Baja Wheels

gorge_33 · Since 15 Dec 2008 2 Posts New Member

Has anyone driven an expensive car to Baja with any trouble? I only have one car, and it will be a Porche with extra surfboard on top (no other options, as I want some wave time in).

Am I guaranteed problems?

Any ideas what to rub on car as I think regular mud will wash off before U arive at border. Somebody said oatmeal but that will be impossible to remove later.

Chooch · Mon Dec 15, 08 7:07 pm

You should just paint a target on the hood... Confused

Knot Kracker · Since 02 Jul 2008 130 Posts Clackamas River Stoked

Tell me what year and type of Porche - maybe you want to trade me for one of my wheels for the trip instead! Twisted Evil

gorge_33 · Since 15 Dec 2008 2 Posts New Member

I didn't really want to hear jokes from those who don't know nothin.

The car is an older 911 that is worth less than your car, and you couldn't fix it anyway. It does stand out, though.

It is more a question of Baja, and what works and doesn't.

Knot Kracker · Since 02 Jul 2008 130 Posts Clackamas River Stoked

Maybe it wasn't a joke! So here it goes... I've driven two Porches through Cananda (East and West Coast) a while back and was stuck in customs for hours because they thought I was going to sell it within their country. I also had a large trailer (enclosed) with 4 snowmobiles stolen at Whistler one winter and only the trailer was recovered.

I've driven in Baja a few times and there are many speed traps - you will absolutely stick out like a SORE THUMB with your car, much like a Mercedes or Hummer at HR Kitelaunch! You are asking for trouble with your car down there, and if it is a 911, then I know that you can't fit much into it. My suggestion is to have fun and drive it to Chula Vista and either rent or buy a beater to take down to Baja for your Mexico adventure. BUT, if you choose to drive your car, then at least buy additional insurance at the border, drive under the speed limit and carry extra money because you'll need it for all the police stops. If you choose to drive fast, then make sure you go fast enough to jump the wash outs and stop quick enough for the cows!

I guess your not interested in a trade!

pjc · Since 06 Mar 2005 649 Posts Addicted

A good friend of mine drove an expensive BMW motorcycle down and back without any problems. Not quite as much steez as a Porsche, but still eye candy.

He didn't speak much spanish, just followed common sense guidelines (pay for a secure campground, don't roll at night, don't malinger near the border).

jblum · Since 13 Jul 2008 307 Posts The Gorge Obsessed

So, I'm in the middle of driving from TJ to Los Barilles right now (we're in Loretto, about 8 hours north of Barilles)... I posted a while back about crossing the border and asking for other's experiences:

http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-11560-0-asc-17.html

Anyway, we've had no problems with the trip so far, and everything has been buttery smooth beyond our belief. Crossing at the TJ border was a waive through by a security guard, and then getting right on the toll road and heading south... I think we've been stopped 6 times by the federales (kids with guns...), and only once had them even say a word to us, mostly its just waiving us through with their hands...

The one time we have been stopped was for an "inspection" where we had to get out of the car and the guy looked through the front seats and glove box. It was pretty funny since we have a rocket box packed with stuff, and the entire back of the vehicle is jammed full of clothes, kite gear, home furnishings (we're taking some stuff down for a friend's house), and kitchen electronics and appliances (including a 42" flatscreen TV). It was like he didn't even notice the stuff in back... was just interested in "doing his job" and "inspecting." Anyway, its been very smooth sailing.

As far as your car attracting attention: there are a lot of cars down here that you'd think would attract attention, but people still seem to have them. My favorite is the Ford F-350 Turbo Diesel (brand newish) pulling a 25"+ fifth wheel with boat on top and back drop to 4x4's... that's at least 70k on wheels, and there are many of them (we've seen at least a dozen in the past 1000km.

I honestly don't think your car will attract any more attention than any of the other big rigs down here... if anything they'll see that you don't have anything with you, and leave you alone. Why you'd want to take a tiny car on a road trip is your prerogative, but if you want to drive it, I'm sure it won't be a problem here. If it does draw unwanted attention, just play it stupid and play their game. We've gotten the feeling that the govt knows that harassing tourists is bad for tourism=bad for their economy, so they are mostly passive.

The Mexican govt. makes all their money trafficking narcotics anyway...

laura · Since 22 May 2007 111 Posts Stoked

I was a passenger in a hummer before on a rode trip thru MX. no problems, the only thing was every stop they just were more curious how much it cost, more in ahh and thought it was cool... hope that helps,

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

I got a 1995 Range Rover for you - $6K runs great - then you will look like a washed up 1995 Drug Lord

Pete · Since 29 Oct 2007 844 Posts Opinionated

Everyone has their own opinion. Personally, I would never take a car like that to Baja. Then again, I would never take brand new F350 with a 5th wheel behind it either. Go figure.

scottnorby · Tue Dec 16, 08 9:37 am

I agree with the 'don't do it' posters.
I spent 2 months in Ventana in 2004 and 2 months in 2005......I never saw a porsche or anything remotely close to that there.
Reason being----the roads can be pretty rough in a lot of spots all the way down....and you are just going to beat the hell out of that car----and potentially hit a bull since it is open range and the bulls walk all over the roads.

Save the car and buy a beater to drive down. Maybe something you can sleep in and save on all the lodging fees. Something 4x4 and rugged is best.

Bettyboarder · Tue Dec 16, 08 3:52 pm

If your Porsche is anything like the one we had I think the bigger concern will be finding parts to fix it along the way Laughing

If it's all you got go for it. Let us know how it goes.

pacspeed · Since 13 Jul 2008 16 Posts

I dunno...it might be (very well) hidden brilliance. To wit:

1: Banditos want trucks. The pop flavor down there is driven by So.Cal/Baja 1000 meatheads, so the ride of choice for Mexican Steezin is the aforementioned F350.

2: Old porsches are alot like old VW's, which everyone knows is about the most common car in May-hee-co.

3: The very sight of a Porsche covered in road dust and surfboards will bring a smile to even the most jaded federale, and you'll get props for not being a gearhead pussy. Run what you brung, it's the old school Baja way.

Go for it, dude. Even if the thing shits the bed 2 hours out of Catavina, you'll have a sweet story to tell until the day you die.

pdxmonkeyboy · Wed Dec 17, 08 1:19 am

So which is it dude, is it a expensive car or is it a 911? If its a 911 whale tail, I think the bigger problem is all the locals pointing at you and laughing at the small penis mobile.

Seriously though, just don't forget your tweed jacket or tenured college professor beard, and you should be fine. Rolling Eyes

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

Check out the following thread - it has some useful info:

http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-11560.html&sid=ff71b4fd371803d9668b787454aa9bba

kitezilla · Since 22 Jun 2006 453 Posts gorge Obsessed

Pete · Since 29 Oct 2007 844 Posts Opinionated

I've never heard of the government discouraging the ownership of diesels, but the situation you posed of waiting for gas has gone away. There is plenty of gas up and down the peninsula now. I remember when it used to be that way, that you might show up to a gas station and they wouldn't have any, but in my experience, those days are long gone. Seems like there are almost too many gas stations in some towns now!