So how do you decide on which car to buy?

[The Virginian]

You might think this should be in the clown bin, but here is what my wife and I discovered while searching for a used car here in the Dominican Republic.

CAR Odometer Actual
2002 Toyota RAV4 L 79,671 109,132
2002 Toyota Highlander 90,435 147,931
2002 Xterra 74,300 154,139
2003 Honda CRV 53,707 131,347
2003 Toyota RAV4 L 43,576 80,335
2003 Honda CRV EX 57,897 85,113
2003 Honda CRV EX 55,482 149,188

To answer my own question, I guess you need to find a mechanic you know and trust to check out the vehicle from top to bottom.

[The Virginian]

Sorry, look like my spacng was removed. The first value is the Odometer reading and the second value is the actual milage as supplied by CARFAX.

[cobraboy]

Originally Posted by The Virginian

Sorry, look like my spacng was removed. The first value is the Odometer reading and the second value is the actual milage as supplied by CARFAX.

I'm not surprised. I've been told by several Car guys that EVERY car imported has the odo turned back. At least with CarFax you can find out what the actual mileage might be., and if the car is a problem child.

Take it to a GOOD mechanic, one with training (not OJT), pay him 1000 pesos, and get a solid opinion for YOU, not the seller. Nothing at all wrong with a well-maintained car with a few miles on it.

I just went through the buying process, settled on a 2001 4WD X-Terra in fine shape with 130,000 actual on it.

[leekiv]

Originally Posted by The Virginian

Sorry, look like my spacng was removed. The first value is the Odometer reading and the second value is the actual milage as supplied by CARFAX.

cause I was thinking..........Damn over 90 B in travel!! I would have said "if u believe that then I have got some............. Thanks for clearing that up as V I have respected u and ur posts but if u believed that then ............WoWzer man. Maybe u want some property on the moon that I have rights too. lol

Best of luck to you. From what I have heard if you are in the area talk to Rocky as I have heard has some pretty solid people he deals with.

[AK74]

So smart that you invested $30US in Carfax! Congrats!

AMOF trying to find a used car in DR without rolled back mileage and hidden serious accident/salvage history and not abused by low skilled Dominican mechanics ,bad roads and bad gasoline is practically impossible. Cars like this exist of course in the country but owners will never sell them. Or if sell they are bought by relatives or friends.

If you really want a proven safe vehicle your only viable option is to find a licensed used car dealer/exporter in USA who will agree to buy for you at a dealers-only wholesale auction "Manheim" in North-East Region of USA and ship.

A better, cheaper and safer way to get a good vehicle in DR - does not exist period.

Sorry for disappointment!

Originally Posted by The Virginian

You might think this should be in the clown bin, but here is what my wife and I discovered while searching for a used car here in the Dominican Republic.

CAR Odometer Actual
2002 Toyota RAV4 L 79,671 109,132
2002 Toyota Highlander 90,435 147,931
2002 Xterra 74,300 154,139
2003 Honda CRV 53,707 131,347
2003 Toyota RAV4 L 43,576 80,335
2003 Honda CRV EX 57,897 85,113
2003 Honda CRV EX 55,482 149,188

To answer my own question, I guess you need to find a mechanic you know and trust to check out the vehicle from top to bottom.

[CFA123]

I bought a 2001 Honda CR-V. Odometer, 79k. CarFax, 98k when it was imported 2 years earlier. I found a 20k-40k discrepancy on every vehicle I checked on Carfax. The U.S. accident history & knowing where the car originated was important to me as well. I didn't want cars from the northeast due to harsh winters and rust problems. I'll let the sea salt do the job for me.

6 months into it now with zero problems. It may break down tomorrow, but everything on it works, no rattles, runs great, doesn't burn oil. I'm hoping it lasts for years.

[leehall]

Buying the car is part of the fun... Wait until you have to maintain it and need to distinguish between a 'new part' and a 'new part for your car'

[mountainfrog]

Almost all used cars imported from the US have had their odometers tampered with and the auction sticker is removed.
The odometer usually reads between 75 and 85,000 miles....

In La Vega I saw ONE dealer only whose cars had still US-customs (?) stickers with a credible mileage on them.

m'frog

[mountainfrog]

Sorry, double post.

[AK74]

Originally Posted by mountainfrog

Almost all used cars imported from the US have had their odometers tampered with and the auction sticker is removed.
The odometer usually reads between 75 and 85,000 miles....

In La Vega I saw ONE dealer only whose cars had still US-customs (?) stickers with a credible mileage on them.

m'frog

When you have a licensed USA dealer who buys for you directly from a DEALERS-ONLY (closed to public) auction , you will receive with the car the US Title and auction papers where true mileage and accident history is stated. In this case you know exactly what you bought.

When you buy from a Dominican used car dealer in Moca he already destroyed all the papers and evidence and you have only his word of honesty.

I would never buy a vehicle in the Dominican second-hand market. Safety and reliability of your car means difference between life and death for yourself, your family, your children. Not the thing to try to save 75 bucks or a trip or two to the port in Santo Domingo.

Too much at stake to afford to be lazy, trustfull and careless.