Buying a used diesel 4X4 SUV in Nicar

Submitted by ima1961 on 25 June, 2006 - 23:05.

Ok, thanks for all the wonderful advises. I am giving up to ship my 4X4 SUV to Nicar from SF.

So, now the question is where can I buy a used but good Diesel 4x4 SUV there in Nicar? Where do I start and what I should look out for a deal? Are Toyota/Mitsubishi parts readily avaiable there in Managua?

Is there anyone who is thinking about selling their diesel 4x4 SUV there in Nicar? I can only afford some $5K. Any comments?

Shirley

‹ Want to buy a used 4x4 SUV in Managua Rio San Juan ›
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not diesel, but in great condition . . .

Submitted by webtrainer on 28 August, 2006 - 13:00.

I'm selling my 2000 Mitsubishi Montero iO

http://www.nicaliving.com/node/5822

Doors of hope fly open when doors of promise shut. -Thomas D'Arcy McGee

for 5K

Submitted by Pinolero2 on 27 June, 2006 - 09:53.

Don't spect to buy anything newer than 90-92 if that specially 4X4 and diesel.

FAP

I concur...

Submitted by catahoula_fan on 27 June, 2006 - 11:48.

We helped a friend look in Managua for a truck last year. We looked everywhere, in the papers, asked around with the network of local friends we've made, and drove around and around in circles. It's hard to find a 4x4 truck in decent working condition for 5k in Managua.

Parts are plentiful for certain makes but good mechanics are hard to find. Buying a truck for a few dollars less will probably only cost you tons more in headaches down the road as you keep trying to get her fixed again and again and again.

We've been through dozens of mechanics. Half the time, something else gets broken in the process of trying to fix the problem. Mechanics don't carry parts and sometimes it'll take 'em half a day to get them at the Oriental.

If you have to buy them from Casa Pellas, plan to get screwed. They're charging three and four times the price for some reason. Sometimes though, you simply can't find the part anyplace else, or you've just given in because you've been looking for the part for a week already and are fixin' to blow a gasket (no pun intended).

Good luck with your search!

*If you can spend more than 5k, I've got the number of a honest car salesman in Managua who's got vehicles in great shape. I think the cheapest truck he's got is 11,5 though.

Best Deals

Submitted by Pinolero2 on 27 June, 2006 - 12:06.

At Customs Auctions, and the Managua Classifieds, I have seen 97, 98 Toyota Hilux,(the Absolute Best in the whole world)for $8,000-$10,000 in top knotch shape. Izuzus and Mitsubishi's are great, for about 5 years, then you have to overhouled them, they are not nearly as durable as the Hilux. Hence they are cheaper.

FAP

I agree

Submitted by Huehuete Bob on 27 June, 2006 - 20:04.

I have a Hilux and it Is the best truck available here......in my opinion.

Cigar Man - Custom Auctions?

Submitted by ima1961 on 27 June, 2006 - 12:38.

CigarMan and others..thanks for the guidance. I guess my friend has to 'up' his budget to some $8-9K range.

You mentioned Custom Auction in Managua. How does it work and where we can get info for this type of auction? Is it similar to what we have here that you can check/see the vehicle before you actually go bidding for one? Is all the title clear and where do they get these vehicles? Import Impound from our fellow Americans? That is terrible. Is the 15% IGA applicable in the auction? I think Isuzu or Mitsubishi will do as long as there are parts to repair when needed. My friend is not using the SUV only 4-5 times per year and each time is about 2-3 weeks around Boaco and SJDS, Rivas, Leon & Granada...very few days in Managua.

So, a good used SUV will do for the part time thing and most of the time, it will be parked in a secured garage.

Good Idea

Submitted by Pinolero2 on 27 June, 2006 - 12:51.

For 8-9 K he should be able to buy a hilux double cab, in excellent conditions, the Problem is with customs Auctions is that most if not all the vehicules are American.

Here is the link to Nicaragua customs,here you should be able to see what being auctioned off, browse throu the site to find out how to bid on it.

DGA-Customs Auctions

Here is how to bid

How To Bid Info

FAP

diesel

Submitted by Huehuete Bob on 26 June, 2006 - 17:29.

You should be able to find a diesel for 5k but it will take a little looking and a lot of bargaining. If you come here, pm me and we can do some searching. labor is very cheap here so even if there are a few problems its no big deal. You buy parts from the mercado for about 1/3 of the dealership prices, and yes Japanese parts are plentiful, also korean parts that fit japanese vehicles.

diesel 4X4 SUV

Submitted by ima1961 on 26 June, 2006 - 19:12.

rcefalu, Isuzu Trooper can do...or the Mitsubishi Montero will do as well. Where do I find these good used vehicle? A freind of mine owns a finca near Boaco and he goes there ~ 4 times a year(2-3 weeks per time). The rental fee for a 4X4 SUV from Hertz and other rental places are killing off his small budget. He wants to buy a good used Diesel 4X4 SUV so he can park it in his finca, perhaps to use it when he is there or his US friends are there. I had been to his finca, it definitely needs a 4X4 to get there.

Any advises are welcome...he only has about $5k..but the other poster is mentioning some 30 years old LandCruisr...that is a bit way too old.....

Check No-Nothing Other 2 Posters

Submitted by Miskito Alan on 27 June, 2006 - 01:37.

http://www.nicaliving.com/node/5061

http://www.nicaliving.com/user/2

http://www.nicaliving.com/user/438

Miskito Alan &#174

Diesel

Submitted by Huehuete Bob on 26 June, 2006 - 22:08.

Try here in Managua.....dont try Chele used cars. He just gets cars that dont clear customs here. Its important to make friends with people here in nicaliving. Cigarman is one who lives in Esteli....a little north of Managua. Well maybe more than a little notrh. But know that We will help you if we can.

Not much

Submitted by fyl on 26 June, 2006 - 06:35.

At that price, your options are pretty much a 30 year old LandCruiser holding back $1-2k to fix it or an Asia Rocsta. The LandCruiser is a better choice just because everyone knows how to fix them. Isuzu Trooper and Hyundai Galloper are two other possibilities.

Toyota is the big leader is parts availability all over the country. Mitsubishi is probably second. Thus, they are the best choices but there are dealers/parts for most Japonese and Korean vehicles in Managua.

Like buying anything else, anywhere, you best bet is to be here and wait and see. There is little need for a car here anyway so life with no car for a month or three could save you a lot of money and/or headaches.

Let me explain my "little need" statement--not just for you but for other NL readers. In Managua, not driving means:

  • You don't need a secure place to park your car
  • You don't have to deal with being lost because you don't know Managua
  • You don't have responsibility in an accident or whatever
  • You will save a lot of money if you use buses and taxis

In traveling around the country, well, the same rules apply. For example, I can drive my car 150km from Estelí to Managua in about 1.5 hours. Or, I can take a bus in about 2 hours. The bus costs C$50. I doubt you can operate any private vehicle for $.02/km. And you don't have to find a place to park the bus.

Isuzu Trooper....

Submitted by ima1961 on 26 June, 2006 - 19:14.

Isuzu Trooper 4X4 diesel ....What condition and what year make would we be able to get with that $5K? Where do we look?

Mitsubishi Montero

Submitted by bonet on 27 June, 2006 - 09:23.

My uncle has the 1998 Mitsubishi Montero Diesel 4x4 and he loves it. It is an incredible truck. My grandfather has the 87 Trooper 4x4 and that is also a great truck. For the used Trooper, you could check Auto Chele or a private seller.

Mitsubishi Montero

Submitted by ima1961 on 27 June, 2006 - 12:41.

Hello Bonet, where and when did your uncle buy that 98 Mit Montero diesel 4X4 and how much did he paid for that? Same question for the 87 Trooper?