Buying a new car...

[Golfer]

Seems like a no brainer

With all the potential issues with altered cars and titles in the DR why not just buy new in Miami? Make sure you buy a model with 65% US parts and the vehicle qualifies for DR-CAFTA tax treatment. Thats an added 33%. A new $21,000 Honda CRV would have $7,000 in import taxes making the cost $28,000. Additionaly, you pay no sales tax or licensing in the States on a vehicle designated for export. $700 in shipping costs and you've got yourself a certified brand new jepetta with the color and features you want for under $29,000. You may as well pay the thieves $7,000 up front, at least you know it's your total cost. BTW, you can handle the whole transaction by phone and wire transfers from the comfort of your home.

 

[Robert]

With all the potential issues with altered cars and titles in the DR why not just buy new in Miami? Make sure you buy a model with 65% US parts and the vehicle qualifies for DR-CAFTA tax treatment. Thats an added 33%. A new $21,000 Honda CRV would have $7,000 in import taxes making the cost $28,000. Additionaly, you pay no sales tax or licensing in the States on a vehicle designated for export. $700 in shipping costs and you've got yourself a certified brand new jepetta with the color and features you want for under $29,000. You may as well pay the thieves $7,000 up front, at least you know it's your total cost. BTW, you can handle the whole transaction by phone and wire transfers from the comfort of your home.

The only downside is the warranty, you don't have any here.

 

[PeteyPablo]

Yes agreed, please do so share the tricksies :bandit: I will chime in with some that I know of as well:


Rolling back the vehicles mileage (used car dealers are the worst perpetrators of this one)

Using a thick oil (sometimes gear oil), to silence a noisy engine that has excessive engine wear/damage

Disconnecting (or just outright cutting!) the check engine light so it stays permanently off

 

[Golfer]

The only downside is the warranty, you don't have any here.

Good observation. 100,000 mile warranties are becoming the norm with most models in the US and they are sure comforting. You're rolling the dice by voiding the warranty by exporting but on the other hand manufacturers are issuing these generous warranties because vehicles are becoming increasingly reliable. Having said that, if you get stuck with a lemon it will be extra bitter.

 

[suarezn]

Car repair is so cheap in The DR that it doesn't really matter that much if the miles have been rolled back (It is already expected that they are), etc. Forget Carfax Just pay a mechanic to go inspect the car with you so that no really major issues exist (Engine block or tranny) those are about the only really expensive items to replace.

Anyone who buys new is just throwing away money IMO.

 

[Rep Dom]

Ok for paying a mechanic to inspect the car... But how can we be sure he'll be reliable...

 

[karlheinz]

here's a tip - look for a Toyota Hilux Surf for sale. These are Japanese market Toyota 4Runners that have been imported and switched to left hand drive. I have a 2001, 3.0L Turbo Diesel - bought locally for RD$300,000 two years ago. No problems besides changing the battery. I've seen a few more on the roads and for sale - you might find a deal on one of these since most people don't have any idea about this particular model.

Karlheinz

 

[southwardbound2]

Details

he just did

i wanted more details and specifics of what to look out fo.......rhow can we know if its new or not if we don't know that?

 

[Robert]

Car repair is so cheap in The DR that it doesn't really matter that much if the miles have been rolled back (It is already expected that they are), etc. Forget Carfax Just pay a mechanic to go inspect the car with you so that no really major issues exist (Engine block or tranny) those are about the only really expensive items to replace.

Anyone who buys new is just throwing away money IMO.

The mechanics are the easy part, just about anything can be fixed here.

But...

What about those vehicles that are made up from 2-3 others?
I lost count at the amount of vehicles I looked at that either had obvious cosmetic work or the Carfax report clearly stated they had been in an accident, junk etc. Add to this the flooded vehicles, lots and lots in the market right now. Peel back the carpets, look at the seat rails, you'll be surprised!

 

[Robert]

i wanted more details and specifics of what to look out fo.......rhow can we know if its new or not if we don't know that?

The biggest shock was the new cars that are not new, this is the reason the insurance company wants an inspection.

They import very late model vehicles from Asia (Japan/Korea etc) that have been refurbished or get refurbished here.
Change out the instrument panels if they cannot be easily clocked, pressure and steam wash the engine, interior. Add some plastic to the seats and exterior and you have a new looking vehicles that will not show up on any CarFax report as it's an Asian import.

What to look for:

The #1 piece of advice is don't become emotionally attached, it's just metal and plastic, another one will come along.

- Paint overspray from cosmetic work. Seals, liners, wheel arches etc.
- Missing fixtures, especially roof liner, sound damping clips.
- Rusty seat rails, floor fixtures for flooding.
- Mix of new and old looking parts.
- Check the fluids. Feel, touch and smell the oil.
- Ask to see all the documentation, matricula, service history etc.
- Take down the VIN and CarFax it. Only works on cars imported from the USA.

If in doubt, walk away...

 

[southwardbound2]

Just a thought.....don't jump on me for my ignorance......but would there be any advantage in buying a vehicle, either new or used, in Puerto Rico and bring over on the ferry?

 

[Robert]

Just a thought.....don't jump on me for my ignorance......but would there be any advantage in buying a vehicle, either new or used, in Puerto Rico and bring over on the ferry?

Nope. It's the same as importing from the USA. Actually worse, as now you're the customs agent trying to clear and register it.

 

[pelaut]

1. buy only Japanese cars made in Japan for the American market.
2. get all the history you can from the VIN, even locations of previous owners (rural? city? commuter? rental?).
3. buy only freshly imported, never roaded in the DR.
4. source your own used parts (C. Bermudez in SG) when you need them.

 

[southwardbound2]

The biggest shock was the new cars that are not new, this is the reason the insurance company wants an inspection.

They import very late model vehicles from Asia (Japan/Korea etc) that have been refurbished or get refurbished here.
Change out the instrument panels if they cannot be easily clocked, pressure and steam wash the engine, interior. Add some plastic to the seats and exterior and you have a new looking vehicles that will not show up on any CarFax report as it's an Asian import.

What to look for:

The #1 piece of advice is don't become emotionally attached, it's just metal and plastic, another one will come along.

- Paint overspray from cosmetic work. Seals, liners, wheel arches etc.
- Missing fixtures, especially roof liner, sound damping clips.
- Rusty seat rails, floor fixtures for flooding.
- Mix of new and old looking parts.
- Check the fluids. Feel, touch and smell the oil.
- Ask to see all the documentation, matricula, service history etc.
- Take down the VIN and CarFax it. Only works on cars imported from the USA.

If in doubt, walk away...

These counterfeit new cars......are they being sold by authorized dealerships? Seems like a dealership would be safe as they would not want to jeopardize that relationship and are the ones offering a manufacturer's warranty.

 

[Robert]

These counterfeit new cars......are they being sold by authorized dealerships? Seems like a dealership would be safe as they would not want to jeopardize that relationship and are the ones offering a manufacturer's warranty.

Nope. The DR has hundreds of informal importers.

 

[southwardbound2]

Nope. The DR has hundreds of informal importers.

So safest thing is to buy from authorized dealership. Good to know. Probably also the most expensive, of course.

 

[PeteyPablo]

1. buy only Japanese cars made in Japan for the American market.
2. get all the history you can from the VIN, even locations of previous owners (rural? city? commuter? rental?).
3. buy only freshly imported, never roaded in the DR.
4. source your own used parts (C. Bermudez in SG) when you need them.

Pelaut, you mentioned getting parts from (C. Bermudez in SG)...Can you offer more details?

 

[windeguy]

DR Tail-Light Guarantee

Are there lemon laws in DR? Just curious.

Generally you will get a tail-light guarantee here in the DR. Once the tail-lights are not visible from the establishment where you bought the car, your warranty is over.

Sorry to here that junkers are now allowed to be imported again. Not good. CarFax it.

 

[pelaut]

PeteyPablo: In Santiago, Calle Jacinto Bermudez off Av. 27 Febrero has a mile of warehouses with heaps of used parts. Start at 27 Feb and work your way up to the fleamarket at the top of the road, going only into those that advertise your make.

Each building on the street has multiple floors of parts by the boatload out of Mexican chop shops. Follow the kid they send into the stacks to get your part. Pick the shiny ones which probably had been in a JC Penney parking lot last month. Also, every wreck in the DR is scavanged to its screws, parts are sorted by make, model, year. Some warehouses specialize in A/C, others in motors, others in trim, shocks, you name it. The part will cost 25%-50% of the new price, if you can get a new part.

Small stuff, like a mirror, etc., the shop's kid often will install for free right there. Medium jobs like shocks, windows, etc., can be done by the curbside "specialists" in the park across from the Palacio de Justicia ? for example, the door guy advertises himself with a car door leaning against the tree he works under.

I put in a new (used) 4x4 Suzuki transmission from Japan Motors for only $350 including labor by my mechanic.

Don't know about Santo Domingo, but for sure the same deal is there, just be careful of which barrio.

 

[southwardbound2]

PeteyPablo: In Santiago, Calle Jacinto Bermudez off Av. 27 Febrero has a mile of warehouses with heaps of used parts. Start at 27 Feb and work your way up to the fleamarket at the top of the road, going only into those that advertise your make.

Each building on the street has multiple floors of parts by the boatload out of Mexican chop shops. Follow the kid they send into the stacks to get your part. Pick the shiny ones which probably had been in a JC Penney parking lot last month. Also, every wreck in the DR is scavanged to its screws, parts are sorted by make, model, year. Some warehouses specialize in A/C, others in motors, others in trim, shocks, you name it. The part will cost 25%-50% of the new price, if you can get a new part.

Small stuff, like a mirror, etc., the shop's kid often will install for free right there. Medium jobs like shocks, windows, etc., can be done by the curbside "specialists" in the park across from the Palacio de Justicia ? for example, the door guy advertises himself with a car door leaning against the tree he works under.

I put in a new (used) 4x4 Suzuki transmission from Japan Motors for only $350 including labor by my mechanic.

Don't know about Santo Domingo, but for sure the same deal is there, just be careful of which barrio.

Are makes other than Japanese also available at all in these places?