BEST new car to buy in the Dominican Republic?

[2020]

If the thought of buying a used car in the DR keeps you up at night, you might want to consider a new 2022 Suzuki Jimny. It comes in 2 models. We got the GLX which has the brighter headlamps, Android Auto and more.

The Jimny looks like a Mercedes Benz G-wagon - ha ha!

All the ones imported to the Dominican Republic are automatic, but it's still a blast to drive. It sits up high like a Jeep, with great visibility, and has adequate storage for a couple. Excellent stability especially driving over some of the crap*y roads we encounter in the DR.

check it out here: Suzuki Jimny

IMO, it's a wiser choice than buying a sedan with low ground clearance.

5 year warranty. The bad part? Only 1 authorized Suzuki new car dealer and it's in Santo Domingo.
There's a 6 - 12-month waitlist in Australia! We waited about 2 months over here.

Cost with "matricula" was just under $27,000.

 

[melphis]

They are great and quite reliable little SUV's. They only downside is getting parts as they get older. In my experience here if the vehicle is not sold in the North American market (US & Can) it can get difficult getting parts in a few years.

 

[johne]

If the thought of buying a used car in the DR keeps you up at night, you might want to consider a new 2022 Suzuki Jimny. It comes in 2 models. We got the GLX which has the brighter headlamps, Android Auto and more.

The Jimny looks like a Mercedes Benz G-wagon - ha ha!

All the ones imported to the Dominican Republic are automatic, but it's still a blast to drive. It sits up high like a Jeep, with great visibility, and has adequate storage for a couple. Excellent stability especially driving over some of the crap*y roads we encounter in the DR.

check it out here: Suzuki Jimny

IMO, it's a wiser choice than buying a sedan with low ground clearance.

5 year warranty. The bad part? Only 1 authorized Suzuki new car dealer and it's in Santo Domingo.
There's a 6 - 12-month waitlist in Australia! We waited about 2 months over here.

Cost with "matricula" was just under $27,000.

Does the SD dealer have/getting them?

 

[johne]

They are great and quite reliable little SUV's. They only downside is getting parts as they get older. In my experience here if the vehicle is not sold in the North American market (US & Can) it can get difficult getting parts in a few years.

So, for the money , what would you go with?

 

[melphis]

So, for the money , what would you go with?

I would not rule out the Suzuki. It's a very well built reliable vehicle. If I was planning to keep it till the wheels fell off I might look at other brands. If I was going to keep it for 5 to 7 years or so I would definitely consider it.

There are lots of good vehicles to choose from. My Dominican car was never offered in North America and I have struggled get parts here. It makes one quite creative but when you are used to just running to the auto parts store or dealer it becomes frustrating. I have had a Suzuki SUV in Canada and I loved it. It was great until my ex wanted to see what it looked like upside down.

Bang for your buck I would buy one if I needed a small SUV.

 

[aarhus]

What about a Toyota Corolla Hybrid 2022. Is that recommendable ? I know next to nothing about cars. Used to have a Rav 4

 

[playacaribe2]

I would not rule out the Suzuki. It's a very well built reliable vehicle. If I was planning to keep it till the wheels fell off I might look at other brands. If I was going to keep it for 5 to 7 years or so I would definitely consider it.

There are lots of good vehicles to choose from. My Dominican car was never offered in North America and I have struggled get parts here. It makes one quite creative but when you are used to just running to the auto parts store or dealer it becomes frustrating. I have had a Suzuki SUV in Canada and I loved it. It was great until my ex wanted to see what it looked like upside down.

Bang for your buck I would buy one if I needed a small SUV.

And therein lies the problem with the Jimny...........and its older protege the Samurai (long discontinued)..........they tend to roll over with hard steering and abrupt accident avoidance maneuvers. That and it is terribly under powered with 1.5 litre engine.

The Grand Vitara is much more stable.......but I am not a fan of Suzuki vehicles.

That having been said, it does have lots of admirers.

But as has been suggested, if you buy it new............only one dealer in SD to do warranty service and recalls.................of which there are numerous for the new model year (air bags, fuel pump, transmission leaks, wiring harness, etc.).


Respectfully,
Playacaribe2

 

[JD Jones]

I've seen a few Jimmy's for sale on social media. As a matter of fact, there are 4-5 on FB marketplace now. I may be wrong but I think people buy them and a few weeks later have buyers remorse and want to get rid of them.

I sure like the way they look though. They remind me of a G-wagon as well.

 

[bob saunders]

I have a new 2020 Subaru Forester and I am quite pleased with most aspects of it. High clearance, good power, but not great power, decent gas mileage. It has no blind spots and it is very comfortable.

 

[aarhus]

What about a Toyota Corolla Hybrid 2022. Is that recommendable ? I know next to nothing about cars. Used to have a Rav 4

I looked into this now. Seems I am 10 years behind on prices. Ridiculous price for a middle sized car.

 

[2020]

Does the SD dealer have/getting them?

When we finally picked ours up at Santo Domingo Motors, they had a sharp-looking black one in the showroom and a dark green one on a display module in front of the dealership. Not sure if they were spoken for. Black and dark Green shows dirt easily.

If you are interested, just call the dealer to be placed on the waitlist with a $1000.00 deposit. Give them your favorite color choices.

We opted for the only non-metallic paint color that's being offered: White. Yeah, it's a boring color. But if we get a ding/dent, non-metallic paints are much easier to match. Plus white doesn't show the dirt as much,

I failed to mention, the car is equipped with standard 4-Wheel Drive. So if your tires start spinning in the sand, just use it, and off you go. We got in some heavy sand on Playa Rincon in Samana and it was a useful feature to have. Can't imagine what its like getting stuck in a remote location when the sun is going down...

 

[JD Jones]

If I were to buy one the first thing I'd do is buy some 1/2" or 1" spacers for all 4 corners.

 

[aarhus]

If I were to buy one the first thing I'd do is buy some 1/2" or 1" spacers for all 4 corners.

You mean protection ? I forgot with the Rav 4 many years ago but got it later

 

[JD Jones]

You mean protection ? I forgot with the Rav 4 many years ago but got it later

No, wheel spacers. They go between the wheel and the drum to slightly widen the stance which gives additional stability.

 

[aarhus]

No, wheel spacers. They go between the wheel and the drum to slightly widen the stance which gives additional stability.

Ok

 

[playacaribe2]

I have a new 2020 Subaru Forester and I am quite pleased with most aspects of it. High clearance, good power, but not great power, decent gas mileage. It has no blind spots and it is very comfortable.

And that year Forester by any measure is a top choice........even above Toyota Rav 4.

More horsepower delivery from the Rav 4, but other than that the Subaru is a better all around choice,

Good call.


Respectfully,
Playacaribe2

 

[bob saunders]

And that year Forester by any measure is a top choice........even above Toyota Rav 4.

More horsepower delivery from the Rav 4, but other than that the Subaru is a better all around choice,

Good call.


Respectfully,
Playacaribe2

I have a 2007 RAV4 in Canada that I just gifted to my son, since he has been driving it for the past 4 years. Well over 200,000 miles on it. I took one of the new ones out for a test drive and it just didn't feel right to me, and the Honda CRV has a nice interior but the exterior style sucks, for me. I kept my 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe as my work vehicle.

 

[playacaribe2]

I have a 2007 RAV4 in Canada that I just gifted to my son, since he has been driving it for the past 4 years. Well over 200,000 miles on it. I took one of the new ones out for a test drive and it just didn't feel right to me, and the Honda CRV has a nice interior but the exterior style sucks, for me. I kept my 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe as my work vehicle.

And fourteen years from now.................you will probably be saying the same thing about the Subaru. Just change that oil regularly and use synthetic. Hot climates are hard on engines.

Respectfully,
Playacaribe2

 

[XTraveller]

And fourteen years from now.................you will probably be saying the same thing about the Subaru. Just change that oil regularly and use synthetic. Hot climates are hard on engines.

Respectfully,
Playacaribe2

The Subaru boxer engine will last forever, like playcaribe says change oil use synthetic. Had a old model sedan longtime ago keep it for 20 years or more no major mechanic trouble after over 250000km just stop going on highway......timing belt broke....towed to dealer no problem just change belt no engine trouble......very good engine just like the VW Beatles. Of course no acceleration. Very slow pick up so if you are not racing to get to you destination no problem. Here in DR I would not buy because of lack of good mechanic and parts.

Here in DR if you have the $$ Toyota is best and I think if your budget is restricted than next best would be Hyundai.

I would love to get a Subaru here but like I mention scare for parts and maintenance.....

 

[jollyroger]

What are your recommendations for an suv/jeep type of vehicle bought brand new and priced under 30k. Parts and maintenance must be obtainable on the north coast