Anyone here in Costa Rica?

[mtbiker]

Hi all,

I am writing from Argentina (originally from the States) and am moving to Costa Rica in the next few months.

I am wondering if there are any posters here who are living in Costa Rica…

I will be looking for a stock (not modified) 96-98 Sidekick or Tracker, 48Fed,
4X4, Manual, 4 door with AC.

Some of my questions to them are:
Where did they buy their vehicle-private seller or dealer, and how did that go?
If they have any experience with the Suzuki dealership in San Jose and/or their service department.


Also if anyone has information on where the Sidekicks and Trackers in CR are imported from. Or are they made just for CR?
Costa Rica has emission inspections every year so I assume the vehicles have pollution control systems.

Thanks to everyone who gives their time and knowledge here!
Its one of the main reasons I am going for these SUVs

[jtgh]

and watch for huge import duties there. (might be only the parts)

dealer , expensive, about $2000 extra for a 3000 max car
and most with no warrantee worth owl spit.

they are hard to find.
evenone wants one, no one wants to sell them.

took me 1year to get first (dead)
3 years to get second.

but i need 96+ and manual, no slush-o-matics.

[mtbiker]

jtgh,
Yes I know about the import duties. They apply for bringing a vehicle into the country.
But Suzuki parts are reasonable there and I can also bring smaller things down from the States.

Actually Sikekicks are fairly common in Costa Rica, I am trying to find out where they came from and what engines they have.
Here in Argentina they have Peugeot engines!

Also the dealerships are required by law to provide a 30 day warranty on the engine and drivetrain.
Yes I know I will have to pay more at a dealership but if I go with the Suzuki dealership they could be better able to do any fixes before I settled on a price with them.

I figure I will have pay around $7000 for what I am looking for with less than 100k miles. More than the States but they keep their resale value.

Does anyone have anyone else have any Costa Rica Suzuki info?

Thanks!!

[jtgh]

yes, and same in SA, cars are 3 times , value then usa and worn out.

91 Sentras going for $3000 and 300k miles. beat to death. ($500 here)

yes, i know about this, cars used are junk and the only good ones are at the dealer.
ive seen that many a place on the pac rim.

locations dictate your choices. that is for sure.

the Peugeot is a diesel, wow , id like that one..

sell me one......

[mtbiker]

Heres some info on the Vitaras built in Argentina,

Since 2001, all diesel 1st Gen Vitaras built by General Motors in Argentina, have 1.9 litre 110 bph Peugeot HDI turbodiesel , all of them with 5-speed mechanic transmissions, while automatic transmissions are only available with Japanese built models with gasoline engines.

I found two for sale. Figure U$D 1 to ARG$ 3.7.

1997 | Suzuki Vitara JLX DSL Full 5P $ 44.900
• TURBO DIESEL INTERCOOLER P E R F E C T A ! ! !
• Kilometraje: 164.000 kms
• Combustible: Diesel
• Ubicación: Gran Buenos Aires


• 1996 | Suzuki Vitara $ 42.800
• UNICO DUEÑO - EXCELENTE ESTADO ORIGINAL
• Kilometraje:180.000 kms
• Combustible: Diesel
• Ubicación: Capital Federal, Villa Urquiza

OUCH!
Gasoline ones are around the same price.

[kamuk]

mtbiker, tico here. Hopefully I can provide some answers to your questions:

The Vitara/Sidekick/Tracker is very popular here. There is a dealership (no experience with their service), but I'd hazard a guess and tell you most Vitaras here are imported from the US.

You won't have trouble buying from a used car dealer, or privately. Usually, dealers will offer 1-3 months warranty on your purchase. Just this morning I was looking at a '99 Tracker at a used car dealer - a little under $9000, 2001's go for $11000 or so. "Gastos de inscripción" are usually part of the total deal.

There's people who offer import services from the US. You may be able to save a maximum of around 30% from the "street" price, but you buy "as-is". Import taxes are heavy on cars, and there's some extra taxation on older models (newer cars are compliant with local environmental regs, older aren't).

The diesel engines are NOT common at all. I do know Suzuki dealer brought some years back, but don't know more details. I've only ever seen one Vitara with it. Second is rarity are the 2000cc gas engines (and people with them don't want to get rid of them!). The V6 engine is fairly common.

Check ticocarros.com or the Clasificados section at nacion.com for offers and ballpark pricing.

...and remember, Pura vida!

[mtbiker]

Thanks for the info kamuk!

I will first see what I can find from the dealers. I don't think I want to deal with importing one and buying from a private seller is my last choice.

Do you have an idea how negotiable is the pricing with the dealerships? Is it common for buyers to offer a lower price?
I also want to do a detailed inspection and am hoping to that at the dealership...

Good to hear there are so many around, have seen many for sale in the last few months on the sites you mentioned.

Looking forward to exploring some remote places and these sidekicks/trackers seem great for what I want to do!

[pomuri]

Hi, i'm from Costa Rica, check Crautos.com. Click "Vehiculos usados" for used car list and "Blue Book" for values & car prices.

[grc1]

Hi,
Have you looked into buying a suki/tracker before you move to CR ?
The reson being that some of the carabian countrys have a relaxed tax law if you have owned it prior to moving .And claim it as personal property (can't sell it for six months) the tax on it can be very low.

Not sure if CR allows this , but woudn't hurt to check it out.

[mtbiker]

Thanks pomuri, thats one of the sites I have been watching.

grc1, I have thought of that but I am now in Argentina and there are no US market sidekicks here.
I want a US market one so I can take advantage of all of the great info on this site!