Buying a Car in Medellin

ColombiaBoard says on May 4, 2006, 20:32:

Mmm... Well, unless you pay in cash for a NEW CAR, don't buy used ones, .... just check a previous posting about the guy in Cartagena who's trying a simple savings account....

Why would you need a car if you don't even have a student visa or anything like that?

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tejasmarcos says on May 6, 2006, 08:08:

Reply to ColombiaBoard I want the car because taxis are becoming inconvenient and a possible security risk long term. My novia lives here and I will be spending atleast half the year here in Colombia at an apartment that I rent. We actually went looking at used cars the other day and you can get a decent deal on some of the models - so price is not a deal killer. However, without a cedulla, I cannot take title to my name. I was wondering what others experiences were like obtaining the cedula and if there were any efficiency strategies I could use?

trying to walk a straight line on sour mash and cheap wine...

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pachangero says on May 6, 2006, 09:07:

I would just rent a car or buy it in your girlfriends name.

Your status as tourist probably does not entitle you to a Cedula. For that you would either have to be working, investing, or retired with a fixed income.

There may be ways to do it with a third party and just keep the plates they they have, but again, it wouldn't really be in your name.

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morphus says on May 6, 2006, 11:01:

just put it in the girlfriends name. The great thing about Medellin is, if you buy a Daewoo or a Hyundai, people think you are rich. Its like having a Rolls Royce or a Mercedes in the U.S.

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caslug says on May 6, 2006, 11:03:

i believe Calipro wrote on this board.. how easy it was for him to get a business visa. Something about, all need was a letter fr a "corporation". So he started a INC under his name then apply for a business visa. With that he was able to get a cedula and bank acc't and everything else.

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robi666 says on May 6, 2006, 14:56:

Yes, Rolls Royce and Mercedes... If you buy a Daewoo or Hunday none will think that you're rich.
Medellin is full of big SUV.You can even spot Hummers and Cayennes. Most popular cars in Poblado: Toyota Prado and Nissan Patrol.
Yes, you'd better put it in your girlfriend name. I would not get in the process of obtaining a Visa and a Cedula just to buy a used inexpensive car. At least if you do not think your girlfriend will sell out the car the same day that you are leaving...

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

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morphus says on May 6, 2006, 15:19:

Yes, you're right! The big SUVs are a sign of wealth in Medellin. The new Ford Trailblazer is a big deal.

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Atrevido says on May 6, 2006, 16:29:

For a cheap used car look for a Renault Master in good condition. However when buying any used car in Colombia it is obligatory (to avoid a rip-off) to take it for a "peritaje". This is like taking a car to a triple A diagnostic center in the US. They will go over it with a fine tooth comb mechanicly and check it's legal history for about $120.000. One caveat: despite their so called integrity if you bring the car from a dealership, brought by your salesman of course they will secretly overlook things like bodywork that don't make the car a risk to drive.

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Atrevido says on May 6, 2006, 16:29:

For a cheap used car look for a Renault Master in good condition. However when buying any used car in Colombia it is obligatory (to avoid a rip-off) to take it for a "peritaje". This is like taking a car to a triple A diagnostic center in the US. They will go over it with a fine tooth comb mechanicly and check it's legal history for about $120.000. One caveat: despite their so called integrity if you bring the car from a dealership, brought by your salesman of course they will secretly overlook things like bodywork that don't make the car a risk to drive.

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morphus says on May 6, 2006, 18:58:

I like the renault4. You can get one cheap in Medellin.

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morphus says on May 6, 2006, 19:06:

It would be nice to take a drive around Parque Lleras in a Renault6.

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lpdiver says on May 7, 2006, 05:24:

I cannot imagine getting a taxi in Medellin to be inconvienent. I mainly stayed in Laureales and Poblando. I would think that it will be substantially more expensive to own a car rather than use public tranportation.

I wouldn't want to be have an accident either.

Good luck at any rate.

Tony

"cook some rice!"

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pedro says on May 7, 2006, 06:19:

No first hand experience but... You mentioned you want to buy it in your name. I think that's a very wise choice. Don't be tempted to buy it in someone else's name just for convenience. Circumstances can change, shit can happen, people can change.

Are you aware that Medellin has restrictions on when you can drive the car? Certain days of the week are OK, others are restricted, depending on your license number.

que nota!

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Gator says on May 7, 2006, 07:55:

Called "pico y placa" Restriction apply: ending 6/7 Monday,8/9 Tuesday,0/1 Wednesday, 2/3 Thursday, 5/6 Friday. Restrictions apply 6:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. and
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Can get confusing because some routes are exempt like La Avenida regional both sides, etc. etc. Basically designed to keep traffic out of the central city. The mountains on both sides hold the emissions in and it can get bad-but it has improved.

I personally think you will find it hard to buy a car without a cedula.



"SIC FRIATUR CRUSTUM DULCE. OBESA CANTAVIT."

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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tejasmarcos says on May 7, 2006, 13:19:

Great Feedback i definitely want the vehicle in my name as i plan on purchasing not exactly cheap. i was looking at a 97 land cruiser in great shape. it was priced fairly at 16k and i think it would have good resale value if i needed to sell it. i need room for the rest of the family on occassion. there are 8 of them in one house. very loving people. i will have any vehicle checked out before i buy and i am aware of the pico y placa. i will also look into the business visa as i own a texas based corporation. thanks to all and i will report back my findings.

trying to walk a straight line on sour mash and cheap wine...

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platano says on May 7, 2006, 13:28:

Don't do it... even if you can legally do it. (and I doubt you can without a cédula or NIT)

You are complicating your life... it's not just the US$16,000, it's putting your life at risk in traffic, it's insurance, it's registrations and licenses, it's parking lot fees, it's temptation for carjacking, it's temptation for kidnapping (I was kidnapped and forced into the back of my jeep in Medellin), it's a nightmare of hassles when a traffic accident occurs, it's a lot of things that picking up a phone and calling a taxi can avoid.

On the other hand there is so much beauty in the area surrounding Medellin, go ahead and buy that Toyota!plátano

plátano

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viewpoint says on May 8, 2006, 08:34:

I

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viewpoint says on May 8, 2006, 08:34:

I

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viewpoint says on May 8, 2006, 08:34:

I am glad I didn't know all these negatives seven (7) years ago when I bought my cars in MEDELLIN (three of them). I keep asking my girlfriend (whose family had never owned a car) why I didn't have to get new tabs for the car every year and they told me that the license plates were issued for the life of the cars and no renewal tabs where necessary. Three years later I found about about the yearly tax that is paid on each automobile and by then i had a big bill for the tax, the penalty and the interest.

The yearly tax on your Land Cruiser is pricey because it's got a 4.5 liter engine (the tax in part is based upon engine size). I have a 99 that I bought new in 99 and I think I pay about CP$875.000 per year tax (if I remember right). I only buy the government mandated insurance (liability only) that I buy from the gas station near my house that services my cars.

My advice if you can find it is to buy a diesel powered car or truck. I have a 2006 SKODA 4 door Octavia in Panama City with a manual 5 speed with a turbocharged diesel engine that gets fantastic mileage (only cost $15,000 new including tax & license). There is a dealer in Medellin for SKODA on Ave. Poblado but I am not sure if he imports diesel powered SKODA cars.

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robi666 says on May 8, 2006, 11:22:

In Medellin a used diesel car is almost impossible to find. Better a car with natural GAS system. And manual, of course. Cheap, old and big, so you do not care about having someone driving in your bumpers. I bought a '95 Bronco and mounted the biggest set of tyre I could. I keep it dirty and muddy. No me gusta dar boleta... Last month in Cartagena a guy drove into my rear. Well, sort of: he just put his nose under my rear... :-) No problem for me...

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

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