Comments on: La Palma, Costa Rica of Bust http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2008/02/21/la-palma-costa-rica-of-bust/ "Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today." - James Dean Sat, 22 Nov 2008 00:00:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Don Ray http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2008/02/21/la-palma-costa-rica-of-bust/#comment-40798 Don Ray Mon, 21 Apr 2008 20:56:10 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2008/02/21/la-palma-costa-rica-of-bust/#comment-40798 That is what I understand. Let me know if you learn something different from the bank. That is what I understand. Let me know if you learn something different from the bank.

]]> By: susan http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2008/02/21/la-palma-costa-rica-of-bust/#comment-40795 susan Mon, 21 Apr 2008 20:35:44 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2008/02/21/la-palma-costa-rica-of-bust/#comment-40795 You wrote in here that they check to see if there are any loans on the vehicle, does that mean you can't take your car to Costa Rica if you have an outstanding loan. I am a pensionado living in Panama and bought the car in Panama through Banco General for the loan. thanks for any info Susan You wrote in here that they check to see if there are any loans
on the vehicle, does that mean you can’t take your car to Costa Rica if you have an outstanding loan. I am a pensionado living in Panama and bought the car in Panama through Banco General for the loan. thanks for any info
Susan

]]> By: Pantah http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2008/02/21/la-palma-costa-rica-of-bust/#comment-36909 Pantah Sat, 23 Feb 2008 02:48:06 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2008/02/21/la-palma-costa-rica-of-bust/#comment-36909 I am one who imported into a Panama a chevy with a GM v8 small block and indeed it does NOT have a unique motor number. It does have a number on the right front located behind a bunch of bolt on stuff that must be removed. The number is useless as it is just the date, factory code, and engine type. It held me up a few hours, but they finally put the VIN number for the non existent engine number. This motor type has been made since 1955, you would think by now they would have figured this out after thousands here in Panama have this set up. I am one who imported into a Panama a chevy with a GM v8 small block and indeed it does NOT have a unique motor number. It does have a number on the right front located behind a bunch of bolt on stuff that must be removed. The number is useless as it is just the date, factory code, and engine type. It held me up a few hours, but they finally put the VIN number for the non existent engine number. This motor type has been made since 1955, you would think by now they would have figured this out after thousands here in Panama have this set up.

]]> By: Don Ray http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2008/02/21/la-palma-costa-rica-of-bust/#comment-36862 Don Ray Fri, 22 Feb 2008 02:06:53 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2008/02/21/la-palma-costa-rica-of-bust/#comment-36862 Well, you know much more than I do about this subject. I agree that things get more difficult in doing what should be simple things in Latin America. I don't think Panama is unique. Well, you know much more than I do about this subject. I agree that things get more difficult in doing what should be simple things in Latin America. I don’t think Panama is unique.

]]> By: Mike Horrell http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2008/02/21/la-palma-costa-rica-of-bust/#comment-36861 Mike Horrell Fri, 22 Feb 2008 02:00:26 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2008/02/21/la-palma-costa-rica-of-bust/#comment-36861 Nope. Almost no cars even have the motor number in their title, certificate of origin or export documents. The VIN is attached or stamped all over the place but Panama insists on also using a part number that even the cars' manufacturers don't use for vehicle identification. It's really only used in servicing the vehicle if there is an engine part that may have been changed during the engine's production run. I have been told that some small block GM V-8s don't have one at all, but I find that a bit difficult to believe. LOTS of people have had difficulties importing cars into Panama because the normally ignored motor number wasn't put on the export documents. It can usually be cleared up pretty easily, but still... Life in the 3rd World has its quirks. Mike Nope. Almost no cars even have the motor number in their title, certificate of origin or export documents. The VIN is attached or stamped all over the place but Panama insists on also using a part number that even the cars’ manufacturers don’t use for vehicle identification.

It’s really only used in servicing the vehicle if there is an engine part that may have been changed during the engine’s production run. I have been told that some small block GM V-8s don’t have one at all, but I find that a bit difficult to believe.

LOTS of people have had difficulties importing cars into Panama because the normally ignored motor number wasn’t put on the export documents. It can usually be cleared up pretty easily, but still…

Life in the 3rd World has its quirks.

Mike

]]> By: Don Ray http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2008/02/21/la-palma-costa-rica-of-bust/#comment-36860 Don Ray Fri, 22 Feb 2008 01:23:25 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2008/02/21/la-palma-costa-rica-of-bust/#comment-36860 Maybe there is an easier way, but I have driven to CR twice and they have done the same thing both times. I would think you should have a tag on the frame of the car with the engine number too. I thought the purpose was to know it in case a car is striped and sold as parts. Cars disappearing in CR is not that unusual. Maybe there is an easier way, but I have driven to CR twice and they have done the same thing both times. I would think you should have a tag on the frame of the car with the engine number too. I thought the purpose was to know it in case a car is striped and sold as parts.

Cars disappearing in CR is not that unusual.

]]> By: Mike Horrell http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2008/02/21/la-palma-costa-rica-of-bust/#comment-36859 Mike Horrell Fri, 22 Feb 2008 01:15:49 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2008/02/21/la-palma-costa-rica-of-bust/#comment-36859 Hi, Don; Well, they'd better have a car lift and a mechanic to check the engine number on my car (Hyundai Tucson V-6). It's on the lower front of the engine block under all the accessories and you have to remove the undertray to see it. The more I hear the less and less I'm inclined to cross the border by car. Gotta be an easier way.. Mike Hi, Don;

Well, they’d better have a car lift and a mechanic to check the engine number on my car (Hyundai Tucson V-6). It’s on the lower front of the engine block under all the accessories and you have to remove the undertray to see it.

The more I hear the less and less I’m inclined to cross the border by car.

Gotta be an easier way..

Mike

]]> By: Don Ray http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2008/02/21/la-palma-costa-rica-of-bust/#comment-36858 Don Ray Fri, 22 Feb 2008 00:56:29 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2008/02/21/la-palma-costa-rica-of-bust/#comment-36858 Hi KK. I noticed that some cars got a real search. They opened my trunk, peeked in and shut it. Yes, I went through the spray. Don't care for it, but I do play by the rules. Hi KK. I noticed that some cars got a real search. They opened my trunk, peeked in and shut it.

Yes, I went through the spray. Don’t care for it, but I do play by the rules.

]]> By: KK http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2008/02/21/la-palma-costa-rica-of-bust/#comment-36857 KK Fri, 22 Feb 2008 00:51:03 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2008/02/21/la-palma-costa-rica-of-bust/#comment-36857 Don, They must've seen you coming @ the frontera..I've never seen a dog sniffing around there! Ok, I'm just joking! It can be kind of a hassle to take your Panama tagged vehicle to CR but when one considers the convenience & cost savings over renting a vehicle, the advantages quickly add up. Like to the tune of $50-70/day! Also, gas costs more here so motorists should remember this. I see you photographed the CR 'spray booth'. Last few times through I drove right by it. I hate the smell of the poison they try to kill you with & furthermore it costs about $5 for the privilage! Nobody seems to care and in reality any pathogen will find its way across that vast chasm of asphalt populated with sneezing, wheezing & coughing pedestrians anyway. I know some people like to 'play by the book' but consider the asininity of so much we toe the line for and pay to boot! Don,
They must’ve seen you coming @ the frontera..I’ve never seen a dog sniffing around there! Ok, I’m just joking!
It can be kind of a hassle to take your Panama tagged vehicle to CR but when one considers the convenience & cost savings over renting a vehicle, the advantages quickly add up. Like to the tune of $50-70/day! Also, gas costs more here so motorists should remember this.
I see you photographed the CR ’spray booth’. Last few times through I drove right by it. I hate the smell of the poison they try to kill you with & furthermore it costs about $5 for the privilage! Nobody seems to care and in reality any pathogen will find its way across that vast chasm of asphalt populated with sneezing, wheezing & coughing pedestrians anyway. I know some people like to ‘play by the book’ but consider the asininity of so much we toe the line for and pay to boot!

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