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Plan is to move beginning of March. Headed to Arizona first to pick up a friend to join me on the road trip, plus I have a cat, so flying isn't an option. I will be moving with minimal stuff as I am getting rid of mostly everything. I don't have a car right now. And I'm moving to Florida from Oregon, so this is one-way, with my friend flying home afterwards.
Should I buy a car (around 3-4k is my limit) or should I rent a car, and buy a car once I get there? I'll have to get insurance either way, but I can imagine the rental insurance will be higher.
What is the most cost effective? What kind of car is best for cross-country travel in my price range and the best bang for my buck?
Plan is to move beginning of March... plus I have a cat, so flying isn't an option.
What is the most cost effective?
Make flying with the cat an option
(just like it is for the other 10,000 people who do it every year)
As to buying a car in FL...
taking a new to you used car on a long road trip is just asking for it
taking a brand new car on a long road trip is about the worst way to "break it in" imaginable
Rent a car.
You will have to pay to register a car in FL and there is additional tax if your car was purchased within 6 months of moving there.
Hope this helps.
Do you think your cat will have problems if you put him in a carrier under the seat? Driving a $3000 car that far would not be ideal. Plus you have to stay in a hotel,gas,etc.
If it were me I would research cars to purchase before you go,fly out there, rent a car for a day or two and then get the car. I don't know how it works to get rental car insurance but it would just be for a few days and when you get the purchased car before you drive it off the lot you will need regular so I would research that before you go too. Also depending on when you go to FL and what part rental cars can be very $. I have lived in FL and in season prices go way up for both rental cars and hotels.
Good luck in your move
If you go with a rental Get the Car 'OFF' airport (intown) so you don't have to pay the airport taxes, Many of them can add up to 50% (or more) of the rental cost. (Also Shop different towns taxes can vary from town/town).
I would pick up the car, Don't bring the cat with you. Take the car back, pack it up, drive to OR. Then Take the car to a car wash and use one of the industrial vacuums to clean it and day get some spray sent, not overly heavy.
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