BajaNomad - Buying a new car

Buying a new car

aliibike - 7-7-2007 at 08:26 AM

Hola,
I'm ready to buy a car, I was going to the states and buy a used truck then drive it back down here (BCS) but I just started looking at prices on a Ford Mexican website. They seem to be not only competitive, but cheaper than US prices. Anyone have any experience with new car dealers down here?
Thanks,
Rick

aliibike - 7-7-2007 at 05:53 PM

Nobody bought a new car down here? I'll let you know how it works if I end up doing it.

DENNIS - 7-7-2007 at 06:36 PM

Wow. You sat here all day and nobody answered. Sorry about that. Usually, somebody would say something whether it addressed your question or not. Just like me.

Anyway, keep in mind that Made In Mexico vehicles probably won't have smog devices so you won't be able to import it to the states should the desire arise. Never say never.
Let us know how your experience goes.

oxxo - 7-7-2007 at 06:43 PM

My next door neighbor purchased a new car (Honda) in Los Cabos. He did a lot of research and foung that some prices for some models are higher in the US and some lower. It depends on the demand for any particular model. The model he wanted was cheaper in Mexico.

Here are some other factors you will need to consider, but not necessary all inclusive. The tax in Mexico is 10% while the tax in California is going to be around 8%. Annual license fee is less in Mexico than in the US. If you purchase in California, you are required to have US auto insurance even though the vehicle may never leave Mexico. A mexican vehicle is easier to sell in Mexico to a Mexican than a US plated car because you can avoid the re-licensing fee which runs around $1000. There may be other issues too which someone else can help you with.

I am not certain, but I think all new vehicles sold in Mexico do have smog devices. I'm going to have to check on this.

I am about due for a newer car. I am going to check both sides of the border to see what works out better for me when I decide on the exact model.

Suerte.

One more thing. It has been reported that some new car dealers in Mexico will not honor new car warranties on cars purchased in the US. Look before you leap.

[Edited on 7-8-2007 by oxxo]

[Edited on 7-8-2007 by oxxo]

bajamigo - 7-7-2007 at 06:45 PM

I always thought buying cars here was a lot more expen$ive, though I never priced one. The big dealer in Ensenada is FEMA Ford, and I guess I would have a huge problem with ANY outfit named FEMA. Ya know, cherie?

bajaguy - 7-7-2007 at 06:49 PM

b'amigo....do they have a lot of RV trailers for sale????

bajamigo - 7-7-2007 at 07:06 PM

Thousands! Gently used! Step up! (be careful of the mud)

Barry A. - 7-7-2007 at 08:34 PM

I just paid about $250 for a 2007 X-Terra.

longlegsinlapaz - 7-7-2007 at 10:05 PM

Yup!! Finally I bought locally here in La Paz. I got tired of the licensing/smogging/insurance/etc., hassles on USA plated vehicles, so decided to buy locally to avoid all that. It was mostly a good experience, EXCEPT...what "WE" consider to be standard or optional equipment ain't necessarily so on Mexican manufactured cars. I ordered cruise control (which is very nice to have on my infrequent, but loooong drives to the states!). I bought a VW Bora & compared prices online. The model I chose is not available in the USA, but is in other parts of the world & was comparably priced here...but alas, the cruise I THOUGHT I was getting simply isn't available on cars in the $20K price range...when I went back & spoke with the General Manager of the dealership, he basically informed me that it was a language problem because his people don't speak English! It wasn't a language problem, it was a veracity problem! :lol:

I countered with the fact that I'd had a Mexican friend with me to translate each time I went in & when I took delivery, the salesman confirmed "Yes, this is the cruise control button". It turns out that cruise is NOT even an option on the car I bought...it WAS on the 2006, but not on the 2007! TWO of his sales people confirmed to him that each time I spoke with them, cruise was a "hard or mandatory" requirement for me. He informed me that if I wanted cruise I could only get it in a $35K top of the line luxury model which is turbo charged! Why would I want a turbo charged car in a country where the top speed limit is around 60 mph??

Alas, it's MY problem!! In hindsight...would I have bought this car knowing that it didn't have cruise??? NO!!!! A new car here yes, this one...NO!!!! Would I buy from the VW dealership in La Paz again...NO!!!!

And it is true that the La Paz NIssan dealer will NOT HONOR warranties on new cars bought outside of Mexico, even though they sell the exact same models imported from the USA here!!

There is currently a higher annual tax rate on new cars purchased here, I believe it's for 3 years & payable with the annual license fees, which inflates that fee. I've been told that there is a change of that law in the works to stop penalizing people who chose to buy new cars, but it hasn't been passed yet.

DANG!!!!! Not sure HOW/WHY the entire top of this post is bold when I only bolded selectively...but I'm not taking any more time to figure it out!

jimgrms - 7-8-2007 at 06:35 AM

Longlegs cruise control can be installed aftermarket of course it may be a problem there, good luck on your vw

aliibike - 7-8-2007 at 08:57 AM

Just got back from the beach. Someone finally wrote back! Thanks everyone. I'm going into Cabo tomorrow and try to nail all the fees/taxes/bs down. Report tomorrow.
Rick

mikeintj - 7-8-2007 at 12:31 PM

Just to clarify something, if you buy a car with Mexican plates you need to have a Mexican drivers license - that is correct isn't it?

And I think it is relatively straightforward to get a Mexican drivers license for FM3 holders - there is no driving test required but there is a health examination - is that correct?

longlegsinlapaz - 7-8-2007 at 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jimgrms
Longlegs cruise control can be installed aftermarket of course it may be a problem there, good luck on your vw

jimgrms: Had after-market cruise ONCE in the states...NEVER AGAIN...that puppy went from 40 to 90 in less than 60 seconds after I'd locked in the cruise at 40 mph! It only did it every other time I started the car! :lol:

Nissan could not resolve that problem...Lemon lawed that vehicle! Nissan changed their corporate policy & refused to add after-market cruise from that time forward! And VW here in La Paz does not & will not add after-market cruise; which based on my personal experience, is a very wise decision for them to have made! Which still doesn't solve my problem! :no:

mikeintj: Yes, a Mexican DL is required to purchase a new car here. And I think if your bought privately, you'd still need it to get title in your name on a used vehicle. There's no driving test as long as you have a current U.S. DL, but there is a written test comprised 100% of road signs & it's multiple choice answers, so very easy to pass. No medical exam, but you do have to provide proof of your blood type, which they show on your license in case you're in an accident & can't tell them. I used old blood donation cards. A letter from a doc or a lab report showing your blood type would work. All my info is based on experience in La Paz.

aliibike - 7-9-2007 at 01:42 PM

Just got back from San Jose. Talked with the manager at Ford. I showed him a printout of the 4x4 Ranger I wanted from their website. He said they don't import any 4x4 Rangers to Mexico. He did give me an out the door price on one of those Lobo's you see all the Mexican ranchers tooling around in, $370000. So much for poverty! License and registration was another $1500. I'm going to try the Nissan and Dodge places next. Re: drivers license.....I went to get one for the novelty of it in Todos Santos, I could tell they didn't really want to hassle with it, but they told me that the license expired every time my FM3 was due for renewall. At $420 a shot, that was too much of a spendy novelty to have. I have heard lots of different stories about drivers' licenses though. Another one of those things that can drive you nuts living down here.

cabobaja - 7-9-2007 at 01:56 PM

aliibike,

Not true. Your license is good for 3 years. Just renewed mine in Todos last week. If you need assistance U2U me. My wife is the Delagada in Elias Calles she will help you.

longlegsinlapaz - 7-9-2007 at 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by aliibike
Re: drivers license.....I went to get one for the novelty of it in Todos Santos, I could tell they didn't really want to hassle with it, but they told me that the license expired every time my FM3 was due for renewall.

I was prepared to bite the bullet with the October purchase of my car & expected to have to renew my DL the first of December when my FM3 expired. At the counter at the Police Department watching the guy assign a 3-year renewal date to my soon-to-be Mexican DL, I pointed to the expiration date of my FM3 & the guy looked me straight in the eye & uttered the first, last & only words he spoke to me in English...."SHUT UP!" He said it clearly, succinctly & with great authority! Who am I to question authority?? I took his advice! :bounce:

aliibike - 7-9-2007 at 02:11 PM

That's what I heard about La Ribera as well. It would be nice if the laws actually made sense and were enforced. But I guess it makes sense to someone! Do you know if a Mexican citizen or a nationalized Mexican citizen have to renew at all?

longlegsinlapaz - 7-9-2007 at 02:12 PM

DL????? Yes!

tim40 - 7-12-2007 at 07:38 PM

As a recap please:

1. Must you have an FM3 to obtain a MX drivers license?

2. Must you have a MX drivers license to purchase a new vehicle in MX?

3. What would be the source to confirm, definitively, if a car purchased new in MX could at a later undetermined date be imported into the US? Costs and hurdles associated with this?

4. Does anyone have any knowledge on the VW CrossFire; we are thinking of purchasing one.

5. Can a US citizen 16 year old obtain a MX drivers license?

Thank you for all of the information. Tim

tim40 - 7-16-2007 at 05:21 PM

Really, none of the locals know the current rules/requriements?

longlegsinlapaz - 7-17-2007 at 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tim40
As a recap please:

1. Must you have an FM3 to obtain a MX drivers license? YES

2. Must you have a MX drivers license to purchase a new vehicle in MX? YES

3. What would be the source to confirm, definitively, if a car purchased new in MX could at a later undetermined date be imported into the US? Costs and hurdles associated with this? All the RUMORS I've ever heard have said NO...I believe because of lack of emissions controls. I'd think your local DMV would be a good source for verification.

4. Does anyone have any knowledge on the VW CrossFire; we are thinking of purchasing one. Bora yes, CrossFire, NO, but I CAN tell you that Mexican manufactured vehicles no longer have cruise as an option until you get to the top-of-the-line models & pricing (over $35K, as of this year.)

5. Can a US citizen 16 year old obtain a MX drivers license? Haven't a clue....sorry! If Shari doesn't jump in, try U2Uing her, she's the only one I know of on here who has a young daughter who recently started driving.

Thank you for all of the information. Tim

bajaguy - 7-17-2007 at 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tim40
As a recap please:

3. What would be the source to confirm, definitively, if a car purchased new in MX could at a later undetermined date be imported into the US? Costs and hurdles associated with this?

Check with US Customs and US EPA. The procedures should be the same as importing from any other country.

tim40 - 7-17-2007 at 11:03 AM

Thanks LongLegs and Bajaguy. Hopefully Shari will know the driving age facts.

beachbum1A - 7-18-2007 at 08:08 AM

Liibike: Just recently obtained my MX DL here in Ensenada and a medical "exam"was required using the facility available right there at the new city hall. They also took my word for it when asked what blood type I had. Was given a VERY simple written test in English although if I could have understood Spanish, I would have been given a test on one of their computers The next day I was showing my license to a neighbor when he asked why it was a temporary! I hadn't even noticed the very faint pink letters across the face of the license &/or the actual expiration date which was in six months. When I went back to ask why, I was told "because you have not lived in Mexico for a minimum of one year".
AND the $$$ was the same; about $420.00. peso's.
Oh yea, a friend was renewing his MX license and the renewal was good for 3 years and the cost was the same! Go figure....

Hook - 7-18-2007 at 10:09 AM

Man, i'm just not getting what the advantages are to having a Mexican DL and buying a car down there.

But I NEVER buy new cars, anyway..............

tim40 - 7-18-2007 at 03:37 PM

My main interest is the VW CrossFire is a really nice and near ideal vehicle for MX so says me... But it may not be possible

craiggers - 7-21-2007 at 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hook
Man, i'm just not getting what the advantages are to having a Mexican DL and buying a car down there.

But I NEVER buy new cars, anyway..............

Different model availability. I've been following this thread because I recently found out a brand spanking new Honda trail 90 sells for $2000 in Mexico. I want one to sit on the back of my camper but they quit importing them here about 20 years ago. Used ones in good shape sell for between $1000-$2000. I dont think so for a 20+ year old scooter.

craiggers - 7-21-2007 at 05:46 PM

Thats what I'm talking about. There is also one more called the Cargo (I think) that is similar to the Tool; all of which would be perfect candidates to strap on to the back of an RV.

Hook - 7-21-2007 at 07:55 PM

WOW, those prices include the IVA tax, according to the Honda.mx website.

But only a four liter capacity on the C-90.

[Edited on 7-22-2007 by Hook]

Mango - 7-21-2007 at 11:03 PM

Autotrader has a website for Mexican cars as well for anyone interested in used cars..

Only a few cities: TJ, Mexicali, CD Juarez, and Chihuahua.

http://www.autotrader.com.mx/

Yeah, the VW crossfox looks cool, but VW has too many quality issues for me.

Subaru's are now sold in Mexico as of last year. I'm not sure of any dealers outside of DF.

Those Honda bikes look great.

Bernardo - 3-16-2008 at 02:05 PM

Sorry if this has been answered before but - do you need a FM3 and/or a MX drivers license to buy a used, already registered (MX) vehicle in Baja? Can you buy the above vehicle with only a FMT? (assuming you are only going to use it in Baja and not bring it back to Canada or the States)

Bernardo

longlegsinlapaz - 3-16-2008 at 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by longlegsinlapaz

Quote:

Originally posted by tim40
As a recap please:

1. Must you have an FM3 to obtain a MX drivers license? YES

2. Must you have a MX drivers license to purchase a new vehicle in MX? YES

Yes, the answer has been posted....in this very thread! :bounce:

You could probably find someone willing to sell you a car in a private, off-the-record-sale, but you wouldn't be legal driving it....No, an FMT doesn't qualify. Start at the top & read this entire thread for more information.

Bernardo - 3-16-2008 at 10:32 PM

2. Must you have a MX drivers license to purchase a new vehicle in MX? YES

longlegsinlapaz
My question had to do with purchasing a used car.

longlegsinlapaz - 3-16-2008 at 11:23 PM

New or used, the laws to own & drive a Mexican licensed vehicle are the same. :yes: