west coast route

Nationalizing a car means making it a Mexican registered vehicle. Only certain NAFTA built vehicles can be nationalized. It costs approximately $1500 - $3500 USD (taxes and broker fees) to do it depending on the make and year of the vehicle.

nthensome wrote:One of my dogs thinks he should drive...Might do better in Mexico than me! Joyful, did you take I-5 all the way to the border? What do you mean "can be naturalized?" I have a 2003 Subaru Baja (sounds Mexican anyway!) with 100k miles on it. Should get me there ?!?

I don't believe Subarus can be nationalized here. You would have to take it back to the U.S. to sell. Check the VIN and if it starts with a number it would be okay. If it starts with a J then no. Should you drive and then later get a permanent visa you will have to take the car back across the border to sell. You will be able to keep it here for at least 4 years.
Yes, we took I-5 and crossed at Nogales. If you do decide to drive there will be many of us to offer suggestions on where to stay along the way.

Some Subarus are "manufactured" in the U.S. and can be nationalized. Mine is a 2003 and has a "Made in Indiana" sticker on a corner of a back window. All numbers in the VIN.

I could keep the car for 4 years but would still have to go to the border every 180 days? If so does it have to be the same crossing I entered? Would a packed pickup bed remain packed or would it be emptied before I got there? Anyone managed this?

If you come on a tourist visa you would have to leave with the car every 180 days....same without a car. If you get a temporal visa, it can be good for a full year and renewable each year. The renewal can be done locally. If you are coming down before moving I would suggest you talk to Spencer McMillan, a local attorney here. He can give you the scoop on what you need to know. He is on this board as Intercasa. Best to get professional advice as the laws change frequently. If you plan to live here you will want to get a temporal visa before moving here thru a Mexican Consulate. Spence can give you the requirements for obtaining it.

Thanks all for your advice.

I think I am getting into this thread a bit late, but any input would be helpful!

I am coming down the first week in Nov. to purchase a home. After that my wife and I had planned to drive down with our two cats and two dogs. (we will have shipped everything else down) My question is, about keeping the vehicle, an Escalade, with us. I have read it is better to sell your vehicle NOB and then buy one in MX. To do that I would have to drive back up from Chapala and sell it NOB. Is that correct?

I would also welcome any PM's on local movers that any of you have used to ship your household from NOB.
The good, the bad, no ugly please.

Strom-White is the mover to use IMHO.  Yes, you'll need to go back up to the border to sell your car.  If you get a Resident Temporal visa you'll have 4 years in which to dispose of the car.

Thanx David.
During that 4 year period, can I get MX plates or do I have to keep renewing the US ones?

unless you're driving out of mexico,you don't need to renew your us plates for the 4 years of your temporal

Thanx Pedro.

I'm trying to figure out how to sell my car here at home before I leave and still get me, my furry friends and some possessions down there. I'm considering renting a car in Portland, driving down and maybe exchanging for different rental at the border..then buy a car there..any thoughts?

That's probably a good idea OR you and your furry friends fly down and you ship the possession's you need to bring. I would cost out both ways and see.

Much depends upon your INM status. If you have already been living in Mexico and have a visa, you could drive your US car to the city nearest the border with a CarMax and an airport serving your Mexico destination. Drive down, board the dogs, fly to your Mexico destination, buy a car, drive back to the US, pick up the dogs, rest a bit......etc.
Otherwise, minimize the belongings, store them, fly to Mexico with the dogs and worry about the belongings on a later visit north. Simpler? Do not forget to get visa approval at the nearest Mexican consulate before you leave.