Buying a car in Medellin

joelg says on Aug 27, 2008, 11:39:

Renaults and Chevrolet are the most reasonably priced cars here. If you buy from a dealer you get a 1-year or 50,000 kilometer guarantee, but you pay roughly a $2,000-$3,000 dollar premium on a car in the $12,000-$15,000 dollar range. For example, a good car here with plenty of spare parts/mechanics around is the Renault Clio. You can probably get one used (2006) for about 20million pesos ($10,500 US) privately, or 24-25million pesos at a used car dealer ($2100 to $2600 premium).

In Colombia there is a nationwide chain of auto shops that do a thorough check of a used car that is supposed to be extremely reliable, ie, they are experts at picking up old accidents, bent frame/chasis, and if they find any of that the car fails their inspection. So if you buy privately you must arrange with the seller to go to one of these inspection places. I suppose if it passes you pay the inspection and if it fails they pay,or whatever you decide. So buying privately you save 4-5 million pesos but you don't have the dealer warranty. same trade-off as in the USA.

I found a complete list of of new and used car prices in El Colombiano, either last month or early this month, and it is a helpful, rough guide.

do what you like, take risks, build something

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Mononoke28 says on Aug 27, 2008, 12:12:

Congratulations on your retirement! You are the envy of many of us here. =)

Diana

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maf says on Aug 27, 2008, 13:40:

Just a few points to add regarding paperwork if you buy used:

1. Make sure the impuestos (taxes) are paid up-to-date and you get copies or you won't be able to change the car into your name. The bank required me to have a cedular number which I didn't have, so I had to get the former owner to put his cedular number to allow me to pay his 2008 tax payment before I could put it into my name).
2. The insurance here is on the vehicle, not the driver, so it should already be insured for 2008 (or 2009 if you buy in 2009.
3. Also, there is an owners card that you'll need to change names.

fyi.....if you don't have a cedular yet, it's fine, you can transfer a vehicle into your name using your passport and passport number as identification.

Congratulations on your retirement......I´d love to live in Medellin..... and hey, my birthday is Oct 14th!!!

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pedro says on Aug 27, 2008, 20:43:

http://www.motor.com.co/noticias_precios/precios_revista_motor/precios...

que nota!

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gringoloid says on Aug 28, 2008, 06:20:

no comment because the mods do not want me revealing that this is medoblado.

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Sonny says on Aug 28, 2008, 09:24:

gringoloid. once again you prove my point

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medallolimo says on Aug 28, 2008, 10:03:

Hello Sonny:

Once here in Medellín, we would like to offer our transportation services to you for whatever your need. We offer economical rates and will be able to transport you to wherever your needs within the Valle de Aburrà region.

Please visit us at www.medallolimo.com and reserve your spot today.

Thanks.

Medallo Limo!
www.medallolimo.com

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