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MsTerieus
Nomad
Posts: 462
Registered: 6-8-2010
Location: Punta Banda, Ensenada, Baja California
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Cost of Car Repairs in Baja?
Dear Nomads,
I expect to be taking (possibly shipping) a 2000 Subaru Outback with me, when I move to the Ensenada area early next year. The car needs some work
(replacement of battery, timer and some other belts, new brakes, etc.). I could have the work all done now, for about $750, in Washington State,
where the car is currently located. Alternatively, if I have the car shipped from WA to San Diego, I could wait to have much of the work done in or
around Ensenada. I assume that, although parts are the same price in Mexico, labor is cheaper. Can anyone tell me if it would pay to wait and have
the repairs made in Baja?
Thanks much!
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rhintransit
Super Nomad
Posts: 1588
Registered: 9-4-2006
Location: Loreto
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I dunno but would be interested in knowing if there are Subaru mechanics around. anything sort of 'exotic' may be an issue, getting parts, etc, the
further one gets from the border (I'm way south). I'd like to bring my Forester in but ???
reality\'s never been of much use out here...
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k-rico
Super Nomad
Posts: 2079
Registered: 7-10-2008
Location: Playas de Tijuana
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Are Subarus sold in Mexico? I've always assumed that getting parts for cars that are not sold in Mexico, especially 10 year old cars, may be a huge
problem for Mex mechanics. Don't know if that's true though.
I remember talking to a guy at Ana's in Santispac several years ago that was getting ready to take a bus to San Diego to get a part for his American
diesel pickup. Something to do with the fuel system. The model was not sold in Mexico and the part was not available anywhere in Baja.
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MsTerieus
Nomad
Posts: 462
Registered: 6-8-2010
Location: Punta Banda, Ensenada, Baja California
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bob and Susan
my advice would be repair the car in the states
where the parts are available
good mechanics here but the availability of parts is limited
i'd fix it FIRST |
Well .... I COULD get the parts in the states and have the repairs made in Baja. 
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toneart
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4901
Registered: 7-23-2006
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Mood: Skeptical
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Ensenada is a major city with vast resources. I would think you could get the parts there. There is probably even a Subaru dealer there. If not, it is
not that far from the border. A mechanic could get it in a day, or you could go yourself to San Diego and get it. That is, if the savings is worth it.
That, I can't answer. There is a chance that it could be even more expensive in Ensenada...with a dealer. (?)
It sounds like this is not a car you use every day, so I would take a chance with Ensenada. You say you may have it shipped there. Is it drivable?
Would this be a 2nd vehicle for you? Even more reason to risk the time element to have it repaired in Ensenada.
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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The Mexico distributor has an e-mail address. Couldn't hurt to drop them a line.
http://www.subaru-global.com/america.html
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MsTerieus
Nomad
Posts: 462
Registered: 6-8-2010
Location: Punta Banda, Ensenada, Baja California
Member Is Offline
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Since I could get the parts in the U.S. before I picked up the car, if I had to, I don't think parts are the main issue. What I think I need to know
about is the cost of labor. Gee, Nomads -- doesn't anybody get their car fixed in Baja? Do you all drive them back to the U.S. when it's time for
repairs?
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k-rico
Super Nomad
Posts: 2079
Registered: 7-10-2008
Location: Playas de Tijuana
Member Is Offline
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I use Mex mechanics. Labor is definitely alot cheaper. No problems except for a transmission mechanic in G. Negro who put in the wrong size torque
convertor because the correct size was not available. Good thing we went for a test drive together, it lasted about 15 minutes. He then called a
friend in Ensenada who had the correct part put on a bus.
[Edited on 11-10-2010 by k-rico]
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bajafam
Senior Nomad
Posts: 654
Registered: 9-6-2009
Location: Northeast AZ, Bahia Asuncion, BCS :)
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Mood: DLTBGYD
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Any repairs we've had to make, albeit minor, have been much cheaper, labor wise...but we drive a older Ford Explorer, which is a pretty common vehicle
in Baja.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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Sounds as though your list of maintenance is simple. Auto parts business will get your parts. One, in particular, California Auto Parts in Maneadero
is really good and if they don't have part, they'll get it.
I don't know exactly what you have in mind for bringing your car into Mexico, but there are restrictions against towing dead cars through the border.
Best you look into that.
If you are in this area, my worker is an excellent mechanic with recommendations all over town. A specific knowledge of your vehicle won't be
necessary considering the simplicity of the jobs. This guy works as much on intuition as anything else.
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MsTerieus
Nomad
Posts: 462
Registered: 6-8-2010
Location: Punta Banda, Ensenada, Baja California
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Thanks for the additional comments, folks. Thank you, Dennis, for the offer. The car would be in running condition (once battery is replaced, which
can be done in WA). I just don't want to drive it all the way from Vashon Island, WA, to Ensenada (especially since I'll probably be driving two
other cars from CA to Ensenada). So ... I thought I might ship the Subaru from WA to just NOB, then drive it the rest of the way. It might not pay
to fix it all up in WA, then pay to ship it, but if I could ship it and have the repairs done cheaper in Baja, then shipping might make the most
sense. (Long story about where, why & how I will have the Subaru, and complicated too.)
[Edited on 11-10-2010 by MsTerieus]
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mcfez
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8678
Registered: 12-2-2009
Location: aka BN yankeeirishman
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Location finder is here:
http://www.subaru-global.com/
Follow the lead...you'll find parts in Baja
Transportation drivers for cars......have you checked www.craigslist.org for someone willing to drive your car there for the price of fuel? Not a new concept....
Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
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MsTerieus
Nomad
Posts: 462
Registered: 6-8-2010
Location: Punta Banda, Ensenada, Baja California
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by mcfez
Location finder is here:
http://www.subaru-global.com/
Follow the lead...you'll find parts in Baja
Transportation drivers for cars......have you checked www.craigslist.org for someone willing to drive your car there for the price of fuel? Not a new concept.... |
Thought about it, but rejected the idea. For one thing, the car is loaded up with personal effects (some valuable) of deceased family members. (So,
either I drive it south, or I fly up to WA, empty it out, ship the contents south, and have it shipped.) For another, the car is not currently
registered. Additionally, the driver would need to be insured, which might not be so likely. (It's a COMPLICATED situation!!!!)
[Edited on 11-11-2010 by MsTerieus]
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DavidE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3814
Registered: 12-1-2003
Location: Baja California México
Member Is Offline
Mood: 'At home we demand facts and get them. In Mexico one subsists on rumor and never demands anything.' Charles Flandrau,
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Buy a car repair manual in the states in Español for your car. Batteries are more expensive in Mexico and if your car takes an oddball BCI group size
you will be out of luck. AUTO ZONE MEXICO may have some of the parts that you request but all-in-all you are going to be faced with a quandry --- the
further you get from the international border the cheaper labor will be but the more unfamiliar it will be with Subaru. Forty-Eight state parts may be
different from California parts so check with your USA Subaru dealer first.
Myself; I'd bring all the parts and a repair manual.
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bajabound2005
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2762
Registered: 10-15-2005
Location: Punta Banda, BCN
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Mood: words cannot describe...
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bring the parts with you and get the work done here. We could not buy a battery here for our 2005 Saturn Vue! If you don't have the parts and they
can't get them locally,you could be waiting for weeks for them to be shipped here.
Friends don't let friends drink white zinfandel.
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krafty
Super Nomad
Posts: 1052
Registered: 8-23-2010
Member Is Offline
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just today took our chrys. town and country into a local tranny shop-over 100,000 miles and would not hold a gear-in Rosarito-job will be done manana
for $150 less than we were quoted in Chula Vista-think getting parts is not a big deal, esp. if you are not going further south than Ensenada
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bajabass
Super Nomad
Posts: 2016
Registered: 10-4-2006
Location: La Paz,BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: Want to fish!!!
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Bingo DavidE! If you have the time, research a Subaru mechanic or shop in Ensenada. Bring a book in BOTH languages, so you understand what is going on
as well! If no Subaru specialist can be found in Ensenada, and you want the car tip-top from the get-go, get all repairs, service, and a complete
inspection done before you bring it into Mexico. After the timing belt is done, unless you have a major issue, it will be normal service and wear and
tear. Oh, depending on mileage, you might as well throw four struts on it now. You will kill the stock units on the Punta Banda/Ensenada area roads in
no time flat!
Keep your eyes on the road, and your hands upon the wheel!
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MsTerieus
Nomad
Posts: 462
Registered: 6-8-2010
Location: Punta Banda, Ensenada, Baja California
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajabass
Bingo DavidE! If you have the time, research a Subaru mechanic or shop in Ensenada. Bring a book in BOTH languages, so you understand what is going on
as well! If no Subaru specialist can be found in Ensenada, and you want the car tip-top from the get-go, get all repairs, service, and a complete
inspection done before you bring it into Mexico. After the timing belt is done, unless you have a major issue, it will be normal service and wear and
tear. Oh, depending on mileage, you might as well throw four struts on it now. You will kill the stock units on the Punta Banda/Ensenada area roads in
no time flat! |
The car has only 40,000 miles on it. (Otherwise, I don't think I'd be going to all this trouble for the old, less-than-beautiful old car.) Struts?
I am guessing they have to do with the shock absorbers???
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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Sell it today. This thing is way more trouble than it's worth.
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monoloco
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6667
Registered: 7-13-2009
Location: Pescadero BCS
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by MsTerieus
Since I could get the parts in the U.S. before I picked up the car, if I had to, I don't think parts are the main issue. What I think I need to know
about is the cost of labor. Gee, Nomads -- doesn't anybody get their car fixed in Baja? Do you all drive them back to the U.S. when it's time for
repairs? |
Mechanics in the states charge way more, I have a nice Subaru that had body damage when I bought
it, the cheapest repair estimate in Oregon that I had was $2700, I had it fixed in Todos Santos for 3250 pesos, and he did a very good job.
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