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Brigitte Berger wrote:

I'm going to live in Santa Fe NM for approximately 6 months and need car for dayly life.
A rented car is too expensive. Do anybody know, what's the best option: to lease or to buy a used car.
I'm a foreigner, no social security number.

For 6 months, I'd say neither is a great choice.

Well without a SSN, and I'm assuming (perhaps incorrectly) no credit history in the US, you likely will not be approved to lease a car.Ìý Usually leases start at 24 months anyway and go longer.Ìý Even if you do find someone that will do it, it will probably be the same cost as renting from an agency.

To purchase a used car and register it, you're going to need to show 2 proofs of residency and it would be recommended you obtain a SSN, if eligible.Ìý Otherwise, it going to be harder.Ìý What would you intend to do with the car after 6 months?

Romaniac

Hi Romaniac,
Thanks for answering.
That's really a problem. Which choice do I have?
You are right; buying is no real option.
But without a car everything is too c complicated...

I think it leaves you with renting, unless someone else can chime in with an alternative we're not aware of Ìý

With a long term rental, you might be able to negotiate the price down some if you talk with an agency.Ìý Even if you can get a car @ around $10 a day though...you're looking at $1800 or so for 6 months, but you're getting a newer car, any maintenance is handled by them, registration and insurance is taken care of.Ìý Basically no formalities or worries for you to go through besides showing your license and putting down a credit card and driving off.

The cost of convenience in this case might be well merited

Romaniac

Romaniac is correct.Ìý You need to look for a long term rental.Ìý

Check Eenterprise car rentalÌý

enterprise.com/en/home.html we have always found them the most reasonable for longer rentals (month or longer)

BObK

Thank you very much for your message andÌý advises.

Brigitte

Thank you!! That may be a very good suggestion!

Brigitte

Hi guys, I arrived in Santa Fe, a very beautyful place, I really enjoy!
But there´s still the problem to find a affordable longterm car rent. I have to pay more than 2 000 $ per month (including a limited collision damage waiver). Enterprise car rental didn´t offer better condition (as Bob K wrote) .
I am a German citizen and don´t have a social security number. So I think a car leasing is not possible!

Brigette, you might want to check and see if the credit card you use to rent with covers damages.Ìý If it does, then you need to decline the very expensive coverage offered by the rental car company.Ìý They make TONS of money off of this.

$2000 a month? What have you rented, a Bentley? Ìý You need to do some smart shopping.Ìý I'm sure you can find something far less expensive.

Romaniac

Hi Romaniac,
unfortunately my creditcard has no coverage for car damages. I gotÌý already a better price because my daughter rented the car and she always getsÌý special conditions as an employee of a big German airline.
I´ll try to find another solution, maybe to buy a used car ...

Brigitte