Toyota or bust in Costa Rica. The Rav4, Fortuner, Hilux are all solid. Even the Corolla, Corolla Cross, and Yaris can get around really well with great gas milage, but not so great off road. With the road conditions and mountains in CR you want a car the can take a beating in the suspension and the transmission. Toyota is the brand that puts the odds in your favor. Other brands have weak transmission, weak suspension, cheap brakes, and the cars fall apart. The best rental cars in CR are Toyotas. The cars to buy are Toyotas. Their parts are available and quite repairable.
I agree. I understand from a capability standpoint, you may not need a 4WD. However, I have to believe the suspension, etc. is a little more durable and able to handle the road conditions.
Great advice. I bought a vehicle in San Jose using a recommended car broker. I didn't think or didn't make time to run a carfax but did have a mechanic check out the vehicle. Everything seemed fine until the pre DEKRA inspection last month, where it was found my chasis is rusted out. It may or may not be repairable (replacing the chasis). So have your mechanic also inspect the frame of the vehicle for this when you do buy.
If it's used, get an independent mechanic to take a look. A friend of mine found a "great deal" on a vehicle in SJ. Mechanic took a look. Used an OBDII reader and found they had disabled the Check Engine light.
Used cars in CR are very expensive... and the pitfalls in CR are massive. Imported cars from the US present their own issues on having been exposed to road salt, fraud (odometer rollbacks and unreported accidents), and the inability to get service or parts locally. Spend the extra money and buy a new car you can afford at a dealership. You might have to settle for less car... but you'll avoid so many issues! You get a warranty and parts and service will be available. Extra tip... Look at the car models that the auto rental agencies have been using for years... always a pretty good bet if the rental agencies are using them for years that they're a solid bet. As for the flood of Chinese and electric cars... give it 5 years... they'll be scrap.
Best thing is to not buy a car in Costa Rica, why would any sane person pay more than double for a car? Best idea is to simply rent a car from a Tico if you need to make a specific trip on a particular day. Live close to a town as there are many uber type guys around to provide low cost tansfer to go shopping.
The system needs to change and rentals need a price cap on them. Renting a truck for a month from your buddy there is over $5,000… that’s absolutely ludicrous and criminal. That’s a whole year or two of car payments in the US. He loves it but that’s taking advantage of customers. But typical Tico! You would think with that money he would at least have a gym membership and take care of himself. Again, typical Tico. Lazy!!!
Great Conversations. so many tips and tricks. TY
Toyota or bust in Costa Rica. The Rav4, Fortuner, Hilux are all solid. Even the Corolla, Corolla Cross, and Yaris can get around really well with great gas milage, but not so great off road. With the road conditions and mountains in CR you want a car the can take a beating in the suspension and the transmission. Toyota is the brand that puts the odds in your favor. Other brands have weak transmission, weak suspension, cheap brakes, and the cars fall apart. The best rental cars in CR are Toyotas. The cars to buy are Toyotas. Their parts are available and quite repairable.
I agree. I understand from a capability standpoint, you may not need a 4WD. However, I have to believe the suspension, etc. is a little more durable and able to handle the road conditions.
Great advice. I bought a vehicle in San Jose using a recommended car broker. I didn't think or didn't make time to run a carfax but did have a mechanic check out the vehicle. Everything seemed fine until the pre DEKRA inspection last month, where it was found my chasis is rusted out. It may or may not be repairable (replacing the chasis). So have your mechanic also inspect the frame of the vehicle for this when you do buy.
If it's used, get an independent mechanic to take a look. A friend of mine found a "great deal" on a vehicle in SJ. Mechanic took a look. Used an OBDII reader and found they had disabled the Check Engine light.
Yes, getting a mechanic is definitely the best advice to be sure that the car is a good purchase option!
Used cars in CR are very expensive... and the pitfalls in CR are massive. Imported cars from the US present their own issues on having been exposed to road salt, fraud (odometer rollbacks and unreported accidents), and the inability to get service or parts locally. Spend the extra money and buy a new car you can afford at a dealership. You might have to settle for less car... but you'll avoid so many issues! You get a warranty and parts and service will be available. Extra tip... Look at the car models that the auto rental agencies have been using for years... always a pretty good bet if the rental agencies are using them for years that they're a solid bet.
As for the flood of Chinese and electric cars... give it 5 years... they'll be scrap.
Let's go find that guy and have some fun with him!
Hahaha she said bury it back down funny. Sorry you got beat like that sweetheart
Best thing is to not buy a car in Costa Rica, why would any sane person pay more than double for a car? Best idea is to simply rent a car from a Tico if you need to make a specific trip on a particular day. Live close to a town as there are many uber type guys around to provide low cost tansfer to go shopping.
The system needs to change and rentals need a price cap on them. Renting a truck for a month from your buddy there is over $5,000… that’s absolutely ludicrous and criminal. That’s a whole year or two of car payments in the US. He loves it but that’s taking advantage of customers. But typical Tico! You would think with that money he would at least have a gym membership and take care of himself. Again, typical Tico. Lazy!!!