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Bob in Ajijic

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #1 of 11 (1728 views)

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To buy a car in Mexico ...or not?

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"Peter" on the Ajijic - Chapala Forum posted a question asking "are we allowed to purchase a car in Mexico and have Mexican plates?" We are of course allowed to do this. My question is "Why would one want to?"The car that I brought in with me was relatively inexpensive ...cars purchased in Mexico cost something like 30% more than they do in the US or Canada... and it requires no annual Mexican licensing fees, which I am told are also much higher than we are acustomed to in Canada or the US. I even plan to trade this one in back in Texas or Ontario when its time comes.As I understand it, folks who wish to move toward immigrant status with an FM2 visa, or those who have run off far end of the five years for FM3 status, may have no choice, but for the rest of us it does seem, at least at first blush, a bit spendy to buy Mexican. At least it is difficult to justify on purely financial grounds. Also, as I understand it, once one has made the switch to an FM2 (immigrant) visa one has no choice, one may no longer operate a foreign plated vehicle here. To my mind this is a strong argument for staying on the FM3 visa. This of course ignores any convictions related to level of particpiation in one's adopted country. Maybe someone can help me out here.

jennifer rose

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #2 of 11 (1728 views)

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FM-2, FM-3 and the Car

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Bob Story's absolutely right. FM-2 holders can continue to have their foreign-plated cars until the've become inmigrado, which is 5 years down the line. The FM-3 status can be continued indefinitely. Keep renewing for five years, and then reapply for a new FM-3. A foreigner who continues this cycle can keep their foreign-plated vehicle until their own expiration date.

jennifer rose

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #3 of 11 (1722 views)

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FM-2, FM-3 and the Car -- and one more question

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The car must be removed from Mexico. Sure, it can be bequeathed to a Mexican national, but that alone won't regularize the car in Mexico.

Rolly

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #4 of 11 (1722 views)

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FM-2, FM-3 and the Car -- and one more question

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:A foreigner who continues this cycle can keep their foreign-plated vehicle until their own expiration date. 
Nice line: "until their own expiration date." Which brings us to an interesting question -- What then with the car? Can one include the car in his/her Mexican will and leave it to a Mexican friend? If so, can the inheritor convert it to a Mexican plated car? If not, what...?

jennifer rose

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #5 of 11 (1719 views)

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But...

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Anticipating that very argument, Hacienda has a solution. The executor of your estate can obtain a permit from Hacienda enabling the transit of the car outside of Mexico. And the executor or other personal representative of your estate has the ability to execute the necessary documents to transfer title to the beneficiary under the terms of the will. With the title transfer, the beneficiary can sell or otherwise dispose of the vehicle once it's beyond the borders of the Republic of Mexico.

Rolly

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #6 of 11 (1721 views)

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But...

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: The car must be removed from Mexico. Ah, but now we have a catch 22. The car must be removed, but I'm dead, and the law says my Mexican friend, who has inherited the car, cannot drive it because it is under my FM3. So how does the car get to El Paso where he can sell it? Except how can he sell it without a title which, I assume, he cannot get in Mexico because...etc?Maybe he just scraps off the sticker, and it becomes another chocolate.

Hanno

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #7 of 11 (1717 views)

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Useful info, thanks . I've worred about that

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Hi,Does the same apply if you are an European wanting to buy a car in the USA to be used in Mexico?Hanno

Rolly

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #8 of 11 (1720 views)

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Useful info, thanks . I've worred about that

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: Anticipating that very argument, Hacienda has a solution. The executor of your estate can obtain a permit from Hacienda enabling the transit of the car outside of Mexico. And the executor or other personal representative of your estate has the ability to execute the necessary documents to transfer title to the beneficiary under the terms of the will. With the title transfer, the beneficiary can sell or otherwise dispose of the vehicle once it's beyond the borders of the Republic of Mexico.

Bob Story

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #9 of 11 (1719 views)

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FM-2 Visa

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According to a representative of the Mazatlan Auduana's office here in Mazatlan, a change to an FM-2 Visa does NOT require the holder to divest himself/herself of their foreign plated car because they are still holding a visa that allows them to have such a vehicle. Check the Ley Auduana manual for verification. However, if you convert your FM-2 to Immigrado status THEN you will have to get rid of the foreign plated car.

Marky

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #10 of 11 (1724 views)

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About cars, try this on for size

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First off, you are right in that the Mexican version of a car sold in the US or Canada is more expensive.However, if you don't mind driving a lower end vehicle (i.e. VW Pointer, Chevy Corsa, Nissan Tsuru, Dodge Atos)you will find that you will be paying Korea-mobile (Hyundai/Kia) prices for a vehicle. In fact, the Atos is a Hyundai.The other point (as you may have noticed by all the unfamiliar model names) is you may find a car you like that is sold in Mexico and not here. Although out of my price range, the Ford Modeno, Mercedes A Class and SEAT Alhambra look awfully tempting.

Robert

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #11 of 11 (1720 views)

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About cars, try this on for size

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One thing to be aware of SEAT, a Spanish Volkswagen, is that it has had a lot of trouble with even getting small amounts of water in the engine compartment, through flooding or rain. There have been several instances of this happening in southern Mexico City.Some of the Peugeot models are very good looking, but I always thought their reliability was suspect. Audi A3 is good, too.