BajaNomad

Where to purchase a car

oxxo - 10-16-2006 at 05:46 AM

I will be purchasing a car within the next several months to drive back and forth to Baja. I haven't decided yet whether it will be new or used but it will probably be a Honda CRV or a Toyota RAV4. I will be living about 8 months a year in Baja Sur and 4 months a year in California and the car will be used for transportation in both places. There are dealerships for both Honda and Toyota in the Cabo area. I understand that they both add a 30% surcharge for service on a US plated car.

What is your recommendation in terms of cost and legal issues - purchase a Mexican plated car in Mexico or a California plated car in California?

bajaguy - 10-16-2006 at 06:56 AM

I would suggest that you consider an upgrade to either a Honda Pilot or a Toyota Highlander,,,,you will appreciate the extra room

Bruce R Leech - 10-16-2006 at 06:59 AM

sense you will be in Mexico most of the time I would buy your car here in Mexico. you will save a lot on your insurance.

burro bob - 10-16-2006 at 08:43 AM

Oxxo
My Mom has a Rav4 here in San Felipe and she really likes it. Very dependable and tough enough to take on some of the rougher roads around town. She doesn't go off road in it. She keeps it plated in the states and has US insurance for the US and Mexican insurance for here in San Felipe. She lives here full time.
I don't know the policies for all the insurance companies in Mexico but the Mexican policy I had that covered me when I was in the US was only good for up to 90 days a year in the US. I am not sure how they would know how long I had been back in the US but there is the possibility of voiding you policy.
This topic has been brought up several times and lots of people have lots of different advise about where to buy and where to have it registered.
Bruce is right. Mexican insurance is very reasonably priced.
burro bob

oxxo - 10-16-2006 at 08:49 AM

Yes, I am familiar with the issues of where the car should be plated and insured. My question is where is the better place to purchase the vehicle, Mexico or the States.

Thanks

shari - 10-16-2006 at 09:31 AM

I purchased my last three vehicles in Ensenada through guys that you tell what truck you want and they find it for you and help you with the whole process of paperwork, licensing etc. Trucks are alot cheaper in Mexico and full coverage insurance is about $600 a year. I get mine from Banamex, most banks have insurance available.

Bruce R Leech - 10-16-2006 at 09:37 AM

buy it where you want to have it serviced. that is very important.

shari - 10-16-2006 at 09:50 AM

I disagree as there are lots of great mechanics everywhere in Baja, just get yourself one and treat him right!

Diver - 10-16-2006 at 11:05 AM

Here is part of a post I made about a year ago called "A Trip To Baja 1,2,3.."). We were driving a '94 F250 that had been smoking from under the hood and couldn't figure out how to fix the problem.

Another few miles and the smoke got worse than before...... what to do now ? We're in a foriegn country, we don't even speak enough spanish to use the phone for help....what to do ?? Wait a minute; didn't we see a new FORD dealership being built somewhere in La Paz our last time through ? Now, how to find it.

When all else fails, pull into the nearby Pemex and point to your truck, to the FORD letters, make a sick face and shrug your shoulders. It got us directions that got us close enough to find the place after traversing a few construction zones.

Holy salvation macho man, this looks like a real Ford dealer with a fancy sign and new building and everything !! I walked in with a huge smile and tried to get the service manager to check out my problem. He said something about two weeks but I kept on him to come and look. He finally did and then with a serious look he called over the smallest mechanic I had ever seen. The guy was about 4'6" tall and under 100 pounds ! Almost like a monkey, he climbed the bumber and stepped right into the engine compartment. His hands dissapeared below the "fuel" filter and came back out a minute later as he said "Is good now."

Now wait just a second, here. Less than a minute to fix my two week and 1000 mile problem ?? The problem that I and half of the male population of the La Ventana campground couldn't figure out ? Really ??

Well in case you diesel guys didn't already have it figured out, I was informed that the drain valve on the botton of the "fuel" filter that is supposed to be shut under normal conditions and also is meant to connect to a "drip line" that acts to spill any drippage well below the manifold, needs to be REALLY tight.

Problem solved; no more smoke; no more worries ! And NO CHARGE !!
.

Cypress - 10-16-2006 at 11:09 AM

Fly down and buy a rig when you get there?:( Sounds like a good idea.;D Cash only?:rolleyes: When you drive it off the lot it's yours; good, bad, or otherwise.:o

osoflojo - 10-16-2006 at 12:45 PM

Last year I had a similar situation as Diver at the same Ford Dealer in La Paz. 5 minutes work, excellent service, never had the problem again, cheap and the US plates were not an issue.

comitan - 10-16-2006 at 03:13 PM

I agree with cypress, buy it here not a new one 5years old and there are many good Mechanics in La Paz - Cape area if thats where you are going to be, Many used cars sales in this area and you don't have to worry about importing and cheap insurance.

Paladin - 10-16-2006 at 04:43 PM

I will be wanting to buy a used car in Baja..Mex plates etc, leave it there and have it be OK for locals to drive it.

Are there used car dealers in Loretto, Mulege or Santa Rosalia???

WTF???

Dave - 10-16-2006 at 07:52 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by oxxo
I understand that they both add a 30% surcharge for service on a US plated car.


BS!

Who told you that?

If someone tried that I would add a surcharge of my boot up their a**!

oxxo - 10-16-2006 at 08:01 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DaveWho told you that?


The Honda dealer in San Jose del Cabo has a sign posted in English that there is a 30% surcharge for all service work on American plated Hondas.

I presume he will justify it by saying that American Hondas have all those catalytic converters and smog equipment attached which makes service more difficult. Notice I said presume, I haven't tried it, don't own a Honda, just tire kicking.

Timbercrete - 10-16-2006 at 08:03 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by shari
I purchased my last three vehicles in Ensenada through guys that you tell what truck you want and they find it for you and help you with the whole process of paperwork, licensing etc. Trucks are alot cheaper in Mexico and full coverage insurance is about $600 a year. I get mine from Banamex, most banks have insurance available.


Just how much cheaper are trucks in Mexico. :?: Could someone please give me an example?

longlegsinlapaz - 10-17-2006 at 12:12 AM

I KNOW nobody has mentioned Nissan, BUT.....I bought a new Nissan Xterra in Long Beach & drove it into the Nissan dealership in La Paz with less than 1,200 miles on it. I was informed by the Service Manager that there is NO warranty in Mexico on Nissan vehicles purchased in the US.:mad: My argument that the warranty is a manufacturer's warranty, not a dealership warranty simply didn't fly! Neither did my inquiry as to whether the new vehicles they sell here don't come from the US!!:lol:

Skeet/Loreto - 10-17-2006 at 04:45 AM

From Experience:
The La Paz Ford Dealer is Excellent:
I purchased all my Vehicles in the States. Bought Olders Models- Many of the very Good Mechanics did not have the Fancy Electronic Equipt. to Check the Later Models- The Mechanics in the smaller areas are Fix it types and are very Good- Not Parts Changers!

Buying a New Vehicle will cost you 30% Deprecation the first year!

Leaving a Vehicle in Baja Sur for Mexicanos to Drive is a NO! No! Unless you are Able to get Special Permission for them to operate that Vehicle.
or Import said Vehicle putting on Mexican Plates!!
Depending on your Special Needs: I would suggest the following Vehicles:

Ford: F-150-F-250 4wheel Drive-1997- 2003
Chev:1500-2500 4 wheel drive-1997-2003
Toyota- SR5 Pick up/Fourrunner- any model with R22 Engine-Older Models
Jeep Grand Cherokee- 6 Cylinder 2002 Models back to 1999 4wheel

Chev; Suburban- 4 Wheel Drive- 2002 Model especially 1997-98-99.

At this time the Best Buys are the Suburbans as they Market is flooded due to High Gas Prices.

at least twice each Month I attend the Dealers Auto Auctions in Lubbock Texas, and Oklahoma City,{One of the Largest Auctions in the Southwest}. Oklahoma.
I buy and sell only Trucks and Cars that I would Drive myself- Lease Returns-etc. Bought my Son a 1998 Ford F150 with 97,000 lease Miles 2 years ago. It now has 167,000 Miles with no out Lay of Money- used to Commute to work each Day.

Advice- Before going to Baja for any extended time _Learn Spanish!
Do not take a Brand-new Fancy Car to Baja Sur-
Buy a Good older Car for the first couple of years- Learn the Ropes of your Area, find the Good Mechanics- Learn to Speak Spanish- Determine your Needs then put out the Money for the Vehicle you Need!

May people now days buy a Car for Looks, trading it in every 2 to 3 Years when most Cars are built to go 200,000 miles with no Trouble.
use your Money Wisely;

Skeet/Loreto
Anon The Preacher

Bruce R Leech - 10-17-2006 at 06:04 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by shari
I disagree as there are lots of great mechanics everywhere in Baja, just get yourself one and treat him right!


you are right if you are buying something older. but if you are buying a new or near new car you want to be close to the dealer.

Paladin - 10-17-2006 at 07:40 AM

Looks like my question got lost somewhere..

Are there any used car dealers in Mulege, Loretto, or Santa Rosalia???

Seriously, what are the real problems letting a local mexican drive your car if it has Mexican plates???

Loreto dealers

rhintransit - 10-17-2006 at 08:02 AM

three used car lots when I left in July. probably more now. no info on quality, service, honesty, though

comitan - 10-17-2006 at 08:14 AM

If you really want choice Minimun of 50 car lots in La Paz.