Purchasing a new car in mexico?

[jesm]

Would appreciate learning what would be involved, paperwork and cost wise, for an American in Mexico on a tourist visa to purchase and keep long term a new car here in Mexico. Thinking of an entry-level, basic but new VW or Nissan. Is a Mexican drivers license required? I had heard that annual registration and plates might be more costly for a non-national? Muchisimo gracias. Would it be easier or less expensive if one has your FM3, or whatever it is now correctly called?

[doncoulter]

I can only answer one or two of your questions, jesm, so I hope others will chime in.

First, I'm quite sure that it's not true that registration and plates are more expensive for foreigners. I bought my Mexican-plated Honda back in 2007, while I was still on an FM2, and the costs didn't change much after I became a citizen.

Second, I think you do need a Mexican driver's license. I'm not 100 percent sure, but in any case it's not hard to get one.

That's about all I know, or almost-know, about the car-buying process here.

It is, of course, more expensive to buy and maintain a Mexican-plated car than a U.S.-plated one. The initial purchase price is generally higher, and you have to pay the refrendo fee every year (which isn't much, just 390p this year for my aging Fit). But with those higher costs come a couple of advantages.

First, you can drive your Mexican car into the States with no problem (unlike Mexico, the U.S. doesn't demand an import permit), and you return back into Mexico with zero hassle as well. No more of that temporary-car-permit nonsense.

An even greater advantage, in my opinion, is not sticking out like a sore pulgar. That is, with Mexican plates you're less likely to draw the attention of corrupt cops and other bad guys. And all the better if, as you say, you buy something like a basic VW or Nissan. You'll blend right in.

If you go ahead and buy a car here, I hope you'll let us know how everything went. I'm sure others could profit from your experience.

Don

[DML]

I have a friend selling their car (w/ Mexican plates). here is the info:

Jeep Liberty 2005
3 owners, including us
Guanajuato license plates
79,000 km
4x2WD
V-6
power windows
fabric seats
automatic transmission
2 tires replaced within last 8 months, others in good condition
$99,000 MXN (possible to do transaction in dollars via US banks, too)

Contact: Perry (473) 101-3924