How to purchase a new car?

Scott says on Mar 8, 2007, 09:11:

How about putting it on your credit card? Visa or Mastercard.

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tim hickman7 says on Mar 8, 2007, 09:28:

Re Visa Thanks - definitely worth looking into

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expatriate says on Mar 8, 2007, 13:46:

I actually paid cash for my 2006 Mazda Demio. 32,000,000 COP. It took several weeks of going to the ATM, using our already setup bank accounts that didn't charge ATM fees.

One week I brought in half the dough, and then paid in full and drove away the next week.

It was a bit creepy though, for a new car, that we had to return to the dealer to get the speedometer/odometer cable hooked up. I wonder how many miles were really on it, but after 16000 Km. now, it still looks and drives like new. No problems so far.

If you are young, skilled, and intelligent, you might want to seriously consider leaving the US now, while you still can.

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fortyoz says on Mar 8, 2007, 14:02:

re: odometer Laugh, same thing happened when I bought my Taxi last week.. turns out they disconnect the odometer in the port city of Buenaventura where they buy the cars fresh off the barges and drive them to Medellin/Bogota and sell them as 0km .. dumbasses forget to hookup the odometer again before selling it.

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coffee beaner says on Mar 8, 2007, 14:55:

expatriate that pretty cheap for a Mazda in Colombia, especially a 2006 model. I am also thinking of going to the ATM and withdrawing money to buy a car when I move down... my question is what bank do you use to not get charged fees at the ATM in Colombia??? Is it a bank in Colombia or an American bank ???

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Brian858 says on Mar 8, 2007, 15:13:

Citibank 1% fee for withdrawl

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coffee beaner says on Mar 8, 2007, 16:01:

so citibank in the States is the same as in Colombia? I've been wondering this

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Lisa Zee says on Mar 8, 2007, 18:01:

Yes citibank is the same We open an accaunt here in L.A. before we went to Medellin, we used it there with no problems.

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poco says on Mar 8, 2007, 18:03:

Free Credit Cards My experience indicates a small "Hit" on the exchange rate. I'd say maybe 1 or 2 dollars for a 300,000 peso transaction. Still a good deal and the "fees" on my other credit cards really pissed me off. I hated seeing a 1 to 5 dollar transaction fee.

Someone posted a list of these cards last year. Do a search, lots of information.

You should be able to charge the car on your credit card BUT the dealer will "add" his transaction fee to the final price. Unless of course you are paying tooo much anyway. Then they'll do it for "free". Yep,, Colombia is getting more and more like the U.S. everyday.

Yes, lots of trips to ATM's is the best way to get money and having four debit cards from different banks helps. Trusting souls can have a Colombian put the money in a bank. Ha, they still have the 4 peso per 1000 tax. Another way the "TAX MAN" get money. You'd think they wouldn't need to get it from "Mom and Pops".

Wire transfers, buying cars, owning property will ALL put you on the "Radar".

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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expatriate says on Mar 9, 2007, 12:44:

Coffee Beaner The no ATM fee and free checking accounts are with Affinity Bank in Ventura, CA, and National Interbank in Indianapolis. Both accounts can be opened by mail.

If you are young, skilled, and intelligent, you might want to seriously consider leaving the US now, while you still can.

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