I will be moving to Santo Domingo this summer. I had a previous post asking general questions and I appreciated all of the valuable feedback. I just found out today about the regulation that forbids any vehicle over 5 yrs old from being shipped into the Dominican Republic. It has definitely messed up my plans as the SUV I planned to take over is a 2003 model. My employer will pay to ship my vehicle and I will be in Santo Domingo for 4 years. I now plan on buying an SUV to ship over with the intention of selling it when I leave. My question is as follows:
1. What types of SUV's are popular? I am looking for something that is not too huge but that has capacity for seven when needed (jumpseats in the rear). Something along the lines of a Honda Pilot, Land Rover LR3, Ford Explorer, Chevy Trail Blazer, Toyota LandCruiser, Volvo XC90 etc. Does anyone know what sells? Is there a preference for U.S, Japanese, or European SUV's? Do the U.S., Japanese and European SUV's have the rights specs to operate and later be sold in the Dominican Republic?
2. Is there a market for used SUV's that are in good condition (4-6 yrs old) but have not been too beat up? I realize that the nature of Santo Domingo traffic/parking/driving will beat it up but we plan on doing whatever we can to keep it in good shape.
3. I have been told that I can probably sell whatever I buy in the U.S. at cost after using it for four years in the Dominican Republic. Is this true?
4. What is insurance like? Is it expensive? People I have spoken too say that no one has insurance. It this accurate or just plain wrong? I was not going to worry about full coverage with the 2003, but if I buy a 2006-2008, I want to make sure that I am covered in case of theft, accident, etc.
Thank you in advance for help.
TB
1. What types of SUV's are popular? I am looking for something that is not too huge but that has capacity for seven when needed (jumpseats in the rear). Something along the lines of a Honda Pilot, Land Rover LR3, Ford Explorer, Chevy Trail Blazer, Toyota LandCruiser, Volvo XC90 etc. Does anyone know what sells? Is there a preference for U.S, Japanese, or European SUV's? Do the U.S., Japanese and European SUV's have the rights specs to operate and later be sold in the Dominican Republic?
2. Is there a market for used SUV's that are in good condition (4-6 yrs old) but have not been too beat up? I realize that the nature of Santo Domingo traffic/parking/driving will beat it up but we plan on doing whatever we can to keep it in good shape.
3. I have been told that I can probably sell whatever I buy in the U.S. at cost after using it for four years in the Dominican Republic. Is this true?
4. What is insurance like? Is it expensive? People I have spoken too say that no one has insurance. It this accurate or just plain wrong? I was not going to worry about full coverage with the 2003, but if I buy a 2006-2008, I want to make sure that I am covered in case of theft, accident, etc.
Thank you in advance for help.
TB