Costa Rica Tourism and Retirement Guide
Buying a Car
Due to high import taxes (about 60 to 80 %) you will spend more on a used car in Costa Rica than you would in the US, Canada or Europe. Probably more than twice as much. New vehicles cost about 30% more compared with the US.
Import duties
New vehicles 20%
Less than 3 years old 59.33%
From 4-5 years old 70.63%
More than 6 years old 85.32%
The duties also apply if you bring the car into the country yourself. If you
arrive as a tourist, after three months are over you have to get a visa
extension for yourself and the car. The car has to be legally imported after 6
months. I do not recommend having a car shipped to Costa Rica. Only if you were
to drive it yourself and if you would enjoy making the trip through Mexico and
Central America would I recommend this. Your best bet is a car that has been
imported from the US by a dealer in Costa Rica. Miles driven on a nice highway
in the US are a lot easier on a car than miles driven in Costa Rica where
potholes and dirt roads prevail.
Generally, stick to Japanese cars. They hold up much better in the adverse
conditions that Costa Rica offers. Let me say it one more time: Buy a
Japanese car! The mechanics are familiar with them and parts are readily
available and they last longer. Look around to see which cars are the most common. Those are the ones
that mechanics will be able to fix. If you live in the San Jose area you will
have all the dealers close by and you will be able to get anything fixed. If you
live far from San Jose and you buy a lesser known brand like a Peugeot or a Dodge for instance, parts will
have to be shipped every time you have a repair or you may have to go to the
Peugeot or Dodge dealer for repairs. So, one more time: Buy Japanese.
Buying from a dealer
The dealer is legally bound to offer a 30 day warranty on the transmission
and engine.
A Selection of Average Prices of Vehicles sold in Costa Rica
Updated November 2007
| Sedans |
|
|
| Toyota Yaris 2002 | $ 8100 | |
| Toyota Yaris 2004 | $10050 | |
| Hyundai Accent 2002 | $7000 | |
| Kia Rio 2003 | $6300 | |
| Toyota Corona 2001 | $10600 | |
| Honda Civic 2001 | $11400 | |
| Nissan Sentra 1992 | $3200 | |
| Toyota Corolla 2000 | $8200 | |
| BMW 325 I 2002 | $25000 | |
| 4x4s | ||
| Daihatsu Terios 2004 | $11500 | |
| Isuzu Trooper 1993 | $5000 | |
| Isuzu Rodeo 2001 | $12800 | |
| Mitsubishi Montero 1998 | $11750 | |
| Nissan Pathfinder 2000 | $13300 | |
| Suzuki Sidekick 1993 | $5900 | |
| Toyota 4Runner 2002 | $17750 | |
| Toyota Prado 2005 | $32600 | |
| Toyota RAV4 2000 | $12000 | |
| Pickups | ||
| Chevrolet S10 1995 | $3500 | |
| Ford Ranger 2002 | $15250 | |
| Nissan Frontier 2005 | $16600 | |
| Toyota Hilux 2002 | $16250 |
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Recommended Dealer:
I can recommend Rodolfo "Rudy" Sancho, owner of Autoplaza as an honest used car dealer who
will give you a fair deal. He imports cars from the US. If he does not have the
car you want he will find it for you in the US. Autoplaza, phone 2573-6060 or
Rudy's cell phone 8325-3875. He speaks English perfectly and he is one of the
nicest guys you will ever meet. His business is located on the way from San José
to Cartago on the right hand side just before you enter Cartago.