BajaNomad

auto registration , ins. and other costs

pacificobob - 12-8-2006 at 09:38 AM

it seems ive been told that its somehow favorable(insurance wise..) for a car that is kept in baja at my place to continue to be registered in the u.s. rather than imported. how would this compare to simply buying a car localy . in other words, if starting from scratch, which way would be best..... bring a u.s. car down & keep it registered in the states.....import a car....or just buy a local car?

capn.sharky - 12-8-2006 at 09:42 AM

If you never plan to bring it back up here----its better to buy one down there. A car must be kept registered, so bringing one back here every two years for a smog check is a pain in the nalgas. Usually there is someone selling a car in Mexico---they are not all beaters.

Diver - 12-8-2006 at 09:47 AM

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=21290

BajaWarrior - 12-8-2006 at 10:06 AM

We have two vehicles in Baja. One is a 84' Bronco ll 4x4, which I had purchased at a junkyard in San Diego County. The plates had been surrendered but the vehicle was in great shape. I took it to the DMV (trailered) they verified the numbers and issued a green sticker. That puts it in the same class as a quad or dunebuggy registration wise with a ownership certificate. Only $21 each two years for registration. I happen to have a 20' car hauler, so taking it down to Baja was not a problem. They've never even stopped me at the border heading south to check it's registration, as it has come home a couple of times for maintenence, but I have it anyway, all legal like.

The second is a sweet 88' Toyota short bed 4x4 that I purchased new but took it to Baja permanently in 95'. I put it on non-operative status which fulfilled my DMV requirements here in the states but technically, its not absolutely legal down south.

I will however go to the DMV and get whatever form filled out for a vehicle living in Baja, over 90 miles from the border. Or, simply surrender the plates and get a green sticker, and operate it as a off road vehicle. We only use it on the sand or desert and never drive it on the highway for long distances.

That's my story.

Legal ?

MrBillM - 12-8-2006 at 11:10 AM

I have read that, even if you have Mexican Insurance on a U.S. vehicle in Mexico, if it is not currently registered in the state in which it is licensed, the insurance is not valid.

if i had...

pacificobob - 12-8-2006 at 11:36 AM

a u.s registered car in mexico i would register it here in alaska....(no smog ,or safety checks, and low fees).....ive been told that the insurance would be cheaper than a mexican car registered locally....is that a true statment?

Capt. George - 12-8-2006 at 02:08 PM

pacificobob

where in alaska? just bought a place in Coffman Cove, Prince of Wales.

heading there in May, Baja in september.........capt george

shari - 12-8-2006 at 04:41 PM

I found it really easy to buy an imported car in Ensenada with mexican plates and insure it...full coverage was less than $600 a year and that way I have no hassles at all and the insurance covers going to the states too and anyone driving is insured as long as they have a license. Plus vehicles are cheaper here for a nice one and I feel less vulnerable with mexican plates

bajalou - 12-8-2006 at 05:00 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by capn.sharky
If you never plan to bring it back up here----its better to buy one down there. A car must be kept registered, so bringing one back here every two years for a smog check is a pain in the nalgas. Usually there is someone selling a car in Mexico---they are not all beaters.


Not all of Calif requires smog checks every two years. One county that doesn't is Imperial County. And a P.O. address is OK with them. If you tell them you live in Mex, the registration is less - no county fees. But you must have insurance (US type) when you renew registration.

Which is best - each person figures that out for themselves.

jerry - 12-8-2006 at 08:09 PM

i just renewed Registration and tags on my my suzuki sammy in oregon 2 yrs $54.00 its been in baja for 5 yrs

george!

pacificobob - 12-9-2006 at 08:45 AM

sent ya a u2u