Nov 20
Cars Sold In Panama Through August
Yesterday I saw an interesting article in the Autopista magazine. Autopista always publishes the sales activity by make of automobile.
I looked it up online and copied a couple charts to give you an idea of the cars in Panama and which ones are sold the most.
The following chart is the top 10 according to sales in August. As you will se from th top 10 list, all are from Japan or Korea.
The following chart is from the first of the year, through August.
Both of these charts should give you food for thought. Many people that come here from the US will assume that their brand of car will be supported in the same manner that it was in the US. Think again.
I do not think that any of the cars that are sold in Panama are manufactured to US specifications. Therefor, you should not assume that you can have a part shipped from the US in the event of a problem.
Bringing a car from the US will have the same problem. You may or may not have a part problem.
Like I said before, it may give you some food for thought.
22 responses so far Businesses,Cars, Car Dealers and Car Service
I have some other food for thought on buying a car here. When I first went to Costa Rica I was told that I should not get an American car. I have always owned Fords but decided to go with a Mitsubishi. It may be true that in Costa Rica parts for American cars are harder to find but not here in Panama. As it turned out an air filter for the Mitsubishi was $50 and oil filter was $25.
Now for my Explorer I can get Motorcraft Filters in the states for $3 each, bring 5 down on a trip and I am good for a while. However you can get them here for about $10 from the dealer or cheaper with a Fram from an auto parts store. I also found many parts stores here have parts for it and they are parts from the US, not with Chinese writing on the box. That is not to say the parts was manufactured in the US but at least it is to US specs.
Another thing to remember is that US cars, at least Fords, are made the same weather they are staying in the US or for export. So you have Airbags, clutch safety switches and other safety related equipment. I have been in many Toyota’s with an empty hole where the airbags should be. Some much for caring about you, they care about the bottom line and don’t add them because the law does not require them.
Ford also requires that a dealer fix any recalls no matter how old or how many times the car has changed hands. Try that with a Toyota, never happen here. I will only own Fords here no matter what people say about parts, don’t believe them. Even if you were unable to find a part here you can get it on-line and ship it down. Most likely that would still be cheaper than many of the Japanese car dealers charge for parts here.
In Costa Rica and Nicaragua most people say they prefer Japanese cars. However most Panamanians will say they would rather have an American car and equate them to being more luxurious and have better options, I have heard this a lot. To each his own, own what kind of car you like but if you buy something here and care about safety, double check things like Airbags when you look.
http://primapanama.blogs.com/_panama_residential_devel/2009/02/car-sales-down-nearly-30-for-january.html
Found this a while back. Car sales were down 30% in Panama last Jan. but Chiriquí and Coclé saw sales rise. Hyundai and Ford saw sales rise while every other brand saw a decline.
Hi Scott. Thanks for taking the time to leave your experience and other information.
Well, I have owned a Hyundai Tucson for over four years and it is without doubt the best car I have ever owned and that’s over 50 years of driving. I have owned a 1996 Toyota Tercel for 10 years and it has been the cheapest to own and most reliable car I have ever owned. You cannot compare the quality of Asian made cars to Detroit made cars, how much in stimulus packages did the Asian manufactures get? You make a good product, you don’t need a stimulus package!!! Now, since there were 333 Fords sold in Panama this year and there were a combined 13,726. top three Asian cars (Hyundai owns Kia) sold in Panama, whom do you think the auto parts stores are going to stock up on? Now only that, but think about the future. Ford can’t compete with Asia, doubt if they will last for the long run and then where are you going to get your parts?
Patrick
OH, by the way, forget to mention that I am in the process of selling my 1996 Toyota Tercel (13 years old) which I paid $7,000 when it was three years old and I have a buyer offering $3,500. and people are telling me I could get more. What do you suppose a 13 year old Ford could fetch?
Hi Patrick. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. Getting parts in Panama is always iffy. I know one person that had a recent model Hyundai Santa Fe. I think it was a 2008. He said the car was great, but he had to wait 3 months for the dealer to get a part.
It will be interesting to watch the car industry over the next few years. I was looking at a Mitsubishi SUV the other day and the dealer said that model was built in the US. Most of the smaller Chevrolets that are sold by the Kia dealer are built in Korea, from what I was told.
As of now, when we move to Chiriqui next year, I plan to get a relatively newer Toyota Hilux and a relatively older “something else” with parts readily available in Panama (like the Nissan Sentra…pretty reliable from what I’ve read). In the past 42 years, I’ve owned Dodge, Datsun (now Nissan), Chevrolet (LUV pickup), Ford (F-150 & Bronco), Chrysler, Mazda, Honda CRV and a Toyota 4Runner. My Toyota 4Runner LE has been the most enjoyable and least problematic vehicle I’ve ever owned. Generally speaking, in my experience, the Asian-named vehicles I’ve owned (and mentioned above) have given me better service and less headaches than the American-named vehicles. Hopefully, I’ll choose a reliable vehicle for my family in Panama.
Just for the record Ford did not take any bailout money. They restructured a while back and are making a profit. One of the biggest gainers of “bailout” type money was Toyota with the cash for clunkers program.
I am glad you like your car, like I said to each his own. The main point I was trying to make is that here in Panama, unlike other places, parts are available for all types of cars so don’t let that scare you into only Japanese cars as some people would tell you.
That is what happened to me at first. While we all feel different in my opinion a Ford SUV is much better built for the potholes type streets here. Even the David police bought 4 F-250′s.
Sorry did not see the comment on price. I don’t want to sell my 98 Explorer but the going value is about 5,500. Customs put a value of 10,000 on it not that that means anything. Car prices are over inflated here.
So you need wheels? Show your paitrisum and buy an American named vehicle specifically a Ford. Fact: The Ford dealer in David will treat your right, in fact they will not only give you better value for your investment but has all the parts you need in stock almost all the time and can get anything they are short on from Panama over night in most cases without the inflated prices that is so typical of their Asian competitors products. So yes do yourself and your wallet a favor and forget all that junk and just get a new Ford. Fact: It seems like a handy trend for folks from the northern parts of the Americas to come here and search all over the place looking for a lemon with a nice paint job covering all the rust and someone’s questionable driving skills/habits. Fact: Piece of mind is waiting for you on the show room floor at the David Ford dealer, just ask for Jose he won’t feed you any B/S.
Does Scott and AJ work for the Ford dealer? Look forward to meeting you guys a few months down the road
…seriously
I forgot to mention a 1967 VW bug and two old Ford trucks in my list (and some others are starting to flash in my brain). I used the VW from about 1981 to 1985. The VW bug was one of my favorites. About once or twice a month, I had to crawl underneath to reattach the clutch cable. One of the old Ford trucks was a 1 ton flat bed…I think it was built in 1963 but my memory is a little fuzzy. I used it for about 3 years in college to cut firewood (winter) and do landscaping (summer) from 1976 to 1979. The other old Ford truck dated back to 1952. Bought it for $150 from an old cattle farmer in Fayetteville, Arkansas in 1975 when I headed off to college. It had a “welded-on” extended bed on the back. I could load a full rick of 24 inch wood on it. One Saturday afternoon, the front left wheel busted off while traveling down a dirt road. I crashed head on into another truck way out in the country. Me and my wood cutting buddy with me ended up in a field. The guy I ran into had his young son with him. However, the young boy was not hurt. The first thing the guy asked me was about my insurance. I had no insurance. The other fellow was not happy. However, no injuries to anyone. I was very fortunate by the grace of God. Oh well…traveling down memory lane…and this has nothing to do with Panama
I am retired ex-pat I do not work for anybody. I like the product that Ford produces I am not promoting any dealer. Like anybody else I look for parts at an auto parts store as that is almost always cheaper.
Having said that, I have found the people at the dealer to be nice and helpful for the most part. The parts department is another issue. While some parts are reasonable other are not. I recently replaced lower ball joints in my Explorer, the cost from Bass auto was $35 and $30 for tie rods. I looked up the price on line in the US and the prices were about $30 for each of the above. They were in stock and a well known brand, considering they were shipped here that is a good price.
I had a friend buy some parts for an Expedition at the dealer and the cost was a bit more, $46 for parts that should be about $35, still not too bad. However when I asked about getting some body parts at the dealer here it was over the top. Two parts that cost $400 at the Dealer in the states, they wanted $1200 each here. The only bright side is they can get the parts in just a few days.
Fact is that no cars is not perfect, Fords have their faults. However I have found over time maintaining my American built cars has been cheaper than Asian cars and I personally find them better suited for the roads here. I have also found the cars that come from the US have more safety equipment that cars that come from other countries directly here. That is something very important for me.
Again just me personal beliefs.
For what it’s worth I am also retired and have No affiliation with the David Ford dealer, I simply stand behind their products and services and of course the Ranger 4 door 4X4 I bought a year ago has served me well.
I will say that I am way more busy retired than I ever was working full time. I can’t quite explain that but living in Panama (for those who are thinking of it) has many challenges that you wouldn’t normally deal with in the states but never the less it’s still worth every minute of it. But don’t rush in, do your home work and plan years ahead.
And Michael, I owned and drove 1960’s bugs for 30 years and had every combination of parts and off road goodies made for bugs including the custom stuff I made myself. I also wrecked and rolled several of them. I was not to receptive to good advice back then and had to learn some things the hard way. I had a 1964 in high school bug but my favorite was 1967.
I did own a 55 Ford step side pick up for a while but traded it off.
Regarding the roads in David, you will need a good 4X4 to handle the millions of pot holes and extraordinarily secured up pavement, if you can call it payment. And taking day trips up into the mountains with a 4X4 is nice to. There is also a few gaping holes just waiting to swallow up a car.
I can’t explain why but there is a drainage inlet box with the cover missing creating a serious hazard with an open hole about 4 feet across. If someone drives it to this one they will disappear. It’s located near the end of the Boquete road coming into David just before the auto dealer on the left side of the road.
Perhaps Don would be so kind and take a photo of it as it is near his location and then do a nice write up about it on his CC for public awareness. Most regulars are probably aware of this hazard but it’s the tourist that may be at greater risk especially at night.
Hi Aj. I guess I haven’t seen the hole you are referring to. However, I am not surprised. Often I see similiar holes. The problem with taking the photos is that I am usually driving and just don’t take th time to take the photo.
I will try to remember to catch a few examples of these types of driving hazards.
Don, If you look across the street from the intersection behind Novey from the Boquete road you can’t miss it. It’s located in the area of the 4 way intersection but on the right side just before you reach the dealership parking lot to the right. It used to have a narrow piece of wood across it but it seems that either the wood broke away or someone crushed it with their car. So now it’s just wide open and waiting to swallow a victim.
Ok. I will look for it the next time I am in that area.
Hi, Don;
We bought a 2005, US spec, Hyundai Tucson specifically to bring to Panama. V-6, 4WD, 6 airbags, Traction Control, Stability Control, Anti-locks, automatic, etc., etc. At that time it listed for 24,000 and we paid a bit over 18,000 cash for it.
In Panama the “same car” was a 4cyl, 2WD, only a drivers air bag, manual, no traction or stability control, and I don’t think it had ABS. List was $25,000 and there was no real negotiation. A “stripper” being sold for almost a third more than we paid for a “loaded” car in the US.
It was a great car for Panama; small enough to go everywhere including the goat trails above Boquete, OK on gas, reliable, comfortable on the long haul between PC and David, and so on..
We brought it back to the US with 17,000 miles on it and found some serious wear problems. Basically the front subframe and front sway bar bushings were disintegrating from the constant small, sharp shocks and impacts of driving on rocky Panamanian secondary roads as well as the side-to-side wrenching of climbing in and out of ruts.
Fortunately the local Hyundai dealer here in Albuquerque replaced everything under warranty, but I doubt that you’d ever get Hyundai in Panama to swallow a $1,000+ repair bill. The Tucson now has 30,000 miles on it, we still like it and plan to drive it for a long time to come but I *might* not buy another one for use in Panama.
Nice as it is, I think it might be a bit too “light” for semi-rough usage.
FWIW…
Hi Mike. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment with your experience.
Hi Don, plus all the other commenters; I’m one of those who are planning a move to the area near Concepcion and I am quite thankful that this site has been started (long before my time). Finding the tidbits of information I have found in just 6 or 7 times of reading your info has been, to me, a true blessing. This has helped me get a better insight into the ‘little things’ of local life in Chiriqui. I’ll be digging in the archives for some of the choice treasures that may show up.
About cars and trucks; I’m looking at driving a 1 ton GMC dually 4×4 with a 20′ trailer carrying a 20′ container from probably Texas to Bocalatun 6-9 months from now. Has anyone heard if there is relatively easy access to parts for GMC? I’ve made three round trips to Panama by car from the US between about 1964 and about 1974 so I’m familiar with the trip. I get that some of the fees are going to be heavier and Nicaraqua may turn out unsafe to travel through. So, I’ll need to see if there is a way to deal with that.
Anyway, I will be following Chirqui Chatter more closely as we get closer to our move to Panama.
Also, for general info, my wife was born and grew-up in Concepcion and still owns the small property of her mother – so we will be around many relatives to make life a little easier for me.
Hi Brian. Can’t say about the parts. There is a GM dealer tied with Kia in David. However having a dealer and getting parts are two different situations.
Mr. Brian
Think long and hard about your travel plans specifically about the introduction of the container and your truck. I can share my experiences with you in that I am certain that you will be assessed up to and beyond the value of your truck and trailer in duty and if the container is owned by you then there will probably be a request for tax on that. Then there is the items in the container assumable HHG’s.
I shipped a 40 foot container in from the states and had absolutely no as in “0” problems perhaps in part because I planned this shipment a year in advanced and worked closely with all parties involved including Panamanian customs official. I had many new items that could have been assessed but they decided that my shipment was well organizes and meticulously coordinated and they gave me a break for my efforts plus my smooth talking velvet tong. But don’t bet overly competent you may have a big hassle at the point of entry and in the end it’s all about the money. If it were me I would sell the truck and ship the container and avoid the expenses and the potential liabilities and possible loss of all your stuff over the road.. You say that you made the trip before however things are not as they were and you may not be as fortunate this time and you will be much more venerable this time. I paid less than $8000 for a top quality shipper who delivered on time without any issues and nothing lost or damaged, well worth the investment. Good luck,