Questions about purchasing a car
What is the best car to own in BA as far as maintenance costs and low car theft probability?
I am looking into a VW Jetta, Bora, Toyota Corolla or Peueot 307. I have chosen these cars because they seem to be very economic (all are around 60K AR or 20K US) and I see many of them on the street, and will be less of a target for theft.
Regarding insurance, is 1000 US per year an accurate number? Do they have Lo-Jack here in BA? Would a tom tom work here or do I have to get a local GPS system? Does anyone know the cost for a parking space rental here in BA? Most importantly, the D. L issue, I have a US drivers license can I just use that? Or will I have to get either an international one or a local one? And which of those two options is my best option? Will I need to wait until I get my DNI before I get a local drivers license or will my passport and US drivers license suffice for now? I have also been checking out mercadolibre. Com and have seen a few deals, is this website pretty reliable?
Thanks in advance.
Bad
man I just think it's trouble
I just can't imagine how owning a car would be worthwile unless you lived way the fuck outside of town in one of the countries. Driving here is an absolute *****, parking is worse. Insurance isn't that expensive because they never pay for a fucking thing. Be very careful if you buy a used car because a popular Argentine pasttime in the used car market is passing any tickets, accidents, liens and other assorted problem along with the car.
Living where you live, a parking space is going to be a couple hundred pesos a month, not much but it would take a shitload of taxi rides to equal it.
Then the ever present fear of carjacking. Just a load of fucking fun there, these guys doing that like to shoot a lot and not on Rominas face.
Seriously I would develope a good relationship with a Remis driver who has a nice car and call him when you need one or just feel like being driven somewhere. When you factor in all the cost including the purchase price you probably wouldn't end up upside down for a couple years.
Don't know about the drivers license for sure but I seem to recall a buddy of mine saying if I was driving his car without an international or Argentine one his insurance is out the window. Not 100% sure on that though.
Really not trying to be a dick, I just see it as neverending trouble for very little value but just my opinion.
If you gotta do it, I have a few friends that have those little bitty Fords, they don't seem to breakdown a lot, they are made just outside of town and if somebody snags it your only out a few thousand bucks. They are nothing to brag about, but they provide some comfort, are easy to park (just little bitty fuckers) don't burn much gas and are cheap.