we've done dozens of big trips - so God willing going to SA - South America for sure for 12+ months (been to SA for 5 months) (*will follow up on here)
to do a circle

Per research I see that we can buy a car in Colombia or Chili & drive around and sell it in the same country

I see that used cars are not that cheap - but I guess resell value will be similar to purchase price

BUT an idea hit me - what if I buy a car in the USA (I'm from USA) - and drive it down the Pan American highway - freight it from Panama to Colombia/Ecuador (around $1000) and import it into one of the countries there to sell

maybe even make a bit of money?

because for say same $5000 we can get a MUCH better car in the US then in Colombia or Chili and spend 12 months in it

I am trying to research on
* what would be the best car to buy/drive without getting too much attention (also there is a risk of having it stolen so something under $10,000 would do)
YET ALSO
* what would be the best car to drive/import for sale (because if there is no market / parts for it - will be hard to sell)
* what countries would I want to import to / pay import tax (duties and taxes)... THIS IS A BIG ONE - and a headache

I am sure I am forgetting and am not considering a ton of other issues / problems / options ... PLEASE advise what can you think of?

what should we consider?

any help and info on this is very much appreciated ...

thank you ...

InGearX, be sure and check here for more data: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...-another-83071

Most likely as a Tourist - on a tourist card/visa, you can legally purchase a motor vehicle registered in each Central and South American country you visit. And, you can then sell that vehicle in that country. A few countries will permit you to leave the country with the vehicle, others will not. Most countries do not allow foreign tourists to leave the country with the vehicle they have legally purchased. And in most Central and South American countries you cannot enter your foreign registered vehicle on a TVIP and then sell it in that country.

As you will discover there are some way-arounds offered on the HUBB- just remember unless your purchase and sale is legal in the country where it occurs, your insurance company has a loop hole for not paying liabilities - any vehicle you sell illegally is still legally your vehicle and you are libel for any damages until there is a legal title transfer.

If you are a citizen of the country, or a permanent foreign resident under certain circumstances you can import and pay import duties on a foreign registered vehicle, register it in that country and then sell it legally. Import duties are usually about 75% of the value of the vehicle as determined by the local customs officials.

To become a permanent foreign resident of most countries requires years of proven residence in that country and you must have a verifiable income, INTERPOL and other security checks - health certificate etc.

If you are looking to make money - a proven idea is to purchase and sell a vehicle in each country you visit. Make sure you sell for more than your purchase price and this is only possible if you have a lot of time and money. To purchase and legally transfer the title of a second hand vehicle, once you find the vehicle, will take about ten days to two weeks in most countries. You can use the vehicle to tour the country and then sell it and move on to the next country, buy , tour , sell. In some countries it is complicated to buy a vehicle in one province and sell it in another - this will require many more days for title transfer.

You can go to http://www.xfiltrate.com and learn how, as a foreign tourist, to legally buy a motorcycle in Argentina as an example.

I personally know several tourists who have spent years on the road buying and selling vehicles/motos in various countries and financing all their travels and when they sell their last vehicle have their airfare home.

Make sure you buy from a certified dealer, or use a "hestor" one who transfers vehicle titles as a profession for each sale and purchase from a private party. And, do not drive/ride until you have valid insurance.

I am sure others will comment.

xfiltrate

dear xfiltrate

thank you so much

good informative info