buying a car on the north coast

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Jim or Dana Murphy

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I hear that there is a car dealer across from Playa Dorado in Puerto Plata who sells cars purchased from rental companies, . . does anyone have info about this place? Might it be better to go to Mocha where there is a better selection, . . ?
What to look out for when purchasing here? i'VE HEARD SOME HORROR STORIES!
 
J D Sauser

J D Sauser

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I don't know the "dealer" you mention, but I can't recall anybody mentioning him lately.
One dealer in Moca however, has been mentioned quite a bit and mostly in positive terms.
You may also already be aware of the fact that rental cars HERE are not always in such a great shape as you would expect them to be in the States or Central Europe.

Take TIME, look around, check out, kick tires, keep your mind open and most of all, once you decide for a deal, do it BY THE BOOK, without letting yourself being talk into skipping any "annoying" steps and fees.


... J-D.
 
L

Lambada

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If you're not mechanically minded yourself it is worth paying a mechanic you trust a day's salary (or above) to go with you to give the vehicles a once over (or under) & to advise you on what is a reasonable purchase.

I don't know of a car dealer opposite Playa Dorada either.
 
Abuela

Abuela

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Jim & Dana,
Feel free to pm me for info on our mechanic who will go with you. Also use carfax to verify VIN and make sure your are not buying a Katrina car or otherwise salvaged.
Abuela
 
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tainojr

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Be very, very careful when buying a car in the Dominican Republic.
Regardless of the location, it is a very shady business, to say the least.
If you can afford it, consider bringing in one from the states.
of course, you will have to contend with the import duties bit.
You may ship a car from New Jersey, New York, Jacksonville, Fla or Miami, Fla, for around $950-1200. But, if you decide to go that route, first establish contact with someone in the DR that will be able to do the paperwork to get the car out of Customs (cost around $300) and, most importantly, will be knowledgeable enough to give you a good idea as to how much the Customs duties will be. If you decide to get a car from a dealer, then travel to Santo Domingo and look around for a used car being sold by a new car dealer.
 
B

b.batista

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tainojr said:
Be very, very careful when buying a car in the Dominican Republic.
Regardless of the location, it is a very shady business, to say the least.
If you can afford it, consider bringing in one from the states.
of course, you will have to contend with the import duties bit.
You may ship a car from New Jersey, New York, Jacksonville, Fla or Miami, Fla, for around $950-1200. But, if you decide to go that route, first establish contact with someone in the DR that will be able to do the paperwork to get the car out of Customs (cost around $300) and, most importantly, will be knowledgeable enough to give you a good idea as to how much the Customs duties will be. If you decide to get a car from a dealer, then travel to Santo Domingo and look around for a used car being sold by a new car dealer.
Click to expand...
That is the worst car buying advice I have ever heard.
 
A

AK74

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tainojr said:
Be very, very careful when buying a car in the Dominican Republic.
Regardless of the location, it is a very shady business, to say the least.
If you can afford it, consider bringing in one from the states.
of course, you will have to contend with the import duties bit.
You may ship a car from New Jersey, New York, Jacksonville, Fla or Miami, Fla, for around $950-1200. But, if you decide to go that route, first establish contact with someone in the DR that will be able to do the paperwork to get the car out of Customs (cost around $300) and, most importantly, will be knowledgeable enough to give you a good idea as to how much the Customs duties will be. If you decide to get a car from a dealer, then travel to Santo Domingo and look around for a used car being sold by a new car dealer.
Click to expand...

As a used car exporter with 10 years experience I`d dare say that it is the best all-round and honest advice. It works perfectly.
 
C

corsair74

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tainojr said:
Be very, very careful when buying a car in the Dominican Republic.
Regardless of the location, it is a very shady business, to say the least.
If you can afford it, consider bringing in one from the states.
of course, you will have to contend with the import duties bit.
You may ship a car from New Jersey, New York, Jacksonville, Fla or Miami, Fla, for around $950-1200. But, if you decide to go that route, first establish contact with someone in the DR that will be able to do the paperwork to get the car out of Customs (cost around $300) and, most importantly, will be knowledgeable enough to give you a good idea as to how much the Customs duties will be. If you decide to get a car from a dealer, then travel to Santo Domingo and look around for a used car being sold by a new car dealer.
Click to expand...

Wow. I hadn't heard that shipping a car (or anything else for that matter) is this easy or cheap.

I wonder why more people don't do it?:ermm:

I may be wrong, but doesn't a large portion of the cost of shipping a vehicle depend upon it's age and value?

Vince.
 
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AK74

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corsair74 said:
Wow. I hadn't heard that shipping a car (or anything else for that matter) is this easy or cheap.

I wonder why more people don't do it?:ermm:

I may be wrong, but doesn't a large portion of the cost of shipping a vehicle depend upon it's age and value?

Vince.
Click to expand...


$1100-$1300 is the normal going rate.

Maybe even cheaper now.

For instance shipping to Kotka (Finland) thanx to recession went down from $1250 to $950 recently. Price war. We love to see it.
 
B

b.batista

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do not be fooled

corsair74 said:
Wow. I hadn't heard that shipping a car (or anything else for that matter) is this easy or cheap.



I wonder why more people don't do it?



I may be wrong, but doesn't a large portion of the cost of shipping a vehicle depend upon it's age and value?



Vince.
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And taxes. Mucho impuestos.

You're a smart man Vince. Does Robert import his cars? Does Rocky? Does Hillbilly? There are always noobs who think they found the Holy Grail of good deals and tell us all how easy and inexpensive it is. If that were true then why do the experienced long time ex-pats buy here?
 
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AK74

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b.batista said:
And taxes. Mucho impuestos.

You're a smart man Vince. Does Robert import his cars? Does Rocky? Does Hillbilly? There are always noobs who think they found the Holy Grail of good deals and tell us all how easy and inexpensive it is. If that were true then why do the experienced long time ex-pats buy here?
Click to expand...


they have no dealer connections in the States to buy and ship for them.

connections and networks is everything.

without connections people buy in Moca.

those with connections buy in US and are happy.
 
B

b.batista

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another dreamer

AK74 said:
they have no dealer connections in the States to buy and ship for them.
Click to expand...
I laughed so hard I peed myself. We have seen noobs like you come and go and all think you have made amazing new discoveries with solutions and that everyone else is blind and stupid. You are part of the 90 % who will not survive the first three years and you will go home like a kicked puppy dog and blaming it all on our country. You are stuck with old communist USSR ideas and you can not let them go. Your only chance is to learn and adapt and stop talking and start listening. Learn from the elders and stop flapping those lips like the wings of a butterfly.
 
L

Lambada

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We have bought all of our vehicles here in DR for the last 16 years. Initially because we heard the horror stories (e.g. US$15,000 tax at Customs) and more recently because we were told when an expat mechanic who had really looked after his jeepeta was leaving the DR & needed cash.

Overall, I strenuously avoid putting myself in any position where I am open to getting the run around - just takes up too much time and is hassle. I don't have an 'in' to Customs although if I really needed one I know how I would work at it. But that's just it, too much 'work' and I prefer to spend my time doing the things I enjoy doing.

I'm somewhat amazed at the US$300 to get the car out of Customs. There was a US$15,000 one about 4 years ago (ok he was obnoxious & Customs made him pay for it :cheeky:). But let's ask people who have brought their cars in, how much they paid in taxes & then we'll get a broader picture.
 
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bachata

bachata

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Importing used cars from the US to the DR should be a good deal only for those people with mechanic skill who lives in the US and can wait for opportunities to buy salvage cars.

I?m seriously thinking about that?:cheeky:


JJ
 
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catcherintherye

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"they have no dealer connections in the States to buy and ship for them."

Not true. I would gladly ship any car down to those guys, any time they wanted one, and without renumeration.

Instead, I'm asking Rocky to help find a car for me in the DR.
 
A

AK74

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No salvage.

bachata said:
Importing used cars from the US to the DR should be a good deal only for those people with mechanic skill who lives in the US and can wait for opportunities to buy salvage cars.

I?m seriously thinking about that?:cheeky:


JJ
Click to expand...

No. Salvage was banned to DR five years ago.

The only reliable and safe way to buy in US - at professional wholesale auction network Manheim. Only licensed dealers can buy and sell there under strict quality and title regulations and control.


All other sources - ebay, private street sales, police auctions, public auctions, open bank auctions - lemons in hiding. Junk in other words.

Cuidado!
 
B

b.batista

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open your ears

AK74 said:
The only reliable and safe way to buy in US - at professional wholesale auction network Manheim. Only licensed dealers can buy and sell there under strict quality and title regulations and control.
Click to expand...
Amazing. Only licensed dealers. There can't be much more a couple of hundred thousand of those. Mainheim is good but you are doing the noob thing again, flapping your lips and not listening and not learning. The problem is not with the source it is with customs here. Many people have their own cars in US that they want to bring here but don't because of what Lambada has explained. Lambada is also one of the expat elders that you should listen to. Stop trying to show off and learn something or we will soon be waving goodbye to you at the airport.
 
A

AK74

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Lambada said:
I'm somewhat amazed at the US$300 to get the car out of Customs. There was a US$15,000 one about 4 years ago (ok he was obnoxious & Customs made him pay for it :cheeky:). But let's ask people who have brought their cars in, how much they paid in taxes & then we'll get a broader picture.
Click to expand...

Not to worry. A person called "customs broker" will do all the legwork and paperwork for you. And will quote you all customs expenses for any particular vehicle even before you place an order to buy.

His services normaly cost $300-$500. Some people do not know routine and instead of a pleasurable experience get into headache.

Any car shipping company has a customs broker`s contact information.

Good luck!
 
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B

b.batista

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AK74 said:
Not to worry. A person called "customs broker" will do all the legwork and paperwork for you. And will quote you all customs expenses for any particular vehicle even before you place an order to buy.



His services normaly cost $300-$500. Some people do not know routine and instead of a pleasurable experience get into headache.



Any car shipping company has a customs broker`s contact information.



Good luck!
Click to expand...
Thank you for showing us the error of our ways and the path to car buying salvation. It is so incredible that millions of people continue to buy cars here when you have the magic solution. When they hear how easy and inexpensive it is you are going to be a hero. Thank you thank you.
 
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