Cheers syrne, good points. Strangely, I was thinking of doing it the other way around - rent now, buy for the road trip! Maybe I can find a friend to go with but I'm in unusual circumstances so it may be tricky time- and interest-wise. But you reckon there's a real hazard in cars breaking down a long way from home?
I'm also thinking that jumping in for a $1000 cluncker may not be the best idea. With comprehensive insurance, a $5000 second-hand jobbie which I sell for $4000 after a year (and no crashes
) would cost about the same but would be more reliable, more comfortable and would give me more choice - for instance, I could get the Buick AKBoss suggests. Thoughts on that? I understand that depreciation doesn't hit used cars too much over short periods?