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Simon

May 16, 2002, 3:25 PM

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Buying a car in LA or hiring / buying a car in Mazatlan

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Hi all
We are two Australian friends and are planning a low budget trip to Puerto Escondido,on the Pacific coast. We are in LA and are not sure whether to buy a car in LA. We have a return ticket to LA around mid july.
Our plan was to buy a car in LA and drive down to Mazatlan and way beyond via Nogales. At the end of the trip we thought we would sell the car for 1/3 of the LA price or even just leave it with a good family. We were thinking 2000 usd Ford Van purchase (incl registration)
200 usd for Mexican insurance and permit (we expect to be in Mex for 50 days)
However it seems that we have to pay a bond for the car to enter Mainland mex which is only refundable if we leave Mex with the car, which we won't be doing due to our air ticket out.How much if at all, will the bond be for a van that is a mid eighties model leaving LA? The other option is to fly to Mazatlan and hire a cheap car (not a big name rental such as Avis or Thrifty) or buy a car. Is there low budget older car rentals? How much would I be likely to pay for a mid eighties van and do they exist in Mazatlan?
As you can see we are unsure which path to choose!!
Cheers
Simon

Rolly

May 16, 2002, 7:10 PM

Post #2 of 3 (646 views)

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Buying a car in LA or hiring / buying a car in Mazatlan

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What you propose a serious violation of the law that may come back to haunt you if you ever want to come back to Mexico again. There is a much better way. Take the bus. Bus service in Mexico is excellent, far better than in the USA and most other countries. When you get to a stopping place, local taxies are quite cheap.<p>Leave the driving to the professionals while you enjoy the scenery. It is far better than doing it yourself, and cheaper.<p>If you just must buy a car, do it in Mexico. But it will still be a big expense compared to the bus/taxi plan.<p>Have a good trip.

Simon

May 17, 2002, 11:47 AM

Post #3 of 3 (648 views)

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Buying a car in LA or hiring / buying a car in Mazatlan

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: Thanks for the advise Rolly it seems that taxi fares are cheaper than renting if one plans on only staying in three key places being Mazatlan, Ixtapa and Puerto Escondido. We will then use the bus in between.
Cheers
Simon
Hi all
: We are two Australian friends and are planning a low budget trip to Puerto Escondido,on the Pacific coast. We are in LA and are not sure whether to buy a car in LA. We have a return ticket to LA around mid july.
: Our plan was to buy a car in LA and drive down to Mazatlan and way beyond via Nogales. At the end of the trip we thought we would sell the car for 1/3 of the LA price or even just leave it with a good family. We were thinking 2000 usd Ford Van purchase (incl registration)
: 200 usd for Mexican insurance and permit (we expect to be in Mex for 50 days)
: However it seems that we have to pay a bond for the car to enter Mainland mex which is only refundable if we leave Mex with the car, which we won't be doing due to our air ticket out.How much if at all, will the bond be for a van that is a mid eighties model leaving LA? The other option is to fly to Mazatlan and hire a cheap car (not a big name rental such as Avis or Thrifty) or buy a car. Is there low budget older car rentals? How much would I be likely to pay for a mid eighties van and do they exist in Mazatlan?
: As you can see we are unsure which path to choose!!
: Cheers
: Simon
: <p>