[dreamweaver]

Not sure if this is the right place to post this but, if not, Mod's will move it for me???

I have an opportunity to buy a car locally that is registered in Mexico. I don't even really want the car but it's one of those "too good to pass up" deals. The problem is I have no idea what I'm up against if I buy it and go to transfer title.... it's registered in Mexico. If anyone out there can give me some pointers as to what to do and how to do it I would appreciate it. Thanks,
Steve

[clwilcox33]

Well that's one I haven't seen. Cars are brought to and from Mexico all the time. I'm sure there's a process for it and hopefully someone around here knows how that's done. If not, I can go out to East Dallas and ask some of the locals how they do it.

[angelglo]

steve,

im not sure so im only guessing. i guess you can go and register it with dmv. they probably wont have a file or record on it so they will start a new file when you register it. depending on the registration card if you have one or not, you will have to file for a new registration and have a police officer verify the vin. ive registered a couple of cars that have been off the streets for over 7 years and they just made a new file for it.

angel

ps, you can search the dmv website.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/

steve here goes the link that might answer some of you questions

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/newvehicle.htm

[MrDanB]

Steve, I don't know the procedures for importation...But I do know that getting the vin checked out is extremely important!! Do this before anything!
If it WAS stolen years ago and now being brought back, the records may still be there. Sounds a bit fishy to me. Just be cautious. Good luck and keep us posted on it!
Dano

[zdld17]

Being raised 30 miles from the Mexican border I can say that you had better know someone on the Mex side to get it across as if you buy it and drive it, it will prolly be impounded on the US side as you will have to do some proving . Most times I have seen is you have to pay someone like El Jaffe or his little cronies. This stuff is very much there and under the table ( mordida) sometimes its called. These cars have this little window sticker that matches the mexican license plates. Depending on how far from the interior these cars come from (Frontera), its a hassle.
To complicate things more you now have the homeland security issue. My best recommendations is that the person selling the car bring it across, if he can, provide you with some type of bill of sale that you will have to present to your tax authorities. You may have to pay a stiff duty tax, things change so check it first with our side tax people. Then you have to do the sniffer test in Calif? That may be another issue as they have no rules as to what goes and what fuel,,,Stinky stuff.
Do your home work first. Then like someone already mentioned, this car could have been stolen long ago and now coming back? Its usually been that our cars going down here for sale. But one coming back, Quen Sabe.
Check it out. You never did say what the car was. My guess its got pom-poms hanging from the front and rear glasses? Sorry,, but I have seen them, La Cucaracha.

[dreamweaver]

Well, after reading just these few posts I have decided that I am not going to go any further with this deal. If it was simply a matter of a little paperwork I would do it. But, with the potential complications I don't even want to contemplate going through with it. The last thing I need in my life is DRAMA.... I have enough as it is.

So, thanks for the "head's up". Much is appreciated.

P.S. It not only wasn't a Camaro, it wasn't even a Chevy, so I don't want to get bombed

[zdld17]

Originally Posted by dreamweaver

Well, after reading just these few posts I have decided that I am not going to go any further with this deal. If it was simply a matter of a little paperwork I would do it. But, with the potential complications I don't even want to contemplate going through with it. The last thing I need in my life is DRAMA.... I have enough as it is.

So, thanks for the "head's up". Much is appreciated.

P.S. It not only wasn't a Camaro, it wasn't even a Chevy, so I don't want to get bombed

Potential is the word.

[camaro9]

they got cars in mexico did know that