Car in California

[redgun]

Two friends and me are going to California in Juli/August and we would need a car to travel around. since nobody is older than 19 we can't rent it.

So what could we do to get a car that has enough room for the 3 of us, our bikes and some luggage?

Any advice or solution appreciated.

[BlindSite]

I'd recommend a van, or a station wagon. Van would be preferrable cause then you can rip out everything except for the passenger, driver and singular seat on the left near the door. Then you can put all your bikes up to the side and luggage behind that. If you get stuck you can chuck a mattress and one of you or all three can get cozy and snooze.

The problem with the van is, you won't have much power and you'll hate driving it. Alternatively

Go for a station Wagon and remove the front tyre of the bikes so they fit. It'll be more comfortable driving and better to drive, but less storage.

A cheap used Van would set all three of you back maybe $700 each.

[redgun]

thanks a lot.
it really doesn't matter how much power the car has & if it is fun to drive, so a van might be the better idea.

what papers, insurances, and other things do I need in order to run a car?

[BlindSite]

Drivers license. I don't know about Austria, but out here its 3rd part, fire and theft usually as a package. So if you have a prang, the person you hit gets money.

[TheSock]

You couldn't get someone to rent a car for you?

[redgun]

Someone renting a car for us is a bit risky because all the "renting-agreements" include, that the person who rents the car is the only one that is allowed to drive.

so if we had an accident that person would be pretty clusterfucked

of course i've got a driving liscence, but I was wondering about California speficic things, like technical certificates, that proove that the car is in a safe condition...

[[Political] Slayer]

fake id

[Captain Colon]

Yeah it's not like anyone here is gonna know what an austrian license looks like anyways.

But if you buy a beater car in cali, make sure it's got up-to-date inspection/emissions stickers, otherwise you'll have to pay $100 to get it smog tested D:

[[Political] Slayer]

fuck emissions testing

[Captain Colon]

I passed today :)

[[Political] Slayer]

we dont have emissions :)

[Somedude]

You SHOULD be able to rent a car at 18 here. I always thought the rental age was 18.

[[Political] Slayer]

i think its 24 or somthing like that.

[GrosPoisson]

But if you buy a beater car in cali, make sure it's got up-to-date inspection/emissions stickers, otherwise you'll have to pay $100 to get it smog tested D:

QFE. Emissions standards here are strict here, compared to some of the other states. Not sure how they compare to Austrian/European standards though.

A van sounds like it would be the best for what you're planning. Since you're taking bicycles, I'm going to guess you'll be traveling around northern California, maybe going to Yosemite or some other scenic places up there?

[psycho chicken]

21 in Cali I believe.

[redgun]

QFE. Emissions standards here are strict here, compared to some of the other states. Not sure how they compare to Austrian/European standards though.

A van sounds like it would be the best for what you're planning. Since you're taking bicycles, I'm going to guess you'll be traveling around northern California, maybe going to Yosemite or some other scenic places up there?

yeah. our route will be something like this: bay area - lake tahoe - yosemite - mammoth lake/mountain - ??? - santa cruz - bay area.

if anyone lives or stays there in July , it'd be great to meet. ;)

so there's an inspection and an emission sticker that are necessary.

-e-: thx for the replies, rep if possible.

[GrosPoisson]

yeah. our route will be something like this: bay area - lake tahoe - yosemite - mammoth lake/mountain - ??? - santa cruz - bay area.

Sounds like a blast. I've only been up to Yosemite once for a brief visit, but it was absolutely beautiful. It was winter, and Half Dome looked great.

[Denwad]

well it depends on what kind of van you get

if you get a chevy van with a 5.7L V8 , you won't have to worry about power.

[Walnut]

of course i've got a driving liscence, but I was wondering about California speficic things, like technical certificates, that proove that the car is in a safe condition...

You'll need to pay insurance, registration, and possibly for inspection depending on how recently the car was inspected.

It could be expensive, especially for insurance. If I had to guess, the cheapest van that could pass inspection would probably be around $3000.

[redgun]

You'll need to pay insurance, registration, and possibly for inspection depending on how recently the car was inspected.

It could be expensive, especially for insurance. If I had to guess, the cheapest van that could pass inspection would probably be around $3000.


so it's the better way to look vor a vehicle that has already been inspected?
how long will things like getting insurance & registration take?

[Walnut]

so it's the better way to look vor a vehicle that has already been inspected?
how long will things like getting insurance & registration take?

Yeah, try to get a car that has a current inspection.

If you buy a car from a dealer, you'll get a temporary registration that normally lasts 90 days. I'm not sure about insurance, because I've never bought a car without an existing policy..