agra
Newbie
Posts: 6
Registered: 12-13-2007
Member Is Offline
|
|
car safety in Baja?
I'll be driving to Mulege in a couple months and have never driven my own car into Baja. I'm debating between renting a car in Tijuana or driving my
own from San Diego. Just wondering what people's experiences have been with getting their cars broken into, damage to their cars from potholes in the
road, etc. I don't have a fancy car by any means, but its the only car I have!
Also, I'm thinking having Mexican vs. Cali plates may make my car less of a target for break ins?
Thanks.
|
|
|
shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13048
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
Member Is Offline
Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
|
|
totally depends where you will be..for example in the cities cars do get broken into...but here in the boonies...very rarely...we leave our keys in
our cars! a rental is always recognizeable as a rental no matter what plates they have...just dont leave alot of gear in them. Make sure you take out
extra rental insurance cause they ding you for every little scratch!
|
|
|
agra
Newbie
Posts: 6
Registered: 12-13-2007
Member Is Offline
|
|
Thanks for the reply. Good point about rentals being recognizable. What would you say about places like San Ignacio and Mulege-they're not big cities
but not quite boonies-is there frequency of break ins here somewhere in between?
|
|
|
gnukid
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4411
Registered: 7-2-2006
Member Is Offline
|
|
You need to be wary of your car and its best to not leave it unattended out of view in the cities.
The transpeninsular highway is narrow as are many roads so its very easy to get sideswiped by trucks and drunks. You need to pay close attention to
those around you.
I have heard that Mulege has a serious problem with minor car breakins according to the police here who say there its the worst. I don't know if its
true or just some dumb story.
I always dreamt about how fun it would be to drive the baja in a beautiful classic car, like a mustang 65 convertable or maybe a thunderbird. So I
brought a dodge mopar classic here and no one touches it, I leave the windows open on the street and I don't lock it except at night. And its never
been a problem. Cars are greatly respected and envied in Baja. I think the cops pull me over just to check it out.
Many times you may find yourself driving on sand and dirt and occasionally among cactus which can scratch your car. Best to accept this.
|
|
|
comitan
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4177
Registered: 3-27-2004
Location: La Paz
Member Is Offline
Mood: mellow
|
|
Just make your first stop Guerro Negro, you'll be fine the roads are in good condition. Just use the same caution you would in the states.
Strive For The Ideal, But Deal With What\'s Real.
Every day is a new day, better than the day before.(from some song)
Lord, Keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth.
“The sincere pursuit of truth requires you to entertain the possibility that everything you believe to be true may in fact be false”
|
|
|
bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
|
|
Drive your own car and don't wash it, buy insurance from Bajabound (at the top of this page), lock anything important in the trunk or keep it with
you, make copies of your drivers license, registration, US insurance and your passport, bring a camera take plenty of photos and make a trip report so
we all can enjoy the trip, eat at roadside stands......have fun!!!!!
|
|
|
Martyman
Super Nomad
Posts: 1904
Registered: 9-10-2004
Member Is Offline
|
|
Rental cars in Mexico are quite a bit more expensive then the states.
|
|
|
rpleger
Super Nomad
Posts: 1087
Registered: 3-12-2005
Location: H. Mulegé, BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: Was good.
|
|
Lived in Mulege over 10 years now and most of that time I have had an open Suzuki Samurai. I have NEVER had anything taken or stolen...
Not that it dos'nt happen...it has NEVER happend to me.
Richard on the Hill
*ABROAD*, adj. At war with savages and idiots. To be a Frenchman abroad is to
be miserable; to be an American abroad is to make others miserable.
-- Ambrose Bierce, _The Enlarged Devil\'s Dictionary_
|
|
|
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
