Recommended vehicle types/makes?

Recommended vehicle types/makes?

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What are the recommended types and makes of vehicles? Is it better to have an older model or buy a new one (they are so damned expensive tho!) before you move?

Any interesting stories? I know Blue started out with a low-slung job and later switched to an older model SUV.

In his book, Uncle Donnie mentions the companies that have dealers and suggests you might have problems with your Volvo.

I have an '03 Kia Sedona minivan that will be paid off in three years. It has a 100K warranty and my plan was to see where I was at when that expires.

I do love my van, but I imagine it would be lunacy to take it to Mx. Would it be OK (if I take several parts) to take it for a trip of a few weeks duration?

I didn't see many Toyotas or Hondas when I was there, but I understand that Nissan has dealerships. I believe Isuzu is in Guad also.

If you take in a new car that needs to be hooked up to a computer for diagnosis that pretty much rules out "Manuel" in the village, doesn't it?

If it breaks down and your dealer is in Guad, yer gonna have problems, right? And what about touring around Mexico?

The gal I stayed with solved her problem by buying a 30-year-old hippie VW bus. She said they can always fix those. This is someone who doesn't believe in paying more than $7,000 or 8,000 for a car!

My Kia is one of the cheaper minivans and that was $22,500!!!

Is it best to have an SUV of sorts for the higher clearance? With the high price of gas (it was $2.64/gal in July of '03), that is something to be taken into consideration. Of course, just toodling around Lakeside won't consume much, but I do hope to do some traveling.
Sandy Kramer
Miami, Fla & El Parque

raferguson

Sep 7, 2003, 8:43 AM

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Re: [sandykayak] Recommended vehicle types/makes?

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In my mind, the popular brands in Mexico are Volkswagen, Nissan, Ford, Chrysler, and GM. I may have omitted one or two. Several new brands have begun to appear, like BMW, but are relatively rare.

I do not think that an SUV or Pickup is necessary. To live in Mexico, I would probably go for a common model vehicle for sake of parts and repairs, maybe a VW Golf.

For short trips, I would not worry about it much, especially if it was a newer car, unlikely to fail. A Kia would be an orphan in Mexico, but Mexicans are pretty creative, and could probably fix or make a replacement part to get you home.

http://www.fergusonsculpture.com

Sep 7, 2003, 9:18 AM

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Re: [raferguson] Recommended vehicle types/makes?

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Another thing that you might think about is the teeny tiny narrow streets. I love my extra cab four wheel drive GMC pickup, but it gives me the horrors thinking about driving it in Ajijic.

Kip
kip

Rolly

Sep 7, 2003, 9:26 AM

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Re: [Kip] Recommended vehicle types/makes?

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Yep, Kip, I drove my king cab pickup in Ajijic, and it was not a good fit. Wider is not better. Even where I live where the streets are a bit wider and the land is flat, I still touch side mirrors from time to time.

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
On Facebook as Rolly Brook

jennifer rose

Sep 7, 2003, 6:29 PM

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Re: [sandykayak] Recommended vehicle types/makes?

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Two things:

* You’re not moving to Mexico until 2008, and a lot can change in the next five years. Fifteen years ago, we didn’t have Honda dealers.

* All of Mexico is not Ajijic. In fact, most of Mexico isn’t.

Local mechanics can fix up your car sufficiently to get you to the nearest specialty car dealer in D.F. or wherever the same may repose.

Look around you and take notice of the wide variety of motor vehicles on the road. We’re not much different in Mexico. There are Jaguars, BMWs, Chevrolets, crappy little Dodge cars, 3-ton pickup trucks, and minivans. Old hearses and Corvettes. What you drive depends upon your lifestyle and needs. The same set of wheels doesn’t fit everyone.

I have a Suburban and a Cadillac, and both have their purposes. But YMMV. I happen to think that there is no better vehicle made than a Suburban, and it’s the fifth I’ve driven in Mexico. But if you’ve got a tiny little cochera and are intimidated by a vast quantity of Silao steel, that may not be your cup of tea. I wouldn’t drive a VW or other German car if it was given to me, all taxes paid.

Marlene

Sep 7, 2003, 7:04 PM

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Re: [raferguson] Recommended vehicle types/makes?

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Exactly right. The parts are created if they can't obtain them. I used to fret about this ALOT too before moving here 3 years ago. I live in Mazatlan and have gotten over all that after seeing the wide array of all kinds of new vehicles here. Two years ago we bought a standard transmission, older model Ford Ranger which I HATE, because we live on a hill. Thus, I have finally made a decision to bring my faithful car from Canada, something I have been on the fence about all this time simply because of servicing and other minor concerns. Sady, (my little Mercedes), is worth more to me here than to sell up there because she isn't getting any younger. After watching the magic my husband's mechanics work on that Ranger for $200 pesos a visit (they just won't let it die DARN!), I have no doubt that my car will be in good hands or at least adequate! LOL So don't worry....

sandykayak

Sep 8, 2003, 5:59 AM

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Re: [jennifer rose] Recommended vehicle types/makes?

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Code

JR!!!!! A SUBURBAN!!???? wow...

yes, i know i have oodles of time and all things can happen, but i also pose certain questions because info that others haven't thought of can arise.

I'm still wondering how I'm going to fit what I want to do part of the time after I retire (drive around the US for a few months) and living somewhere that is a two day's drive from the border.

Right now I have a wee Jayco popup trailer and have read that that's not a good choice to take into mexico. My plan for extended travel and ease of setting up was an A-frame popup (Chalet or Aliner, for example). I've had a 95 VW EuroVan popup. I set a Coleman folding cot on some pieces of 4x4s to raise it, and can comfortably sleep in my minivan and still have an extra seat in the back and a living area to set up the TV/VCR.

Everything is a trade-off. But I'm a camper through and through, so I have to take that into consideration. That's one of the real downsides of moving to Mexico - the loss of freedom to just camp around the country (in campgrounds, of course)

I haven't bought any of the camping books yet (and there are several ones I haven't heard of in Uncle Donnie's new book) but am reading the People's Guide to Mexico and the thought came to me: boy, you really do need a husband to camp in MX.

I went online to check out where the KOA CGs were located, but the ones shown on the map don't come up on their Website. Maybe the number of campgrounds will have increased as well as the number and make of car dealers. :)
Sandy Kramer
Miami, Fla & El Parque

esperanza

Sep 8, 2003, 9:53 AM

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Re: [sandykayak] Recommended vehicle types/makes?

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There are zillions of Suburbans on the road in Mexico~it's an extremely popular choice. It's a little like wearing a muscle shirt to have a Suburban. Next most popular vehicle of that type is the Dodge Ram. I also see a lot of the Lincoln Navigator and the Cadillac Escalade. When it comes to SUVs down here, the bigger the better seems to be the rule.

In Guadalajara we have dealerships for just about any make car, including Saab and Volvo. The mechanic across the street from me was working on a hotsy-totsy (now there's an archaic term) year-old Saab convertible the other day. If he knows anything about a Saab I'll eat my hat, but there it was with the hood up. I said a prayer for the owner as I walked by.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

alex .

Sep 8, 2003, 2:34 PM

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Re: [esperanza] Oh no, another Saab story...

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I couldn't resist,
Alex

alex .

Sep 8, 2003, 2:36 PM

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Re: [Rolly] The Nissan Pathfindr does well

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kinda narrow for an SUV, does fine everywhere. I take that back, Taxco was a challenge in town.
Alex

jrice

Sep 9, 2003, 9:14 AM

Post #11 of 22 (1167 views)

Re: [sandykayak] Recommended vehicle types/makes?

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If you want an idea of the cars sold in Mexico, try this site from the newspaper Reforma:

http://comercial.reforma.com/autosnuevos/

Brands include: Alfa Romeo (rare), Audi (moderately rare), BMW (mod. rare), Cadillac (mod. rare, but many dealers), Chevrolet (common), Chrysler (common), Ferrari (rare), Ford (common), Honda (increasingly common). Jaguar (rare-mod. rare), Jeep (common - listed under Chrysler), Land Rover (mod rare), Lincoln (mod. rare, lots of dealers), Maserati (rare), Mercedes Benz (moderately rare outside large cities), MG (rare), Mini (mod. rare), Mitsubishi (still mod rare - new), Nissan (and Infinity)(common), Peugeot (increasingly common), Pontiac (somewhat common), Porsche (rare), Renault (increasingly common), Rover (rare), SAAB (moderately rare), SEAT (increasingly common), Smart (mod rare), Toyota (increasingly common), VW (common), Volvo (moderately rare outside large cities). Chrysler also sells some Hyndai models and Chevrolet some Suzuki (Geo tracker, for example).

Having a commonly available car helps your chances of recovering quickly from a breakdown. Folks here have justly praised the inventiveness of local mechanics, but I don't think I'd want to live here long-term with a Kia. Just because a car is available doesn't mean it can be quickly fixed: my old Cherokee required a vent-window (or where the vent used to be) shipped from Texas because none was available in Mexico (even though the glass was MADE here). Cherokees are pretty common here. Sometimes models here vary from seemingly similar ones in US (VW and Nissan were once notorious for this).

I would take ground clearance into account if you get off of the expressways at all: topes can be killers.

sandykayak

Sep 9, 2003, 9:50 AM

Post #12 of 22 (1154 views)

Re: [jrice] Recommended vehicle types/makes?

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thanks for that URL and list of vehicles... also, i've been thinking that Nissan Pathfinder or whatever they may come up with in a couple of years might be something to look at.
Sandy Kramer
Miami, Fla & El Parque

beckidid

Sep 9, 2003, 9:57 AM

Post #13 of 22 (1152 views)

Re: [sandykayak] Recommended vehicle types/makes?

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Our ETA is in 18 months. By that time we will have our Ford F150 Supercrew (double cab) paid for. Our other vehicle is a completely restored (paid for) 1977 Chevy Blazer, 2 wheel drive. Which to bring down? I love the Ford for comfort and hauling. However the ol' Blaze has been around and is extremely reliable and is the old type.........no electronic ignition and all the other fancy stuff. Easy to work on by almost any mechanic. Any opinions would be entertained by this family.

Thanks,

Becki

Sep 9, 2003, 11:23 AM

Post #14 of 22 (1135 views)

Re: [beckidid] Recommended vehicle types/makes?

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I have a '62 Porsche 356B S90 Coupe (rare even in the States) and a '97 Jeep Grand Cherokee with under 40K miles on the clock. I'll bet you all can guess which car I'll leave here to drive during visits home and which I'll bring with me to Ajijic when I move later this fall.

Actually, I've noticed several Grand Cherokees in the Lakeside area during my several visits over the past few years, and it seems to me it would make an ideal Mexico vehicle, especially since, living in Ajijic, I wouldn't drive it all that much anyway. But it's great for road trips (or off-road trips) and there's plenty of room inside for passengers or whatever goods I may need to haul from place to place. Plus - BIG advantage - it's paid for. :-) The downside is gas mileage, especially with the price of gas in Mexico. But it's getting so that gas prices in the USA are rapidly catching up with Mexico, so what with driving it less SOTB, overall operating costs should be about a push.

Anyway, that's my plan, for what it's worth.
____________________________________________________________
"There was only one catch and that was Catch-22 . . . ." - Joseph Heller

Sep 9, 2003, 11:52 AM

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Re: [Gary Anderson] Recommended vehicle types/makes?

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I never really thought about it but if we take the big rig because of ground clearance, 4 wheel drive etc. Ajijic is so walkable you could always park outside of the charming little streets and walk. I do mean charming. Anyone who hasn't been here (whoops, Fruedian slip! My backside's in Mississippi but my heart's in Ajijic!) yet, are going to be enchanted by the beautiful multicolored flowering vines trailing over the walls and the gorgeous masses of lavender/blue? of the Jacaranda trees. I have them imprinted on my brain and it's an uplifting treat to call them up. But..If you're going to try to negotiate these narrow streets in a large vehicle you probably won't be able to get much of a view with the stress of trying to negotiate your way through. Just the viewpoint of someone who doesn't live there yet, but is totally smitten.

Kip
kip

Sep 9, 2003, 12:52 PM

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Re: [Kip] Recommended vehicle types/makes?

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Kip -

As someone said earlier in the thread, the type of vehicle best suited for life in Ajijic, or anywhere else, depends entirely on one's individual needs and lifestyle. Plus, choice of a vehicle always involves at least a little bit of emotion.

You're entirely correct when you point out that a big pickup would be a chore to negotiate around those narrow streets and high curbs in Ajijic. That's one reason why I'll keep my Grand Cherokee and bring it with me when I move - it's smaller than a Surburban, thus more maneuverable, and I like the idea of having a 4X4 just in case I ever want to get off the beaten track. But I won't be hauling any hay bales or pulling any horse trailers, either. And, since I will live in the village, I'll walk most everywhere anyway, except for road trips and shopping. Better for enjoying the ambience, as you point out, and healthier, too.

Being a car guy, I've paid attention to what people drive wherever I've gone. The types of vehicles I've noticed most around Ajijic are smaller - lots of VWs, Nissans, Toyotas, etc. I've seen some big boats, too - Caddies, Lincolns, etc., and always wonder how their drivers manage to get anywhere. Different strokes. I've also been thinking a little lately that a mid-sized motorcycle would be a handy way to get around.
____________________________________________________________
"There was only one catch and that was Catch-22 . . . ." - Joseph Heller

Sep 9, 2003, 1:04 PM

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Re: [Gary Anderson] Recommended vehicle types/makes?

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I'm not sure about in the lakeside area, but when I was in Arizona and was going to ride my little honda over the border, I stopped at a motorcycle shop to get the strap on my helmut fixed (they fixed it for a song, literally!) In any case the guys working ther were all Meixcan and begged me not to cross the border. They told me that they didn't even ride on the Southern side. Now it might be different in other places.

Kip
kip

Sep 9, 2003, 1:11 PM

Post #18 of 22 (1112 views)

Re: [Kip] Recommended vehicle types/makes?

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I suspect that would be true around the border towns. However, I know two or three people in Ajijic (guys, naturally) who have motorcycles or scooters, and they all ride them around wherever they please with no problems that I'm aware of.
____________________________________________________________
"There was only one catch and that was Catch-22 . . . ." - Joseph Heller

Sep 9, 2003, 1:14 PM

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Re: [Gary Anderson] Recommended vehicle types/makes?

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Velllly interesting. My husband will be very pleased.

Kip
kip

El Gringo Nuevo

Sep 9, 2003, 4:18 PM

Post #20 of 22 (1084 views)

Re: [Kip] Recommended vehicle types/makes?

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Me too, Kip, since I'm going down next month and a buddy has one ready for me. By the way Gary, I live in Vancouver and would be happy store your Porche while you're gone. 'Course I might want to drive it now and then to keep the battery charged, etc. Ha.

Sep 9, 2003, 11:11 PM

Post #21 of 22 (1056 views)

Re: [El Grengo Nuevo] Recommended vehicle types/makes?

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Hi, Bob -

Yes, I looked at your profile when you wrote the post about being in view of Mt. St. Helens. We are indeed practically neighbors.

I would be tempted to take you up on your offer to store the 356, but my daughter lives in Vancouver and says she will store it for me. Since she will eventually end up with it anyway, I figure she may as well get used to having it around. But you never know, things don't always work out as we'd like, so I may be in touch with you about that. :-)
____________________________________________________________
"There was only one catch and that was Catch-22 . . . ." - Joseph Heller

Sep 9, 2003, 11:25 PM

Post #22 of 22 (1053 views)