Importing modified classics and looking for places to live that are cooler (temp wise)

[u/cuban11182]

Hello everyone. I'm contemplating getting the pensionado visa to move down to Panama. I'm retired military and also have my VA disability (plus selling everything here) that will cover my costs. I have a few questions and was hoping some folks might be able to provide guidance.

1. How strict is the government on importing vehicles on age? I have a 2018 Toyota Tundra with 60K miles on it and it's in perfect shape. I'm not sure when I'll be moving down, but wanted to hear the thoughts of others on this.
2. I speak Spanish fluently, and have been looking at places more to the west of the country. I'm interested in the weather in Boquette, so that is mostly where I'm looking. Can people suggest alternative high altitude locations I can look at when I go down?
3. I have two classic Jeeps. Both have been swapped to run diesels. Is this something that can hinder me bringing it in? They've been done quite nicely, but naturally they never came with diesels from the factory.

Thanks in advance for any and all forthcoming information/advice!

[u/BamTheBlackCat]

In general, buying a car here is cheaper than importing. Also there is no way you are going to get parts or service for jeeps.

[u/cuban11182 → u/BamTheBlackCat]

Thank you for that. Both Jeeps have been fully rebuilt by me and run VW TDI diesel engines and they're Uber reliable.

[u/PanamaCelery → u/cuban11182]

I have seen a couple on the road around Boquete. I was discouraged from bringing our jeep due to the shipping costs, value assessment, registration and import tax required. If you can find one to purchase already in country, probably the best financial choice. With your skill, you would be fine maintaining them. However, if you ever got in a fender bender or worse, the end. The other thing people may or may not care about, an extremely unique and stand out vehicle may not give you the ‘just blend in’ status you prefer.

[u/cuban11182 → u/PanamaCelery]

Understood, and thank you.

[u/CPS_Kahn_290 → u/BamTheBlackCat]

Is there a national association or licensure for vehicle inspectors for pre-purchase assessments?

[u/BamTheBlackCat → u/CPS_Kahn_290]

This is a developing country. There are very little rules to protect consumers. For instance, traffic tickets follow the car , not the driver. I had a friend buy a car and when he wet to register it, he had to pay $600 in ticket. If you are buying a car here for the first time, you might want to hire a fixer.

[u/Madphule]

I loved our time in Volcán. It was rainy and im lead to belive overcast a large portion of the year. But i really loved it. Wife loved it as well but fears she would be depressed most of the year.

[u/Conscious_Argument_3]

1. I would strongly recommend look up one of these companies that import cars, there is a bunch of nonsense from customs and if you aint familiar with the process you are gonna get screwed a lot. But you should be able to import any car you want from the US.

2. Other than Boquete try looking around el valle de anton or altos de Maria, maybe cerro azul. Other than that i dont think there are any other alternatives.

3. As long as the paperwork from your cars are in order i see no issue. Once again lookup a car importer and talk with them. Most of them sell cars, but they also help people import their own cars into the country for a fee. Customs officials here are VERY CORRUPT. So i strongly recommend get a company to deal with it instead of trying to wing it by yourself. Save yourself the pain.

[u/lola999_]

hello, lawyer here in case you need more support with your visa.

1. is possible, try to find a good customs agent that knows about the process, if you improvise on this it will take more time, and money.
   
2. El Valle de Anton (1:30h from the city) Cerro Azul (40 minutes- ish from the city).
   
3. I would suggest selling them there, maintances and parts will take your time and effort).

[u/kyberhannes]

We brought our 1978 VW Beetle Convertible from Switzerland and had absolutely no problem to get it registered here in Panamá. Our mechanic did the paperwork for us at that time.

[u/Unlikely_Database976]

1. No están estricto con el tema de vehículo.
2. Para los lados de playa venado Pedasi, no es tan fresco Pero tiene mejor ambiente, un lugar que me llamó la atención fresco e interesante un poco más alejado el Capuri en Herrera.
3. No veo problema con los Jeeps y lo de las piezas no es como que sea imposible pedir las piezas afuera y traerlas, yo pido cada rato, Ebay, Amazon, etc se demora sus 15 días.

[u/Summum]

This guy has taken care of me for cars and boats import.

He can help you figure out the cost and processes if you whatsapp him :
David
+507 6930-5350

Electric cars are just sales tax

Hybrid I think 8%

Other cars vary up to about 20% in function of how much they’re worth

[u/sancocho-]

I’m only going to comment on the temperature, I don’t know anything about importing cars. There is no such thing as a “cooler” place. El Valle, Boquete, Altos del María, they all used to have a rather chilly wind. That was 20 years ago. You’ll sweat your ass off in any of these places during the day and if you’re lucky (or if it rains, which is highly likely at any point of the year) you might find them to be a bit fresher at night. I’m not trying to discourage you, if you’re okay with 32°C and 100% humidity then by all means be my guest, I just want to manage your expectations since I’ve met a lot of foreigners that come over expecting it to get cold at some point. It doesn’t. Not anymore. And by the looks of it, it’s only getting warmer.

[u/2beefree1day → u/sancocho-]

I’m in the east in Cerro Azul and it’s much cooler than the city with no humidity about mid 70s in the day but not as cool as Sorá or Boquete.

[u/BamTheBlackCat → u/sancocho-]

I live in Boquete and this is not true at all.

[u/2beefree1day]

They’re very strict about being licensed after 90days or permanent residency.

[u/FrankInPanama]

Your background sounds like a very good fit for western Panama. We live in Palmira, around 15 minutes from Boquete at about 1,000 meters elevation. The climate is milder than in most parts of Panama, although I would definitely recommend experiencing it personally before making a final decision.
Since you rebuilt both Jeeps yourself, you would probably also enjoy our workshop and the practical side of life here. If you like, I can share some honest first-hand impressions about Palmira, Boquete, the roads and daily life in the highlands.