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Selling a car in Panama

Hi,

My wife and I are planning on driving a 4x4 down to Panama and possibly on to SA.

I've been through CA before by public transport and had a blast, but we're both surfers and we wanted to scope out some nice breaks off the beaten track, if we can. Hence the 4x4.

We had a few basic questions that I hope you knowledgeable guys & girls may be able to answer:

1. Main q. is can we sell our car in Panama? We haven't bought it yet, but we were planning on spending about $8,000 on something reliable and comfortable and that we reckon will have value in Panama. Something like a 4runner or maybe even a Ford Explorer (any suggestions?)
2. On the above q. do we have to deal with any dodgy tax crap? Are we likely to see much of our money back (My mate did this and he said he used to make money selling the cars he had bought in the USA.
3. Any suggestions on what sort of vehicle we should get (bearing in mind the $8k budget?
4. Getting from Panama -- Ecuador with the car. Is it doable?
5. Ditto Panama -- Colombia?
6. Anyone know anything about selling a car in Colombia/Ecuador/Chile/Peru?

Anyone who has anything to contribute on any of the above, I really appreciate your input.

Should be a fun trip

Cheers,

Will

By Will.Carless on Jan 2, 2006, 23:02 in Friendly Talkzone.

Ric says on Jan 3, 2006, 01:24:

selling pickup in Panama No problem selling a good 4x4 Toyota or Nessan pickup in Panama. Any Nessan or Toyota product is your best option. No large U.S. vehicles however. You will need your title and registration to crosss the borders of central america. I live in Panama.

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bobbyb says on Jan 3, 2006, 04:49:

Jeep jeep If you bring a nice, pretty Jeep you can sell it to some rich gringo for double your cost. Gas is cheap there, about the same as the US and Panama is a rich country. There are not many around because they’re a classic and it may take you longer to sell. I brought a 99 Jeep Grand Cherokee, paid 8k and was offered 20k. If you bring a Toyota or Nissan you’ll sell it quicker but the profit will be lower. They’re all over the place especially the Mitsuibishi, Montero. I’d take the Jeep any day over all the others.
You could store your vehicle and get it when you return. The savings from the hassles of shipping may offset the costs of renting a storage facility. Then when you get to SA you could buy something else, do your thing and then sell it when you head back to Panama.
If you ship your Jeep check out this page http://www.projectallende.org/archives/2004_06.html#000038#more
Don’t pay too much attention to the comments made about Colombia.
When you travel with a vehicle the thing to remember is the documentation. It travels on its’ own visa and can’t overstay his visit either.

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Will.Carless says on Jan 3, 2006, 10:51:

Jeep Hey Ric,

I would love to hear what you think about Jeeps.

BobbyB think they're a good idea. As a Panamanian, I was hoping you could give some insight. Is it true that I could make money on a Jeep?

Any suggestions on what Nissan/Toyota would be good?

Also, I have heard that tax is a big issue, and that one can end up shelling out half of the proceeds of a sale on tax -- Do you know anything about this?

You can also email me at will_carless at yahoo.com

Thanks for your help

Cheers

Will

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arthur brode (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jan 3, 2006, 10:53:

RIC AND BOBBYB isnt there an import tax when you bring in a vehicle from the states to panama or colombia??

http://www.calirentals.net/

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bobbyb says on Jan 3, 2006, 16:18:

sorry guys I don't know nothing about taxes but stick with the jeep

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