Moving to the US for a few months - lease or buy?

[GeorgeA]

You would need established credit in the US to lease a car.

[angelr]

This among a few other reasons is why I recommend purchasing something that's already had a depreciation hit and reselling at the end. Minimal change in value with 10-15k usage so he'd mostly be out sales tax, fees, maintenance and gas for the time using it.

Originally Posted by GeorgeA

You would need established credit in the US to lease a car.

[RickFLM4]

Can someone without a driver's license from a U.S. state register a car or purchase insurance in the U.S.? If not, swapalease (or anything other than a rental agency) does not seem to be a viable path unless OP has a U.S. drivers' license.

[Naz24]

Originally Posted by jpnh

Most of the major car rental companies in the US do monthly/short term leases and its likely the most effective way to handle it so you can avoid headaches like vehicle registration and other issues

This way when your visit is over you just hand over the keys and head to the airport

https://www.avis.com/car-rental/cont...navId=T4M28S06

Just checked this out. 6 months to "mini lease" a BMW 528 costs 15K??? Thats insanity. the OP can get a lease on a 528i for $500 a month and even if he has to keep it ALL 36 months, its still only about 3-4k more over a full term.

OP, why not just go to swapalease and find a short term lease?

[MightyMouseTech]

More importantly, what kind of gun are you going to get?

[GeorgeA]

Originally Posted by Naz24

Just checked this out. 6 months to "mini lease" a BMW 528 costs 15K??? Thats insanity. the OP can get a lease on a 528i for $500 a month and even if he has to keep it ALL 36 months, its still only about 3-4k more over a full term.

OP, why not just go to swapalease and find a short term lease?

You need established credit and if he doesn't have any credit history in the US, he can't lease.


OP, why not ship your car over? I see a lot of foreign license plates around Los Angeles.

[P1]

What many here are forgetting, is that the OP doesn't have any credit in the US. Your best bet is to buy a slightly used vehicle here that's already taken the initial depreciation hit, drive that for six months, then sell it once you leave.

I assume you will have a visa, so you can register your stay here, get an address and driver's license?

[paliknight]

OP said his main purpose for visiting is to drive around the US. Leases have limited miles and aren't meant for driving around the country.

Buy a used car and sell it before you leave OP. Make sure you get a car with low depreciation and in high demand.

[cruisingdownthestreet]

Originally Posted by Wilsonv

Im planning to move to the US in a few months, and i am from Australia. So i am not quite clear on whats the best method to buy cars during my half a year to a year stay there.

Would leasing be my best option or cash? any help appreciated! cheers!

entry-level cars like nissan note, sentra, altima run around $10,000 before taxes. i see a lot of brand new cars on my Tuesday newspapers every week.