Job offer on Maui

[skeddy]

paradise isn't paradise if you're broke.

[hotzcatz]

it's definitely not the 'paradise' of vacation time when there's not as much money as is usually spent on vacations.

A lot of folks decide to move to Hawaii when they're on vacation in that vacation spending mode and then if and when they move over, things aren't quite like what they hoped for.

[teeej]

Originally Posted by whtviper1

So - not all leases are toxic, you can get easily calculate the lease factor, similar to APR, which they need to provide to you. You also want a car that has a high residual value - since the lease essentially pays the purchase price down to the residual value when you sell the car.

With that said - I assume the op would just lease the car in Hawaii - so not sure what this shipping thing is all about.

However, from an informational point - you can essentially ship any leased vehicle to Hawaii from the Mainland. Matson doesn't care - if it is registered in your name, they'll ship it. The problem is, at least in the past, since I ran into with Lexus, is getting license plates is an issue when due, they wont give the required release you need as the lien holder to give you notarized permission to get the plates. Specifically, Lexus on the mainland is Lexus of North America - Lexus in Hawaii is Lexus of Japan. You also have the hassle of transferring warranties. All the above is exempted if military.

For what it's worth, the Honda leases in Hawaii are through American Honda Motor Co, same as it is in every other state.

[teeej]

I've always stayed away from car leases because usually car leases are pretty toxic, like time shares.

I always have, too, but it seesm dumb to purcahse a vehicle at inflated Hawaii prices unless I'm going to stay in Hawaii long term.

I mean, if I can get a great deal on a vehicle in HI vs. the national price for a lease, that would make sense, but with less competition, I'm just assuming the purchase prices are not as good as what you'd see on the mainland where there can be several dealers of each brand in driving distance.

[Kokoleka1]

I would definitely buy the car on the mainland and ship it (or ship your current ride and cross the bridge of getting a new one when you'll get there). When it comes to the cost of living, we have friends who make it with well under 40K. They are in shared housing situations and all and are happy. But they are certainly not building equity or saving for the future...Paradise comes with a lot of price-tags here, but I would not trade it in. There is a flip side to every medal, you just have to know which flip sides you are willing to put up with.

[teeej]

I guess I might as well update the thread. I ended up doing Rent2Buy from Hertz, got a Nissan Sentra. I ended up shipping it back to mainland via Pasha when I had a better job offer. Of course it got some shipping damage, but buying used from Hertz seemed like one of the best options

I am considering transferring back to HI with my current job, and I'd probably just buy from Hertz again, unless I were to ship this one back to HI.

[teeej]

oh, and I had zero issues financially on Maui. I was fortunate and found a a rather big fully furnished bedroom+living area with separate entrance for $1,600 all utilities included. There wasn't much of a kitchen, but I never cook much anyway.