fire
Junior Nomad
Posts: 40
Registered: 9-19-2018
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What do I need to know about buying a car in Baja?
Hi there, I plan to come down to Baja quite often, year after year.. therefore, it seams to make more sense to buy a car than rent,
Any recommendations / things I should know about what to look out for -
in terms of paper work / dos and dont's from Baja veterans?
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weebray
Super Nomad
Posts: 1094
Registered: 7-19-2010
Location: La Paz
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Mood: lleno
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If you are only visiting Baja California and your immigration status is tourist, buy a car anywhere and drive on. Generally speaking, automobiles are
less expensive north of the border. If you are planning to immigrate to Mexico and plan to only visit/live in Baja and never visit the mainland the
same applies. There are some nuances here but this is basically factual. Above all remember that Mexico is not as black and white as "el otro lado".
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64476
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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As weebray mentioned... you must be an immigrant to Mexico (a part or full time resident 'visa') in order to leave any property behind in Mexico if
you leave Mexico.
Tourists (FMM card holders) must not leave or sell any property of theirs in Mexico. You go, have fun, and go home (a vacation). If you buy anything
in Mexico or take something to Mexico (a car, land, palapa) that is not going back to the United States with you, then you are supposed to change your
immigration status and get the correct visa... for full legal protection. No, not everyone does it... big surprise, right? 
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charliemanson
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Posts: 215
Registered: 5-11-2016
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I say just do the right thing and buy a car here that is legally plated, costs about 200 pesos a year. Insurance is cheap and if you have a problem
the carrier will be there with you quickly. Do some research on what happens when you do get into an accident. If you plan on spending time here and
want to be or become part of the solution of not trying to get away with everything you can, help pay for the roads with your license fees... it is
just not that much.
If you would be interested in a 92 jeep to run around in, we have a nice one we rarely use. It is plated and legal. we are in the southern La Paz
area. u2u me if you want more info as I would not want to post it for sale here.
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fire
Junior Nomad
Posts: 40
Registered: 9-19-2018
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Thanks Charlie,
I am curious about cars that are advertised that say "have mexican plates"
If I have a regular tourist visa from Canada, what benefit does this have for me?
I surmise it means I dont have to go through the importation procedures. but as a tourist, am I able to legally insure a mexican plated car?
Quote: Originally posted by charliemanson  | I say just do the right thing and buy a car here that is legally plated, costs about 200 pesos a year. Insurance is cheap and if you have a problem
the carrier will be there with you quickly. Do some research on what happens when you do get into an accident. If you plan on spending time here and
want to be or become part of the solution of not trying to get away with everything you can, help pay for the roads with your license fees... it is
just not that much.
If you would be interested in a 92 jeep to run around in, we have a nice one we rarely use. It is plated and legal. we are in the southern La Paz
area. u2u me if you want more info as I would not want to post it for sale here. |
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weebray
Super Nomad
Posts: 1094
Registered: 7-19-2010
Location: La Paz
Member Is Offline
Mood: lleno
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| Quote: Originally posted by fire | Thanks Charlie,
I am curious about cars that are advertised that say "have mexican plates"
If I have a regular tourist visa from Canada, what benefit does this have for me?
I surmise it means I dont have to go through the importation procedures. but as a tourist, am I able to legally insure a mexican plated car?
| Quote: Originally posted by charliemanson | I say just do the right thing and buy a car here that is legally plated, costs about 200 pesos a year. Insurance is cheap and if you have a problem
the carrier will be there with you quickly. Do some research on what happens when you do get into an accident. If you plan on spending time here and
want to be or become part of the solution of not trying to get away with everything you can, help pay for the roads with your license fees... it is
just not that much.
If you would be interested in a 92 jeep to run around in, we have a nice one we rarely use. It is plated and legal. we are in the southern La Paz
area. u2u me if you want more info as I would not want to post it for sale here. |
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None, correct, yes.
Every beautiful beach in the world needs a few condo towers - NOT.
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13033
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
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Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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I think you need a Mexican drivers license to drive a mexican plated vehicle.
It is easy to find gringo vehicles for sale and you could probably get away with driving it depending on where you hang out. I now people with tourist
visas who keep a vehicle in Loreto to have to use when they fly in.
Here in the villages it's not a problem but if you get stopped by a Federale there may be an issue with a Canadian drivers license and American
plates...or not...many Mexicanos just think Canada is part of the states! Depends
how good of a yarn you spin.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64476
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Yes, we are all "norteamericanos" after all, eh?
As for insurance, do make sure you are covered in a Mexican plated car by contacting the insurance company before buying one. The typical Mexican Auto
Insurance sold is for tourists driving their U.S. (or Canadian) insured car in Mexico, on a vacation. That is why it is so inexpensive. If you are
living in Mexico a few months a year, at the same address (not traveling, camping) year after year, you are no longer a 'tourist on a vacation' but
instead, you are a 'part-time resident'. If someone purchased something in Mexico that stays in Mexico, after you leave, that is also not a 'tourist'
as defined.
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