Re: Relocating and wondering where to buy a second-hand truck

Keep your eyes out on this board as well as craigslist...also check the "island trader"--I believe they have an online presence. Keep in mind that a lot of the cars here have a LOT of issues, so do not under any circumstances buy a vehicle sight unseen. I've seen people describe cars as in "great shape" when they had missing trim, non-functional air, windows, engine issues, etc...

Vento,

That's great information. Thank you so much. I have already found a few cars on another forum that are from as far back as 2001 and earlier and they say that they are in great shape. I mean, I do not want to doubt anyone, but I've heard that the island roads are not well maintained, so a car that is ten years old and has been on island roads for that long would have to have some kind of problems, right?

I will check the Island Trader. Thank you again.

Raj H.

I have a 2003 but it has only been on the island for 4 years...the roads do beat up cars seriously here...just keep looking and be more skeptical than anything else...it generally is going to cost $5,000+ to get a decent car with all accessories working correctly here. For a 4x4/Jeep, probably $7,000-$10,000. This is based on helping several friends car shop this year, both on the buying and selling side...

Good luck and keep looking!

Vento,

That is great advice. I just saw a listing for a 2001 Honda Civic for almost $3000. It is so hard doing this when I'm half way around the planet. I will keep your price ranges in mind to find a good car and will definitely stay skeptical until I have seen the vehicle myself.

Hope to see you around when I get to the island.

Raj H.

Raj--I'm sure we will run into each other--it's a small island! Another good practice from far away is to ask for specific pictures of interior, exterior, undercarriage, tires--at least then you can see as much of the vehicle as possible! As many of the roads here have huge potholes, a high ground clearance with 4wd is highly recommended. On the way to work this morning I was going past Heavy Materials and the concrete and rock quarry areas and that road is just plain awful.

As many of the roads here have huge potholes, a high ground clearance with 4wd is highly recommended. On the way to work this morning I was going past Heavy Materials and the concrete and rock quarry areas and that road is just plain awful.

This is exactly what I was wanting Vento. A nice sized four wheel drive truck or SUV. The only reason why both of those are discouraging is because of gas mileage. But if I get a stick shift diesel, that might make a difference, but it would also burn a hole in my pocket!!!

And thanks for the advice about the interior pictures. I will definitely do this. I have realtors telling me they have this beautiful house for me and I'm sure to love it and I'm like, "Yeah, I'm gonna need to see some detailed pictures before we decide anything.

Thanks for all the useful advice. Stay in touch.

Raj H.

IMO, gas milage really means very little here, unless you are doing a LOT of driving for your job. What we do is try to plan our trips to do all our errands in one area at one time.

IMO, gas milage really means very little here, unless you are doing a LOT of driving for your job. What we do is try to plan our trips to do all our errands in one area at one time.

Linda, I mean this in the best way possible, but you have touch of cynicism in your replies that sure does sting sometime. But they always come with good advice.

You mentioned a lot of driving as being the only reason gas mileage comes into play. Well, it is my wife, brother and I moving there and we do only have one car between the three of us and we all have jobs in different areas of the island, so I'm sure the car will be used quite a bit.

Also, from what I'm told, it is quite hilly there, so any vehicle will expend twice or three times as much fuel to go up that same distance of that hill, than if it was flat. Also, isn't it a lot of start and stop driving or as they say, city-type driving? I can't imagine you'd be doing constant speeds of 70 mph. Are there long straight highways there? I mean when you constantly slow your car down and speed it up, you use almost twice as much fuel.

Any ways, I will take your advice about planning everything all at once when we go to one area or the other. Thank you for the suggestion.

Raj H.

Gas mileage does mean relatively less than in the states, meaning that there is no WAY you are going to realize anywhere near the highway estimate, and probably little close to the city estimate. With the terrain being so hilly here, the car is constantly accelerating in ways that it normally would not in any highway test. I get between 10 and 12 mpg with my V6 Honda Pilot. If I had to guess the EPA ratings for the car it would probably be 14/19 or something close.

Vent, thank you for explaining the irrelevance of gas milage so much better than I did.

Vento and Linda,

Thanks for illuminating me on the subject. I understand what you guys mean now.

Raj H.

There are no long, straight highways on STT...the max speed limit is 35...and there are only 3 or 4 places where the road is stria
ght for longer than a quarter mile...you are always on the gas or the brake, accelerating or decelerating...downshifting helps to reduce break pad wear...

There are no long, straight highways on STT...the max speed limit is 35...and there are only 3 or 4 places where the road is stria
ght for longer than a quarter mile...you are always on the gas or the brake, accelerating or decelerating...downshifting helps to reduce break pad wear...

Hey Marty,

It's good to hear your take on the islands roads. In a way I was kind of right about gas consumption, but I guess I'll know the reality when I get there. Hope you're having a great weekend.

Raj H.

P.S. I made this post before you and I started talking, so I'm not moonlighting for another deal behind your back!!! 😉 Though I did make an inquiry today about shipping a vehicle from Miami, just so I know all my options.

Remember, when you ship from the States, in addition to the shipping company costs, you have to factor in the road tax (based on weight), 6% duty if it was manufactured outside the US, and registration...I'll get to your app in the morning, but I really think your best bet will be to get a loan up there before you come...this way, you have all of your time at residence still in your favor, and we can send you a bill of sale to put a lien on it...or you could just try for a personal loan...your credit score was good enough that that might be an option. But, I'm just going off of memory, so wait until you get an email from my work addy, 'K?

I know several people that bought cars/SUVs/trucks in Florida & shipped them here. Made in the USA of course, so don't have to pay customs. But their thinking behind it is it is Florida roadway miles which are straight-aways, not hilly, like here on island, so the vehicle is in better shape (not much strain on engine & other parts of vehicle) with better price. Even though they have to pay shipping, road tax, registration, etc. They know the history of the car because usually because keep better records in the states than here. Just what I was told & passing on.

Probably easier to get car loan too.