Driving

jessekimmerling wrote:

I paid a fortune for a clunker and then proceeded to fix the brakes, carburetor, transmission, starter, and replaced the battery.

How much is a fortune?  We see beat-up trucks on PATIOTuerca for two or three thousand dollars and assume they'd need another $1,000 or so to get them roadworthy.  We've thought about getting one to haul building materials and make hardware runs if we find something to remodel/build.  Maybe we're on the wrong track?

BobH wrote:

I had a similar experience to yours in the Philippines, where hefty import duties and lack of local manufacturing keep prices high.

Having driven almost constantly since I was sixteen, I thought I would miss it, and I was like many Americans I think in equating driving with personal independence. But I didn't miss it a bit -- quite the contrary, I felt freer as a result of not having the need for a car.

Taxis and local public transport and intercity buses were dirt cheap, as they apparently are in Ecuador, and one can always rent a car or hire a driver on those rare occasions where a car is a necessity.

On the downside, I had to pay extra to rent an apartment that was very centrally located, so that I was within walking distance of most of the things I needed regularly (luckily, I enjoy walking). But that was a small cost compared to what I saved by not owning a car..




I thought I would miss driving my own vehicle until I witnessed  the highway mayhem on Luzon.  As cheap as public trans is in the Philippines and in Ecuador, I would think any location near public trans would be fine regardless of distance from stores or whatever.  I was having some furniture delivered, and the delivery truck was in an accident very close to the barrio.  The store owner informed me that because of the accident the price of my furniture had to be increased.  I told her that if the furniture was not delivered in perfect condition and for the agreed upon price, then she could take the furniture back to the store, that accidents with the store truck should be figured into the overhead of the business.  So I got what I ordered at the price I was promised.  I found in the province during daylight hours walking is safer than using vehicles, saw two motorcycles get drilled by buses about 7 days apart.  No thanks

I expect to follow the same approach in Ecuador -- pay extra if I need to for a convenient location, and plan on walking a lot.

mugtech wrote:

As cheap as public trans is in the Philippines and in Ecuador, I would think any location near public trans would be fine regardless of distance from stores or whatever.

I mostly agree, though it depends partly on the quality and reliability of the public transport. In the Philippines, I was not enamored of the jeepneys, which are all Cebu City has. We'll see how the local transport is in Quito.

jessekimmerling wrote:

Not 15k. $8500 is the sum total of the purchase price pluss repaires.

That's good to hear. Hey it sounds like you have it running in good shape. If it's a hassle running it around town in Quito at least you can still use it to haul supplies and building stuff to  your new place in Penas. I imagine that materials are available in Manta or other coastal cities. Maybe even cheaper because of proximity to Guyaquil.

jessekimmerling wrote:

it's not worth it. I should have stuck with the bus. So... anyone want to buy a car?

How do you guys do everyday stuff like grocery shopping?  I know there are taxis and buses in the cities, but your properties are up in the mountains and on the beach.  Do you walk or bike?  Just wondering.

jessekimmerling wrote:

I think the wood and bamboo I'm going to need is cheaper near las Peñas. Looks like cement blocks are cheaper in the mountains, near Ibarra. Appliances and fixtures seem to be cheapest in Quito.

I think, even with the Mitsubishi, I'll end up having almost everything delivered. We'll hire a moving company to bring everything we have in Quito. The cement blocks are too heavy for me to transport on my own, and though I could take loads of wood on the roof rack, it's too much of a hassle. The police are on the lookout for people transporting wood in the Esmeraldas Province because of illegal logging activity. You have to prove that the wood you purchased is legal. I don't want to deal with the hassle and worry.

So far, what my little 4x4 has been great for is exploring the beach and gathering drift wood.

I would miss my little Miata and wonder how I could check out different parts of the coast.