Pardon me
TiberiusMineola said:
I suggest that you consider buying a 1, 2 3 year old Sienna. New cars, esp. from the 'authorized' dealers, are outrageously expensive here. Suggestions: 1. check the Listin classifieds every day; somebody always has to sell a 1 - 3 year old car for some reason. 2. Find a large bank & find out how many cars it has repossessed in the last 6 months. Leave your name & the hint of a bribe. 3. There are 2, I think, on line, DR used & new car services. 4. I've found that Santo Domingo & Santiago are the best places to buy used cars. 5. Try, really insist, on a diesel engine; usually readily available on most models; low maintenance & vastly superior fuel economy. Gas is expensive in the DR. Good hunting!
For disagreeing a bit here.
I personally have found that Moca, La Vega and Santiago have better deals on cars than Santo Domingo. Who knows why? But that has been my observation.
Then there's the "new car vs used car" aspect.
If you can afford a new car, that's the way to go.
You're not inheriting anybody's problems.
If you can't afford new, then there are lots of deals available, of course, but there's nothing like having a full guarantee and the reliability of a new vehicle.
Finally "gas vs diesel".
I hate slow poke vehicles and most diesels are. When you are driving accross the mountains and get stuck behind a slow truck and your mushamatic diesel does not have the accelaration to safely pass the vehicle ahead of you before the next curve, then there you stay, chewing up his fumes, blind as a bat from the giant vehicle ahead, frustrated, watching your blood pressure climb, and finally, pulling out and taking a chance with your life by passing somewhere where you shouldn't and risking a head on collision.
I didn't move to this country to get stressed out and having a slow poke car takes all the fun out of driving.
Contrary to what was written above, gas is not expensive in the DR. It is close to the same price as in the US and half the price as most places in Europe.
We pay approx. 95 pesos per gallon for regular gas here, which is equivalent to approx. $2 US.
If you are considering how long the vehicle's motor will last you, then maybe the diesel engine will last longer, but then again, it's a Toyota and a gas engine is usually good for 300,000 plus miles. So if you think you that's not enough, then maybe a diesel is a better choice. Otherwise, you may as well enjoy the 300,000 miles in a gas powered vehicle, driving around enjoying our country's beautiful scenery rather than staring at a truck's bumper.