BEST new car to buy in the Dominican Republic?

Lobo Tropical

Silver
Aug 21, 2010
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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.

Here is a reliable dealer on the North Coast Puerto Plata.
Nissan, Chevrolet, Suzuki, Infinity.

 

Lobo Tropical

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Aug 21, 2010
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NALs

Economist by Profession
Jan 20, 2003
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NDC on Núñez de Cáceres in SD also gives service to Suzuki; (Nissan and Chevrolet.) The service side is on the Deschamps Street, but I'm not sure if they service all Suzuki's or only those sold through them. They sell new cars there and down the street near the McDonald's is another dealership with a similar name, also owned by them, and there they sell used cars and from other brands (Peugeot, Maserati, SUZUKI; whatever.) They don't have a website, but can check them out on FB.

 
Last edited:
Jan 9, 2004
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Here is a reliable dealer on the North Coast Puerto Plata.
Nissan, Chevrolet, Suzuki, Infinity.

Reliable........maybe...........authorized NO.

There is only one Authorized Suzuki automobile dealer in the DR...........Santo Domingo Motors.

LASA Motors is the only authorized marine engine and motorcycle dealer for the DR.

The rest put up the logo (happens all over the island) and often have loose distribution/show agreements from Santo Domingo Motors.............but they are NOT an authorized dealer.

Respectfully,
Playacaribe2
 

NALs

Economist by Profession
Jan 20, 2003
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Nope, at least NDC is an authorized dealer of Santo Domingo Motors. They are only allowed to sell new cars from three brands they carry and give service to vehicles of those three brands (Nissan, Chevrolet, and Suzuki.) Through there used car division they sell other brands as long that the vehicle had a previous owner, but they can't give service to any vehicle outside the three brands already mentioned. The agreement they have with SDM allows them to offer the same guarantee (SDM is the only importer of those brands as new vehicles, but they sren't the only official distributors. That's why you can buy their brands new in seversl other dealerships.)

If that's the case with them, it probably is the case with others such as the slready mentioned Apolo in Puerto Plata, etc. If Apolo is the one I think, it does have a stand alone Nissan sign (or it was there last time I drove by it.) It's virtually impossible to get one of those without an egreement with SDM, since they are the only ones that produce that.

If you buy a vehicle directly from SDM, of course they will mention their garage as the service center of your car, you bought it there. They service al, the brands they carry from Chevrolet to Infinity and including Suzuki.
 
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USA DOC

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Feb 20, 2016
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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
My advise on a new car or jeepeta is........anything with a Toyota emblem..........
 
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