Buying a car in Panama, GURU style |
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| Written by Matt |
| Sunday, 15 January 2006 08:31 |
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The Panamanian culture is as most North Americans Car Crazy. Not only are they owned by a majority of the people they also take care of them as if they were a part of their kin. There are car wash and detail places on every corner, ok that is a bit of an exaggeration, but not by far. Your car can be detailed down to toothbrush clean under carriage with buffed windows and head lights.
Now don't think this means you can go to a used car dealer and get a good car. Even with all the luck you think you are bringing to the table you will NOT end up with a reliable car. The used car dealers in Panama are 99.9% Arabians. Now please I am NOT being prejudiced here, this is a fact. And they are not buying the BEST cars turning them over with a fair profit; you will end up with a pile of junk, punto. The Arabian motto: Buy cheap, sell cheap. Car runs as it drives off the lot, “see good carâ€. After that you are at your mechanics mercy, fortunately there are many mechanics in Panama. Please note the word GOOD was not used before the word mechanic.
So what is the Guru answer? Well,I say buy a new car. They are as cheap here as the states or cheaper and there are cars here which the Japanese ship to other countries that are not available in the states. Have you ever heard of a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado in the States? The Prado is Diesel, 4X4, a bit but not by much smaller that a Land Cruiser, and fully loaded? You get what you pay for here. Good price, Very good vehicle. I have one. Now about driving: Coming from Costa Rica in the beginning I was freaked out at how fast the drivers in Panama move around BUT the difference is; Every Costa Rican drives a different way, very aggressive and with no courtesy. When I'm in the central valley of Costa Rica where most of the cars are I see on the average of 2 fender benders a day. Yes you read correctly, two a day. In Panama I have seen 3 fender benders in 2 years. Panamanian drivers will let you in a line and they will let you cross streets when lines are blocks-long. Panamanian drivers are courteous, well maybe not quite as courteous as gringos but for me,living down here for 31 years,I find the Panamanian drivers a breath of fresh air after being in Costa Rica and playing dodge ball with the Tico drivers. Oh and not to forget, Panamanians give pedestrians the right of way. In Costa Rica the drivers have the right of way, you step off the curb in CR and you may have just taken your last. But I got off the subject here, the purchase of vehicles. When you purchase a new car in Panama the dealer does it all, paper work, helps get the car loan if you need it etc. etc... But if you do purchase a used car from a private person you have to make sure all the paper work is right. I know of one bloke who purchased a car from a private person one year ago and he still does not have the car in his name. Why? Because the original owner has yet to prove there are no leans on the car. This is a simple paper but someone has to do it. Get it, it has to be done, if not you can not register the car for the oncoming year with new yearly stickers showing you car is healthy for the road. Last but not least, NO do NOT bring your car from the states! The boat ride will take off 5 years with the salt spray from Mother Ocean. Hey that's a good name for a company Mother Ocean; oh I forgot I already started that company. Back to the story, it's just not worth it, I mean if you do have this bonding thing with your car that you can't bare to break away from and you have been its only mechanic from date of purchase (like it's birth date) then bring it over but don't complain to me when it starts to rust from within. Je je je je je and that's all folks. Guru Read more Panama Information here Real estate for sale in Panama Trackback(0)
Comments (5)
  written by Sujane , June 16, 2008 The www.Zibe.com aims to answer the basic question of it's users- How to buy a used car or new cars. All that users need is reviews and information from a trusted source. So it has compiled a list of certified cars scattered among state, counties and cities. Users can come down to the site and directly make research on different cars, compare their prices and select the best models. The search process is also simple- “Just enter the car make and zip code and you can get best car models of your localityâ€. For the utmost benefit of users this list is constantly upgraded and new models are regularly added. Presently the inventory of Zibe.com contains 175,000 listings and 2.4 million photos to make the buyer more demanding.
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 written by Ms. Jackson , May 28, 2009 I want a new car but if there is a used car that is in good condition and has all the paperwork together. It needs to be around $1000.
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 written by Investment Support , July 02, 2010 Things in Panama must be much different than ... day and install solar panels into your car roof you can travel forever without buying .It is really very good with those opinions..this article are very interesting.
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| Last Updated on Monday, 11 August 2008 22:24 |
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I promise I will do all required paper work properly
If anyone is interested my e-mail is alina@blaulogik.com
I hope you enjoy living in Panama, as a Panamanian I sure enjoy sharing this beautiful land with all of you.