[Intercasa]

I guess the best car depends on you and who you are and what you need. I love my Jetta but also drive a scooter in town and there are no topes here nor cobblestone roads so my car doesn't get beat up and is mainly used to go to Guad / Morelia / GTO, etc.

I love my SUV in California, a Chevy Tahoe and maybe one day I'll bring it here but it is too wide for many streets, won't fit in my cochera and also as important the Tahoes and Suburbans are the vehicles of choice for narcos so I'd probably get hassled alot driving in the city and at checkpoints. In Acapulco the narcos seem to drive Jeep Libertys.

There are a few good cars for each person here, some people like fast cars (like me) and don't have to worry about topes and cobblestone roads. Others need to take that into consideration.

The best car, and there are a few of them, boils down to you as a person and your usage, where you live, etc. Maybe on the flip side people can mention which cars have been the most impractical here, so as to give a warning to others, no?

[Lolo]

One reason for frequency of theft is the quantity of stated vehicles. Statistically speaking, the probability of theft could be in relation to the frequency of the type of vehicle.

Then again, if the vehicle is stolen for parts is it because of the amount of said vehicles on the road, or because said vehicles break down a lot?

To test the above theories, buy a Ferrari!


brent

I mentioned this only because the OP was worried his fancy car would make it a more likely victim of car theft. The Tsurus a lot of times are converted to taxis in a state different from the one in which they were stolen. Not all models are parted out. Some are "exported".

[newinajijic]

My advice is never buy a car for use in Mexico. Buy a small SUV or mid sized SUV. You are much safer and will NEVER bottom out. You will definitely bottom out with most cars. The suspension on the cobblestones is much better on an SUV. You also have the greater visibility over cars and other vehicles.

Suggested small SUV's: Honda CRV, Toyota RAV4, Nissan X Trail, Ford Escape and mid sized SUV's. I have an 11 year old Ford Explorer and find no problem parking here.

[RVGRINGO]

In 2001, we bought a 1999 Nissan Pathfinder LE which was just in from a three year lease. We've been very happy with it in Mexico ever since. We also have a 2007 Smart Car which we bought in Guadalajara and it now serves 99% of our needs.

[newinajijic]

RVGRINGO - Pathfinder is a good SUV, but thieves love them. Don't park it down by the tianguis or you'll come out and find half the stuff under the hood missing and the Insurance does NOT pay for partial theft.

This happened to my neighbors 10 year old Pathfinder about 4 months ago.

[Riverman]

In 2001, we bought a 1999 Nissan Pathfinder LE which was just in from a three year lease. We've been very happy with it in Mexico ever since. We also have a 2007 Smart Car which we bought in Guadalajara and it now serves 99% of our needs.

How does the Smartcar handle the local roads, we have a 2CV that we haven't decided on bringing or leaving on Vancouver Island.

[maggilu]

Have to agree with More Liana. My Atos was the best purchase I've made, and my favorite car since my 1961 Ford Galaxie convertible. Can't understand why anyone would pay twice the price for a Smart car which has poorer mileage and less
than half the room. The Atos comes with a 7-year warranty on everything, but in 3 1/2 years I haven't had anything go
wrong.

[Ajijic]

http://www.wheels.ca/Industry%20News/article/488819

Basically, the article rates the Smart car very poor. Look at edmunds.com for Smart car reviews. If you have never driven in an Atos I encourage you to do so before considering one. Some are used as taxis and I rode in one in Mexico City. Let's just say you get what you pay for.

[RevImmigrant]

I bought a 1988 VW Beetle in 1994 from a used car lot in Guad. Over the years we replaced almost everything under the hood, including the engine. We lived on a 400 year old cobblestone road with tank traps big enough to throw the tread off of a King Tiger. It handled that road beautifully. I drove it to Laredo twice and it was good on the highway too. I sold it when I left in 2001. When I went back to get my cats in July, 2006, the people who bought it were still driving it and still liked it.

When I come back, I want another old Beetle even if they don't make them any more. Parts are easy to get and every mechanic in the country knows how to work on one. If you put the back seat down, you can put 3 bales of hay in the back (we had horses) so there's plenty of storage space.

[Ajijic]

What Edmunds.com says

The 2009 Smart Fortwo is a great city car, but its high price, herky-jerky transmission and unpleasant highway ride reduce its appeal when compared to other compacts.

Pros

Fits in spaces others cannot, zippy around-town handling, surprisingly accommodating interior, high fuel economy, attention-getting style.

Cons

Herky-jerky automanual transmission, expensive compared to larger subcompact cars, awkward floor-mounted brake pedal, ill-suited for highway travel.

Rest of article at Edmunds and quite negative.

[bournemouth]

How does the Smartcar handle the local roads, we have a 2CV that we haven't decided on bringing or leaving on Vancouver Island.

You are talking about the little Citroen, right? The cutest little things but getting anything done on it here would be about impossible.

[More Liana]

I'm sure your ATOS is a fine vehicle. My SmartCar gets 55mpg in local driving. I paid $13,400US for it. Did your ATOS cost $6700?

A 2009 ATOS sells for between $86,900 (the basic model) and $109,900 pesos (the de lujo model). At today's exchange rate, the cost in USD is between $6200 and $7800. You can see all the details here: http://www.dodge.com.mx/frGen2Hoja.asp?Hoj...ClaveGen=ATOS09

I often carry three passengers and their luggage; when I bought the ATOS, I had a roof rack installed since I often have two or more passengers coming from or going to an airport. The only time the bottom of the car hits the top of a tope is when the car is filled with three passengers plus their luggage and the driver. Otherwise, the clearance is more than adequate. The suspension has not needed any adjustment since I bought the car, although I've driven it everywhere: cobblestones, city streets, toll roads, and literally over land.

The Smart is an absolutely adorable car, but it wouldn't work for my purposes because of its interior size. Plus, of course, it requires premium gasoline, while the ATOS takes regular.

[Alfa]

If you want a reliable recommendation take a look at what the taxis are using. Probably 90% Nissans. In my experience an excellent car. Cheap to operate and reliable. And now they are also quite stylish if appearance is high on your list.

[solajijic]

I do adore the ATOS, it is really a good car for that money. And I had no idea they were still so incredibly reasonably priced this many years later.

I sold a glorious car NoB before coming and wish I hadn't, both over 30 years old and at that time I couldn't get any reliable info on importing them as antique vehicles. I now know that it is possible. It also gets $500 US a day in Guad for wedding use, oh well, live and learn. There seem to be more and more restored vehicles showing up around here, and there are lots in the city.

You should drive what you want, Mexicans do, and the Jettas that pass me on the cuotas are absolutely almost airborne and they seem to handle like a dream. You see everything out on the road in the city.

We brought a luxury ride and a village clunker. The 90 Jeep Grand Wagoneer can be left just about anywhere and it isn't touched. It is either charmed or undesirable. We love it because of the big hunky steel and I just like the way it looks. It is easily and inexpensively serviced and we will drive to the end. With 102,000 miles on it and almost 20 years we figure another 5 at least. We did decide not to restore it here because of the way we use it. The other is guarded and protected, used for travel into Guad and NoB or visiting in Mexican cities, but we won't be taking it to the DF or even near there and definitely not into the north, particularly the industrial bypass in Monclova given my recent experience there.

I am presently considering another golf cart, this one gas, but it has to be able to get thru the big front gate, but i have been considering this for years and now we are close to being willing to modify the gate to get the couple of inches clearance a cart needs. The other person in the house is considering a scooter.

And the daughter coming down will need something, so if you are selling something cheap and basic let me know.

[RVGRINGO]

How does the Smartcar handle the local roads, we have a 2CV that we haven't decided on bringing or leaving on Vancouver Island.

The Smarts have 15" wheels and handle the local cobblestones and topes just fine. We have driven it from Lake Chapala to North Carolina and back at 75 MPH all day long; no problems.

[E=MC2]

My wife just bought a 2009 Subaru Forester, which she loves. There is a Subaru dealer in Guadalajaha, but I would think that a car made in Mexico would be better because Subaru Forester is very complicated to fix, expensive for parts and might be a nice target for theives. Besides we will be paying for it for years to come and the warrantee is not valid in Mexico. I see cars made in Mexico include several Volkswagen models, Nissan Tsuru, Opel Corsa, GM brands. Which would be the most practical ?

I am still trying to figure out which car is best? One thing I know personally is that KIA is not a car to be taken to Mexico. I bought a 2005 Kia with low miles, the warranty was for 100,000 miles! I thought it would be good for Mexico, until I had a problem. While driving down on 15 just past Obregon, I heard a noise and immediately turned off the car. It coasted for 1/4 mile or so, then I rolled it off the highway down an embankment on to a dirt path/road.
I had my daughter and 6 month old grandson with me. Almost immediately a young man on a bike assited me and my daughter by pushing the KIA to a Pemex (1/8 mile south) At the Pemex I had several other men wanting to help, It appeared to be electrical, One man walked tohis house and brought back a old truck 60' Ford and removed the battey and puy it in the KIA, still no luck. Another man asked for my reciept from the AutoPisto. He made a call and shortly thereafter a flatbed tow truck arrived. This driver also attempted to get the car running. NO luuck. We were towed to Abregon. The guys at the Pemex were give some $ althought they didnt ask for any. Meanwhile at Obregon we were met by a mechanic and his son. I asked the tow truck driver how much I owed him for the 15 KM tow? He said 'nada" I then learned that when we pay the tow there is an insurance for breakdowns, the tow was FREE!
Tow driver given 40 peasos, (he never asked for anything). The father/ son Mechanics then put a chain onto the KIA and towed us to his home/garage.
They treated us well and took us to a Hotel for the night. The KIA had broken a Timing belt which ruined the top end of the motor. I am thinking NO Problem it is warranted. Anyway next morning back to the garage, gave the mechanic some $ to fix the car. The mechanics daughter took us to the bus station and we began a 16 hour trip to Guad. When Likeside I called Kia and was told "No warranty in Mexico" they told me I needed to get the car to the border and then they would look at it. Too make a very long story short, KIA never helped me out, the said things like the engine was worked on and we c
an't know what was borken etc. I had to fly back to the states, take a carhauler trailer and large truck and return to Obregon to retrive the car. When I got it back to Wyoming, I was given the run around again by KIA. Ultimately I bought a used engine installed it and the next day traded the KIA off for another US/Mexico made vehicle. KIA is not to be taken to Mexico!!! I had a bad experience but it was offset by the Mexicans involved in this story that went way out of thier way to help us!! Thier attitudes towards total strangers made all the headaches and $ spent worthwhile. There are some Great People here in Mexico!! Gracias

[Ajijic]

Kia is a very different company and car now as I believe owned by Hyundai. And that company has very good quality reviews in at least past 3 years.

Here is best place to get reliablility and quality ratings plus crash scores.

http://www.jdpower.com/autos/car-ratings/