Good article on buying in Chile and help offered

[pathfinder_05]

Hello everyone.

I have written a big article on my blog which I hope you will all find interesting.

All visitors welcome

Also I am offering help if you need to stick a vehicle or bike in my wife's or my name.

The usual also applies... if you need help with spares and repairs, or language difficulties, get in touch via my blog as I am not really a regular in here ...... yet!

Take care

DB

[gatogato]

Very nice article, that is great that you guys are offering to help out for free. One advantage to buying your bike in Chile is that it is the only Latin American country that is pretty much free of corruption.

This is a great legal alternative to having to doctor another foreign biker's temporary vehicle permit so you can buy the bike from them. The only down side is bikes in Chile are more expensive (like every other Latin American country).

[pathfinder_05]

Thank you for the kind words.

Bikes and cars may be expensive in Chile but if you then re sell them there the cost is offset. It works out like an expensive hire!

I had a Chevy Blazer 4x4 bought for 2,500,000 CP and sold it after six months for 2,000,000 CP (that was after putting it through some good usage).

Take Care

DB

[PocketHead]

cheers I needed this, do you know where I could find Chile vehicle compliance information? I'm thinking of shipping my minibike

[pathfinder_05]

Hola,

I'm in Spain at the moment packing up everything ready for our move to Chile.

We get there on Chrimbo Day. So there isn't much I can do at the moment.

Regarding the minibike. Look up the website I mentioned in my blog. Find a similar model and see what the spec is. If the buyer has an e mail address we can ask some questions if you want. We speekee spaneesh.

Off to bed now..... 12am in Spain.

Buenas Noches.

DB

[PocketHead]

Hmm I found a cheaper version, no where near as good as my motovert but about 1/4 of the price and 1/8 of the price after shipping and sending it home... cheers

[Crusty]

Hi pathfinder_05,

Nice website and a great article, could be just the thing for me.

I was planning a to ship my bike out for a year-long trip through SA with my gf next year but ongoing health problems have pretty much ruled out biking.
The alternative is to fly ourselves over and buy 4 wheels locally so your link has already proved useful!

I'd been thinking of buying in Peru as we have relatives there but Chile may be easier, no? We're on a tiny budget so I had been considering a 2wd van to keep costs down but I noticed some older, smaller 4wd's for the same sort of money. I'm not looking for mega off-road capability, from experience I know you can get to some wild places in a regular van, I just wonder if a 4wd might be generally more robust and survive the trip better? Thing is, will you be taken for a rich gringo in a 4wd, even an old and battered one, more so than if you roll up in a old panel van?

Also, any idea what costs are involved post-purchase? registration, permit, insurance etc? Sorry to be a bit non-specific, I'm just trying to get a general idea to help with the planning.

Thanks and welcome.

Oh, and buena suerte with the move..!

[pathfinder_05]

Hi Crusty,

Some answers for you.

I'm not sure of the difference in buying in Peru or Chile. You can only compare the info I give you with what your relatives say and take it from there.

A 2wd van would get you to most places, give you accommodation (if the back is big enough) and be cheaper to run than a 4wd. The cheaper 4wd's you see for sale are either hammered or have huge engines and drink the fuel big time (my chevy blazer had a 4.3lt V6!!!). If you drive the van carefully enough it will last just as long as the 4wd and getting it repaired would be cheaper anyway.

It doesn't matter what you drive around in you will be taken for a gringo the moment you open your mouth. All you need is a nice dose of common sense. On a market try bartering, or, for more large purchases make friends with locals and ask them what should you pay for something because you were told 'X' and they might say it should be no more than 'Y'. Sometimes just accept the fact you are from a richer country and the amount you are paying extra really isn't worth you getting worked up over!!!!!

Before buying a car in Chile make sure all the papers are up to date (I've just remembered this so I am editing my article as well).... papeles al dia.... this means the MOT and Tax are all sorted. In fact make sure (when buying an ultra cheap car) that it has papers!!!! Countrywide 3rd party insurance comes with the car... make sure that is up-to-date. I forgot the price to re-new it but it isn't much (I'm doing more research when I get to Chile next month).

As a rough guide... our vehicle needed insurance and we had to swap all the papers into our name and I think the whole thing came to less than £100.

As for time scale.... it can all be done in a week.

Hope this is all useful stuff.

DB

(I hope you don't mind but I have copied your question into my blog.... it was a good question and my answer will help others)

[Crusty]

Exactly the sort of info I need, much appreciated.

Good to know the bureaucracy can be dealt with quickly and affordably.

I had my doubts about 'bargain' 4x4's. Good, cheap and 4wd are qualities seldom found together!

A good compromise may be an older Chevy van with a diesel engine. Big enough to live out of, not too hard on fuel and enough clearance to go most places with the right tyres. I think they can be found in most SA countries so parts should be available and (hopefully) cheap.

Cheers again and happy to help with the blog..!