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Published: July 29th 2005
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If you stop for a few minutes and think to yourself about how, if you wanted to, you would go about buying a car in the US. All pre-departure research (lonely planet, forums etc) suggested that it was nearly impossible to buy a car and legally drive it unless you had close connections in the States, were a citizen or you were willing to take a few financial risks. I think I lucked into the final category because I decided that I would let a wholesale dealer buy the car for me.
Enter John, an overweight Mexican (by heritage) man who had the physical demener of an ox. John provides a service to any foreign individual that wants to buy a car in the US. You hand over a service fee and he will provide the following service (or so he stated in my pre-trip dialogue with him); find a vehicle of a price/standard that you request, do a vehicle inspection prior to the clients arrival, suggest practical ideas for converting the car for camping etc and provides a physical address for insurance and registration. The latter being the most important because if you don’t have this you can’t get
insured or registered. I decided to place my trust in him because he had a good reputation.
John picked me up in downtown Seattle in a pickup truck that he had just bought cheaply because it was missing a door, which he replaced. I couldn’t help but wonder whether my car would have a door. Either way, we headed out of town and then we both remembered that I had to change some money so we went downtown again. John had to come up to provide some ID and we had to park a ways from the bank, at the bottom of a slope (Seattle city is build on a decent sized incline). One block up I turned around to see John struggling and puffing, two blocks up at the lights and we had to stop for a one minute rest (literally) and on the third block we agreed to take the lift at the base of the bank to avoid any further slopes and delays. How do people get so unfit?!
Now carrying thousands of dollars of cash but realising that I could run away from John if he tried to rob me, we continued towards the car salesyard. He was a crude guy but I shrugged it off and spent the time of trying to figure out if I really could trust this character. John was hungry so we stopped for some Mexican food from a bus converted into a restaurant. Some of the best Mexican I have ever had and John paid!
We eventually ended up at a used car salesyard called A-Z carsales, right across the road from what I like to call a 'Showtel' which was advertising "Debby on the Tabletop". I met Johns 'friend' Christov, the Russian manager of the salesyard (NEWSFLASH: Mexican American befriends Russian used carsalesman in post coldwar makeup) who seemed friendly enough but because he was a used car salesman I guess I immediately put him in a particular box. Then I saw the beast (aka car) but I didn’t fall in love straight away. On the phone I was told by John it was a 1990 Chevrolet Astro with 120,000 miles on the clock for US$XXXX. I had done some research beforehand and thought that if the car was in good condition then this was a reasonable price. Ooops, when I got there I found out it was actually a 1989 Chevy Astro (price coming down...) with 180,000 miles (price coming down...). With the exception of a few minors issues the engine and body of the car where in very good condition.
I guess I was my usual skeptical self and kept on pointing out problems with car and hesitating and John said I had 'analysis paralysis'. But I was in a better position than other travellers who had to agree on a car and price before they arrived in Seattle. He knew that I could walk away and organise something else. After some negotiating with Christov we eventually settled on US$XXXX. I knew that this was a little more than could be obtained privately but it was a good price for a saleyards and was probably made cheaper by paying in cash.
Now for insurance! John drove me to another one of his 'friends' who works in the AAA but provides foreigners with insurance. Dianne reminded me of a Las Vegas showgirl but without the looks, especially after hearing the stories that John was telling me on the journey there. I’m not listening! I don’t care! Dianne arranged a 3 month 3rd party policy from an external insurance agency. On the way back I learnt that John passed Dianna 'a nominal fee' under the table to provide travellers with a 3 month policy instead of having to buy a 6 month policy. The insurance is legitimate but it could not otherwise be obtained through 'normal' channels.
After a quick stop at the stereo shop down the road to get a stereo fitted I was on my back to Tacoma listening to none other than B52s 'Loveshack'....."I got me a car, its as big as a whale and its about to set sail....yada yada yada." The whole day felt like an American version of Monty Python but I got back to Dave and Hazels having safely driven on the wrong (but right!) side of the road.
Car details to come...
Not good to hear about the bombing in London a couple of days ago. My prayers go out to all of the people affected over there.
Mike
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Bethan and Liam
World Trip
Help with usa cars!!
Hi, saw your blog about buying a car in usa. Is it really that difficult to get a car in america?! I am planning to drive across the us as the final stage of my rtw trip.....wanted to buy a car to do this. Havent got a clue where to start with it all. Our first U.S stop will be LA...so want to get something there. Let me know any advise you have or what you have heard. Even a couple of web links if you havent got time to talk about it. Hope your having a wicked time. Bethan