By Anonymous on Tuesday, May 15, 2001 - 3:29 pm: |
Hello,
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By michael gaynor on Tuesday, May 15, 2001 - 4:33 pm: |
You can buy a car here new for around 16 thousand dollars. Used stuff is all over the lot with some cluners going for as little as 500. Most expats who do bring cars end up sorry since fnding parts and service for non
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By Jake Richter - NetTech on Tuesday, May 15, 2001 - 4:50 pm: |
There is a Napa store here, by the way, which may make obtaining parts a little more reasonable, but even that can take a few weeks. Otherwise I'd probably have my old Subaru Outback here on Bonaire :-)
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By michael gaynor on Wednesday, May 16, 2001 - 8:37 am: |
Jake, throw away your pocket dictionry or buy a new edition of the American Heritage Dictinary of the American Language. While what you say is true, English is a langauge of usage and EXPAT has simply come to mean "one who has taken up a reisidence in a foreign country" No more,no less. I recall having had this disucussion in the past with other folks who live here who are from other counties as well as many americans living in Curacao who consider themselves expats, but American to the core. Also Expat has become a label with some romanticism attatched to it. Hope that settles any question. As for car parts, even American bought foreign cars seem use different parts than those locally available. Buy the car here, you will be much happier...
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By Jake Richter - NetTech on Wednesday, May 16, 2001 - 10:26 am: |
I guess I'll just rebel against "common usage" as you put it (which covers one possible definition per the American Heritage dictionary - see http://www.bartleby.com/61/31/E0283100.html), and protest being called or classified an expat if and whenever that comes up (because I see it as being the more extreme definition, per the American Heritage dictionary).
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By Anonymous on Wednesday, May 16, 2001 - 3:05 pm: |
Thanks for the reactions. So it's better to buy my car over there...Ok then, I did ask it, because a friend of my told me that it was better to buy a car at home and take it with my household in the container, he said that that was cheaper, than buying a new car at Bonaire.
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By Jake Richter - NetTech on Wednesday, May 16, 2001 - 3:23 pm: |
4 years for Linda and myself, many times that for Michael.
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By Jason on Wednesday, May 16, 2001 - 3:40 pm: |
Another major consideration is the simple difference in vehicles.. Vehicles in places such as the US have a lot more hugh maintenance "stuff" in them for things like pollution, heating and the like. Size in the US is also bigger. All in all I went with a local Toyota.. Important thing here to remember N.A. Toyota is not same as U.S. Toyota. Luckily I have a friend who is an expert in such things and match the two up.. Bottom Line.. simpler is better...
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By Anonymous on Wednesday, May 16, 2001 - 3:48 pm: |
Thanks Jake,
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By Jake Richter - NetTech on Wednesday, May 16, 2001 - 3:54 pm: |
Toyota, Suzuki, and Kia in addition to Mitsubishi and Daewoo. There used to be Ford, but no longer, I think.
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By Glen Reem on Wednesday, May 16, 2001 - 3:55 pm: |
For information, are there differences in automotive
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By Jason on Wednesday, May 16, 2001 - 10:11 pm: |
From what I have seen, the difference are not due to the gasoline...(which is essentially the same) but just from different (older) and simpler designs for the trucks and cars.. The outboards I have experience with are same as normal production models..
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By michael gaynor on Thursday, May 17, 2001 - 8:51 am: |
to answer your question...15 years on Bonaire and lookiing forward to the next 25 or so. BTW, I also have a Toyota PU and an Ameiican Pontiac Transport. I still prefer the Toyota.
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By Anonymous on Thursday, May 17, 2001 - 2:11 pm: |
Wow 15 years....Wish I did it 15 years ago,
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By michael gaynor on Thursday, May 17, 2001 - 2:22 pm: |
Baisc pu is 26500 and runs up to 48000 guilders. A us dollar is worth 1.78 guilders.
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By Anonymous on Thursday, May 17, 2001 - 2:45 pm: |
So a basic pu is 26500 Naf?!
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By Anonymous on Thursday, May 17, 2001 - 6:27 pm: |
I wasn't going to respond before because I wasn't sure if it was okay to post info like this, but you happened to ask for exactly the truck I have for sale--it's a Mitsubishi L200-diesel, 1997, A/C, in good condition, for fls. 9,000. Michael's prices above are accurate for new(er) trucks, and Jake's info is correct about importing them (keep in mind, the import duties are on top of the shipping costs too). I've also heard of restrictions when shipping vehicles in containers too--such as, the vehicle empty/alone is a certain price/part of the container--but if you fill it with your personal items, the cost is higher--be sure to check all details before deciding your course of action.
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By Tim Nesselrodt on Friday, May 18, 2001 - 8:40 pm: |
Glen, there are differences in automobile/truck engines. Here, most are still using carburetors. The fuel injectors, in prevalent use in USA and Europe, foul and fail frequently on our low grade fuels. Also most U.S. engines have oxygen sensors or equivalent devices which also fail for the same reason. On Bonaire, the best, as far as automobiles/trucks, is to keep it simple.
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By Glen Reem on Saturday, May 19, 2001 - 9:44 am: |
TKS, Tim. I thought that John the Outbord Man from
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By Tim Nesselrodt on Saturday, May 19, 2001 - 10:56 am: |
It's John the Outboard Man from Vermont.
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By Anonymous on Wednesday, May 23, 2001 - 4:41 pm: |
Sorry, but my computer crashed a couple of days ago, so couldn't respond earlier. :-(
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By Kate Hickson on Thursday, May 24, 2001 - 2:22 pm: |
I guess I could call Amcar, but since I'm here right now, does anyone know ROUGHLY what it costs to ship (excluding duty...just shipping) a car from Miami to Bonaire? Thanks.
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By Jake Richter - NetTech on Thursday, May 24, 2001 - 3:28 pm: |
Same as a container, I think - I recall being quoted about $3,000 - $4,000. You can e-mail AMCAR at aruba-bonaire@amcarfreight.com if you don't want to call them. Most of our contact with AMCAR (we have consolidated shipments via AMCAR once every 6-8 weeks for personal stuff and occasional client orders of equiment) is via e-mail - quite responsive.
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By Meryl Virga on Thursday, June 21, 2001 - 7:09 pm: |
Jake,,Lets say in the future we would like to move to Bonaire (have you heard this one before?) but we want to bring our animals...we have 4 parrots and 5 cats....calling all airlines they have a one animal in the plane at a time rule...(we cannot put parrots in cargo)...do you know of any other shipping ?private charters....or the like? plus is it better to ship stuff...(stereo's..furniture and such or just buy again?)....this is an on going debate with Steve and I and he says there has to be an easier way than the airlines are telling us...but ....I am very skeptical......
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By Jake Richter - NetTech on Thursday, June 21, 2001 - 9:44 pm: |
Nope, Meryl, never heard that about someone else wanting to move to Bonaire :-) (all the time, actually!)
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By jenny van laar on Saturday, July 21, 2001 - 6:42 pm: |
an expat on Bonaire used te be called; makamba.
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By michael gaynor on Sunday, July 22, 2001 - 9:08 am: |
It is a sort of an insult reserved for the Dutch. I am sure sure that there is an alterante term for other nationalities. An interesting note: Makama in Swahili means friend.
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By Dara Walter on Monday, September 24, 2001 - 2:23 pm: |
Have any BT watchers ACTUALLY shipped their vehicle MIA-BON? If so, what freight company was used? ALso, what was your experience having the vehicle serviced once on the island?
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By Jake Richter - NetTech on Monday, September 24, 2001 - 2:31 pm: |
We have local versions of Tacomas on Bonaire? Got me...
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By Ann Phelan on Monday, September 24, 2001 - 2:55 pm: |
Good question Dara. As I had mentioned, if I ever moved back to the islands, I would want to take my 01 Solar Yellow XTerra. However, what a nightmare if I was in need of auto body work. Does BON have a Nissan dealership?
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By Dara Walter on Monday, September 24, 2001 - 3:03 pm: |
Jake, Aren't you driving a Toyota Tacoma, or the small 4X4......you did mention earlier in the thread you ended up buying a local Toyota....the burgundy truck?
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By Jake Richter - NetTech on Monday, September 24, 2001 - 3:08 pm: |
What we drive is a Toyota HiLux Double Cab. Can't say what, if anything, it's called anywhere else outside the Southern Caribbean. New they run about US$18,000, I think - and that's with manual choke, power steering, seat belts (yes, they are an option), AM/FM/Cassette, manual transmission, and not much else.
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By Ann Phelan on Monday, September 24, 2001 - 3:17 pm: |
Also, can u imagine a Solar Yellow Xterra on BON? Yikes, I could never blend in..LOL..But I love it soo....Are there any Xterras on island ? Hmm..just thinking..
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By Dara Walter on Monday, September 24, 2001 - 3:26 pm: |
Hey, Annie, just give yourself permission to do what you want........
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By Glen Reem on Monday, September 24, 2001 - 7:47 pm: |
Check with the island people and in a much earlier thread here about the differences between island 'gas' and US 'gas', therefor engine differences and damage to US-design engines run on Bonaire. Especially fuel-injected engines. Quite high alcohol content on B, as I remember, as well as a poor grade of the petroleum portion.
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By Glen Reem on Monday, September 24, 2001 - 7:51 pm: |
Actually, earlier in this thread.
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By Barry Gassert on Monday, September 24, 2001 - 9:10 pm: |
I took a Suzuki Samarai down in 1993. I did so because that's what the rental companies were renting, thus parts and service were available. I also brought down the service manual since I had the fuel injection version (XL). Never had to have it serviced, but there are enough service people who know about cars that I 'personally' wouldn't worry. Never had a problem with unleaded Bonaire, it worked fine. Rust is another matter - double Z-bart it.......everything.
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By Dara Walter on Monday, September 24, 2001 - 11:34 pm: |
Ahhh, GASSAHOL, just like we have in Minnesota! Cough, cough......
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By michael gaynor on Tuesday, September 25, 2001 - 9:04 am: |
The best advice...don't bring any cars not purchased here..it will cost you money (lots) in the long run. The only excepition are few such as barry mentioned. You can buy American cars that were made for the tropics in Curacao if that is what you really want. I have a Toyota as well as a Pontiac Transport...Pontiac is too expensive to fix here. Toyota is a dream!
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By Ann Phelan on Tuesday, September 25, 2001 - 9:14 am: |
Michael, u r scaring me..kidding..
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By Dara Walter on Tuesday, September 25, 2001 - 12:54 pm: |
So, Michael, if you had a 94 Toyota, Std bed, manual 5 speed, non-electronic, low milage work-horse......would you cough up the bucks and bring it along and drive it till it died or rusted thru???? I'm thinking $3-4K to get it there plus future repairs is still less expensive than buying something on the island....after all, it's only got to be run-about transport.....
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By Glen Reem on Tuesday, September 25, 2001 - 2:00 pm: |
Dara,
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By michael gaynor on Tuesday, September 25, 2001 - 3:29 pm: |
Ann..no such thing as a "three month resident" It is a tourist visa only. Anything beyond that, you will have to apply for residency. No, you will not be entitled to any non duty moves either! Leave the car at home. Dara, are you moving here as a resident? I still would not bring a US car here...but then again,you may luck out.
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By Ann Phelan on Tuesday, September 25, 2001 - 3:37 pm: |
So, hypothetically, if one moves there, u have to leave island every 3 months til u get your residency and only then can u ship your goods down. And how does one gain residency?? Hmm..
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By Dara Walter on Tuesday, September 25, 2001 - 7:02 pm: |
Right now I will call myself a "touresident"
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By michael gaynor on Wednesday, September 26, 2001 - 9:50 am: |
Annie, I would like to think that anyone moving or visiting here would like to play by the rules, pay their fair share of duty etc. so that the people of the island would have a chance to emerge from bad economic times. Customs has been widely criticized for being tough on folks here who falsify documents to reduce charges. I do support them and gladly pay the correct duty. What goes around comes around. BTW, when you arrive, go to immigration to apply for reisendcy. Most likely, you have to be off the island while you are being considered.
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By Ann Phelan on Wednesday, September 26, 2001 - 9:54 am: |
That is good, Michael! A rule should be for ALL. Where I used to live things were so corrupt and it all depended on who you knew. I am pleased to hear Bonaire has it's act together!!
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By Glen Reem on Wednesday, September 26, 2001 - 7:46 pm: |
A slight change of tack here to furniture when moving to Bonaire. My daughter lost her wooden furniture (solid wood and particle board) to termites in a few years on Bonaire: shelves, speaker cabinets, etc. Food for thought.
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By michael gaynor on Thursday, September 27, 2001 - 8:02 am: |
or food for termites! You can bring wooden stuff but you need to treat it with a chemical they sell here. I dont know what it does to the finish so leave the Queen Anne and Chippendale stuff at home.
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By Dara Walter on Thursday, September 27, 2001 - 1:36 pm: |
I'm gonna start a new thread on home furnishings....to bring or not to bring?
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