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

[Ontario Hunter]

He's on a marketing trip to book hunts with future clients. Hunting "off pavement" likely isn't a concern for his 3-4 week trip, so not sure how/why that part of your comment applied to this thread.

Maybe it's a generational thing but "cougar" and "lesbian" aren't exactly synonyms.

Lesbian soccer mom was someone else's observation. I am seeing countless older single gals with Subarus, kayaks, and doodle dogs. Even dated a couple of them ... very briefly. They were looking for a stereotype and I'm just too original I guess. Subarus are, it seems, stereotyped but they are reliable. Just not for me for stated reasons. Their stereotype and reliability pushes up demand and used car pricetag considerably. They do seem to go for a premium. If the OP can rent or lease one, he couldn't go wrong. I wouldn't choose either Dodge or Ford product. Toyota Fourrunner are great (my daughter has one) but they are hard on gas. Crossover style would probably suit their needs and get good milage.

 

[coreydb]

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!

Without knowing your business specifics or financials, if the vehicle is for marketing, consider a lease. you can deduct the payments and depreciation on your taxes.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

@HENRY GRIFFITHS SAFARIS have you looked at an online car rental called "Touro?" From what I gather, it is sort of like the AirBnB of the car rental industry. Individuals own vehicles and offer them up to rent. The vehicles are in all shapes and sizes and years. Rent a 2020 Chevy Suburban for $67/day.

https://turo.com/us/en/suv-rental/united-states/east-point-ga/chevrolet/suburban/1525266?endDate=02%2F28%2F2025&endTime=10%3A00&searchId=RAqGpMoP&searchRegion=GA&startDate=02%2F01%2F2025&startTime=10%3A00

 

[C.W. Richter]

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

They can use my GFs twin-turbo 400 Hp AWD Ford in exchange for a Safari (she doesn't do a damn thing for me!) LOL 22 MPG on the hwy.

 

[C.W. Richter]

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.

It IS a Jeep, afterall. I consider them entry level 1st cars for daughters.

 

[C.W. Richter]

May wish to consider a GM, Toyota or my personal favorite Nissan (have owned all 3 but many Millions of miles in Nissans with NO breakdowns.) Not puny cars, but HD trucks/SUVs. I've rented Dodge/Ram/Jeep or had them as loaner cars and they were POS! 'Got a Ford Excursion at Fox in Denver and that was very nice for a hunt in WY (40 MPG w/ all the new power-down at stops tech.) But, now you're on the right track (rentals), saving $ and no maintenance worries! Generally speaking, the larger the vehicle, the more reliable it will be. The people purchasing them wouldn't settle for anything less.

 

[HENRY GRIFFITHS SAFARIS]

@HENRY GRIFFITHS SAFARIS have you looked at an online car rental called "Touro?" From what I gather, it is sort of like the AirBnB of the car rental industry. Individuals own vehicles and offer them up to rent. The vehicles are in all shapes and sizes and years. Rent a 2020 Chevy Suburban for $67/day.

https://turo.com/us/en/suv-rental/united-states/east-point-ga/chevrolet/suburban/1525266?endDate=02%2F28%2F2025&endTime=10%3A00&searchId=RAqGpMoP&searchRegion=GA&startDate=02%2F01%2F2025&startTime=10%3A00

thank you will have a look!

 

[HENRY GRIFFITHS SAFARIS]

We are finally done hunting for 2024! Good news my visa for My USA trip has been approved!

Thank you for all the input, we are getting serious now about planning the USA trip!

Thank you to all that send me PM's offering vehicles I can use! looks like the trip will work out with some renting and some borrowing

will post updates on dates and locations as we go

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I would offer to loan you my '99 Jimmy with 350K miles but I'm not sure it will last that long. But hey, the misadventures are the adventures one never forgets. Hopefully your trip will be entirely forgettable.

 

[HENRY GRIFFITHS SAFARIS]

Here is our updates itinerary for the 2025 USA marketing trip


If all goes well I should be able to arrive a day or 2 earlier in Atlanta at this point, and stay a day or to longer after Idaho , shoot me message to set up a meet! will be mobile and willing!

11-02 Atlanta

12-02 Lexington South Carolina

14-02 Tamaseel South Carolina

15-02 Huntsville, Alabama

16-02 Paragould Arkansas

17-02 Greers ferry Arkansas

18-02 Pigott, Arkansas

20-02 Richmond Texas

21-02 Sapulpa Oklahoma

22-02 Maxwell, Iowa

24-02 Glenwood springs Colorado

25-02 Montrose Colorado

27-02 Salmon Idaho

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

@HENRY GRIFFITHS SAFARIS looks like quite a road trip!

Late February mountain driving in Colorado and Idaho can be impacted by heavy snow. At times, snow chains are required. I know we have several Colorado residents here on AH that can give you better info than me. Check the road conditions before going. Have a plan and a back up plan!

Travel Alerts, Road Conditions & Motor Vehicle Information — Colorado Department of Transportation

www.codot.gov

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

Henry, if you can make it when in Richmond Tx please drive down for a visit. Shop is only 30-40 min drive. Would love to meet you and chat!

 

[Wade J VanGinkel]

If the traction warning goes into effect, passenger vehicles only need to be awd or 4x4 and have all season tires with a minimum of 3/16 tread depth.
Most rental vehicles should qualify. Just check before you rent if back east.
Chains not required on those vehicles.
I have slipped through with a front wheel drive and snow tires as they're only really watching the big rigs for chains.

 

[Wade J VanGinkel]

It's usually only the high passes that get really bad but you'll likely be going over vail pass at some point.

 

[JimP]

If the traction warning goes into effect, passenger vehicles only need to be awd or 4x4 and have all season tires with a minimum of 3/16 tread depth.
Most rental vehicles should qualify. Just check before you rent if back east.
Chains not required on those vehicles.
I have slipped through with a front wheel drive and snow tires as they're only really watching the big rigs for chains.

The problem with Colorado's traction law is that it is only enforced after you either cause a accident or spin out and block traffic.

I have been over Vail Pass numerous times without seeing a single Colorado official checking vehicles unlike the California officials do on I-80 where they actually stop vehicles and check to make sure that their vehicle is sufficient to go over the passes.

 

[Wade J VanGinkel]

The bigger problem is people with little or no snow experience thinking if they have all those things they can just drive like dry roads.
The number of accidents between gypsum and New Castle or up 82 to Aspen is mind blowing some days. Even on dry roads actually.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Ask for studded tires. They make a difference.

Yes, people with 4x4 pickups think they can drive 70 mph on icy roads just because ... they have a big new 4x4 with snow tires. If you haven't driven in those conditions with those idiot drivers on the road, it can be quite an unnerving experience.

Driving at night in the West can be hazardous even if the weather isn't bad. I live in Ontario, Canada but hit four deer in ten years on one hour long stretch of Hwy 2 between Malta and Chinook, Montana. So you know I'm not driving that highway every day but still smacking into them. Do not drive faster than 55 mph at night unless conditions are favorable (no moon, dry pavement, and cold wind blowing like hell = almost no risk of hitting deer on the road). 55 mph is the limit for stopping within your headlights. Yes, the posted speed limit may be 70 mph. Let the fools pass you. I was driving 45 mph this fall on icy highway and still clobbered a big whitetail doe. That was finally the end for my 4x4 Jimmy but at least I was able to drive it away ... with a very fine almost undamaged deer thrown on the hitch cargo carrier. Because I had been bird hunting very hard that day in blistering cold, I was quite hypothermic. Very shaky. It could have been dicey if I'd not been able to keep the vehicle running (make sure you have a couple of sleeping bags in the trunk in case you get stranded or have an accident). Hitting a deer can end your trip. Hitting an elk or moose at 70 mph can end your life! Similar to kudu bull I imagine.

Summertime and I'm cleaning a lot of bugs off the windshield = hazardous night driving conditions up here. Moose and deer are on the highways to catch any breeze that will help keep mosquitos and black flies off.

 

[JimP]

The bigger problem is people with little or no snow experience thinking if they have all those things they can just drive like dry roads.
The number of accidents between gypsum and New Castle or up 82 to Aspen is mind blowing some days. Even on dry roads actually.

It is to the point anymore that I try to completely avoid Glenwood Canyon in the winter. It is bad enough during the dry months when it closes I have have to come home on Cottonwood Pass. This last September I had a appointment in Glenwood and the truck that wrecked and jumped the rail was just 5 minutes behind me.

When I think about the drive that I had every day from Gypsum to Avon on I-70 for the years that I was working, I wonder how I always showed up to work.

 

[Wade J VanGinkel]

Ask for studded tires. They make a difference

Studded tires are illegal in many states.
I got thrown out of a Chevy dealer in Amarillo when I pulled in to get a tire put on a new wheel I purchased from them. They literally panicked and asked me to leave immediately when they saw my studs. Lol

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Studded tires are illegal in many states.
I got thrown out of a Chevy dealer in Amarillo when I pulled in to get a tire put on a new wheel I purchased from them. They literally panicked and asked me to leave immediately when they saw my studs. Lol

A workaround would be change their rental vehicle to something with studded tires when in the mountain states. A much better option than chaining up summer tires. I might be very leery of driving a rental rig from Atlanta in Salmon, Idaho during the depth of winter. Might not even have "all season" tires on it ... and those are pretty much a joke for winter driving.