Then again, you COULD contact Alchemy Motors (a vendor here) and arrange something nice, in your price range, and best of all, support a local small Suby business.

 

The biggest concern would be to not get ripped off. It's business. No friends. I would also seek Alchemy. He's had some good ones. Watch out for flood damaged vehicles that may be lurking around.

Search the internet for "Used Car Buying Tips" . That maybe helpful as well.

 

I don't believe foreigners are allowed to drive in the USA.



You will have to go to the DMV first of all to get a drivers license, there is will be one not too far from wherever you live. You will have to show them your visa to get the license.

 

capgemini?

 

I was hoping my wife would have used that excuse when she got busted on the 101 between Cloverdale and Hopland. I figured she'd pull out that German passport, start speaking either German or French, and really confuzzle that officer.

BTW, according to that CHiPpie, "94 miles per hour is NOT a safe speed!".

 

Sure they are.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interna...Driving_Permit

 

hence the

 

avoid Stevens Creek Subaru is a good start...

 

Oh how can I forget. DO NOT go to "Steven's Creek Subaru", worst dealership ever. If you are buying from a dealership, I hear the one in Santa Cruz and Redwood city is good. Oh, if you're coming here and don't know a lot of people, attend some meets and I'm sure you can make some cool new friends.

 

Hello and welcome from someone who was born across the Chunnel from you and relocated out here a long time ago!

My original car buying knowledge as a "foreigner" is over 20 years old, but I'm sure most of it is still true today.

1. You will need a California driver's licence.
2. You will need insurance for the car.
3. See my PM about what else you will probably need before you can get the first two items!

Insurance companies: I've used Triple A / California State Automobile Association for 20+ years and they have paid for two totaled cars now! They have roadside assistance just like the AA and RAC in England. They also have free guide books for each state, as well as a zillion free maps - local, regional and state.

Good luck!

Jane

 

I think I have many things to learn from you, guys

Let me introduce myself more precisely..
My name is Lionel, i am french and 32 years old. My nickname "JapanLio" is dedicated to my passion here in France for Japanese performance cars (I know, this nickname is stupid )
I used to change my car every year, to get exciting new experience !

I started in 2000 with a "lightly" engine tuned Subaru Impreza GT Turbo


then came 1 year after an Acura Integra Type R


I kept this car 2 years (waou, my best duration !!) then I bought a more GT oriented, with a behavior radically different from my 2 previous one, a Toyota Supra MKIV -targa- twin turbo charged


1 years later, I sold the Supra to get the best looking one (my personnal opinion), the Honda S2K with hard roof, OZ 18' inches wheels and full Invidia inox exhaust system (what a fantastic music at 9500 RPMs !!!)


then, I had to buy my house, so I sold the S2K but, inlove with vtec engine, I took the Civic Type R EP3 model... the best "daily drive" car in France (surely not in CAlifornia


and at last, I took 8 month ago the STI, "hardly" engine tuned this time, with 350bhp and 45 MKgs of torque (about 450 Nm). It has a WRC art work but now it's full blue.


I know California is the temple of Japanese cars (I came several times for holiday) but I think on testing a legendary american muscle, wich is really cheaper in CA than in France. I was a bit surprise on the prices of japanese cars, I thought they would be cheaper than in France and they are likely at the same price. Whatever, passion has a price

 

Dude, holy crap, you are a baller and a true car enthusiasts. You've experienced so many freaking awesomely nice cars!! I am so jealous. Which car do you like the best?


How's the Japanese market over there? Are those cars hard to find? Here there's quite a lot of cool used cars, but Supra's are over priced here. You needa get an Evo, Rx-7, and a GTR to complete your list of Japanese cars. Also a 350z.

 

GTR34 is the japanese-dream-car wanted by any japanese technology lover, but it's quite impossible to get and to use in France.

Japanese market, specially the performance one, is really a small-world in the diesel kingdom (about 70-75% of the cars are diesel in France ) but you can find evrything if you are a passionated

About the Supra, only 48 have been sold in France by the official Toyota network, and find one is really a hard task, but the price is less expensive than in CA because the Supra, like other oversized engine, are really expensive to use (unleaded fuel 98 is about 1.30 € per litter, equivalent to $6.57 per Gallons) so VERY few peoples are so crazy to get one of them

I though many times about the RX7 FD (twin-turbo charged) but it's impossible to find a good professionnal to maintain it here if any problem occurs.

STI are cheaper than Mitsu EVO, but the EVO is really a monster-car, easy to tune, but in my opinion with less charm than the Subaru (just listen the engine... )
I love the looking of the new 2006 V6 EClipse... and finally about the fairladyz (the 350Z), this was my last choice between the STI and the 350Z, but the STI was already engine tuned with very good perf parts so I chose the subaru.. but the 350Z is really pretty

 

lol, you're gonna LOVE the gas prices here, a cheap price of only 3.60! but it's only up to 91 octane, we have no higher.

 

Gas is sold as 98 octane, but in fact it's only 89 . PErhaps yours is directly sold with the real octane value !