Job Discussion Forums

MELEE · Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 3:33 pm Post subject:

Ben,

I read Ms. Rose's whole article and after talking extensively about "rentistas" (non-working) FM-3s, under the heading of Do you want to work in Mexico? or something like that she says the quote above. She never says anything about Anual work FM-3s the kind most English teachers (I remember that one of the reasons you decided to go for the FM-2 because you were on six month contracts, and there for six month FM-3s)

The problem with this forum or any other information about Mexico, is that Mexico resists being pinned down.

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

Gringo Greg · Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2004 6:03 am Post subject:

Yeah, sure hope it doesn't happen to you, Moonraven.....

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

It won't, Gringo. The Migra tried to hire me 3 years ago. The folks in Toluca were sick of being shouted at by Gringos who couldn't speak any Spanish. I didn't want to be shouted at by Gringos either....

Gringo Greg · Posted: Sun Jun 27, 2004 8:49 am Post subject:

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

I never worry, gringie boy.

scott wilhelm · Joined: 09 Feb 2004 Posts: 63 Location: st louis, mo

When I said my car was old, I didn't mean super old. Even though it has 105,000 miles on it, it actually is only 5 years old. It is a 4-door 1999 Ford Contour. Ford called it a mid-size when I bought it. I would call it a larger than most compact. While I don't love the car, I like it well enough that I would like to keep driving it until it falls apart or starts costing a ton to maintain. Can you guys think of any legal way of registering the car in Mexico ? Just in case it is relevant, I plan to obtain a proper work permit and won't work for a school that wouldn't require one. And, if I do make my move to Mexico, I will be doing it with the intention of it being a permanent one (and I hope a fun one).
Thanks for your help.

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

Scott--I see no way that you can register a 5 year old car in Mexico. If it were a pick-up, you might have a chance of having someone from the CNC register it as a farm vehicle, but in this case you're going to have to pay for the car permission every 6 months. The good news is that it can be taken care of now through Internet--you don't have to drive the car back across the border.

chula · Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2004 9:00 pm Post subject:

Do tell...where on the internet would I find that?

scott wilhelm · Joined: 09 Feb 2004 Posts: 63 Location: st louis, mo

From what Moonraven says, it looks like I may have to be content renting a car for those weekend whitewater paddling trips. Thanks for the info.

MixtecaMike · Joined: 19 Nov 2003 Posts: 643 Location: Guatebad

Not that I would ever recommend flouting the law, but there are thousands of "chocolates" (cars with US plates) circulating in Mexico. Depending where you live you may find you never get stopped, and if you are you can probably come to an "arrangement" with the officer involved.

The worst they could do would be confiscate your vehicle, if you are planning on driving it into the ground anyway this may be worth the risk to you.

Hell, to me a 5-year-old car is almost new. Confused

Bet you can tell I'm not from the states. Crying or Very sad

I would not suggest this if you are going to be in the DF, the cops there can spot a possible mordida from 500 meters away. They really give meaning to the nasty word "pigs."

scott wilhelm · Joined: 09 Feb 2004 Posts: 63 Location: st louis, mo

Mike,
I have to admit to wanting to avoid all potentially adversarial dealings with police officers. Thanks for the suggestion though.

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

Scott,

I have never had an international driver's license, and in 1992 and 1993 when I was doing research in Mexico but still living in the US, I rented VW Beetles on a number of occasions in Acapulco, Mexico City and Guadalajara from Hertz and the other major chains. At that time an American Express Gold card allowed one to rent cars and not pay the insurance amount--Amex stood the liability. That reduced the cost of the rental, which was very helpful, as renting a car here is an expensive proposition--no unlimited mileage deals, for example. Frequently the supposedly "new" cars are not in good condition--several times I had to have repairs done--which meant turning in repair bills at the end of the trip and fighting with the rental car jokers to be reimbursed.

If I were you, I'd go ahead and bring my car and drive it into the ground. When it finally dies, just pretend you don't know whose it is....

scott wilhelm · Joined: 09 Feb 2004 Posts: 63 Location: st louis, mo

Tim and Moonraven,
Thanks for the replies. I probably will get that international license.