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Gringal

Jun 8, 2010, 9:00 AM

Post #1 of 30 (4294 views)

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CAR DISPOSAL PLAN?

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Here's the plan, and if it's flawed, please pipe up.

We have a 11 year old pickup with CA plates and a valid CA non-op permit. No current US registration or license, since we've never driven back. Our daughter and son-in-law plan to fly in to visit and we're thinking of having them drive it back to their home in Phoenix and sell it there. We'd sign off the pink slip so they could sell it in AZ; they'd turn in our sticker at the border, drive it home and sell it for us in the states. They could get a temp. permit in AZ.

I know we can't transfer title to them in Mexico, BTW. I also assume we'd need to have them carry a letter of permission to be driving without us in the car and identifying them as relatives. Our insurance would cover them up to the border, and theirs after that.

Then ......we could buy ourselves a MX car and drive happily ever after. We hope.

Anything wrong with this idea?

lamur

Jun 8, 2010, 9:09 AM

Post #2 of 30 (4282 views)

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Re: [Gringal] CAR DISPOSAL PLAN?

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I thought the registered owner had to drive the vehicle out of the country?

Rolly

Jun 8, 2010, 9:16 AM

Post #3 of 30 (4278 views)

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Re: [Gringal] CAR DISPOSAL PLAN?

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Your plan looks good to me.

Rolly Pirate

bournemouth

Jun 8, 2010, 9:18 AM

Post #4 of 30 (4276 views)

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Re: [Gringal] CAR DISPOSAL PLAN?

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There is an Az. DMV office just over the border in Nogales, Mariposa Road crossing, with extended hours, for your kind of situation I imagine:

http://www.onlinedmv.com/...nogales-az-4395.html

(This post was edited by Rolly on Jun 8, 2010, 9:19 AM)

jerezano

Jun 8, 2010, 9:24 AM

Post #5 of 30 (4269 views)

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Re: [Gringal] CAR DISPOSAL PLAN?

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Hello Gringal,

Nothing wrong with your plan so far as I can see. As Rolly has pointed out already, any family member (your daughter) can drive your car if a licensed driver. Son-in law? I don't know, but if she is with him?

I would make sure your daughter has her birth certificate which would prove that family relationship. No letter of permission would be needed although it couldn't hurt.

And you say that the temporary import certificate would be removed at the border and the constancia on removal of the car obtained. That too is important should you ever wish to temporarily import another car from the USA.

Insurance carriers have their own rules. You would need to read the fine print.

You might want to give your daughter a Bill of Sale for the car as well as the pink slip. Some states, such as Texas, will probably require that Bill of Sale for transfer of ownership. I don't know about Arizona. The monetary value would be for $1 and affection. Some lawyers say that the Bill of Sale must include a sum of money, but then I'm not a lawyer.

Unless you can find some objection, I would say your plan is feasible.

Hasta luego, jerezano

Rolly

Jun 8, 2010, 9:26 AM

Post #6 of 30 (4265 views)

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Re: [lamur] CAR DISPOSAL PLAN?

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The registered owner does not have to drive the car out. Aduana doesn't care; they just want the permit and windshield sticker. Anyway, with the signed title, they are the new owners.

I've signed the title to my truck and given it to my friend who will inherit the truck when I croak. Having the signed title will make things easier for him when the time comes.

Rolly Pirate

bournemouth

Jun 8, 2010, 10:03 AM

Post #7 of 30 (4248 views)

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Re: [jerezano] CAR DISPOSAL PLAN?

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In Arizona, simply signing the title over is sufficient to change registration with DMV. We only ever got a bill of sale when buying a vehicle from a dealer.

Gringal

Jun 8, 2010, 10:46 AM

Post #8 of 30 (4233 views)

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Re: [Rolly] CAR DISPOSAL PLAN?

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Hi All.......

Thanks so much for the answers. Big help.

And my advice to anyone with intentions of moving permanently to Mexico would be to dispose of that U.S. car and buy one in Mexico. The extra cost of taxes, etc., probably is well balanced by the head scratching frustration of trying to figure out how to get rid of the NOB car when you're several years into an FM-2 and need to think about getting rid of the beastie within the next few years.......or it's just getting elderly and time to be replaced.

However, when we came....we had that truck packed to the ceiling.....so you can't win that one. At least not painlessly.

Peter

Jun 8, 2010, 1:35 PM

Post #9 of 30 (4196 views)

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Re: [Gringal] CAR DISPOSAL PLAN?

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Or if you DID bring a car here... Today I was given my last FM-3 renewal, assuming five years of an FM-2 I have six more years having my US car. It is only important to me because it is fairly new with very low mileage and cars cost a gol-danged fortune.

My compact SUV is a near-perfect size for here with good ground clearance, a 2007 it has about 11,600 miles on it and I'm hoping I can legalize it for Mexico when the time comes. By then I expect it may only have less than 35,000 miles. I want to keep it if possible. If not, I'll have to cross that bridge then. Something similar here, new, would cost around $350,000 mxp. Considering the bad habits most people have that causes wear and tear X the number of topes y vaches, I hesitate to buy used.

Gringal

Jun 8, 2010, 2:50 PM

Post #10 of 30 (4178 views)

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Re: [Peter] CAR DISPOSAL PLAN?

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When the time comes, we're going for inexpensive, new and compact. We've put over 80,000 miles on the truck, and after that..........it's most likely going to become a "shasta". You know, shasta have a new transmission, etc., etc.

I agree that buying used in Mexico doesn't appeal. We're ready for the reaming we expect to get on a new one.

We're not going off road, not doing trips NOB, and don't need 4 wheel drive. Pretty much just around town. I used to be a bit of a car freak, but that was then......and having classy wheels here doesn't seem worth the trouble.
Here, I like keeping the profile looooooowww.

bournemouth

Jun 8, 2010, 3:04 PM

Post #11 of 30 (4172 views)

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Re: [Gringal] CAR DISPOSAL PLAN?

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Profile low, yes - but not the bottom of the car!

Gringal

Jun 8, 2010, 3:34 PM

Post #12 of 30 (4154 views)

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Re: [bournemouth] CAR DISPOSAL PLAN?

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Trust that I'm checking out the front lower bumpers in the neighborhood for scrapes. Uh huh.

esperanza

Jun 8, 2010, 8:36 PM

Post #13 of 30 (4108 views)

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Re: [Gringal] CAR DISPOSAL PLAN?

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I love the Atos that I have had for five years now. It's tiny on the outside, plenty big enough for four (including headroom and great leg room, even in the back seat) on the inside. It has power steering, power brakes, power windows, and power locks, plus air conditioning. It gets fifty km to four liters of gasoline, too.

A new one (deluxe model) at the Dodge dealer would cost you about 125,000 pesos.

Here: http://www.dodge.com.mx/...aspx?ClaveGen=ATOS10

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

Peter

Jun 8, 2010, 9:03 PM

Post #14 of 30 (4102 views)

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Re: [esperanza] CAR DISPOSAL PLAN?

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The Atos is an excellent choice. They are extremely well-built and reliable, though not much to look at. I have ridden in numerous Atos taxicabs that have been in service for years and every one is smooth and quiet like the day it rolled out of the dealership. They are made by Hyundai and sold through Dodge here. A friend of ours in the coast drives his Atos on all the back-road/off-road excursions we are taking our trucks - Jeeps and Lobos, and my Sportage.

If you are not aware of it currently the Korean manufacturers have surpassed the Japanese in producing well-made, reliable cars. As an added bonus, they are value-priced and you get a lot of bang for the buck. I am currently driving a Kia Sportage, my fourth new Kia since the late 90's. Retaining that vehicle is my reason for going the slow road to Inmigrado. According to various websites Mexico plans to introduce Kia for sale here soon, the Sportage being one of the models they intend to sell.

roni_smith

Jun 13, 2010, 10:18 AM

Post #15 of 30 (3878 views)

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Re: [Gringal] CAR DISPOSAL PLAN?

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I am glad you started this thread!!

We have been talking about this some, given our plan to move to the Yucatán in July 2011.

We have a 1994 Mazda MPV with a rebuilt engine that runs like a charm. It is rated to tow either 4 or 5,000 pounds. We have thought about getting a small cargo trailer and pulling some stuff down. I have an obligation back in the US in October of 2011, and we thought we would drive the van back to the border then and donate it somewhere in Texas or Arizona, buying a Mexican car upon our return.

I like the Atos also, but at 1.93 meters in height, I do not know that is what I will buy. We were thinking of something a bit larger, but, ¿quien sabes? We'll wait till we get down there and see.
------
Planning for Mexico Move Blog

Gringal

Jun 15, 2010, 1:16 PM

Post #16 of 30 (3747 views)

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Re: [roni_smith] CAR DISPOSAL PLAN?

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I started this thread because I wanted to get some input on whether our plan would fly. I'm glad if it helped anyone else.

This week we're going to do some serious car shopping. Up to now, it's been webbing it with the Consumer Reports and Car and Driver, along with a few others.

SanFranDan

Jun 15, 2010, 3:45 PM

Post #17 of 30 (3720 views)

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Re: [Gringal] CAR DISPOSAL PLAN?

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What about driving the car back to the border. Since your permit is expired, wouldn't your car be here illegally, subjecting you to harassment or confiscation of your car by the federales???

Im asking cause I wanna get my car outta here too. It has an expired permit and has been in Mex for almost 2 years. Cant legalize it, so gotta get it home!

bournemouth

Jun 15, 2010, 4:07 PM

Post #18 of 30 (3714 views)

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Re: [SanFranDan] CAR DISPOSAL PLAN?

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Dan, as long as you have something more than an FMM (used to be an FMT), you have no problems. The car permit remains good. Now, if you only have an FMM, then you have a problem. The OP does not fall into that situation.

Gringal

Jun 15, 2010, 5:55 PM

Post #19 of 30 (3695 views)

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Re: [SanFranDan] CAR DISPOSAL PLAN?

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I don't think we are talking about the same thing. Our car is here legally because the sticker is legal as long as our visa is legal, and we have current FM2 visas.

Assuming you have legal status here, the car you brought with you is here legally, too, and if you want to drive it to the border, turn in the sticker and sell it on the other side of the border, you can do that.

The problem would occur if you did not obtain a Certificate of Non-Operation (in the States) before your license expired.
Fees would have accumulated, and if you took the car to a U.S. dealer, the license or i.d. number would go merrily into a computer which would pop out the money you owed, plus penalties, for however long you hadn't kept up your registration/license. At that point..........ouch. At least I believe that to be correct.

tashby

Jun 15, 2010, 6:15 PM

Post #20 of 30 (3690 views)

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Re: [Gringal] CAR DISPOSAL PLAN?

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Quote

The problem would occur if you did not obtain a Certificate of Non-Operation (in the States) before your license expired.
Fees would have accumulated, and if you took the car to a U.S. dealer, the license or i.d. number would go merrily into a computer which would pop out the money you owed, plus penalties, for however long you hadn't kept up your registration/license. At that point..........ouch. At least I believe that to be correct.

¿Cómo?

We let our U.S. vehicle registration lapse because we don't drive it back and forth to the U.S., and don't plan on ever taking it back until dumping time. Was I supposed to get a Certificate of Non-Operation at some point?

Alternatively, is there room in the back of your truck for an old Honda?

(This post was edited by tashby on Jun 15, 2010, 8:58 PM)

mazbook1

Jun 15, 2010, 6:17 PM

Post #21 of 30 (3686 views)

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Re: [tashby] CAR DISPOSAL PLAN?

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I think that's just a California thing.

Gringal

Jun 15, 2010, 8:53 PM

Post #22 of 30 (3654 views)

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Re: [tashby] CAR DISPOSAL PLAN?

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Hi
It's not that big a truck. lol. Gotta get your Honda back on your own, amigo.

Casa

Jun 16, 2010, 6:17 PM

Post #23 of 30 (3573 views)

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Re: [Gringal] CAR DISPOSAL PLAN?

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CA plates here as well. I did sign up for Non Operation with CA DMV when the registration expired years ago and there was no way to get a CA smog check in Jalisco. My question is if you will remove the Non Operation status and thus re-register it in California to be able to drive it across the border and sell it in AZ? (I need a car disposal plan too)

Peter

Jun 16, 2010, 7:33 PM

Post #24 of 30 (3560 views)

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Re: [Casa] CAR DISPOSAL PLAN?

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How about getting a temporary registration permit as soon as you get to AZ?

Gringal

Jun 16, 2010, 8:16 PM

Post #25 of 30 (3553 views)

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Re: [Peter] CAR DISPOSAL PLAN?

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Our daughter and son-in-law are going to just register it in their names as soon as they cross the border. They'll need to do that in order to sell it anyway. No reason I can think of to try to re-register in CA, (which is probably impossible.) CA is a harsh state to do anything in. You have to have an actual address there to renew your license plates. Plus, you must have insurance there........and so on. That's why we went non-op .

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