month long (one-way) car rental???

[DeeKnow]

I live in Europe, and I've been thinking for a long time about taking a month long vacation and driving all across the US and visit a dozen places (cousins, friends ...)

I'm talking Dallas TX - Atlanta GA - NY NY - Wash DC - Chicago IL and maybe a few more cities... say 2000-3000 miles over a month. Now, it sounds like renting from one of the majors will cost anywhere from $1,000 and up depending on what insurances I add on.

I sthere a cheaper way to do this? Any companies that specialize in this sort of stuff? And of course, it has got to be a one-way rental cause I don't want to drive back a thousand miles just to return the sucker to the original location....

anyone have any ideas??

I've even thought about buying one of those $500 cars some use-car-lots have, and just abandoning it after a month...? any reasons why I shouldn't go there ??

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: DeeKnow
I've even thought about buying one of those $500 cars some use-car-lots have, and just abandoning it after a month...? any reasons why I shouldn't go there ??

I can't answer your question about better rental deals, $1000 sounds typical for that type of thing. But of course, people here always know of good deals and maybe someone can beat that.

However, I can respond to your last question. Unlike some places in Europe where the car must pass inspections (be reliable, safe, run clean, etc), most of the US doesn't have anything like that. California is the only state I know of that does. Thus a $500 car may work wonderfully, but most of the time they are worthless pieces of junk that often break down after 2-3 days of driving. That is the last thing you'd want on your great vacation.

 

[Brackis]

Consider taking buses, unless you feel the need to meander and explore. Saves gas, energy, and getting lost. I bet they offer some sort of pass that lets you go all over the place.

Another option could be the Independence Air College pass which allows college students to take unlimited flights east of the Mississippi River for free (+tax) after paying 250 up front. I am not sure if this applies to international students etc... Just an idea/example

 

[lokiju]

My brother said that some people that were visiting the company he works for from out of the country ended up buying a car for $800 for their month stay since it was cheaper than renting one for the whole time, then they just gave it away when they left I believe.

 

[DeeKnow]

Originally posted by: blazert40
My brother said that some people that were visiting the company he works for from out of the country ended up buying a car for $800 for their month stay since it was cheaper than renting one for the whole time, then they just gave it away when they left I believe.

I heard that too once, which is what got me thinking....
also saw some cars for sale for $750 not too long ago, that made me go...WTF? that looks like a deal !!!

 

[Calin]

As long as the car will work for a month, have air conditioned and not be a fuel hog, you should be OK.

 

[nakedfrog]

Cars under $1,000 are hit and miss. I just sold a car yesterday that I had originally bought for $350. I drove it for two years, put 5-6 thousand miles on it, and didn't have any breakdowns. That's the route I'd go with.

 

[Confused]

Buy a half-decent car, drive it for a little while, and then sell it when you get to the other side.

 

[DeeKnow]

I guess the buy-and-drive-and-junk option is do-able, provided I can make sure I do not end up with a clunker...

what about renting from non-major speciality companies? anyone know anything about those?

 

[Mill]

I've even thought about buying one of those $500 cars some use-car-lots have, and just abandoning it after a month...? any reasons why I shouldn't go there ??

1. You'll have to have insurance on the vehicle and if you don't you're an asshole.
2. You'll have to register the car and pay taxes on it and if you don't you're an asshole.
3. Abandoning a car means someone has to deal with it so that makes you an asshole.

In short, if you do the used car route then do it legally and then sell it don't abandon it. Otherwise you are an asshole and I hope they lock your ass up in Gitmo.

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: Mill

I've even thought about buying one of those $500 cars some use-car-lots have, and just abandoning it after a month...? any reasons why I shouldn't go there ??

1. You'll have to have insurance on the vehicle and if you don't you're an asshole.
2. You'll have to register the car and pay taxes on it and if you don't you're an asshole.
3. Abandoning a car means someone has to deal with it so that makes you an asshole.

In short, if you do the used car route then do it legally and then sell it don't abandon it. Otherwise you are an asshole and I hope they lock your ass up in Gitmo.

Getting it insured would probably not be more than $100-200 for the month (and probably worth it, if it's not going to be registered).
You generally have 30 days to get the car registered.
He can just put it on craigslist or leave it with a family/friend when he's done with it.

 

[Mill]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: Mill

I've even thought about buying one of those $500 cars some use-car-lots have, and just abandoning it after a month...? any reasons why I shouldn't go there ??

1. You'll have to have insurance on the vehicle and if you don't you're an asshole.
2. You'll have to register the car and pay taxes on it and if you don't you're an asshole.
3. Abandoning a car means someone has to deal with it so that makes you an asshole.

In short, if you do the used car route then do it legally and then sell it don't abandon it. Otherwise you are an asshole and I hope they lock your ass up in Gitmo.

Getting it insured would probably not be more than $100-200 for the month (and probably worth it, if it's not going to be registered).
You generally have 30 days to get the car registered.
He can just put it on craigslist or leave it with a family/friend when he's done with it.

The OP is from out of country, so generally it is harder to do such things.