People and their car in Mexico . . .

[bonbon]

When I came here 9 years ago, I found it strange that we were allowed to live here with a yearly renewal and drive a foreign car with foreign plates. I wanted to apply for permanent residency right away, but we were geared wrong by an immigration expert. So, we applied for FM3. But we knew it was not right because that’s not what we wanted and it did not make sense.

To make a long story short, within that year, we started to study the law and inquired and did what we thought was right: We discontinued our FM3 and applied for FM2. We even suspected that such latitude in the law could not stay for ever.

So, tell me. Why are so many people shocked and mad at the changes in the Immigration Law? Didn’t they see this coming? Especially in the last year . . . I believe there was enough warning to react and decide to do something about your car. If you head was in the sand, don’t blame anyone else but yourself.

It is still cheaper to dump your car for another used one than change your life completely by moving away to another place: selling your house at a loss, moving expenses, establishing in a new country . . . So, what’s the big deal with your car? Get rid of it and lick your wounds.

If you believed these wonderful privileges would last for ever, you were dreaming. Of course, some people will always blame the government when something does not suit them. Persecution syndrome.

You have created your own problems. Nobody else. Solve it now and go on with your life (it might be shorter than you think).

[Wheels]

well said

[Travis]

Finally!!! Thank you!!!

I agree entirely with everything you said, seewee. Allowing long-term residents to drive a foreign-plated vehicle never made any sense. Anybody who's been living here full-time, long-term, driving a foreign-plated car could easily have recognized they were driving a loophole that could and probably would disappear one day.

[Mainecoons]

To start with, it still isn't totally clear that what you call a loophole has disappeared.

Secondly, if the rules had been made clear from the get go, most certainly people would have had time to make the change. They have not.

Not every one can afford to take a big loss on a car and pay retail plus for a replacement overnight. A little empathy for those who cannot would be welcome from some of you.

[More Liana]

Seewee, a voice of reason. Thank you for your post.

[tonys]

Well said.

I do have empathy and people do have time, there is nothing in writing yet.

[Travis]

meh. not worth it.

*deleted*

[thegogulskis]

My husband and I are moving soon to Ajijic. Many people told us to keep our vehicle and get S.D. Plates to save money. It never felt right for us to

Lie and do this, we are from Ca. Not S.D. And we never intended to do it anyway as we want to continue to be honest people. I'm just saying why start off lying now, we have always been honest in Ca. And we pay a heck of a lot more for everything. We won't do what other people do that seems dishonest.

[ajijicis4me]

To start with, it still isn't totally clear that what you call a loophole has disappeared.

Secondly, if the rules had been made clear from the get go, most certainly people would have had time to make the change. They have not.

Not every one can afford to take a big loss on a car and pay retail plus for a replacement overnight. A little empathy for those who cannot would be welcome from some of you.

I agree, seewee is willing to buy all our old cars that we "should dump" in his opinion because HE has the money to do so. He can even finance our new vehicles at a low rate. Further, all of you who agree with him can join in and pay for our old vehicles.

[Mainecoons]

My husband and I are moving soon to Ajijic. Many people told us to keep our vehicle and get S.D. Plates to save money. It never felt right for us to

Lie and do this, we are from Ca. Not S.D. And we never intended to do it anyway as we want to continue to be honest people. I'm just saying why start off lying now, we have always been honest in Ca. And we pay a heck of a lot more for everything. We won't do what other people do that seems dishonest.

You have the option of four years of Temporal during which you can temporarily import a vehicle. When you go Permanente, the vehicle will have needed to be taken out of the country prior to the effective date of your Permanente. There's no lying about anything here. Titling your car in SD is perfectly legal and as you will no longer be a CA resident, you aren't lying to anyone about that either. SD's Clay County does not require you to be a resident in order to get car plates.

If you are pretty sure you're coming to stay, I'd consider making the change at the beginning simply to remove the uncertainty and make yourself less of a target for crooked cops. If you aren't sure you will be staying, you may want to go the TIP route knowing full well in advance that sometime during Year 4 you will need to take the car out or import it, buying one here if the former.

My problem with the OP is the inference that people are stupid because they didn't anticipate a rather major change in the car rule and in such a way that those who have 4 years of FM2/4 would be required to go Permanente and would have to deal with the car issue on short notice.

The short notice happens because, while people were waiting for the new rules, all the sudden Aduana announced they are treating Permanente the same as Immigrado even though this has not been stipulated in law.

There is a great deal of confusion over this business. People who have called Aduana in Mexico City have been given conflicting answers. Several incidences where people who thought they were properly waiting for new rules had their cars confiscated.

This is not the simple cut and dried deal some like to think it is. If you bring up the other threads on this topic you'll find some good references to a very extensive discussion on MexConnect.

[thegogulskis]

Thank u! I never understood the whole S.D. Plates, now I get it. but i know some of our neighbors in ajijic have lived there for about 20 yrs and have texas plates and never lived there. i guess it's just since we have been coming out there for the last 3 yrs. we always run into expats telling us to lie to get things cheaper (like Mexico isn't cheaper already!) the first time we went to the LCS, the man at the info booth told us to lie, lie, lie when we go to get health ins. (On pre existing health issues). I just feel a lot of people are trying to get away with crap. And we don't like lying, and feel we should pay our dues no matter where we live. I guess that's just us, but I hope not. We plan on buying a car out there and becoming perm. We have gone to our mexican consultant and already qualified. Just need to find out where to go there in Ajijic to finish paperwork once we get there. Thank u for the info. :-)

[johanson]

Gosh, who are your friends "thegogulskis" ? No one has told me to lie. And I didn't lie when I went to Texas to purchase a new Ford SUV in 2000. And at first I was able to get my Texas plates renewed. But when they learned I did not have Texas insurance anymore (I told them the truth) they said they could no longer annually renew my plates, so I haven't had them renewed since 2004. No big deal.

Now if the Government changes the law and I need to get a Mexican plated car, again, no big deal. I will, as always, just tell the truth. It's so much easier. And if I have to either get my car nationalized or buy a Mexican plated car, again no big deal. I will just do that which is required.

It's sad that some people have to be so negative about this.

.

[lakeside7]

When you consider the pro and cons of living and or moving to a "new" location You consider many "things"..The car thing was just one of the pros...over the past 8/10 years many changes have been made that affects the housing situation...

one of the pros for coming here is how stable has the govenment been apro rules and regulations..please do not keep moving the goal posts...if you ever mess with the cilmate, that will be the last straw

[Mainecoons]

Thank u! I never understood the whole S.D. Plates, now I get it. but i know some of our neighbors in ajijic have lived there for about 20 yrs and have texas plates and never lived there. i guess it's just since we have been coming out there for the last 3 yrs. we always run into expats telling us to lie to get things cheaper (like Mexico isn't cheaper already!) the first time we went to the LCS, the man at the info booth told us to lie, lie, lie when we go to get health ins. (On pre existing health issues). I just feel a lot of people are trying to get away with crap. And we don't like lying, and feel we should pay our dues no matter where we live. I guess that's just us, but I hope not. We plan on buying a car out there and becoming perm. We have gone to our mexican consultant and already qualified. Just need to find out where to go there in Ajijic to finish paperwork once we get there. Thank u for the info. :-)

You be welcome! Yep, if you're starting out with Permanente, you'll definitely want to buy your vehicle here. Lot's of good information about what to buy. I'm very partial to the Honda CRV because it is made here, it can carry a lot of stuff when you go to GDL for big shopping, it gets good gas mileage and it gets over those topes, cobbles and pot holes with the greatest of ease.

Good luck with your move!

[Hud]

My grandpa told me that when you lie, you are always a liar, because you have to continue to lie to cover up the first one.

[satnrose]

Thanks, Mainecoons

My problem is the same, the inference that people are stupid and, along this line, it needs to be brought to their attention after the fact. While the OP appears to be diligent, his standards do not apply to all people. Many who came to this area simply take things as they are and don't look ahead to what might change. So many laws here are not enforced and may never be.

Some I've talked who may be leaving are not making the car issue the sole issue. For these folks in limbo, there are many considerations as to why they may leave this area. They don't need to be reminded of the difficulties. They are addressing them.

[giltner68]

I bit my tongue earlier, but I'll dip my toe. I'm always amazed at people who apparently know what I should believe and how I should feel about things and know my financial position. And I got to thinking, so I'm offering seewee a proposition and it definitely works for me, so I'm sure they'll jump on the deal because I know exactly what they should think and their financial position etc - simply trade my car for theirs and they can deal with the hassle of nationalizing mine, the loss of selling it etc and I'll drive away smiling. Now, that sure works for me and I'm sure they'll agree, so just PM me for details, I'm anxious and motivated.

[Intercasa]

I dunno. Some people keeping their old cars of little value is like my dad who keeps his t shirts that are so thin from wear that you can see through them and yes he bought them at Sears 2 decades ago but wears them as they are still good shirts and have no holes.

[thegogulskis]

Someone asked who r friends are to tell us to lie??? That was the guy at LCS, not a friend! We havent met many people in ajijic, we are going it alone, that's the problem. and oh my we thought we had met some good friends in ajijic just to be ripped off by them. Even their family of lawyers to help us out with a shady realtor ended up ripping us off. We have found a few good people and will find more when we move down there. I tell people here in the states about the rip offs we have been involved in. But I always say to them after "we get ripped off of hundred of dollars in Mexico but not the thousands like in Ca. " HA! We are too trusting, but are learning from our experiences!

[giltner68]

There are values far beyond monetary.

[CWB]

It's my understanding that the FM3 law, when introduced was for business people who would be in this company temporarily setting up businesses from companies from other countries. At that time the government did not realize that it would apply to retirees moving to this area and the extent of people that would be able to use this law.

The law said it was legal to have out of country plates while you were a FM3 holder. Not immigration facilitators but the law of Mexico.

So please don't imply we were stupid.

[Mainecoons]

Someone asked who r friends are to tell us to lie??? That was the guy at LCS, not a friend! We havent met many people in ajijic, we are going it alone, that's the problem. and oh my we thought we had met some good friends in ajijic just to be ripped off by them. Even their family of lawyers to help us out with a shady realtor ended up ripping us off. We have found a few good people and will find more when we move down there. I tell people here in the states about the rip offs we have been involved in. But I always say to them after "we get ripped off of hundred of dollars in Mexico but not the thousands like in Ca. " HA! We are too trusting, but are learning from our experiences!

What a bummer! I admire your resiliency, it will serve you well here. We look forward to meeting you!

BTW, do NOT attempt to buy a car on your own here. If you can afford new, Spencer of S&S auto will be your go between and assistance at no additional cost to you. If you are buying used, he'll cost you a little but he will save you from getting ripped off.

[CWB]

I dunno. Some people keeping their old cars of little value is like my dad who keeps his t shirts that are so thin from wear that you can see through them and yes he bought them at Sears 2 decades ago but wears them as they are still good shirts and have no holes.

I guess you never heard of a guy in the US with an old car that has over 3 million miles on it and it's still running fine.

http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/Latest-News-Wires/2012/0709/3-million-mile-Volvo-Long-Island-man-s-P1800S-won-t-quit-video

My car is 14 years old, has all the bells and whistles because I wanted that when I bought it, runs well, needs little maintenance so why should I purchase a new car when my old car is doing just fine? To me, my car still has lots of value left in it.

[giltner68]

I was thinking of Ricks Restoration on TV, people bring in totally worthless pieces of junk and pay 6, 8, $10K to have him restore them because many have sentimental value. I drove one car 320K miles and bought another and it's got 200K and is in storage just in case I ever need it, I love that car so much I wouldn't offend it with our roads and topes down here.

[thegogulskis]

Thank u so much Mainecoons's! We look forward to living a good positive rest of our lives there in Ajijic. And yes we will look forward to working with spencer so we won't get ripped off again.?