buying and registering a car in mexico

[janesimmers]

we want to buy a type of hyundai truck which is not sold in the u.s. as it does not comply with u.s. standards. so we would have to buy it AND register it in mexico. we want to drive it back and forth to mexico and the u.s. (we have a vacation home in mexico). can we do this? any problems? jane

[synthia]

I don't know what will happen when you try to bring a truck that is not up to US standards into the US. You will have to get US insurance to do this, and that may not be possible.

[RVGRINGO]

If you purchase a vehicle in Mexico, using your Mexican address, you may drive it to the USA without any problems. We have a Jalisco plated 2007 Smart Car and drove it to North Carolina and back last year. You must realize that you can't re-register that vehicle in the USA and that you may only be able to buy liability insurance for your trip to the States.

[synthia]

I think the idea is that they will buy the car and keep it in the US.

Does the Smart Car meet US standards? And what is a Smart Car, anyway?

[RVGRINGO]

Originally Posted by janesimmers

we want to buy a type of hyundai truck which is not sold in the u.s. as it does not comply with u.s. standards. so we would have to buy it AND register it in mexico. we want to drive it back and forth to mexico and the u.s. (we have a vacation home in mexico). can we do this? any problems? jane

They say they want to drive it "back and forth" and that is not a problem as long as they keep it registered in Mexico and buy the required liability insurance for the USA. We do both with our Smart Car when we travel to the USA. It does not matter if the vehicle does not meet US standards or is not sold in the USA. The only problem would be having to import unique parts, if needed for repairs.
The Smart Car is a two seat mini-car built by Mercedes Benz and it has been available in most countries for about ten years. It is just now (2008) being introduced to the USA in a slightly more powerful model which doesn't get the 50MPG that we get with the 2007 model's 61HP engine. You can 'Google' for pictures & descriptions.

[synthia]

Thanks for the information. I'm surprised the mileage isn't much better than that. I got 42 mpg highway with my Hyundai Accent the first few years. It's now deteriorated to 37 mpg, which isn't bad at all for a six year old car. Or is that 50 mpg in town? In which case that is awesome.

[RVGRINGO]

We get about 43 in town at 5000' altitude. All cars do much better at sea level.

[ronycoca]

Need some recommendations for liability auto insurance for my Colima plated vehicle when I take it NOB.

Thanks for any and all info

[janesimmers]

Originally Posted by synthia

I think the idea is that they will buy the car and keep it in the US.

Does the Smart Car meet US standards? And what is a Smart Car, anyway?

thx synthia, we plan to drive the car back and forth between mex and u.s. it is one of those hyundai utes that get great mileage but you cant buy them or register them in the states.

[janesimmers]

Originally Posted by RVGRINGO

If you purchase a vehicle in Mexico, using your Mexican address, you may drive it to the USA without any problems. We have a Jalisco plated 2007 Smart Car and drove it to North Carolina and back last year. You must realize that you can't re-register that vehicle in the USA and that you may only be able to buy liability insurance for your trip to the States.

thx! you answered my question. we love the hyundai ute to cart stuff back and forth to mex/us, but they dont allow it to be sold or registered in the u.s. might as well put that mexico residence to some use. thx again