Should I rent or bring a car?

I am planning to spend a couple months there this summer (Aug Sep) and I will want wheels. At this time, I do not own a car but am sorely tempted to buy the cutest little Mustang convertible you have ever seen. The trouble is, will I find a safe place to park it overnight when I am there. (Last year I stayed at Spencer's, but there is only street parking.) The alternative is NOt buy the car, and rent something. But, that sounds really expensive for 2 months, even for a rent-a-wreck deal. So, any advice? Thanks.

You can get a great deal on a rental from Mark Turford. About $750 for a month (insurance included).

markturford@yahoo.com

Will you be renting in the same place? If not, there are plenty of rentals with off-street parking, depending on your budget. I've heard that rentals ARE expensive here but don't know first-hand.

CanuckBob wrote:You can get a great deal on a rental from Mark Turford. About $750 for a month (insurance included).

markturford@yahoo.com

I could write him an e-mail but I'll ask here so other people can benefit from the answer.
Does he do short term rentals as well? Does he have a website?
Sometimes short term works well for people who will be "visiting" areas around the lake but may not need a car for the total time that they are there. BTW, I am inquiring for friends who will be renting there for three months next season.

No website that I am aware of. Yes, he does daily, weekly and monthly. Heck, he'll probably even do hourly. He delivers the vehicle and offers great service. I always use him.

How about e-mailing Mark your questions and posting them here?

Done! Will post answers when I hear back. I doubt he does hourly though...he'd be taking business away from the motels.

Wow...someone who answers e-mails promptly... alignment is a little messed up from copying and pasting.

Mark’s Used Car Rental at an Affordable Price
Affordable Tel. 376 765 4341 Cell 333 398 9045 markturford@yahoo.com
Rental
Cars March 2011 Rates (USD)

Daily Weekly Monthly

1994 VW Golf $32 $205 $600

1996 Taurus Wagon Pwr everything $35 $220 $630

1996 Buick Regal Pwr locks /windows $35 $220 $630

1996 Saturn Sedan 5 speed – pwr locks $30 $185 $560

1997 Saturn Sedan – pwr locks / windows $32 $210 $590

1997 Pontiac Grand Am Pwr locks $31 $200 $585

1997 VW Jetta 5 spd Pwr locks $32 $205 $600

1998 Mercury Sable Pwr locks / windows $34 $215 $620

1998 Grand Caravan Minivan (plus rear ac) $50 $305 $860

1999 Ford Escort Wagon Pwr locks /windows $34 $215 $620

1999 Pontiac Sunfire Pwr locks / windows $32 $205 $600

1999 Saturn Wagon 5 speed $32 $205 $600

2000 Ford Focus Wagon Pwr locks/windows $35 $225 $630

2000 Dodge Stratus Pwr locks /windows $34 $215 $610

2000 Cavalier 2 door $30 $190 $570

2004 Nissan Platina – compact – pwr locks $32 $205 $595


All cars have a.c. unless otherwise stated, and are ready to travel anywhere.
Rental insurance cover with “Collision Damage Waiver” included in the price.
Airport pick up / drop off or one way rental available at a small extra charge.
$5 delivery cost to deliver to your door in the Ajijic – Chapala area.
Cars are four door automatics unless otherwise stated.
Payment in check or transfer any major currency. Foreign cash 2% surcharge (i.e. not pesos).
Copies of passport and all drivers’ licenses required with any rental.

As you probably know I haven’t needed to advertise yet. People who visit Lake Chapala or live here continue to refer my services to their friends. I really appreciate that, as it has helped me to continue giving a good deal to good people time after time. The cars are far from new, but stringently maintained, and travel long distances without mechanical problems. Don’t worry about scratches from parking lots, dents or worse – that’s why I rent used cars. Of course, there is always room for improvement, so any suggestions or observations would be most welcome.

I look forward to hearing from you - Mark Turford

I'll be seeing Mark on Friday. Perhaps I'll see if he wants to keep an ad here on the board and offer a "member discount" for everyone.

Wow, those are great prices!

Yep he is the best deal in town. Great guy to deal with too. One of the vehicles I had rented overheated on the way to Tomas's Bar in Chapala but we manged to limp it there. I called Mark and he came out to the restaurant took the vehicle away for quick repairs and returned it before we finished dinner..........

We and many of our residents have rented cars from Mark over the past 5 years and never a complaint. What you get for the price is a real deal and then throw in the pick up and delivery to your doorstep ... Oh yeah.

So senior(a) ferret, since the buses are so convenient as are the taxi's, do you think you will need a car the entire time you are here or just when you want to travel out of town?

We are renting a car from Mark for a week while we are there looking for a long term rental. My hubby can't walk more than a block and some of the places we're looking at are on the mountainside. Mark will pick us up at the bus station.
Our plans are to move there starting around June 1st...I will drive our own car over from Bucerias (maybe) ...haven't thought that far in advance. Working on a friend with a van to help us out.
I have sent Mark's info to our friends who will be renting there next winter.
Maggie

Sounds like Mark the car rental guy is the best plan.

I shudder to think of what can happen to that cute little convertible around here, even parked temporarily on the street. Don't do it......please!!

Where are you comming from and how much is the airfare to Guad? How much would it cost you to drive your car to chapala(gas, time, lodging, food, auto insurance in Mexico)?

If it were me, I'd fly down and take a taxi or rent a car when needed.

uj

Not sure to whom the last couple of posts were directed and I post on a number of boards so I can't remember who knows what.
We, Bruce and Maggie, have lived in Mexico fulltime for fifteen years. We just sold the coast home we built in San Pancho, Nayarit. It was a very fast closing...received offer January 25th and it closed February 25th. We rented the only place we could find in Bucerias during high season and on short notice that would take our dog. It's a great location but other than that, I have nothing nice to say about it.
Our car is a little 4 door Chevy C2 and it's not a convertible.
After living on the coast for six years all through the unbearable heat and humidity of summer...and watching the electric meter spin like a whirling dervish with the air conditioners...enough is enough. We are moving back inland.
We loved the nine years that we lived in San Miguel de Allende...the weather, the place, the people...but December and January were just too cold...when it drops to 5 C. at night.
We've always enjoyed the Lake Chapala area and it was our halfway point when travelling between San Miguel and Bucerias. It was also the first spot I looked at in January of '96 on my "investigative" trip and I stayed at the Danza del Sol for three weeks.
Travelling by bus from Bucerias to Guad is so my hubby can easily get up and stretch his legs and we are leaving our car for one of our sons to use when he is here taking care of the dog while we are there.
We are renting the car from Mark because we have a lot of running around to do and appointments to keep that are not where taxis normally hang out. I don't need to add to our stress level. By renting a car from Mark, we are in total control. This is not a vacation...if it was our decision would be different.

Ferret, Gringal was responding to me (the OP). I want to buy a car, and specifically a convertible. However, I guess that will not be practical to bring to Chapala this summer. If I buy it, I am advised to leave it home and rent a car. That will be too expensive for me, I am afraid, even with Mark's good prices. I will already be payinig double rent for 2 or 3 months, and adding another $600 US a month is out of the question.
I guess I can buy a practical car (sniff) that I can safely bring with me, or just rely on taxis.
I appreciate everyone's input. I am glad Ferret got some needed info from my query.
To Uncle Jack: I live in Mazatlán. I will drive my own car or take a bus, depending on what I decide. Dee

Mazdee, I can't thank you enough for making the enquiry. I would never have found out about Mark otherwise...and he is a great find...thorough, efficient and prompt. He is so busy that he is just starting to get cars back now...for a long time he had none to rent out. AND, he pointed out to us that the clocks go forward at 2 a.m. on Sunday April 3rd...I think we would have missed the bus!
The thread got kind of confusing and I apologize for taking over your OP...I was just so damn excited to deal with someone local I got carried away. I'd been looking for a couple of weeks to organize our transportation there...mea culpa!