We are looking for a vehicle to buy in the states that we can use for marketing trips?

[HENRY GRIFFITHS SAFARIS]

Hope this is the right spot on Forum to ask, but here goes,

We are currently planning a trip to the USA for Marketing in Feb 2025, and looking at travel cost and car Hire and im thinking it would be better for us to buy a small SUV or something in the USA.

I would prefer to buy a vehicle from someone where the history of it is known , I'm a bit weary of buying something from an second hand car place and it explodes a mile down the road. we are looking to spend $3000-$5000

I'm hoping someone here has one or can point me in a direction of one , would love an old jeep wrangler but I think my money is light

I have the opportunity from some of my clients to use their vehicles but I don't want to be a burden and it also limits where and how far I can go and also it makes the logistics more difficult as I have to plan to return it to a certain place.


I know this is a long shot, but any help would be appreciated!

 

[Heeler75]

Unfortunately, you're not going to find a decent car in the US for $3,000-$5,000 for the amount of travel I'm guessing you'll be doing. You'd be better off going with the car rental.

 

[HENRY GRIFFITHS SAFARIS]

Unfortunately, you're not going to find a decent car in the US for $3,000-$5,000 for the amount of travel I'm guessing you'll be doing. You'd be better off going with the car rental.

thank you for the input, what would you suggest for a decent car?

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

How long do you need a vehicle? One to three months? Look into long term rentals, which some car dealerships do. They can be surprisingly cheaper than a regular car rental place.

 

[WAB]

Maybe someone on here has an extra rig they can let you use in exchange for a hunt?

 

[HENRY GRIFFITHS SAFARIS]

How long do you need a vehicle? One to three months? Look into long term rentals, which some car dealerships do. They can be surprisingly cheaper than a regular car rental place.

thank you for the tip will fore sure look into it! this trip will be about 3 weeks , could be longer in the future,

 

[HENRY GRIFFITHS SAFARIS]

Maybe someone on here has an extra rig they can let you use in exchange for a hunt?

that could be a possibility, it would all depend on where its located logistically , in the past I have used cars owned by my clients and I paid for the extra insurance

 

[Wyatt Smith]

$5000 doesn’t go very far, but it can be done. If you must have an suv it’s a Ben harder. I would look for Toyota Camry, I know it’s not an suv, but you will be able to find one in that price range. Have it checked out by a good mechanic, and I would drive it anywhere with as much confidence as a $30,000 car.

 

[HENRY GRIFFITHS SAFARIS]

$5000 doesn’t go very far, but it can be done. If you must have an suv it’s a Ben harder. I would look for Toyota Camry, I know it’s not an suv, but you will be able to find one in that price range. Have it checked out by a good mechanic, and I would drive it anywhere with as much confidence as a $30,000 car.

yes something like that would work, those will go forever!

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I'm looking for a vehicle like that now. My 1998 Jimmy is finally dying after 350K  miles. I am pretty good at keeping rigs like that on the road. It is the handiest vehicle I've yet owned. Good clearance and just enough payload for hunting. And of course 4x4 when needed. The tailgate has been the bees knees. When I need to check on the dogs for water etc during road trips, I just pop up the window. With hatchback they can jump out. I can also stand on the Jimmy's tailgate to load a deer on the top (once we had a buck on top and one on the hitch carrier). Gets decent gas milage and surprisingly comfortable to drive. Very maneuverable around town and parking vs a 4-door locomotive pickup (ugh!). With tailgate down it can haul plywood and lumber. I'm gonna miss this outfit.

Here in Montana where I'm hunting now $4-5K might buy a twenty year-old Jimmy/Tahoe/Suburban with 200K miles on it. Waist of money buying a used vehicle in Ontario as the gawdam road salt has eaten them up.

 

[wesheltonj]

I would have to agree that 3-5k car will not make the milage that you would be adding to the vehicle. I would Rent, or if you can find a Short term lease, do that.

 

[John the Electrician]

There definitely is a stigma with them, think (lesbian soccer mom) BUT.. Subaru’s are fantastic cars.

In particular I like the Foresters. We have owned a few Subarus and they are small SUV like and about bomb proof. I’m not sure their price point for decent used.

If you can get past the stereotypes.

John

 

[375Fox]

For a rental car, the airport rentals are the most expensive because of added taxes. If you Uber to an offsite location the savings can be significant. Usually weekly rates are around $500 or so depending on location and time of year. Unfortunately I wouldn’t trust a $3000-$5000 car for travel and definitely not year to year storage. I think owning would cost you more in the long run with added maintenance and passing yearly inspections and renewing registration.

Edit: I entered in a two week reservation with the local enterprise. Weekly rates ranged $349-$575 depending on the vehicle. If you look at off airport rental locations there are some good deals.

 

[HENRY GRIFFITHS SAFARIS]

There definitely is a stigma with them, think (lesbian soccer mom) BUT.. Subaru’s are fantastic cars.

In particular I like the Foresters. We have owned a few Subarus and they are small SUV like and about bomb proof. I’m not sure their price point for decent used.

If you can get past the stereotypes.

John

I just want something reliable

 

[HENRY GRIFFITHS SAFARIS]

For a rental car, the airport rentals are the most expensive because of added taxes. If you Uber to an offsite location the savings can be significant. Usually weekly rates are around $500 or so depending on location and time of year. Unfortunately I wouldn’t trust a $3000-$5000 car for travel and definitely not year to year storage. I think owning would cost you more in the long run with added maintenance and passing yearly inspections and renewing registration.

Edit: I entered in a two week reservation with the local enterprise. Weekly rates ranged $349-$575 depending on the vehicle. If you look at off airport rental locations there are some good deals.

Thank you for the advice! I looked up long term rentals and found a jeep wrangler for $1600 / month I think that is s good deal and its high clearance and 4x4 if i get into snow or mischief

 

[ActionBob]

Thank you for the advice! I looked up long term rentals and found a jeep wrangler for $1600 / month I think that is s good deal and its high clearance and 4x4 if i get into snow or mischief

For more practical, more comfortable, and likely lower cost and better gas mileage... Check into a Jeep Cherokee. Probably the same engine and even transmission.

We own 2 Wranglers for fun and local divers that are easy to park up town. They are not something you want to drive long distance. They tend to rattle and clunk, cabin leaks air, can't hear the radio at 70mph. Ride rough, you will feel every crack in the road. Tons of fun running through the tullies in the back 40 or cutting through a ditch... but on a long trip I actually prefer my one ton dually. We do have one set up to tow behind the RV so will likely have it at SCI and DSC but just for short trips.

 

[pilar]

Thank you for the advice! I looked up long term rentals and found a jeep wrangler for $1600 / month I think that is s good deal and its high clearance and 4x4 if i get into snow or mischief

I don’t know what airport you arrive at, but I have a buddy in San Angelo Texas selling a
Jeep , in your approximate price range , but it’s a rag top !
I just drove it last weekend

 

[Ontario Hunter]

There definitely is a stigma with them, think (lesbian soccer mom) BUT.. Subaru’s are fantastic cars.

In particular I like the Foresters. We have owned a few Subarus and they are small SUV like and about bomb proof. I’m not sure their price point for decent used.

If you can get past the stereotypes.

John

Good outfits but not enough clearance for hunting off pavement. Suburu has a new model with a lot more clearance. Can't think of the name right now. They make quality stuff for sure and used price tag usually reflects high demand.

The stereotype is definitely real. Every "cougar" has to drive a Suburu (usually white) with kayak on top and labradoodle dog inside. There's a million of em.

 

[LimbNoMo]

Where will you be starting your marketing trip and what area will you be covering?

 

[Wade J VanGinkel]

For more practical, more comfortable, and likely lower cost and better gas mileage... Check into a Jeep Cherokee. Probably the same engine and even transmission.

We own 2 Wranglers for fun and local divers that are easy to park up town. They are not something you want to drive long distance. They tend to rattle and clunk, cabin leaks air, can't hear the radio at 70mph. Ride rough, you will feel every crack in the road. Tons of fun running through the tullies in the back 40 or cutting through a ditch... but on a long trip I actually prefer my one ton dually. We do have one set up to tow behind the RV so will likely have it at SCI and DSC but just for short trips.

This might have been a rare occurrence but 2 years ago I rented a nearly new Cherokee trailhawk while wolf hunting in Ontario. Au 20 below zero all 4x4 systems disabled. That along with check engine lights among others. Above that I was fine but every time it got cold it happened. I really needed the 4x4 and had to catch other rides to hunt.