Forums > General > Living, Working, Retiring

bdlngton

Oct 10, 2004, 2:09 PM

Post #1 of 18 (2391 views)

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Bringing Subaru to Mexico

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I currently drive a Subaru, which I love. But I understand that Subarus are not sold in Mexico. So would it be foolish for me to move to Mexico with my Subaru or are parts and service available for most makes of cars? Or would I be better off seeling the Subaru and purchasing another make of car, like a VW, Ford, Nissan, etc? Do most immigrants bring in cars that are also available in Mexico for the sake of availibility of parts and service?
Susy
Susy

Cynthia7

Oct 10, 2004, 5:41 PM

Post #2 of 18 (2337 views)

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Re: [bdlngton] Bringing Subaru to Mexico

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It certainly makes life easier if you drive a car that is familiar to mechanics in Mexico. People bring all kinds of cars down here but it can present problems.

gpk

Oct 11, 2004, 10:34 AM

Post #3 of 18 (2273 views)

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Re: [bdlngton] Bringing Subaru to Mexico

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Friends recently got rid of their (very old) Mazda because of the hassle involved in getting parts--they had to go to Texas. While nothing is impossible in Mexico, you will find that their are enough things to adjust to here without the added problem of potential car issues.

Pimienta

Oct 13, 2004, 5:53 PM

Post #4 of 18 (2205 views)

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Re: [gpk] Bringing Subaru to Mexico

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We have a Subaru that we love. It's a 2000 Forester that runs like a top, as all Subarus do. We have had it worked on a little bit here in Jocotepec. Oil changes, new filters, etc. A strange noise that was found to be not a big problem with the muffler, Those darn topes! If necessary, parts can be ordered and shipped here. We wouldn't part with ours.

ekammin

Oct 17, 2004, 9:10 AM

Post #5 of 18 (2115 views)

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Re: [bdlngton] Bringing Subaru to Mexico

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I had similar problems with bringing a Subaru to Canada. This was in 1974, when they were not sold there, either.

To begin with, I had trouble buying insurance. Since Subarus were not sold, the Canadian insurance companies did not have any rate tables for them.

And, sure enough, a few days later, the clutch burned out. I found a mechanic who said he would fix it, if I brought him a new clutch to install.

I ended up renting a car, driving across the border to Buffalo, New York, where I bought a clutch from a Subaru dealer’s service department, and brought it back to the mechanic.

It was certainly a good car, but, in my opinion, not worth the hassle. I finally decided to sell it, but, of course, nobody in Toronto wanted to buy it. I finally had to sell it back in Buffalo.

bdlngton

Oct 19, 2004, 7:31 PM

Post #6 of 18 (2021 views)

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Re: [Pimienta] Bringing Subaru to Mexico

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Are you able to get Mexican insurance on your Forester? Is it more costly as the Subaru is not common in Mexico?
Susy

juditha16

Oct 20, 2004, 5:43 AM

Post #7 of 18 (1994 views)

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Re: [bdlngton] Bringing Subaru to Mexico

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What about bringing my Infiniti to Mx? Will I encounter the same problems with parts and labor? Will the topes really beat it up? It's a wonderful car, but I suspect I should sell it. Feedback, anyone?
Judith

Ed and Fran

Oct 20, 2004, 6:03 AM

Post #8 of 18 (1990 views)

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Re: [juditha16] Bringing Subaru to Mexico

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"Will the topes really beat it up?"

Only if you insist on going over them at 60mph. If you slow down and ease over them like you're supposed to they won't have any effect on your car.

What really beats up a car down here is the generally bad condition of secondary roads, with potholes and very uneven patches that make the road seem like a washboard.

Regards

E&F

Estanislao

Oct 20, 2004, 6:46 AM

Post #9 of 18 (1980 views)

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Re: [juditha16] Bringing Subaru to Mexico

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Don't know, but as Infinity is built by Nissan and Nissan is one of the most popular makes, you might not fair that poorly, service-wise.
--
"It is advisable to look from the tide pool to the stars and then back to the tide pool again."
John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts - The Log From The Sea Of Cortez
--
Estanislao

hoyafb95

Oct 20, 2004, 2:07 PM

Post #10 of 18 (1935 views)

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Re: [bdlngton] Bringing Subaru to Mexico

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I have some friends here with Subaru down in Mexico City. Mechanics can work with making you parts and repairing what you have. Remember, most Japanese car makers often use similar parts (from Denso) but have different designs. Nothing is impossible down here. Diplomats bring all sorts of odd vehicles here, and again no problem.

hoyafb95

Oct 20, 2004, 2:11 PM

Post #11 of 18 (1938 views)

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Re: [juditha16] Bringing Subaru to Mexico

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What kind of Infiniti do you have?

The only kinds sold here, since 1993, are the J30 and the Q45. That being said, if you have a QX4, yes, you can get it fixed like a Pathfinder. I have a friend with one here in Mexico City, and Nissan has the parts in its system, both Pathfinder and QX4, but QX4 parts usually need 4-5 days. He has used the Pathfinder parts without a problem, except once when he had to get body panels after doing some repainting.

Acura will be here in November, but without the RSX and NSX models.

Lexus will come, from my sources, in 2005, after the trade treaty with Japan officially takes effect on April 1, 2005.

Also heard Mazda will be coming here, too.

With topes, that depends. Let me know what brand and size the tires are.

In Mexico, most tires are sold with 5 ply protection as opposed to 3 ply stateside.

hoyafb95

Oct 20, 2004, 2:12 PM

Post #12 of 18 (1940 views)

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Re: [bdlngton] Bringing Subaru to Mexico

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From what I know, Mexican insurance goes on the blue book value of your car, not if it is rare or hard to get parts. They even have the blue books for American cars. Insurance costs are always higher for Mexico and in the States, but you would pay far less than a Mexican-plated car for the same year and type.

PeggyS

Oct 23, 2004, 11:56 PM

Post #13 of 18 (1865 views)

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Re: [bdlngton] Bringing Subaru to Mexico

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Before bringing my Jaguar XJS two seater roadster to Ajijic in 2000, I mad sure that there was a Jag dealer in Guad. Otherwise it would make no sense, for parts, etc. I found that the mechanic whom my husband used for his Mexico-made Chrysler, Roberto, next to Tony's, could find the parts for, and fix, almost anything.
My complete insurance, from Lloyds, cost less than in Florida. On the other hand, my husband's car had taxes that were very high each year, as was his insurance. But he loves his car.
I have had no problem with the topes or the narrow village streets. I do have a problem with people bringing down huge SUVs, one or two folks in one gas-guzzling horror, riding around our small cobblestone streets, clogging them up. Do these people have no taste, no sense of what is correct? Why not get a fun car, something small and easy to drive and park. That is what the village needs, not another monster to get in our way on the streets.
(I saw some cute cars while driving past S&S last week)
Peggy

2006

Oct 24, 2004, 8:44 AM

Post #14 of 18 (1841 views)

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Re: [PeggyS] Bringing Subaru to Mexico

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Peggy, Thank you for you private message of October 22nd - it was interesting but disturbing. As a Newbie, exploring the idea of moving to the Ajijic area I'm confused by your email - do you live in Ajijic or back in Florida? Are you recommending certain types of cars for the the Ajijic area yet suggesting to me, and perhaps others, not to move there? I'm not trying to be rude, just not understanding you. The forums have been so useful, with much good information from so many people. I wish you well no matter where you are living.

PeggyS

Oct 24, 2004, 11:26 PM

Post #15 of 18 (1793 views)

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Re: [Linda in the Mtns] Bringing Subaru to Mexico

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Hi Linda,

I certainly am recommending driving cars on the Ajijic streets, this is not NoB
with wide streets, but narrow cobblestone Mexican village streets, where one has to get past parked vehicles, some of them extending into your roadway. To me, it is very discouraging to see more and more gas-guzzling monster SUVs on the carretara, it used to be fun cars that got around the streets easily.

Yes, we're leaving, for many reasons. I love Ajijic in many ways and will miss so much. Yet, we also miss our many friends who have already left, or plan to - David, Teresa, Don and Pirata, Lorena and Carl, Rick and Dolly, Olga and Nori, etc. etc.

We hate the animal cruelty, the uncaring attitude of many Mexicans. The dogs in the houses on both sides of ours were killed by poisoned meat thrown over the high fence into the garden or garage area. This was done just for the fun of it, as neither ever barked or was a nuisance. One belonged to Norman Burton, our next door neighbor, who lost his next puppy to the bite of a large spider. We also miss Norman. And other friends in Ajijic who have passed on, including the ones who committed suicide. I have never lived anywhere else where people I knew killed themselves.

We miss our flying friends, many of whom we have seen once or twice a year in Europe on visits, when we weren't living there. We have seaplane friends of twenty years or more in Biscarrosse and in Cavalaire sur Mer. My husband would like to move to France ................. we'll see. And I miss having my own airplane, which I have always had since I was a kid. (Having one at Guad. Int. is impossible, timewise, securitywise, and financially.) I've been flying all over Mexico since 1970, spending lots of time here, and racing my own airplanes internationally, also.

The forums aren't fun anymore. I seconded a poster's notion that we should all buy most things locally - groceries, meat, seafood - and was immediately drawn, quartered and shredded by a person who called me names and doubted my sanity. A newbie Ajijic "expert" who has been here - gosh, it must be over a year now. No fun anymore.

And Linda, thanks for the courtesy of your personal reply, I enjoyed your humor, your kindness, and the thoughtfulness of your thinking.
Peggy

PeggyS

Oct 24, 2004, 11:32 PM

Post #16 of 18 (1792 views)

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Re: [PeggyS] Bringing Subaru to Mexico

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Internet Movie DataBase, actor Norman Burton
www.IMDB.com/Norman Burton

alex .

Oct 25, 2004, 9:16 AM

Post #17 of 18 (1749 views)

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Re: [PeggyS] the Jag

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Peggy, where have you been? Don't forget to mention that the lake is too shallow to land the seaplane, too bad, that could have been fun!
Ping my mail when you get a chance,
Alex

johanson

Oct 25, 2004, 1:58 PM

Post #18 of 18 (1717 views)

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Re: [PeggyS] Bringing Subaru to Mexico

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PeggyS. Sorry you are no longer with us. I always enjoyed our conversations, and sensed that you were not happy here. Too bad for all of us lakeside that you are leaving. (Or have left)