Getting a car...

Going with Spencer to check out cars in Guadalajara on Tuesday. Any special tips? I know you don't have to "deal" much with what's available but what about extras on it?

Oh, it'll probably be a toss-up between a Toyota Yaris & a Honda Fit. I want small & I'm usually a strong Toyota supporter plus it looks like the Toyota is a couple thousand cheaper (dollars) if what I saw online can be believed.

I assume mileage will be a major consideration? Lizzy

If it was me "mileage" or economy would be my last concern.

Har har Snork....

When TOB talked about the best vehicle to have here ( right after the best shorts ta wear around here ) they were goin on about Toyota, Honda, Nissan, even VW...
So I ask, anyone ever hear of Chev or Ford or even that redneck one ... Dodge and I point out that there can be little doubt why the North American auto industry was in the toilet... AND they kick me off again!!

I think my first consideration would be to find a vehicle that can survive the topes... that and a vehicle that is scratch & dent resistant...

By the way... seriously... check out Ford & GM... they have considerably improved their products the past 2 years... Ford Escape is cute..

I've had 2 American brands in my life & both were lemons. I've had seriously good luck w/Toyota & the old VW's (haven't heard good things about the new models.)

I'm only going to tootle around Lakeside in it, not drive to Guad., etc. so mileage isn't a huge concern.

Carry Bean wrote:I've had 2 American brands in my life & both were lemons. (haven't heard good things about the new models.)

Were they Yellow?

With yer Toyotas ya hafta be sure ta stay away from sharp turns and sharp drops for when the accelerators stick:)

I would go with an older Jeep Wrangler. Small enough, not too fancy looking, easy to maneuver, 4WD, fairly rugged, easy to get parts, plus its a convertible.

Oh yeah....it's American made (or at least Mexican made).

hockables wrote:

Carry Bean wrote:I've had 2 American brands in my life & both were lemons. (haven't heard good things about the new models.)

Were they Yellow?

With yer Toyotas ya hafta be sure ta stay away from sharp turns and sharp drops for when the accelerators stick:)

Actually, one was yellow. A Pontiac Phoenix. It made lemons look pale & they quit making them quickly. The other was a Mustang.
I'm buying new, by the way. I don't care who makes the car. I can't afford to be patriotic with another lemon (not that all American cars are) and the Yaris didn't have sticking accelerators. It will be a Honda or Toyota as I stated in my OP.

Honda and Toyota are both good choices. I know that both companies manufacture in Mexico, but I'm not sure which models. Check on that because parts and service will be better on a vehicle made here, or at least in North America.

The other expense is tagging the car. A small pickup would get the best deal, so you might also consider that. Toyota trucks seem to last forever. Lizzy

Foreigners and Mexicans have different tastes. Many Mexican friends have those compact Chevys and Fords. They want cheap, small (easy to park) and fuel efficient.

bobnliz wrote:The other expense is tagging the car. A small pickup would get the best deal, so you might also consider that. Toyota trucks seem to last forever. Lizzy

Tags are cheap, the taxes aren't.

Are the taxes cheaper on trucks?

My mistake... thanks, Dave. Do you have any idea what the rates are for cars vs trucks? Lizzy

I'm a fan of German cars but for trucks Chevy is the way to go. The Japanese cannot compete.

GMC Sonoma... had er fer 5 years ...never a problem...

Spencer... what kind of car do U have?

Intercasa wrote:I'm a fan of German cars but for trucks Chevy is the way to go. The Japanese cannot compete.

Yeah, well I favor Porsches myself, but what I drive is an 11 year old Toyota truck, which has been reliable, easy to repair and cheep to keep. We bought the monastic model....even the windows crank. I think it depends on what you need a truck for in the first place: haul your hoss or just stuff from Home Depot? Cross streams or just tool around here? Image? Are you kidding ? That's for guys wanting a babe magnet. In a Chevy???

I bought my GMC four wheel drive when it was a year old...in 1994. It's a shortbed step side and I just had her repainted pearly white....the old girl still looks good and runs great! It's hauled everything from hay to a four horse trailer to firewood and run through deep mud, water steep hillsides and whatever and never let me down. Love my truck.

Kip

1989 Jeep Wrangler is my work vehicle.

1963 Corvette convertible is my baby.........

Car license and taxes are; $330 for the Refendo (tag) and a percentage of book value for the Tenencia (tax). The tax declines each year until there's no tax on a 10 year-old car. I'm not sure of the rate but it's posted in the Transito office in Chapala. My 2006 Smart Car, book value about $100,000 Pesos, Tenencia was about $2500 this year. I believe there is no Tenencia on trucks, or if so it's very low.

My Summer Toy... not the girl... thatz my daughter

I just love my 1995 Ford F150 4 wheel drive PU. Lizzy

Very nice Hocks.

Here's my baby:



Bob

Very shweet wheels, Bob. Turning green, but in this town, it wouldn't last so....enjoy!