it out before you buy it too.... Also cell phones... honestly i use Cingular... and i like mine because its pay as you go... which i'd probley go for one of the pay as you go type cell phones anyways... Basically you can get one at wallmart or the actual phone store... then just buy time as you need it...

anyways i dont know if that helped at all but here are some sites for cars...

cars.com

AutoTrader.com

Vehix.com



and of course if you wanna look up cellphones

Cingular/Att&t

Virgin Mobile

TracPhone

Alltel

Verizon Wireless

Hope it helped....

 

[white avenger]

Depending on how much money you plan to invest in a car, you could probably find a good one to use while you're here, then sell it when you leave, but it would probably be best to see the car before you commit to buying it. You might consider leasing one instead, especially if it's going to be a relatively short term use. Then, when you're ready to leave, there's no hassle trying to find a buyer. Just turn it back in to the dealer.

A cell phone bought in California can be used anywhere in the U S, just be sure when you get one that it is from a national distributer as opposed to just a local company.

Five months vacation, huh? I'm doing good to get five WEEKS, and it took me thirty years to gain enough seniority to get that. Have fun, and if you find yourself in Northwest Georgia, give me a call in Rome.

 

[Randy Giles]

A good car that would get you around the country would be pretty damn expensive...at least $3,000 I'd say. And it'd be pretty old and probably shabby looking.

If you stop in Utah (which is where I'll be living in nine months) let me know. It's next to California. 🙂

 

[Joyce Summers]

Honestly, I think your best bet is to research car companies online, just to get your best-buy knowledge up and running, but do the actual purchasing while you're here. Buying it here will most likely end up getting you a better detail than the more detached option of online. I know it's not quite the same but a friend of mine booked a hire car online only to find out she would have got a better price in person, due to the owner liking to haggle. Needless to say she won't be doing it online again.

As for cellphones, yes they work in any state IF, as WA said you buy it from a larger company that purposefully cater to multi-state. Some smaller business do not, and there's an issue with out-of-rangeyness. But most large stores sell phones that can work in any state- just as the appropriate area code is keyed in for calls. Make sure to ask though just in case! Haha.

 

[Kean]

If you end up renting a car you will have to have a full license when you go the States or you won't be able to rent.

 

[Randy Giles]

You can't rent a car in the U.S. unless you're 25 so you'll only have that option if you're coming along with someone that age.

 

[Superstar]

If you end up renting a car you will have to have a full license when you go the States or you won't be able to rent.

I'm not sure what you mean by "full license". An International license is what is needed.

From US Gov site:
1 An international driver's license must be obtained from your home country. This permit only verifies that you hold a valid license in your home country. It is your foreign driver's license that allows you to drive in the United States. Contact the authorities in your home country to get an international driving permit, as the United States does NOT issue international driver's licenses to foreign visitors.

2 If you obtain a valid international driver's license from your country of origin before you come to the U.S., you may rent a car and drive before you get your U.S. driver's license.

Now the tricky part is... it is only valid for the state you will be residing in. If you plan to travel to other states, you will need a US license which may take time.

5 Once you receive your U.S. driver's license from a state motor vehicles department, you will be permitted to drive in all other U.S. states. The laws in each state vary from one to another. It is your responsibility to know and obey the laws of that state while driving.

Foreign Visitors Driving in the U.S.: USA.gov

 

[SpikedBuffy]

If you want to buy a car, it might be kind of tricky. You'd need a semi-decent one that would get you around the country, and that will probably cost you at least 4-5 grand. Then you'll have to pay to have it insured. Either way, renting or buying totally sucks! And hopefully gas prices will be down by then, because traveling in some areas you may encounter steep prices.

In terms of cell phones, as long as you get one with national coverage, you're fine. I'd go with Verizon. It'll get the job done!

 

[Superstar]

You'd need a semi-decent one that would get you around the country

The point I stressed was that without a US license you cannot legally personally drive within another state, let alone multiple states.
The International license is valid only for your declared state of residency.
A US license would take time after applying for residency.

While there are no permanent state border inspections for a driver's license, if something unforeseen such as a car accident should occur there would be repercussions on a state and federal level. I would suspect that, at minimum, revocation of visa/deportation would be the least of your worries. As for anything back in your home country - I have no idea. Suspension of license? Criminal charges? I haven't looked into that aspect, but I suggest that it would be wise.

 

[Buffanator]

E-gads... the economy here isn't so good right now... I'd say rent rather than buy a car if that's an option. You can do a long-term rental instead of a daily rental; that would be cheaper. I'd suggest Enterprise.

Where are you going to be visiting in the states? There's plenty to see/do here, that's for sure!

 

[Kean]

I'm not sure what you mean by "full license". An International license is what is needed.

Here in Ireland (where BEG is from) there are two types of licenses; a provisional license and a full license. If BEG was to drive any car in America whether it be rented or otherwise he would need a full Irish license.