The Mexican Car Market Is The Best Car Market in The World

Kinja'd!!! "Vicente Esteve" (vicente-esteve)
08/18/2014 at 18:07 • Filed to: Car Markets

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Americans Complain about the lack of small city cars, wagons, and a superior array of features that the Europeans get. Europeans don't really need muscle cars, Body on frame SUVs, or dually pickup trucks, but every time they are in America they cant help to feel a little surprise and delight when they see them. Anywhere else in the world? They only get a taste of each of these 2 big automotive markets. Canada has the Trucks, and mammoths, whilst 3rd world countries in Europe and Asia get the small hatches. But never both, and here is where Mexico comes in.

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A brand new Ferrari California besides a brand new 20 year old Nissan Sentra. Only in Mexico.

There is a theory that states the more northern your country is in North America, the more civilised the people are, and the place has more control. Now, I am not implying that the US is less organized than Canada, or that Canada is the most superior country on this side of the world. The reason why I mention this theory is to recognize the location where Mexico is and all the advantages that brings. It is besides the U.S, which means we get a lot of great influence from their culture, their customs, and just how the live their everyday. Examples of this can include Santa Claus, Drive-Thru, Center Hole Breads (Bagels and Donuts), and many other wonderful things. From the other side we have a huge influence from our ancestors, and the culture that has passed from generation to generation. Examples of this include the "Dia De Muertos", grotesque public transport, all the various groups of people that habited this place before colonisation, and of course the amazing food. The thing is though, when you are at the most southern point of the country, right in the nose of Guatemala, is when you realise anything after that is just not worth going. I know how it is, I've been there, and I don't see why almost anyone would want to visit whats lurking below of the Guatemalan Border. Geography lesson aside, Mexico benefits from both the south and the north in many ways, and thankfully it also does in its car market.

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(Borders, The Scars of the World)

The north of Mexico is about as plain and wide as Texas, with added dust and crime. This means, the need for a pickup truck is huge due to all the ranches, the worksites, and the beaches where if you don't have a pickup truck and park it right next to the water, you aren't a man. When you get to the center of he country, you find yourself in the capital, which is like being in a whole other country. Seriously, the capital of Mexico is an amazing combination of urbanisation, wealth, struggle, and street food establishments (Go visit, you wont be disappointed). This means, a hatchback is used as a pickup, SUV, lawn mower, ice cream van, street sweeper, hearse and whatever other vehicle that would be specifically made for said job in Canada or the US. And all of it wraps up nicely when you consider the amount of truly wealthy people who live here. Yes, there are more in the U.S, but there is enough amount of them here to make a case for supercars, exotics, and classics. All together, Mexico is a nice worldwide automotive buffet. Heres proof:

Exhibit A:

Seat Ibiza 1.2 TSI

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The Seat Ibiza is a half spanish half german hatchback that wants to party, and disobey its parents while their other Skoda son cleans his bedroom and goes to church. It is a more playful Polo, and a much sexier alternative that makes it stand out, ad to that the huge array of colors. Also, this little car comes with big features and modern engineering. The 1.2 Turbocharged engine produces a very good 105HP (Dynos have clocked 120HP), a 5 speed manual has ESP, Hill Hold control, ASR Etc. The features you can get are also very enticing which include LED lights with cornering fog lights, Panoramic roof, 17 inch wheels, leather, trip computer, an array of airbags and lots of infotainment options. This is a thoroughly European proposition that sells in huge numbers because people dig a sporty, small, affordable, and feature brimmed hatch. A car like this, or a Peugeot 208, or Fiat Punto, or Alfa Romeo Mito is everything they need from a car in the urban environments, and its something the U.S. is catching up on, but isn't near the popularity as it is here.

Exhibit B:

Ford F-250

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The Ford F-250 is a gargantuan machine. It has hair on its neck, dirt under its nails, and a MEGA-THIRST cup to which it fills to the brim of regular coffee to start his day. This truck is very much America with number plates because it is a truck loved by americans and designed for their country. Its place in Mexico is pretty much the same, used in ranches, or building sites, or just to two a boat and Quads. The diesel engine in it isn't absurdly expensive to fill up, and the places to park it aren't scarce. It is needed by people here almost as much as in the U.S., and I only chose it to show the extent of the amount of pickups we have. F-150s, Sierras, Titans, and other obscure trucks like the Fantastic Volkswagen Amarok, or the Toyota Hilux are also available. Any SUV made with the same platform as any of the trucks mentioned is also on the market. We have all the big boys as well.

Exhibit C:

Nissan Tsuru

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This car, and many others like it, is a big influence from the way latins think. You see, what people in latin America look most for in a car is reliability, and price. Any other consideration, then you are economically a class above. Cars like the Nissan Tsuru have such huge demand thanks to these qualities, that through their extensive life they are cheapened more and more so people buy them more and more. You can buy a 2014 Nissan Tsuru with 90s looks, huge amounts of visibility, no equipment (The cup-holders are in the glovebox lid), no safety (no ABS), no nothing. Just a dead reliable engine and a rear defroster. And it isn't just this car, the Nissan Versa before the current one is still being sold, the Chevrolet Aveo is the best selling car now for a long time (Hate it massively), and my personal favourite, the MK4 Jetta. Every one of these cars can be still bought new with their reliable engines, known reputation, huge aftermarket/mechanical aid, and a cheap price.

As you can see, the market is combined with an array of options ranging from absolute innovation, to absolute de-contentation. To add to this, gas is pretty cheap, mechanics are inexpensive, and prices of the cars are about par with the U.S. This is another reason why I love living in my country, aside from the crime, corruption, filth, and lack of punctuality, having a car market this great makes it worth it. And, as I said before, its the ultimate Worldwide buffet of the automotive market.

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DISCUSSION (100)


Kinja'd!!! Tohru > Vicente Esteve
08/18/2014 at 18:23

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Today I Learned: They still sell the '92 Sentra in Mexico under an assumed name.


Kinja'd!!! T5Killer > Vicente Esteve
08/18/2014 at 18:24

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I agree with this. Being in New Mexico we get quite a few Mexican market cars driving around. Its cool seeing non us market stuff. When I worked auto parts I attempted to help someone with a SEAT Ibeza the guy was so happy I knew what it was. Sadly I could not locate a replacement oil filter for him.


Kinja'd!!! EL_ULY > Vicente Esteve
08/18/2014 at 18:25

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Mi Mexico lindo. Big American trucks, cars, and SUV's up north, Renault, Peugeot, SEAT, Citroen, Alfas, and Fiat in the big cities. Reminds me of places in northern Europe when we visited them in CCIARAT. Americans in OPPO love to see a random French car here and there. They go crazy. There are so many, so close though :]


Kinja'd!!! EL_ULY > Tohru
08/18/2014 at 18:28

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and it is a freaking work horse! Long live the Tsuru!!!!


Kinja'd!!! EL_ULY > Tohru
08/18/2014 at 18:28

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and all the European cars you want as well


Kinja'd!!! Vicente Esteve > Tohru
08/18/2014 at 18:32

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YES! My father had a few of them for his job. They really are some indestructible machines.


Kinja'd!!! Tohru > EL_ULY
08/18/2014 at 18:32

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I dunno, the SE-R had a pretty crap motor.


Kinja'd!!! Vicente Esteve > T5Killer
08/18/2014 at 18:33

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Oh man I would be too! The engine though in older ibizas was basically the 2.0 they put in the MK4 Jetta. Then the european stuff came in and it was awesome.


Kinja'd!!! EL_ULY > Tohru
08/18/2014 at 18:44

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must be a different motor, i'm almost positive there are a bunch of million mile Tsurus in Mexico DF and throughout. Not counting the Nissan Sunny. Freaking tanks and real world legends


Kinja'd!!! T5Killer > Vicente Esteve
08/18/2014 at 18:47

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I tried VWs filters and they were different but I could have been looking at the wrong years.


Kinja'd!!! Tohru > EL_ULY
08/18/2014 at 18:47

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The regular Sentra had the GA16DE 1.6L motor, the SE-R had the SR20DE 2.0L motor. The 2.0L's in Sentras wore out a lot.


Kinja'd!!! Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Vicente Esteve
08/18/2014 at 19:19

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I wouldn't mind one of those tsuru here in Canada. I'd drive that for sure.


Kinja'd!!! Vicente Esteve > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
08/18/2014 at 19:33

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They are MAJOR WORK to drive. Like, you can get exhausted by it, but its as bare bones as machines get. Oh, and glovebox cupholder!

http://images.quebarato.com.mx/T440x/tsuru+gu…


Kinja'd!!! Saf1 > Vicente Esteve
08/18/2014 at 19:47

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EXCELLENT article. I had no idea about and I'm so enticed! Sounds like oppo paradise there :D Loved that line about borders being like scars. Also I get why manufacturers force models to discontinue in the West but it's a shame - you have a car you've made for years, got all the tooling for it, the engineers who worked on it probably still around and plenty of aftermarket available...I love efficient use of engineering like this, like how they are still making the Hindustan Ambassador after 50 years in India :)


Kinja'd!!! Vicente Esteve > Saf1
08/18/2014 at 21:02

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Thanks a lot! I appreciate the support, and yes, it is paradise here. I would understand that they aren't safe enough, but their simplicity gives them a character that you just have to adore.


Kinja'd!!! Saf1 > Vicente Esteve
08/18/2014 at 21:09

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Well the Ambassador was an extreme example - any car made in the last 20-25 years would be safe enough I think. That Tsuru looks that old but it was made by a major automotive company as a family vehicle so it would've been engineered to not just comply but exceed the minimum safety requirements of its time - so should still be safe enough today!


Kinja'd!!! Vicente Esteve > Saf1
08/18/2014 at 21:21

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Issue is, they de-content everything they can. And I do mean, EVERYTHING. There isn't a third stop light...


Kinja'd!!! Saf1 > Vicente Esteve
08/18/2014 at 21:27

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That has more positives than negatives - most stuff in cars you really don't need. What do you mean by third stop light?


Kinja'd!!! Vicente Esteve > Saf1
08/18/2014 at 21:30

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The middle stop light on the top or bottom of the rear glass. It doesn't have it.


Kinja'd!!! Saf1 > Vicente Esteve
08/19/2014 at 04:06

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Who needs that! Infact I thought that was added as an option for cars sold in very cold countries for extra visibility - thinking about it now I must be wrong because if you can't see the maine brake lights why would you see a mini one :D


Kinja'd!!! RoadHead -- Armand > Vicente Esteve
08/22/2014 at 15:46

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I have suspected this ever since I saw a 1-series years before it's US arrival


Kinja'd!!! Brede > Vicente Esteve
08/22/2014 at 15:49

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I have the same feeling when travelling to Caribbean countries. There's a lot of cheap Japanese cars like in most of the world, but because of the proximity to the US there are also a lot of American cars. Like you said, this combination only exists in a small part of the world.


Kinja'd!!! Vin > Vicente Esteve
08/22/2014 at 15:51

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"LOL."

- Monaco

(Srsly though: informative write-up!)


Kinja'd!!! Garrett Davis > Vicente Esteve
08/22/2014 at 15:54

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Awesome article! Very, very interesting!


Kinja'd!!! Greenkirby21 > Vicente Esteve
08/22/2014 at 15:57

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I just came back from a trip to Mexico City. I saw awesome cars like the Audi A1. The highlight though was definitely the A45 AMG hatchback that we don't get over here!!


Kinja'd!!! Greenkirby21 > Vicente Esteve
08/22/2014 at 15:59

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I love Mexico City! I just came back there and saw some awesome cars! My highlight was definitely the A45 AMG hatch that we don't get here!


Kinja'd!!! WINGZERO > Vicente Esteve
08/22/2014 at 15:59

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so you cant drive these here right ?


Kinja'd!!! H4N5 GRU83R > Tohru
08/22/2014 at 15:59

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As a young gearhead child I visited Mexico often and remember getting into an argument with a cousin of mine when I said "hey look an old Sentra" after seeing newer sentras there and he kept pointing out that they were Tsurus. I couldnt comprehend how both could exist simultaneously. Great great times.


Kinja'd!!! PatBateman > Vicente Esteve
08/22/2014 at 16:01

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I'm sorry. Did you say "as plain as Texas"?

*pumps shotgun*


Kinja'd!!! 472CID > Vicente Esteve
08/22/2014 at 16:02

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I think the most interesting thing about the Mexican auto market is that they got Ram based SUVs.


Kinja'd!!! mk620t > Vicente Esteve
08/22/2014 at 16:02

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I live in Houston. We see these un-American market cars regularly. Audi s3, seats, VW city jetta - you name it, there's probably one from Mexico driving around here. I even know a person here that managed to register an s3 1.8t legally in texas as a kit car.


Kinja'd!!! EL_ULY > PatBateman
08/22/2014 at 16:03

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them fighting words!

-says half of me :]


Kinja'd!!! JosepK > Saf1
08/22/2014 at 16:09

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Sorry to disapoint you mate, the hindustan is (will be) no longer in production :(


Kinja'd!!! PatBateman > EL_ULY
08/22/2014 at 16:09

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Half of you is more than a full Yankee. Let's roll!


Kinja'd!!! FriskyDingo > Vicente Esteve
08/22/2014 at 16:10

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Is it weird that i want a Tsuru?


Kinja'd!!! guppysb > Tohru
08/22/2014 at 16:14

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The SR20DET engine was one of the best 4-bangers back in the 90s. Too bad the stock SR20DE engine in the SE-R was very different from it's bigger brother.


Kinja'd!!! JosepK > EL_ULY
08/22/2014 at 16:15

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Well ... Citroen is not quite right (has not been sold here since the sixties I think) and yes, there is a lot of manufacturers here. The only thing that bothers me is that any sport car in the market is way more expensive than in the US; but then again, there is when the mexican ingenuity comes in, and an old small nissan truck can defeat a quarter mile sports car in the stripe (google it :D)


Kinja'd!!! Fuentes > Saf1
08/22/2014 at 16:16

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The red light in the middle that lights up when you brake.


Kinja'd!!! umair01 > Vicente Esteve
08/22/2014 at 16:18

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Manufacturers don't have to worry about safety standards in good ol' Mexico:

One of Nissan's most popular models in Mexico, the Tsuru, is so outdated it has only lap seat belts in the back and some versions have no air bags at all. The car is not sold in the US or Europe.

At a recent Latin NCAP crash test presentation, the Tsuru's driver's door ripped off upon impact at only 37 mph. Its roof collapsed and the steering wheel slammed against the crash test dummy's chest. The Tsuru scored zero stars out of a possible five.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/…


Kinja'd!!! Titan-E34 > Tohru
08/22/2014 at 16:22

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But they would pull a premium one week before race wars.


Kinja'd!!! honor first > Vicente Esteve
08/22/2014 at 16:23

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i love the " Borders, The Scars of the World " graffiti. ever notice how the only countries that have those kind of things are countries where the citizens want to leave their country


Kinja'd!!! RedPir8Roberts > Vicente Esteve
08/22/2014 at 16:23

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Is there a name badge on the front? Because "URUST" is not an ideal name for a car to have in someone's rearview mirror. I've been in that other continent below Guatemala, and cars like this and other Korean and Japanese cars we don't see in the US are taxis. And whether taxi or private car, you have to close the doors rather gently compared to what would be normal on any car sold here in the last 20 years (I'm sure there are exceptions, but can't think of one offhand) or the owner / cabbie will think you're trying to break his/her car. And you just might.


Kinja'd!!! EL_ULY > PatBateman
08/22/2014 at 16:23

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i'll get the truc..... plane tickets online!


Kinja'd!!! Fuentes > Vicente Esteve
08/22/2014 at 16:25

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The bodyguard


Kinja'd!!! PatBateman > EL_ULY
08/22/2014 at 16:28

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Cool.

I'll get the truck.


Kinja'd!!! Transit > Vicente Esteve
08/22/2014 at 16:28

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Any idea what it's like out in Guanajuato? I might be headed that way for work in a bit. Should I look forward to some good car watching, or a bunch or dusty heaps?


Kinja'd!!! EL_ULY > JosepK
08/22/2014 at 16:29

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hmm, i could of sworn I rented a 2C or C2 one time i was there. I remember seeing one at the airport that said Picasso on it. I pointed it out to my wife


Kinja'd!!! Xavier > Vicente Esteve
08/22/2014 at 16:29

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OK hold up, where in mexico do you live? cheap gas? you kidding right? gas is almost 4 usd a gallon (regular unleaded), in a country that has a $5 a day minimum wage....

Prices of cars are on par with the US? you kidding right? new GTI with leather seating nav and 18" wheels $471k pesos or about $36k give or take , GTI with similar specs in the states $29k with way better warranty and service included while under warranty. Jetta same thing even though they are made in Puebla then exported to the states.

CLA 45 AMG $1 million pesos or US $75k starting price C. LA 45 AMG in the states? $47450. And dont even get me started on the price of the G series.

Granted we have cars like the cls shooting brake or the Land Rover Defender, but at a premium cost as pretty much any other car


Kinja'd!!! EL_ULY > PatBateman
08/22/2014 at 16:31

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heck no! They'll see the Texas plates somewhere in Nuevo Leon and they chop us up alive and show our heads to everyone in a small town


Kinja'd!!! Manuél Ferrari > Vicente Esteve
08/22/2014 at 16:34

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Congrats on the FP promotion!


Kinja'd!!! bacavoit > H4N5 GRU83R
08/22/2014 at 16:34

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"I couldnt comprehend how both could exist simultaneously." Well, as far as I know the Tsuru was never the Sentra in Mexico, we skipped a generation so we kept the Tsuru and got the Sentra.


Kinja'd!!! Costa Rican not Puerto Rican > Vicente Esteve
08/22/2014 at 16:35

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"I know how it is, I've been there, and I don't see why almost anyone would want to visit whats lurking below of the Guatemalan Border."

I'm well south of the Guatemalan border, thankfully. I live in Costa Rica. For one, we have drinkable water. I had the worst diarrhea ever in Mexico thanks to your water. I despise having to brush my teeth using bottled water because the one from the tap will kill me.

I can travel freely along my country without fear of being kidnapped or killed by drug cartels.

That's why people like to visit us, thankfully.

Oh, and our car market is even more diverse, with more European brands available.


Kinja'd!!! PatBateman > EL_ULY
08/22/2014 at 16:36

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.... Good point.

TO THE AIRPORT!!!


Kinja'd!!! bacavoit > Vicente Esteve
08/22/2014 at 16:38

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Most used bodyguard car for sport cars in Mexico. Ive also seen Durangos and a Mercedes ML AMG.


Kinja'd!!! Ducky > Vicente Esteve
08/22/2014 at 16:41

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" It is a more playful Polo, and a much sexier alternative that makes it stand out, ad to that the huge array of colors."

Be warned, this car is cheap and for good reason. I didn't realize you could still get really shitty 90's Chrysler interiors in a car built in 2014. Honestly, compared to the other Polo stablemates (Audi A1, Skoda), this is the worst of all of them. Beauty is really only skin deep on this car.


Kinja'd!!! metros11 > Tohru
08/22/2014 at 16:45

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Are you being serious? We took an SE-R with 245K miles to 24 hours of Lemons and it lasted all weekend living mostly above 6k rpm. That motor eventually went in another race, so we bought another SR20DE motor with 255K mies that turned out to have a spun bearing. We essentially poured molasses into the engine and proceeded to race it anyways, and that sucker lasted the weekend as well. It's one of the cheapest most reliable motors you can get, you have no clue what you speak of.


Kinja'd!!! JustAnotherIdiot > Vicente Esteve
08/22/2014 at 16:49

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...anything after that is just not worth going. I know how it is, I've been there, and I don't see why almost anyone would want to visit whats lurking below of the Guatemalan Border.

Are you really dismissing all of Central America that quickly? Dayum. That's harsh.

They have a lot of what Mexico has: beautiful ruins, lovely beaches, drug cartels, leaders who can't protect their citizens from horrific violence...


Kinja'd!!! bacavoit > Transit
08/22/2014 at 16:50

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In october I think there is the Carrera Panamericana which goes across Guanajuato, you will love it.


Kinja'd!!! bacavoit > 472CID
08/22/2014 at 16:57

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I didnt know the Ramcharger wasnt sold in the US.


Kinja'd!!! dingo427drivesaGKFit > Vicente Esteve
08/22/2014 at 16:59

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Of Course there is somewhere to lurk around after the Guatemalan border!! Costa Rica and Panama are some of the best places in the world!


Kinja'd!!! revarthurbelling > Vicente Esteve
08/22/2014 at 17:02

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I went on a trip to central Mexico in the late 1990s and was amazed to see all the VW Bugs and Microbuses that were shiny and new. It was like stepping back in time.


Kinja'd!!! bacavoit > Costa Rican not Puerto Rican
08/22/2014 at 17:03

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Typical ignorant, anyway, just because you went to a place and got diarrhea cause you couldnt handle some ingredient doesnt mean it was due to uncook food or water. You pussy...


Kinja'd!!! Solarplex03 > Vicente Esteve
08/22/2014 at 17:04

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I love Mexico vehicles, so exciting to see what gm parts bin carsthey have, sierras/ yukons with chevy bow ties in the middle of the square grill and so many other combos. My favorite mexican truck is a chevy tornado, i want one murdered out for my daily driver. http://www.chevrolet.com.mx/tornado.html


Kinja'd!!! Jc Coello > Vicente Esteve
08/22/2014 at 17:05

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Yeah... ummm...

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Kinja'd!!! bacavoit > RedPir8Roberts
08/22/2014 at 17:07

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Front only has a Nissan badge on the grill and back in my hometown state Tsurus are widely used as taxis and some company cars. I havent really seen many for private use as I used to see when I was growing up, we even had one in dark red cherry.


Kinja'd!!! bacavoit > FriskyDingo
08/22/2014 at 17:12

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I had one when I was growing up and I really liked it :)


Kinja'd!!! 472CID > bacavoit
08/22/2014 at 17:13

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The Ramcharger of the 70s and 80s was, this model no.


Kinja'd!!! bacavoit > 472CID
08/22/2014 at 17:15

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Well yes, I ment to say this model. I have seen the early ones in movies :P


Kinja'd!!! High Road > 472CID
08/22/2014 at 17:17

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Not anymore. They haven't made them since 2001


Kinja'd!!! marcoaml78 > Tohru
08/22/2014 at 17:36

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The Sentra (tsuru in Mexico) has always been soold with the 1.6, they had a special edition called the GSR2000 that had the 2.0l engine, i haven't seen any of these in quite some time.


Kinja'd!!! K5ING > Vicente Esteve
08/22/2014 at 17:40

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If you want to see some weird and wonderful cars and trucks, take a Google Earth Street View tour of Brazil sometime. I would suggest starting in some of the poorer areas of Sao Paulo.


Kinja'd!!! FriskyDingo > bacavoit
08/22/2014 at 17:46

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Its so 90s i love it! Its just simple.


Kinja'd!!! bacavoit > FriskyDingo
08/22/2014 at 17:48

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And it was really fun to drive or at least that was when I was 14


Kinja'd!!! xxstich666xx > Vicente Esteve
08/22/2014 at 17:48

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Mexico is also the only place in North America to buy a brand new Peugot or Citroen.


Kinja'd!!! dummptyhummpty > Tohru
08/22/2014 at 17:50

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I was in Cancun last summer with some friends and this was such a surprise to me. I'm like, what's up with all these Sentras and my friend is like "That's a new car".


Kinja'd!!! Agares > Tohru
08/22/2014 at 17:51

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They were still manufacturing the 70's VW Beetle in Mexico up until the last decade, because they're cheap, reliable, and easy to fix.


Kinja'd!!! xxstich666xx > Vicente Esteve
08/22/2014 at 17:51

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What's stopping me from importing a 2014 Nissan Tsuru and rregistering it as a 1995 Sentra?


Kinja'd!!! monkeyracing > Vicente Esteve
08/22/2014 at 17:54

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I like this article. I've always thought Mexico had an interesting mix of vehicles.

Vincente, where are you from? Your writing is an interesting mix of British, Canadian, American with a bit of odd capitalization and usage thrown in. I'm not criticizing - just curious.


Kinja'd!!! RW53104 > Vicente Esteve
08/22/2014 at 18:09

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I sort of wish they did this in the US. Instead of buying a really shitty cheap car new, you can buy a new car that was actually only new ten years ago. "Cheap new car" price, "used car" technology, but "new car" reliability and low miles. Hm...


Kinja'd!!! 2cvhoonage > Vicente Esteve
08/22/2014 at 18:22

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I love how long Volkswagen produced their old cars there as well. For example, this car was made in 2003.

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Kinja'd!!! gizmosfene > Vicente Esteve
08/22/2014 at 18:42

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Awesome Article, try spell check next time.


Kinja'd!!! boost_retard > Vicente Esteve
08/22/2014 at 18:53

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I actually saw a Seat Ibiza yesterday in Chula Vista just north of TJ.


Kinja'd!!! boost_retard > Vicente Esteve
08/22/2014 at 18:53

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I actually saw a Seat Ibiza yesterday in Chula Vista just north of TJ.


Kinja'd!!! The man in the iron mask > Saf1
08/22/2014 at 18:54

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It isnt so paradise here, but its ok. The streets are ugly as fuck, the traffic increases and there are no projects to make more. Its a different system that US freeways. which is nicely planned for expanding in the future.


Kinja'd!!! GhostZ > Tohru
08/22/2014 at 19:01

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Because they're damn good cars .


Kinja'd!!! AMDX1325 > Vicente Esteve
08/22/2014 at 19:08

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How safe is mexico though? Compared to US/Canada?


Kinja'd!!! Art > Vicente Esteve
08/22/2014 at 19:10

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You are wrong on one aspect, gas is more expensive in México, it's also diluted or something because everytime we drive to Mexico our cars loose like half the power.


Kinja'd!!! toroloco > Vicente Esteve
08/22/2014 at 19:20

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¡Que buen post!

I think you are right. Beyond the things you mentioned there are many other advantages:

- Gas is relatively cheap compared to most everywhere else this side of Venezuela (about the same as the US)

- Apart from the high-end models of the high-end european brands, car prices are also relatively low.

- We can enjoy speed mostly as if it were the Autobahn with minimal consequences (other than maybe dying)

- We have lot's of great driving roads. Mountain roads, coastal roads, most-dangerous in the world roads, you name it! And: lots of nice destinations to drive to. All over the country.

- We have had Alfa. For fucking years now. Not to mention cars like the Clio Sport (RS), Megane RS, hot pugs , 130i and many others. Even though lately, some of these are giving us the "third world treatment" and no longer importing the good stuff. Re: Renault.

¡Saludos desde chilangolandia!


Kinja'd!!! toroloco > Transit
08/22/2014 at 19:24

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In Leon, Guanajuato you'll get to see the full range of what's available. It's a very nice city. I drive up there from Mexico City all the time because in-laws.

Also Guanajuato is quite safe which I am sure you'll be happy to know.


Kinja'd!!! toroloco > bacavoit
08/22/2014 at 19:25

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Yes and Leon also gets a fucking WRC date.


Kinja'd!!! GBond > Vicente Esteve
08/22/2014 at 19:28

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Actually, the base model ($13,000 including taxes) comes with the 2.0 engine and 115 hp. It's not good on gas but since it's light it's pretty fun to drive.


Kinja'd!!! armilar > AMDX1325
08/22/2014 at 19:31

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I have to say almost as secure, but you can not compare whole countries. I'm sure if I go to some places in USA it will be as unsecure as Mexico and some places in Mexico are same as secure as US/Canada. Use your common sense and try to avoid bars knows to be visit by drug dealers or several highways at night. Check internet talk with the locals use common sense


Kinja'd!!! toroloco > Costa Rican not Puerto Rican
08/22/2014 at 19:32

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Yes, I think the disparaging part about not wanting to go further south was totally unwarranted. As a Mexican I hate seeing exactly the same kind of ignorance from our northern anglo friends. I am sure he meant it in jest but still.

Also, who's the best CONCACAF team. Hate to admit it: it's yours.

One thing you have to admit though, it's that you can't drive for too long before the road ends :). Saludos.


Kinja'd!!! toroloco > Xavier
08/22/2014 at 19:34

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Gas is about the same as the US and lower than most other places in the world that are not OPEC members. The top euro models are expensive compared to the US but not so if you compare to most other places. And american cars are very close in price to the US.


Kinja'd!!! armilar > Vicente Esteve
08/22/2014 at 19:36

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Very good read, Thanks Vicente. you are right Mexico is a big buffet from the newest exotics to the old economic cars . We were the last country to produce the original beetle.


Kinja'd!!! toroloco > Art
08/22/2014 at 19:36

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Automotive Moctezuma's revenge?

I have driven a few times up to Texas and didn't notice any difference in power.


Kinja'd!!! Rick Brasche > Vicente Esteve
08/22/2014 at 19:49

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I wanted the Chevy Toronado but had to settle for a used Subaru Baja to get my camino fix:

http://www.chevrolet.com.mx/tornado.html


Kinja'd!!! PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Vicente Esteve
08/22/2014 at 20:24

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I've known for a while that mexico's market is good, I just didn't realize how good until recently. time to fly south and pick up a few polos to import!


Kinja'd!!! TheMightyTexMex > Vicente Esteve
08/22/2014 at 20:29

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This article makes me miss my hometown of Monterrey :(


Kinja'd!!! HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Saf1
08/22/2014 at 20:43

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the third brake light is there because it's higher up. Think about it if a large truck is fallowing a small car they might not be able see the tail lights but the will see a light a few feet higher.