By Phil Bennett (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 5:05 pm: |
Hi. We are hoping to move to Bonaire early next year. Can anyone tell me which makes of car are well supported for service there and whether it is best to bring a car over rather than buy it locally?
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By Purple Twins (BonaireTalker - Post #47) on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 3:39 am: |
I have the same question. Also wondering about what's the best, buying or bringing my own. And does anybody know what prices to think of when buying?
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By Ann Phelan - www.bonairecaribbean.com (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2308) on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 8:38 am: |
If you have a car such as a Toyota or Suzuki, obtaining parts will be easier than say a BMW or Volkswagen. My bf bought a Brazilian Chevy pick up here and has a terrible time getting parts. I followed the advice of many and bought a 2k 91 200k km Toyota Starlet. It looks horrid but I am going into year 3 with it...it's a humble reliable ole girl. Had I do it again I would buy here again. You do not need fancy here. Things get very dirty from the dust and of course rust from the sea.
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By michael gaynor (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2132) on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 11:37 am: |
Do not import a car unless it is a Toyota, Suzuki, Mitsubishi or other car that is sold on the island. We do have a Chevy and Ford Dealer here, but the parts are outrageous. A new car starts at aroud 15,000 US.
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By Purple Twins (BonaireTalker - Post #48) on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 2:30 pm: |
Thanks all!
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By Ann Phelan - www.bonairecaribbean.com (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2309) on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 2:41 pm: |
My car is definitely second hand. When I buy a new used car (would never buy a new one here) I will go to CUR where they are cheaper.
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By Phil Bennett (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 2:42 pm: |
Thanks for the quick responses. It looks like it will be cheaper to buy a Toyota of Suzuki before we come, as long as there's room in the container!
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By Jerry Gauron (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #964) on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 2:43 pm: |
Ann, whats the price of gas these days?
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By Phil Bennett (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 2:44 pm: |
I forgot the important question - how old does it have to be, or how long do I have to own in to not have to pay import duty?
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By Debbie Babcock (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3748) on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 3:15 pm: |
I bought a used truck on Bonaire. Knew the guy who sold it to me, so got a good deal. Rust is a biggie on island. Just had the it all welded underneath the back cab with new metal or whatever they do. Salt, rust is always a problem for vehicles as Ann said. Not sure I would buy a new car on island as the wear and tear of just sitting there does alone. I like Toyotas personally.
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By pat murphy (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #899) on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 3:29 pm: |
jerry, i believe gas is about $3.95/gallon. as i remember it was nafl 1.82/liter...converting guilders to dollars and liters to gallons is how i came to that price. the price seems to stay pretty constant...it doesn't change day to day like it does here. i paid $2.67 on monday about 10 miles from my house...on the way home i saw it at $2.79 closer to home. yesterday, it went to $2.84 and today it's $2.95. crazy.
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By wish I had gills (BonaireTalker - Post #77) on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 3:57 pm: |
Phil be careful, i don't know about the age, but you have to own it at least 6 months before you can bring it without (sky high) import duty. at least, that applied to cars from holland when i came here 3 years ago.
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By roy Doyon (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #7) on Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 8:24 pm: |
has anyone experience with shipping a car from the US to Bonaire. I wonder what the costs are (import tax, shipping costs) and what sort of paperwork is necessary.
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By Ruth van Tilburg (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #596) on Saturday, July 1, 2006 - 10:42 am: |
Call Amcar Freight, 305-599-8866, and speak with Mercy re: shipping costs, and car registration paper requirements (proof of ownership, etc-they need a lot to ship a vehicle). Then, add the shipping cost to the value of the car, and call Rocargo, on Bonaire: 011-599-717-8922 & hit ext 4. Speak with Patricia about import costs/paperwork (import duties are always on top of item's value, PLUS S&H costs). I recommend sitting down at this point.
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By Ruth van Tilburg (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #597) on Saturday, July 1, 2006 - 10:43 am: |
Rocargo's fax is: 011-599-717-8524.
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By Kevin Wayne Williams (The Great Escape) (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #163) on Wednesday, July 5, 2006 - 10:52 am: |
There isn't an age limit on the car, but you need to have proof of ownership for at least a year.
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By Barton Brown (BonaireTalker - Post #42) on Saturday, July 15, 2006 - 1:05 am: |
If you purchase a new car on Bonaire, say a Toyota, is it possible to have it treated with an after-market corrosion protection like Ziebart, or are you limited to whatever the manufacturer does to limit corrosion?
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By Kevin Wayne Williams (The Great Escape) (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #177) on Saturday, July 15, 2006 - 8:20 am: |
Akkerman Toyota has the Ziebart franchise.
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By Phil Bennett (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #4) on Saturday, July 15, 2006 - 5:59 pm: |
Are there any websites where cars are advertised? Either new or used.
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By Barton Brown (BonaireTalker - Post #43) on Saturday, July 15, 2006 - 10:51 pm: |
Thanks Kevin, just what I wanted to hear .
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By Phil Bennett (BonaireTalker - Post #14) on Sunday, July 30, 2006 - 4:12 pm: |
What are the chances of getting parts for a 1992 Eunos 1.6 (That's a Japanese version of the Mazda MX5, or to Americans it's a Miata)?
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By michael gaynor (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2192) on Monday, July 31, 2006 - 10:01 am: |
Lots of luck!!!
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By Phil Bennett (BonaireTalker - Post #16) on Monday, July 31, 2006 - 4:21 pm: |
I take it that's a NO then!
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By Kevin Wayne Williams (The Great Escape) (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #191) on Monday, July 31, 2006 - 5:11 pm: |
It really depends on how much you love your car, Phil. I brought a Morris with me to the island, but knew that I didn't have a chance of finding parts. I brought two complete belt changes, three unused tires, replacement intake manifold, exhaust manifold, two spare carburetors, three complete conversion gasket sets, two manifold gasket sets, extra head gasket, differential, gear shift, generator, distributor, spark plug cable set, replacement front disks, replacement rear drums, brake shoes, brake pads, two clutch assemblies, and a few more things that I can't remember off the top of my head.
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By Barton Brown (BonaireTalker - Post #44) on Monday, July 31, 2006 - 9:22 pm: |
Kevin,
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By Barton Brown (BonaireTalker - Post #45) on Monday, July 31, 2006 - 9:27 pm: |
One more observation/comment regarding shipping a car versus buying one on Bonaire...
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By Kevin Wayne Williams (The Great Escape) (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #192) on Monday, July 31, 2006 - 9:35 pm: |
It's far short of a second car ... no body panels, no rear axle, no engine block, transmission, etc. They just treated the parts as a part of my household, so it came in free. I don't know how far you could push it, but I really didn't push it far.
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By Barton Brown (BonaireTalker - Post #46) on Monday, July 31, 2006 - 9:46 pm: |
Thanks Kevin.
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By Phil Bennett (BonaireTalker - Post #21) on Thursday, October 19, 2006 - 6:49 pm: |
Is there anybody on the island with expertise on servicing Citroens, especially the Picasso??
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By michael gaynor (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2301) on Friday, October 20, 2006 - 3:23 pm: |
two places have serviced friends citroens, however folks should stick to toyotas
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By Kevin Wayne Williams (The Great Escape) (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #205) on Friday, October 20, 2006 - 10:33 pm: |
Phil,
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By michael gaynor (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2303) on Saturday, October 21, 2006 - 11:24 am: |
Listen to Wayne..he is dead on...even the cars that can be bought on Curacao (Lada, VW, etc) should be avoided. Save your self lots of aggrevation...
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By Phil Bennett (BonaireTalker - Post #22) on Wednesday, October 25, 2006 - 2:24 pm: |
I think I get the message loud and clear. the Citroen wil be disposed of, so will the Mazda MX5. We'll start again when we get there!!
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By Barton B (BonaireTalker - Post #48) on Friday, October 27, 2006 - 1:44 pm: |
Here is one data point regarding car prices...
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By Peter L. Coolsma (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Sunday, February 11, 2007 - 10:25 am: |
Hi all, I have a possible job-opportunity on Bonaire; but I'm a bit of a car-buff, too. The car I'd like to take with me is a 37-year old Lancia Fulvia, which is in near-concours condition. Any so-so aspects in and around it that haven't been settled yet, I'd make certain they'd be perfect before shipping the car, so - little chance of unexpected troubles. Regular maintenance can be done by myself. I'm Dutch, so probably, getting the car registered would be slightly easier than for US-based folks.
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By Kevin Wayne Williams (The Great Escape) (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #335) on Sunday, February 11, 2007 - 12:51 pm: |
"Near concourse" is the only part that scares me, Peter. I get my Morris repainted and undercoated annually to survive the onslaught of salt. I don't know the rust survivability of a Lancia vs. a Morris. Vehicle theft isn't really a big issue on the island, because, as you say, there isn't anywhere to hide it ... especially a unique car.
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By Peter L. Coolsma (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Sunday, February 11, 2007 - 6:48 pm: |
Yeah... That salt-thing is bugging me, too. The car is pretty well undersealed and ML'ed in its cavities, it is currently rust-free. At first, I'd have imagined that the dryness of the air, and the heat, would do a lot to prevent trouble. It was built in the final "good" year for Lancia, when they were still independent and used high-quality steel. The only rot that I encountered 3 years ago was at spots that formed water-traps. These have been welded since, and we've made sure any condensation/water can escape now. But an annual re-paint... Wow. I'm having second thoughts here.
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By Mickey McCarthy (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #356) on Sunday, February 11, 2007 - 7:17 pm: |
Well, Peter the ideal answer would be a garage. Kevin's Morris stands out in the sun, wind, flying sand and even rain day in and day out. It would be a shame to have give up a car you love so much. Not an easy move. Parts would certainly be tough.
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By Bob Smits (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #370) on Sunday, February 11, 2007 - 7:20 pm: |
Peter, the air on Bonaire is not dry. It is humid.
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By William Thorpe (BonaireTalker - Post #56) on Monday, February 12, 2007 - 12:20 am: |
Here is another twist to the question, how much mileage can you do a year on the island--while there last year I don't think I exceeded 35 to 45 mph ?
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By Kevin Wayne Williams (The Great Escape) (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #338) on Monday, February 12, 2007 - 7:59 am: |
On a purely practical level, William, that is why old Japanese cars are so widely used on the island. The right size, actually overpowered for our needs, and highly rust resistant.
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By sean gorman (BonaireTalker - Post #14) on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 - 4:02 am: |
does anyone drive jeep wranglers on the island? I see their are no dealers....
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By Kevin Wayne Williams (The Great Escape) (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #386) on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 - 2:03 pm: |
It's per family. My wife and I imported two vehicles, and had to pay duty on one.
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By sean gorman (BonaireTalker - Post #17) on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 - 2:15 pm: |
how much does a divorce on Bonaire cost?
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By Susan (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1879) on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 - 2:18 pm: |
Sean, I assume you forgot the ""?
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By sean gorman (BonaireTalker - Post #20) on Wednesday, July 11, 2007 - 2:57 am: |
yeah susan, i was trying to be funny...don't have any smiles? how do I get em? can I get a lease with an option to buy?
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By Cory Gerrells (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #5) on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 - 1:02 am: |
So my 2005 Nissan Pathfinder should be ok to bring over? I see that there is a Nissan dealer there. (I love my pathfinder and really don't want to part with it...) Also, what is considered a Motorcycle? If I bring over a 3 wheeled car, which here in the states is a motorcycle, what would it be there and what would the fees be? I have done searches etc on this but can't seem to find the answer. The car in question is a new Electric/gas hybrid...http://aptera.com/details.php that has yet to even be built, but I'm on the list for one of the first...
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By Kevin W. Williams (Pink Beach Properties (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #460) on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 - 8:37 am: |
Pathfinder should be OK. I wouldn't bring an electric/gas hybrid to the island unless I was bringing every tool and supply necessary for working on it, and all the parts, too.
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