BUYING A VEHICLE IN DR

thanks for the help, planner. to everyone out there looking for a car....i will be up and about by Monday of next week.  it will be a case of less talk and more drive..

good morning  how do i register a scooter in dr

Safe bet is buy new unless you have trusted contacts. Get them first if you must buy used. Don't even look until you have that contact unless you yourself are very knowledgeable.  I've seen what these dealers do first hand. They buy here in USA at auctions;  cars that dealerships her don't want i.e. very high mileage. They will paint them there and replace seat coverings but there's only so much they can hide. And with other wear I've seen, they often roll back mileage. Many I saw had been in an accident.

My 1st RD purchase was a low miles car with 6 months factory warranty left

I forget where I bought it

2nd was a used MUX Isuzu......medium miles.... bought at NdeC dealership

Neither car gave me trouble

Recent car was bought 'as new'..... 4,300kms, driven by owner of the dealership

Bought at Ochoa in STI.... a HUGE dealer.

Using Cruffman as your car concierge takes the legwork and guess work out of car buying.

I agree. Cruffman has helped many get vehicles.  He knows the vehicles, the players and many of the tricks.

@saki_427nyc LOL. everyone is a mechanic of some kind in DR. Much easier there than USA.

Welcome to the forums. Just because they call themselves a mechanic does not mean they know what they are doing!

@WillieWeb

Hi WillieWed,

We live in Luperon

we would like to buy a second hand pick up

Is it possible for you to recommend somebody who can help with the purchase?

thank you

best regards

@cruffman

Hi Mr Cruffman,

We are living as a family in Luperon and want now to buy a large second hand car, preferably  a pick-up

I have read  very good comments about your work..

We would be delighted if you could you assist us in this research?

I don’t know much in mecanics…and don’t speak spanish

thank you

Best regards

Guillaume

I will make sure he sees this

@Thoreau Guillaume et Caroline

hi there....thank for reaching out to me. please shoot me a whatsapp number so i can call you and we can exchange ideas

have a great evening

@cruffman

Thank you for you for your quick reply

our What’s app number +33 ***

Looking forward talking to you

Guillume

@Thoreau Guillaume et Caroline

will call you later this evening...stay dry..

@planner

Hi. I was planning on buying a new car in the States and then having it shipped. Isn't this better than buying a used car in the D.R.?

Thanks for your advice.

Wendy

The import tax for a new car shipped in can be HUGE. Also, have you seen the crazy drivers in DR? No way I would drive a new car.

Car must be owned a year for non dealer imports. It will be valued based on prices here and you will pay the taxes plus shipping.

Thank you all for replying. Definitely something to think on!!!

@wndysgoodlife If you are getting your residency, you can get a break on the import tax on the vehicle, as well as paying no import duty on a container of personal/household items shipped in.

@ddmcghee

the allowance has to be utilized within the first six months of residency, or it is nullified

Wow! Sounds exactly like what I hoped. Really good info.! Thanks so much!

I'm trying to weigh options and am sort of nervous buying a used vehicle. Also concerned about a car I don't know that well breaking down.

I usually buy new and keep it forever. My car now is a 2005 Toyota Matrix. It'll be time for a new one in awhile. Those cars are so darn good!

@planner

Good morning! We are new to the DR and are looking for the name and contact info for a man (Mike Logan?) who has a good reputation of being able to locate vehicles for expats…. Have you knowledge or suggestions ?

Yes  Mike Logan can be reached on whatsapp at 1-829-546-3624   I have personally  used his services more than once!  Happy to recommend him.

I have also used Mike Logan for two separate vehicle purchases.  The number Planner provided is the same as what I have for Mike.

Mike will take all the stress out of the process for you.  The only stressful thing for me was having to go to Santo Domingo to get the vehicles because that is where he operates out of, and I live in the Cabarete/Sosua area  However, he has a much larger selection of vehicles to choose from there, so he'll definitely find something for you and it usually takes him no more than a couple days.

@SandyS_retired

I called mike and he responded quickly. very professional.   

I'm hoping that Mike is still offering this in 6 to 8 years, sounds like the easiest way to get a vehicle.

Hola,  fellow expats.  Just moved here a month ago and getting used to the culture shock and making my feeble attempts at learning the language with Babble.  I definitely need a vehicle and have read the many praises of  cruffman.  I am definitely interested in having someone who knows how this place works.  I am looking for something used,  not huge as I want to get a feel of driving here before I get anything large.  I have also heard and read about the shady side of car dealers here.  I am also looking for something fairly cheap as I don’t have  unlimited resources.  Buying here was a bit of an expense.  How much does he charge for his service.  Thanks so much.

It really is a reasonable fee for his knowledge of the market.  Message him and ask him the fee!

What paperwork do I need if I buy a used car? Does the seller have to show the entire chain of ownership? How and where do I register it? Should it come with a license plate or do I get that later?

I bought my used Honda Fit off a car lot in La Romana in 2018. I negotiated the price with the manager and he took care of all the paper work including meeting us at the government registration office to get plates and sticker (Marbete).

It might be wise to buy at a car lot / dealer as opposed to an individual owner. I inspected my car and indicated what needed to be cleaned, changed etc. including the bald spare tire before confirming purchase.

Although I never got around to using Mike,  I beleive he's the go-to guy! I bought local only because I knew the car, knew the owner & knew how meticulous he was with it. He's also my landlord, lives in the same building, speaks English & is a lawyer (the latter may not be important to some but he's very up front on everything.) His price was in line with what I googled the same make & model so I was good with that. But otherwise, it would have been Mike!!!