Used cars and sightseeing

Hi there.
Since my boyfriend and I are moving to the DR in July of this year, and will be needing a car. We are interested in knowing if anybody could help us out in regards to prices of used cars. We are not looking for anything fancy, just some old beat up truck of some sort. What are the standard prices, what should we expect to pay?
Also we are planning to fly into in Santo Domingo, and then drive up to the north coast towards the Puerto Plata area. Are there any sights that we simply cannot miss on our journy, must see places?? We have no problem driving a little out of the way, if there are amazing sights not to be missed.
Thanks for your help
Lennie and Pernille

Now one day and nobody is answering!

To get a used car, which is still reliable you will have to pay arround RD$ 50000 to 90000 (USD 2980 to 5700)! You should buy a imported car rather than a local one, as many times local cars have been fixed by local mecanics under the logo = as cheap as possible!

Driving from the Capital north you may want to look at Constanza and Jarabacoa on top of the hill, very nice outlooks too! In La Vega you may can see the site of La Vega vieja with its ruins! Santiago is also a nice town to stop and look at! Going from Santiago to Puerto Plata try the scenic or touristic drive over the mountains (cordillera) and see the amber mines on top of it!

Look at Puerto Plata too!

Have a nice trip!

Henry

Hi Lennie,
So where on the north coast are you moving? I think that you will find "beaters" (by north american standards) expensive here. Unless you have the cash up-front to buy a car...forget it! Loans are offered at 26-28% interest and don't forget you need your 20% down. I am hearing alot about taking over payments on a realitively new car. I am not too sure on this, but if you find someone-through the local newspapers- and they can not make their payments for whatever reason, they will advertise for someone to take over their payments. OF COURSE you won't want to do this without the assistance of a laywer for all of that legal mumbo-jumbo...but...it can work out to be to your benefit. I have heard that if a person can not make their payments that they don't just loose their car, but much more.

Hey Thanks alot.
Its so cool that that you and other peabul care and help others. NICE ONE.
We dont know where we are going YET, but I want (need) good diving and nice peabul (sorry I have no ider how to spell that one, Im from Denmark!).
Regarding the car, then we just need some old junk there can take us around for a year, and then, if we still like it there, THEN we get something fanzy.
Thanks alot for your help.
If you can help us about info. about moving to DR. then PLEASE write to us (E-Mail.) Then I might take you out for a beer or two, rely soon.
THANKS.
Lennie (& Pernille)