So how do you decide on which car to buy?

[AK74]

Originally Posted by playacaribe2

for the heads up on your recent/ongoing experience regarding bringing in vehicles older than 5 years.

I too have brought vehicles into the country and, like many other posters, believed the law regarding the age of those vehicles was limited to 5 years. That having been said, I know of people, in the past, bringing in vehicles older than that.....And I have also read, in the recent past, on the DR1 news I believe, that many vehicles were also turned away from the ports because of the 5 year law. It is little wonder then that people are confused and perhaps even a little insistent on their respective positions given the past history of selective enforcement .

Indeed, in this thread there are posters who have carfaxed and found vehicles with so called "Salvage" "Reconstructed" titles. At least that is what I believe they were getting at. This is also allegedly in violation of Ley 671-02 (I believe that is the correct number).

But, my limited recent research has corroborated your experience in bringing in 2001 vehicles. To back up your experience, Aduana is now quoting taxes on 2001-2002 vehicles, but nothing older. This seems to indicate that the law may have been modified. A follow-up call to Aduana is certainly in order and I will attempt to get an answer this coming week.

Again, thanks for the heads up.


Respectfully,
Playacaribe2

Correct. As of October 2005 vehicles with salvage titles are not allowed to DR any longer. Had to unload three vehicles from the ship once because of this. Horrible experience!!

[AK74]

Originally Posted by cobraboy

I couldn't disagree more about your assessment of mileage. 25 years ago a car was "dead" at 100,000 miles. No longer for MOST models.

I have ALWAYS bought cars new and drove them for at least 200-250,000 miles before moving on. 150,000 miles is nothing on a well maintained vehicle. And YES, you can EASILY dtermine if a car has been well maintained, if you know cars.

I grew up in the US car biz, my dad was a life-long Ford & Chevy dealer.

I truly respect your father, your opinion and appreciate you sharing with us a very valuable information on possibility to bring in seven years`, but still I need to gently disagree regarding "25 years ago and now".

Well, trying no to sound rude I`d say that people who really live from their cars - taxi, limo and carservice drivers with 20-30 or more years experience believe that indeed 25 years ago cars were built purposefully and considerably more solid and reliable than now.

Modern cars are more comfortable, no questions. But those older cars were built to serve forever. Sheet metal, frame, engines - everything. And only later car makers (especially American) discovered that it is not in their interest if people drive a same car for thirty - forty years.

And especially Ford. You could ask your father why the legendary 5.0L engine was discontinued (older Town Car) ? Because it was prohibitevely genious and reliable, going easily well into 500 000 miles and more and more. Limo drivers were happy with that engine. But was Ford? Guess not.

My first American car well over 20 years ago was Plymouth Duster that I bought for $65 US and that did not even have driver`s floor and I had to put a board not to touch the ground with my feet. But everything worked like Rolex! Including ice-cold AC, monster engine and undestructable suspension. My first American ticket I got in Long Island for speeding at 95MPH.

It is shame that our young generation is deprived of opportunity to touch and appreciate those really quality built products of yesteryear and has to drive the modern disposable stuff programmed to die in seven-eight years after first 100KM.

[bob saunders]

I currently drive a 1993 Mercedes Benz 400E with 270,000 miles on it. Other than regular maintenance in the 13 years that I've owned I've replaced the Rad and air cond, that's it. My Dad put 450,000 miles on a 1984 Datsun pickup. Unless you get a lemon it is all in how you drive it and how to maintain it. Even a newish NA Car should be good for 200,000 miles.

[cobraboy]

Originally Posted by bob saunders

I currently drive a 1993 Mercedes Benz 400E with 270,000 miles on it. Other than regular maintenance in the 13 years that I've owned I've replaced the Rad and air cond, that's it. My Dad put 450,000 miles on a 1984 Datsun pickup. Unless you get a lemon it is all in how you drive it and how to maintain it. Even a newish NA Car should be good for 200,000 miles.

At LEAST 200,000, depending on what the car is. I wouldn't expect an econobox to last that (remember the Vega's and Pinto's?). But I would expect more rugged platforms to do so. The key is proper maintenance.

But, opinions vary.

[DRob]

Originally Posted by cobraboy

At LEAST 200,000, depending on what the car is. I wouldn't expect an econobox to last that (remember the Vega's and Pinto's?). But I would expect more rugged platforms to do so. The key is proper maintenance.

But, opinions vary.

Maintenance is everything. I've got a 2001 year old BMW 5-series I bought used in '04. Has 117k miles on it. Other than the usual maintenance items (tires, battery, oil changes), I've only needed to replace the alternator and thermostat.

I'd submit that today's NA cars are more well built than their 70s and 80s predecessors, because they had to compete with the better built Japanese and German models which could-and still can-easily go 200k miles or more.

And that V-8 engines in mid-priced passenger cars (like the Town Car) cost too much at the modern-day fuel pump to be practical, especially when V-6's put out as much power while using less gas.

But if you don't mind making two trips a week to refuel a 20 gallon tank, then good for you....

[playacaribe2]

A follow-up call to Aduana is certainly in order and I will attempt to get an answer this coming week.


Respectfully,
Playacaribe2[/quote]




dominican style.

I tried to call Aduana several times today. Seems they must have one phone line as it is always busy. So no luck there.

Put a call into the shipper who does this sort of thing all day everyday (Dominican) and the response was...we are not aware of a law change, but you can bring in an older (over 5 years) vehicle(s), if you pay an additional 40% duty. My question, which was never answered precisely, was 40% of what? When I pressed further it was explained that this phantom 40% is a moving target, always changing w/out any rhyme or reason as to how calculated and certainly not indicated on their website.

For now then, to avoid unnecessary and costly surprises, I will continue to stick to the 5 year rule.

Wonder how cobraboy made out today with his 2001?


Respectfully,
Playacaribe2

[cobraboy]

Originally Posted by playacaribe2

Wonder how cobraboy made out today with his 2001?


Respectfully,
Playacaribe2

Aduanas has said diddly about the 2001. Their concern is the private label 3500w generator I bought at Harbor Freight for $330. They want to know the "series". I said "Chicago Electric", like the box says.

RE: additional 40% for a 5+ yr. vehicle: could be true. The "additional" duty is around $950 for the van, I'm told. No problem, no concern at all. We bought the van for business purposes, not pleasure, so our financial model takes that into consideration. The van is a tool that is simply unavailable in the DR. Compared to the $30,000 puny 4cyl diesel vans we had to choose from in the DR that would NOT get the job done, the extra $$$ is more than worth it, and we're still $10,000 under the DR option.. We want V-8 power (the venerable 351W) pulling a 14'x7' trailer up those steep mountain grades.

[baby_g]

i'm looking to by a chery qq3 due to the great fuel efficiency and low prices, but does have an idea on part availability and maintenance cost?
thanks