Hilux

Saw this Hilux diesel today at Lowes

 

Looks like it has Mexican plates...

 

Yes it does Monterrey Mx

 

hypothetically,

can a US citizen drive to Mexico, buy such a vehicle, then drive it home and daily it?

 

I see one every now and then in my town in Manitoba. There's a number of Mexican Mennonites that travel back and forth to visit family and/or work. When I first moved here myself I was thoroughly confused when I saw a Ranger at the diesel pump until I noticed it had Chihuahua plates.

 

You could theoretically drive it home, but good luck getting a US title without having cleared customs; Plus, those trucks won't pass emissions here because of the stupid EPA...

 

For the most part, yes, but you'll pay a pile in duties and taxes. May be tough to pass emissions and inspections depending on the state as well.

So yes....but no.

 

THIS...

And it certainly wouldn't pass smog in California!

 

what duties and taxes
u can't just go to a dealer there, speak Spanish
buy it, then drive back? All they ask for at the border is for your passport

then just go back to Mexico every few years to their DMV for plate registration

 

And be sure to pay cash; Pretty sure Mexican banks won't approve a loan to an American who doesn't live in the country...

 

I mean....I suppose you could. Just don't get into an accident. Insurance will definitely not want to pay out if you've been away from your "residence" for a few years.

Edit: They'll also ask for registration, bill of sale, etc if they have suspicion you may be trying to import the truck or do exactly what you're asking

 

You can but technically you would be required to take it out of US after one year and then bring it back. Putting US plates on it is difficult and not worth it unless you get emotionally attached. My son is looking into "Americanizing" his Mexican 1st gen for that very reason. IMO he'll end up selling it in Mexico(prices are nuts down here too) and buying a US vehicle. Insurance is tough too as Mexican companies only cover 3rd party damage outside of Mexico and US companies don't want to insure a foreign car. Find another excuse for a Mexican road trip would be my advice.

 

Yes you can, a few things have to be done first such as : Import vehicle using forwarder to make sure everything is clear and then you can drive to use finishing process to get plates from you own state., we do opposite way when purchase US vehicle have to check Mexican rules because we can´t import new ones, must be 10 years old or more ...hope that may help

 

And the U.S. think they have it bad with emissions....thanks for the post!

 

Vehicles that haven't been sold here have to be 25 years old to import into US. There's a few very unhappy former LR Defender owners that had their rigs seized and destroyed by the Feds.

The big three have more responsibility for this than the EPA.