Job Discussion Forums

dixie · Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 644 Location: D.F

Okay...so being the nice Canadian that I am, I am helping my financial instution back home keep their doors open by giving them a monthly fee (I'm paying back my bank loan that I took out for university). But....I would really like a car (something small and inexpensive but that can go long distances).

What are the options in D.F? And what are the prices like?

(truth be told...number one reason I want one is so that Tequila and I can check out the country....and then so that I can work at school on my terms..not when the bus gets me there or my co-workers want to leave).

Any advice? Suggestions? Thanks!

...dixie

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Car rental is not cheap in Mexico City...you'll pay a minimum of 300 pesos per day. You're looking during the holiday period, so expect to pay double that.

You can check out the larger American agencies such as Avis, Budget, etc. There is one I use in DF called Casa Nova- rent. They've been pretty good about weekly deals, unlimited mileage, and overall quality, but I've never used them during peak season. They have a few locations around the city. Catch them at www.casanovarent.com.mx or call them t 01-800-CASANOVA.

I'm reading from their brochure...

Chevy 3 door, unlimited mileage, 299 pesos per day.
Dodge Status, unlimited mileage, 593 pesos per day.

and it goes up and up for higher-end cars and trucks.

Don't forget...road tolls and military checkpoints to deal with out there. Outside of Mexico City can be the badlands...

dixie · Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 644 Location: D.F

Sorry Guy...I meant I want to BUY a car! I know rentals aren't cheap which is why it's out of the question..I might as well just flush the money down the toliet!

I would like to buy something that's small and cheap but reliable enough to travel with. I want it for that and for getting to and from work. The rest of the time, Id likely use it as little as possible and take public transit!

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

No, that's my fault...I'd made an assumption based on the other thread.

Lots of places to buy cars for as low as a 7500 peso down payment, though as a foreigner, it might not be easily available to you. Small cars are fairly cheap, including the Chevy or VW bugs.

MELEE · Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2006 7:29 pm Post subject:

I highly recommend a VW bug. I had a great one I would have love to sell you if you had posted this 9 months ago!
You can get one in the mid 90s, in good condition for around 12,000 pesos. Lots of banks are doing finacing now, but I highly recommend you scrape together the cash. I have two coworkers who have bought cars in DF advertized in Segundo Mano, they were bought from used car dealers who have a warrenty and all the papers in order.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Melee, how do Vochos handle the ups and downs of the area you're in? I didn't think those little four-strokers were good for the mountains. Taking the bus back and forth DF - Acapulco, I used to pass the time counting the broken-down VW bugs by the side of the road near the steepest points.

dixie · Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 644 Location: D.F

Melee..that's my question too. Would a VW really handle travelling all over the Mexican countryside? Thanks for the heads up about Segundo Mano...will check it out!

..dixie

MELEE · Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 7:23 pm Post subject:

"Would a VW really handle travelling all over the Mexican countryside?"

Where is Moonraven when I need her!
Hell yes, a Bocho is about the best car going for ups and downs of mountainsides. I'm guessing that those people GUY saw were Chilangos without a wick of sense to them. City folk. Bochos have several advantages. 1) they are high clearance vehicles, almost as high as my curent car, a Ford Explorer. I never met a tope my bocho couldn't go straight across. 2) they are air cooled engines, no need to keep the radiator full to keep them from overheating in the desert sun. Any one with problems was pushing their baby too hard. Slow down, enjoy the view! 3) parts are widely available all over the country. 4) the engine is very simple, you can learn to do many repairs and simple maintainence yourself. I highly recommend John Muirh's "How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive" great book!
The Late Great Moonraven travelled all over Mexico in what we can only assume, was the greatest car ever built. Her 1963 VW Bug (German built) I took two round trips Oaxaca-Morelia, in my very over loaded 1993 VW bocho (Mexican built) I cried when I sold it. And I'm crying now remembering what a great car it was Crying or Very sad

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

dixie · Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 644 Location: D.F

hmmm...interesting! Never would have thought it was possible! What about trunk space? I've never seen in a VW trunk....does it hold much?

..dixie

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

A couple of my co-workers and a few other people I know drive VW Bugs. It seems the main problem they have is keeping the engine dry during the rainy season. Lots of Bug owners here cover the air vents with plastic garbage bags to prevent the engine from getting soaked.

MELEE · Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2006 7:37 pm Post subject:

MELEE · Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2006 7:53 pm Post subject:

Okay

I came into my office, only to find that the photo in question is no longer on my hard drive but rather on a CD, at home. Mad

As a Christmas gift to you all, here is a shot of my cuties snug in the back on a day trip from Morelia to Patzcuaro

But I do what to share the link to the book I recommend above. And correct that there is no h in the authors last name, it's Muir.
http://www.travelmatters.com/vw/index.html

J Sevigny · Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Posts: 161

You know, the "modern day bocho" is called a Nissan Tsuru and you can get one that used to be a taxi for a song. Almost anyone can fix them and they're more rugged than VWs.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

I took a rented Tsuru from DF to Acapulco and around some Guerrero countryside. It did okay...starts to violently shake above 120 kph though.