Buying a Car

[TransplantUSA 167]

Hi everyone,

 

I feel like I'm having to re-learn everything so how would I go about purchasing a car in the US? What do I do about insurance? (in the UK I can just use comparison sites for whatever car I choose). What things should I be looking out for with dealerships and added stuff I don't need. I'm looking for something that isn't huge, but could fit a drum kit in successfully. Odd, I know. 

 

Thank you in advance! 

[kris&me 572]

1. if your spouse added you to any accounts like banking or savings or CC, check online (credit karma is free ) to see your credit score 

over 700 is good

2. go to the bank and see what interest rate they would offer for new car and used cars to you

3. go to dealer and choose a car / most can find financing but knowing your credit score and offer the bank would make will help you choose the right offer 

4. since you have not been here long and maybe not long at your job,  your spouse may have to cosign any loan you get ( I had to for my husband although he has been 1 and 1/2 years at his job here / the fact that he is not yet a citzen means he could leave and default on loan

 

others may have some better ideas to add but do not get caught in the Credit card downward spiral of having too many cards / 1 main one for emgerncies is good / everyplace you go to purchase an item will offer a card / don't fall for this as most interest is hgih

 

[ColoradoBeauty 79]

On 12/1/2015 at 5:50 AM, naire37 said:

3. Insurance (don't go on the road unless you got one).

Insurance companies will *love* to bite you in the back with a "new driver" premiums (very high cost). Make sure to get a paper saying that you've been driving for X years without any accidents to get an experienced driver discount. We're talking about a thousand dollars/year savings, so it's worth the fight. I ended up doing a shady-ish "translation" of a EU driver license with "License of this type first issued date" spelled out.

4. Buying a car.

No way to get around paying taxes unless your fiance already owns the car and just adds you to the title/co-owner/etc.

If you don't buy it as first thing off, see if you can get the financing on both of your names. Multiple benefits here: a, it will help you build your credit history way faster, and b, this paper trail is yet another proof of bona fide marriage for AOS. Same goes for title: put both names on it for AOS.

[Chris Duffy 1,257]

15 hours ago, kris&me said:

1. if your spouse added you to any accounts like banking or savings or CC, check online (credit karma is free ) to see your credit score 

over 700 is good

2. go to the bank and see what interest rate they would offer for new car and used cars to you

3. go to dealer and choose a car / most can find financing but knowing your credit score and offer the bank would make will help you choose the right offer 

4. since you have not been here long and maybe not long at your job,  your spouse may have to cosign any loan you get ( I had to for my husband although he has been 1 and 1/2 years at his job here / the fact that he is not yet a citzen means he could leave and default on loan

 

others may have some better ideas to add but do not get caught in the Credit card downward spiral of having too many cards / 1 main one for emgerncies is good / everyplace you go to purchase an item will offer a card / don't fall for this as most interest is hgih

 

Why not pay cash and get all the bargaining power.  Once you start using credit or finance then you are playing on their homefield