Swiss students need help getting a Car for Paulfest Florida trip

[crashingsux]

Hey Guys,
we are 2 Students age 21 and 20, and we are going to Tampa for Paulfest!
Booked our flights, everything fine, planning to stay for 3 Weeks from Aug. 24th until Sept 14th
Only Problem left: We would very much like to have some kind of vehicle so we can get around a little bit. But: Car rental companies are not exactly youth friendly! All i checked charge like 25 $ a day for drivers under 25... too much for our limited budget!

So we need your help!
Can anyone of you: a) Help us find a cheap car rental service that doesnt rip us of like a government.
or b) has a (old) car available he could rent (please offer anything that we dont have to push!)
or c) has some other idea

we are some hardcore paulians, I got this Blog here: http://switzerland4paul.blogspot.com/ , we did exibitions for expat americans and other stuff and it would be awesome if you could help us in some way.
I drive for 3 years, 40'000km driving experiance, had 20 (you need that many in Switzerland) professional Driving lessons, and I am a really careful driver!

Thanks so much for your help!
Greetings, Chris and Beat

 

[drummergirl]

This is just an idea, but if you can find someone local to help you line things up, it could work.

Buy a used car off of craig's list (you'll also need to get some insurance for a month; not sure what those rates are in Florida, but if you have clean driving records, shouldn't be too bad). Then at the end of your stay, repost the car on craig's list and sell it. You'd be out money for insurance and title transfers, but otherwise the car won't lose much value in just one month.

 

[Titus]

crashingsux, you might try posting in the Paul Festival thread thread. You could volunteer to split costs with an American who is going. Americans are feeling a bit of financial pressure. The American might be a few years older and helpful in that manner. I would volunteer but I cannot afford to go both financially or professionally.

Also, you may not want to sign your real names here. Your names might not identify you but it's better for online safety.

 

[floridasun1983]

I hope somebody can help you out with the car issue. Failing that, I believe the HART transit system there in Tampa should get you around.

As a friendly reminder, remember that road signage units of measurement in the US are non-metric, so best brush up on what miles and feet are before you come over.

Enjoy your stay and spend lots of money while you're here, it keeps my property taxes low

 

[V3n]

I am a really careful driver!

Is that so, crashingsux? ಠ_ಠ

Just kidding! Good luck and welcome aboard!

You could just make the flight out and risk it - you could end up meeting some cool folks at the festival that could show you around. Watch out for crazies!

 

[Tod]

Ask your parents?

 

[crashingsux]

This is just an idea, but if you can find someone local to help you line things up, it could work.

Buy a used car off of craig's list (you'll also need to get some insurance for a month; not sure what those rates are in Florida, but if you have clean driving records, shouldn't be too bad). Then at the end of your stay, repost the car on craig's list and sell it. You'd be out money for insurance and title transfers, but otherwise the car won't lose much value in just one month.

I thought about that, but as you said, we'd need some help for this one.

 

[crashingsux]

Ask your parents?

Doesn't work, rental car needs to be registerd to the driver.
Parents stay home and thats good, so we wont change that...

 

[crashingsux]

Is that so, crashingsux? ಠ_ಠ

Just kidding! Good luck and welcome aboard!

You could just make the flight out and risk it - you could end up meeting some cool folks at the festival that could show you around. Watch out for crazies!

Yeah, my name is kind of a drage here ;-) and it refers to model airplanes (serioulsy!)

We could just risk it, thats some possibility of course. But we would rather be somewhat independent and get around in florida where we want to if possible.

 

[HVACTech]

I will help you. once you get here.... there, a car to rent might be an easier thing to find.. I will probably get there on the 23 rd. let me know if you need a ride or get stranded.
peace.
Ken from Arkansas.

 

[kathy88]

I think it's awesome you are coming all the way for this. Hope to meet you.

 

[newbitech]

don't count on mass transit in this metropolis. We are way too spread out for mass transit to make any sense at all. You will be forever standing at bus stops for 30 minutes a transfer.

If in I was you, I'd post where I was staying at the whole time and see if you can arrange rides from there.

 

[RonRules]

Don't hitchhike. That's why we have movies about young Swiss hitchhikers.

 

[satchelmcqueen]

yes dont hitchhike. watch the movie. "the hitcher" from the early 80s.