BajaNomad - Need To Purchase A Car In La Paz or Cabo.

It has to do with rediculous bank rules in Mexico that make lending impossible unless you already have the money for collateral. You can try to negotiate, but without competition there isn't a lot of incentive to give discounts.
Welcome to Nomad!
Where in Oz? I lived in Darwin for half a year, long ago.

Mortgages, car loans, and personal loans are all available without savings secured collateral. There are many middle class Mexicans driving new cars. All (most of) the major car makers have dealerships in the larger Mexican cities. Tijuana has plenty and of course there is competition.

The Mexican banking system was transformed in the late 90s with foreign investment and purchase of Mexican banks. Interest rates are higher than in the US.

Fernweh - 8-1-2016 at 09:47 AM

Paved roads are few, you will enjoy a 4WD to visit so many places and maybe you will get into four wheeling after living in Baja where so many four wheeling activities can be enjoyed. See the posts by Harald '4x4abc' who lives in La Paz and does 4WD tours and adventure trips.

Mexico has some great beers that were crafted by Germen brew masters over 100 years ago!

But David.....they must have been German Brew Masters.....

Fernweh - 8-1-2016 at 09:56 AM

Even the paved roads are quite tough sometimes,

I myself, would buy a one or two year old smaller SUV, like a Cherokee,r Mercedes ML or similar, in the US. A new one will loose its shine very quickly here. Drive it for a few years, and then have the choice of importing it.
Please remember, the vehicle needs to be made in one of the NAFTA member countries.
A comfortable ride, with some 4x4 capability would be my personally choice.

SlyOnce - 8-1-2016 at 01:38 PM

Hi, I live in Playas de Tijuana for 3 years now. First of all, I'd slow down. A car is not your first priority. How badly do you need a car? At least here in Playas and the rest of TJ and all of Baja CA del Norte there is an excellent public transportation system, collectivos, taxis, buses, and even Uber. You may not like Baja CA del Sur. Don'f go all in sight unseen.

I do have a new truck, and I bought in the US and I drive every day and all over Baja too, but it's insured in MX and CA and CA plated. I have a 1% loan (impossible in MX). My girlfriend drives my 2000 Ford Explorer V8 with 235,000 miles on it (AC works) and this is the type of car to get if you can't deal with public transportation. There are thousands of Ford Explorers in Baja, parts everywhere, people can work on them, and if you decide to leave your only out a few dollars. Small SUVs deal with the dirt and potholes better.

Your first priority has to be finding a place to live. Decide if you like it.

Second I'd buy a 10 year old used car in CA and drive it down.

You can import it (nationalize it) later if you want to stay. By that time you maybe will have MX Temporary Resident Visa and on the way to Permanent. On a 180 day tourist visa a US plated car will be fine.

Start fishing, drinking Dos XX, and enjoying MX culture, I sure do.

Riom - 8-1-2016 at 10:02 PM

I will have permanent residence status from the onset when I land so exporting/importing maybe a little different/required for me. (?)

I hadn't considered an older car/SUV from the US and then take it in. Something I will look at too. The idea of banging up a new shiny car would trouble someone like me.

It's not super easy to legally import (re-register in Mexico) a vehicle from the US. The vehicle has to be between 5 and 10 model years old (no older, no newer), and made in NAFTA countries (VIN starts with 1-5) (plus some other exceptions). Importing costs $1000 or so (probably more from that far south), and takes days. (Those are the rules in Baja, mainland Mexico is different).

You'd also have to drive it 1000 miles south presumably on temporary California plates, and temporary insurance which is harder to get and expensive (Progressive is one of the few companies that will insure US cars with an out-of-country drivers license). It's a lot of bother. (I imported my car to Baja Norte a few years ago).

I'd suggest renting a basic vehicle in Cabo/La Paz for the first few weeks (or a month), so you can drive around (and bang it up!), get an idea of what the roads are like (watch out for topes!). Once you've converted your permanent residence visa to the residence card (likely to take weeks) you do then have the choice of going somewhere else in Mexico if Baja doesn't quite work out.

You may also need your Baja California Sur drivers license to be able to register a local vehicle, and you may need your permanent residence card (not visa sticker) to get that license (that's the case in Baja Norte, the south may be a bit more flexible). So you could be waiting weeks for all that to progress before you can register a local car. That's another reason to wait - you may have to!

I've lived in South Yarra years ago (as well as Wodonga, Canberra and Sydney). Have you enjoyed the outback in Australia? Parts of Baja, outside cities, are very similar (on a smaller scale). More like Coober Pedy or Geraldton than the country towns of Vic or NSW, and even scruffier.

Rob

cabo-ash - 8-2-2016 at 07:31 AM

We moved permanently to Cabo last year and bought a new truck from the Dodge dealer in San Jose. The only haggling over the sticker price (posted on the Dodge Mexico website) was we got them to throw in the registration costs.

We bought before we had Permanent residence (the paperwork was still going through) and the dealer had no problem with the registration or getting insurance.

We did look at buying used or new in the States and them importing to Mexico but the cost and the hassle due to not being US citizens made it too much trouble.

David K - 8-2-2016 at 07:34 AM

Quote: Originally posted by cabo-ash

We moved permanently to Cabo last year and bought a new truck from the Dodge dealer in San Jose. The only haggling over the sticker price (posted on the Dodge Mexico website) was we got them to throw in the registration costs.

We bought before we had Permanent residence (the paperwork was still going through) and the dealer had no problem with the registration or getting insurance.

We did look at buying used or new in the States and them importing to Mexico but the cost and the hassle due to not being US citizens made it too much trouble.

This sounds like great info for Gas Man!
Where were you from, before Baja?

cabo-ash - 8-2-2016 at 07:46 AM

This sounds like great info for Gas Man!
Where were you from, before Baja?

Dubai - but originally from UK.

El Jefe - 8-2-2016 at 08:46 AM

As an 11 year retiree in San Jose del Cabo area it makes no sense to me for you to buy your car in the states. You don't have a residence there to register the car. Just buy it in Baja. You will have local plates and will not stand out that way. There are plenty of car dealers all over the place. I also recommend a small SUV car with good ground clearance.

We live on a long dirt road and drive a Honda Pilot to town. It has been awesome. Our neighbors all own similar vehicles be they Toyota, Ford etc. A Rav 4 or a CRV would be great.

SlyOnce - 8-2-2016 at 09:51 AM

Are you married to a MX or how are you entering MX with Permanent Resident visa status? I live here on my tourist visa, and as I understand it I have to prove residence in MX, show financial documents and document income, and pay fees and more to get a Temporary Residence Visa and then after some years I'm eligible to convert it to Permanent. Unless I marry my novia there are no shortcuts (I'm not MXN by birth which could be a short cut).

Since you already have Permanent status, and are highly committed to Baja CA del Sur, that changes things.

Buy a used small SUV already nationalized (Baja Plates). Meanwhile find a place and take advantage of MX's great public transportation and even Uber (very easy to use Uber here in TJ).

You interested in city living or more of a village? Or perhaps you want to explore Baja first and find the right place?

IMHO here are about main 3 places where us gringos congregate :

(1) TJ to Ensenada/San Quintin including La Bufadora (northern Pacific Coast - where I am and thus biased)
(2) Mulege to Loreto (southern Gulf East Coast)
(3) La Paz to Todos Santos (southern Cape)

Then to a lesser extent there are the southern Pacific coast villages like Bahia Asuncion.

mtgoat666 - 8-2-2016 at 03:32 PM

It seems you are moving to mexico without ever having visited. Foolish!
You should visit first. You might not like it, it's easier to bail out if you are uncommitted.

Quote: Originally posted by SlyOnce

Are you married to a MX or how are you entering MX with Permanent Resident visa status? I live here on my tourist visa, and as I understand it I have to prove residence in MX, show financial documents and document income, and pay fees and more to get a Temporary Residence Visa and then after some years I'm eligible to convert it to Permanent. Unless I marry my novia there are no shortcuts (I'm not MXN by birth which could be a short cut).

Since you already have Permanent status, and are highly committed to Baja CA del Sur, that changes things.

Buy a used small SUV already nationalized (Baja Plates). Meanwhile find a place and take advantage of MX's great public transportation and even Uber (very easy to use Uber here in TJ).

You interested in city living or more of a village? Or perhaps you want to explore Baja first and find the right place?

IMHO here are about main 3 places where us gringos congregate :

(1) TJ to Ensenada/San Quintin including La Bufadora (northern Pacific Coast - where I am and thus biased)
(2) Mulege to Loreto (southern Gulf East Coast)
(3) La Paz to Todos Santos (southern Cape)

Then to a lesser extent there are the southern Pacific coast villages like Bahia Asuncion.

Thanks for the above and I'll respond as best I can to some of your questions.

No, I'm not married to a Mexican.

Res Status? :-

1) 180 day general tourist Visa
2) Have approx. $32K in the bank for a year untouched = 4 year visa application
3) Have approx. $220K in the bank untouched for a year = perm status application

I'm not 100% sure where I'm going to finally settle but me being a city slicker all my life I'll assume as I write that places like La Paz, Cabo San Jose etc would be my first ports of call to consider. I've worked fulltime without a break no longer than 2 weeks every 2 years for 40 years so it's now time to rest and finally learn how to live as I would like.

I'll be relocating on my own (married once & now behind me) so I have total freedom to move about being responsible for only myself.

I've done some ground work taking all of the above into consideration and bringing a car in from the US is not the best option for me. Buying local is the way to go keeping focus on an SUV type vehicle appears in order which kills off my initial VW or Ford thoughts.

Once again, I'm receiving some great informative responses from you all so thank you.

[Edited on 8-2-2016 by Man_With_Gas]

David K - 8-2-2016 at 04:30 PM

While Goat and I are usually on opposite sides of logic of most things, with this he and I agree.

Make at least one explorer trip down the peninsula, in a rented car, and see the place and feel the air... meet the people. Spend 2 weeks at least (what you call a "fortnight")... but I strongly suggest a month.

Cities in Baja are not like cities here in the USA or Oz. Many things do not work, or work the same, and you just have to accept the inefficiency and bureaucracy of this Latin American land.

Many Nomads live in La Paz to Cabo area and I bet some will be happy to help. The advice by El Jefe (a personal friend of mine) is good. Anyway, we don't want to steal your dream, we just don't want it to be a nightmare. Check it out, see how it is, then move there and ADAPT to the Mexican Way. A 4 pm meeting will occur at 5 or 6 or tomorrow... it is just that way!

I envy your ability to move there! I wish my wife and I could now!

SFandH - 8-2-2016 at 05:09 PM

Exploring BCS urban areas and highways in a new Ford Mustang V-8 muscle car sounds pretty cool to me.

Personally, I'd go for a 1959 Cadillac Eldorado convertible. Better off road vehicle.

[Edited on 8-3-2016 by SFandH]

[Edited on 8-3-2016 by BajaNomad]

David K - 8-2-2016 at 05:50 PM

I wish you well, and if you ever get "into" the fun of exploring and history (which fills the land), I am happy to assist! I shipped the 4 Baja history and adventure books we sell, to Cairns, Queensland, not long ago.

Riom - 8-2-2016 at 07:31 PM

Res Status? :-

1) 180 day general tourist Visa
2) Have approx. $32K in the bank for a year untouched = 4 year visa application
3) Have approx. $220K in the bank untouched for a year = perm status application

Unless I've misunderstood you, that won't work if you're sure you're going to apply for residence. You have to apply for either the temporary or permanent resident visa at a Mexican embassy or consulate (ideally in your home country). It can't be done from within Mexico after you arrive.

If you entered under a tourist visa, you'd have to leave the country again to apply for either permanent or temporary residence. You might as well apply for the residence visa in Australia before you leave, the initial application (for a visa sticker in your passport) doesn't cost much. You then have 180 days to get to Mexico (visa stamped on arrival), and 30 days after you arrive to apply to convert it to a residence card.

I'm not 100% sure where I'm going to finally settle but me being a city slicker all my life I'll assume as I write that places like La Paz, Cabo San Jose etc would be my first ports of call to consider.

Compared to Melbourne, they're provincial backwaters. But when you're not working, cities can start to lose their appeal.

Rob

PS see your U2U messages (top right under "logged in").

[Edited on 2016-8-3 by Riom]

mtgoat666 - 8-2-2016 at 07:49 PM

Personally, i would choose australia before baja. I choose baja for vacation because its closer.

I would not choose to retire in either, as retirement is better near friends and family. Makes no sense to me to move my residence away from friends and family.

mtgoat666 - 8-2-2016 at 08:03 PM

Quote: Originally posted by soulpatch

Personally, i would choose australia before baja. I choose baja for vacation because its closer.

I would not choose to retire in either, as retirement is better near friends and family. Makes no sense to me to move my residence away from friends and family.

Damn good thing we're not talking about you, then!

It's a big world, sounds like he's looked around a bit.
Sounds fun and interesting to me.
We moved far away from friends and family and we still manage to see each other on occassion and we have developed some really great friendships with like minded folks.
Everybody has what they like.
Thank goodness for diversity.

I think you are fooling yourself. You've moved all over Mexico, and seem to be afflicted with a vision problem that makes you see the grass is always greener over the rainbow.

SlyOnce - 8-3-2016 at 08:17 AM

My friend, if you feel like exploring Baja, drive up to TJ and visit us in Playas. I love the northern Pacific coast. There are many pluses. There is great food, art, music, and culture. The US border is minutes away. Its the most temperate climate in Baja. There is lots to do, many festivals and events. You can easily migrate south in the winter.

Feel free to come visit us, sit on our patio with an endless view of the sea and the Coronado islands, drink a cold one, share some fish tacos hot off the grill, go for a walk on the malecon, take in a 20 peso nieve (special kind of ice cream), listen to some music in the park, watch the kids play in the surf, or watch them play baseball or soccer - the fields are right where we get the nieve. Sit until dark talking with friends and neighbors on the patio.

That is life here.

Bajahowodd - 8-3-2016 at 05:01 PM

Sheesh!

David K - 8-3-2016 at 05:12 PM

G'day Steve, nice to call you something other than Gas Man!

I know your thing is not the 'outback' of Baja, but like Oz, most of this magic peninsula is 'outback' country and dirt roads. It may be interesting for you to have an idea of the wonderful sites away from the paved roads and city streets.

See my new web page of our 15 day trip to La Paz and Cabo and back north as we went to many many great sites on that trip... and many of the photos are in La Paz and in the La Paz to Cabo region... Typically too far away for us to go to on our driving vacations.

Here is the big trip: http://vivabaja.com/712

In addition, there are many more trips and data on Baja California. Most of the trips are in the northern half, but the two others linked there that go into Baja Sur are:
http://vivabaja.com/707
http://vivabaja.com/709

Of course, all the other stuff, maps, links, history, other websites can be found on my web page, now in its 16th year on the Internet: www.vivabaja.com

AKgringo - 8-3-2016 at 05:56 PM

G'day Steve, nice to call you something other than Gas Man!

David, he is not a Gas Man, he is a Man With Gas!

That means that the car he wants to buy (remember the original topic?) better have a super air conditioner since he will have the windows down a lot!

Welcome to the forum Steve. Fifty replies and counting on your first post...impressive!

SFandH - 8-3-2016 at 06:29 PM

I like your idea of a new Mustang. If you get the off-road urge you can always rent a Jeep. Once you've seen one baja dirt road, you've pretty much seen them all.

There is a paved road into the mountains near Punta Colonet. San Pedro Martir National Park.

Be sure to check out Bahia Concepcion near Mulege. The Mustang will be no problem on the beach roads in that area.

Ensenada is a nice town and of course "Welcome to Tijuana, tequila, sexo, y marijuana", as the song goes.

[Edited on 8-4-2016 by SFandH]

SFandH - 8-3-2016 at 06:58 PM

The paved roads are rough and there can be some dangerous pot holes. Holes that would be fixed in first world countries, or probably never happen. I wouldn't buy any car that didn't have a full size spare tire. That might eliminate the Mustang. Pick up trucks or SUVs are the ideal baja vehicles.

Also there are many speed bumps, called topes, that are in fact road hazards intentionally put across the roads to slow down speeders. If you hit one of those going too fast in a "normal" sedan you're screwed.

Get a truck or a 1959 Cadillac Eldorado.

[Edited on 8-4-2016 by SFandH]

David K - 8-3-2016 at 07:20 PM

It was already wisely suggested by other Nomads to get a smaller Japanese brand SUV like the RAV4 or PILOT with 4WD or AWD... in Spanish "Doble Tracion" (double traction). Even a Jeep Cherokee, as a practical vehicle. Jeeps are big in Baja, almost as much as Toyotas! Ha ha.

Getting a low-slung sporty type car, is really unwise for Baja California.

Love it or hate it?

AKgringo - 8-3-2016 at 07:33 PM

If you don't need to haul much, but want to do back roads or beaches, a Nissan Juke looks like a fun little rig! I have never driven one, but a couple of people I have talked to seemed quite happy with theirs.

Not as much power as a mustang, but it would open up a lot more roads to you.

Edit, I believe they are sold in Baja, but not certain about that.

[Edited on 8-4-2016 by AKgringo]

bajaguy - 8-3-2016 at 08:21 PM

You might also may want to take a look at a gently used Toyota 4Runner with a 6 cylinder engine. With good tyres and a small lift kit it would be almost bulletproof for Baja

mtgoat666 - 8-3-2016 at 08:32 PM

It was already wisely suggested by other Nomads to get a smaller Japanese brand SUV like the RAV4 or PILOT with 4WD or AWD... in Spanish "Doble Tracion" (double traction). Even a Jeep Cherokee, as a practical vehicle. Jeeps are big in Baja, almost as much as Toyotas! Ha ha.

Getting a low-slung sporty type car, is really unwise for Baja California.

The majority of people driving around Baja are doing so in low slung econobox sedans.

bajaguy - 8-3-2016 at 08:33 PM

And they look it also

The majority of people driving around Baja are doing so in low slung econobox sedans.

mtgoat666 - 8-3-2016 at 08:38 PM

Quote: Originally posted by bajaguy

And they look it also

The majority of people driving around Baja are doing so in low slung econobox sedans.

Are you saying you measure the man by the car he drives?
When I see people driving expensive cars, I see wasteful profligate fools.
I judge a person by their car: If they assign importance to their car, I know they are shallow dweebs.

bajaguy - 8-3-2016 at 08:46 PM

One of the things I look at (not judge) is how people take care of their possessions, anywhere, not just Baja...vehicle included. Take care of your "stuff", it lasts longer

Quote: Originally posted by bajaguy

And they look it also