Resources to evaluate/pick a car in Brazil

Is there something like Edmunds/consumer reports etc that evaluates cars in Brazil for reliability, quality, etc. I'm planning to buy a vehicle with somewhat higher clearance and load carrying capability for rural living. I've been looking at those mini trucks potentially but was hoping to find some objective ranking or evaluation of gas mileage, cost of ownership, reliability etc.

Also... any recommendations of reliable places to buy a used car in SP (or BA though people from Bahia say its better to buy in SP supposedly)? Can a foreigner without a carteira purchase a vehicle with an international license?

Thanks!
Like
Small pickups ranking would be VW then Chevy. While others look nice many are made in Japan and excise taxes are killer and do not hold value. My BIL has a few fezendas and the VW truck bed was small. He now has the Chevy.
I would look for mechanics in your area and ask about any issues getting parts.
Yes, SP gives you many options as to used cars.
I did buy 2 cars, but I cannot remember if it was with RNE or before.
Ford is leaving Brasil and parts may become hard to fine.
There is a Brazil international DL. I would check with AAA for such. Only good for 180 days.
I believe there is KBB in Brazil to research vehicles.
Like
I was looking at the vw saveiro but the gas mileage is weirdly low and found some questioning of reliability so the chevy looked like the next logical option. Otherwise it's bigger trucks like the Mitsubishi l100 and whatnot. Thanks!
Like
There are many Hilux which Brazilians love.
Like
rnbtg ....
I'm wrestling with the same problem right now ....but I have the advantage of a brother-in-law who is an avid tinkerer and general do-it-yourself handiman mechanic.
We may make the trip to shop in Barreiras, there's a lot better selection there than here (Bom Jesus da Lapa), its a long trip but I have another errand to do there anyway.
My lawyer suggested that I drop by D-Tran and see if I can talk them in to letting me have a translator for driver's testing.  I have not done that yet but I might.
My wife does not drive but I would be fine about putting the car (and insurance!) in Luiz' name if I cant get it in my own.
She wants me to import my Miata.  I wish.....
I will let you know.
Like
I was looking at the vw saveiro but the gas mileage is weirdly low and found some questioning of reliability so the chevy looked like the next logical option. Otherwise it's bigger trucks like the Mitsubishi l100 and whatnot. Thanks!
- @rnbtg

Good afternoon to you. When researching cars, let Google and Youtube be your friend. You can find thousands of tests and comparisons on every make and model of the car you can imagine in Brazil. In addition, remember, most cars sold in Brazil are also sold in many other countries, just typically not in the USA.

Statistically, the number one selling car in Brazil has been a pickup, the Fiat, and by a lot. Remember though, like most countries, new cars in Brasil are very hard to come by, you can expect to wait several months, or more, to get one. For example, a private person cannot even buy a VW Saveiro now, they are only available commercially.  So, unless you have contacts/connections, you probably can't even buy a new Saveiro, I had to work at it. https://www.statista.com/statistics/620 … 20country.

Like most of here in this group, I own a car in Brazil, this is my second car here and my second Saveiro Dupla Cross. You mentioned fuel economy for this car. I just drove almost 5,000 km during an extended driving adventure. My high was just over 16.3km/L, my trip average was 12.7. For a pickup, that is high. My old Saveiro Cross, a 2013, only average 30. VW is also very specific on oil types to be used, no not their own, a hard-to-find Castrol full-synthetic truck oil. I have loved my little Saveiros.

If you want or need help in researching any car, please ask, I love doing research, on any topic.
Like
07/10/22 rnbtg ....
My lawyer suggested that I drop by D-Tran and see if I can talk them in to letting me have a translator for driver's testing.  I have not done that yet but I might.
- @Inubia

If you have a valid US license, you can change it for a Brazilian one without a road test.  There's a legal requirement that "drivers must be able to communicate in the Portuguese Language".  While different DETRANs interpret that different ways, walking into the tests with an interpreter in tow will raise eyebrows, at the very least.  Might be a good idea to study the tests and go from memory.
Like
The tests that are taken is a vision and physicality (like drawing a path thru a maze} as well as other figure puzzles. I was refused the test due to at the time I went with wife and  "nurse Ratched" said no way. Went back to Dtrans and worked it out. First time it is for 6 months then you renew.
Be sure to have your DL code (commercial, car, or truck) explained by your official Bureau, DTRANs do not have codes and need a printed definition.
Like
The tests that are taken is a vision and physicality (like drawing a path thru a maze} as well as other figure puzzles. I was refused the test due to at the time I went with wife and  "nurse Ratched" said no way. Went back to Dtrans and worked it out. First time it is for 6 months then you renew.
- @Texanbrazil

Which goes to show how every DETRAN is a little different.

The vision test was pretty standard. For my "psychophysical" test, I had to (1.) Identify a lot of road hazard signs; (2.) Distinguish between road hazard signs and road conditions signs; (3.) On a stopwatch, mark all the road signs mixed helter skelter on a page that shared a particular trait given by the tester.  After the tests, I had the option of either taking a graded rules of the road test, or an ungraded five day course on the same material.  I opted for the course, and received my license on the last day.

My license wasn't provisional.  It was good for the normal term, which for people over 60 is three years.  As it happens, I renewed recently.  I took the vision test with a doctor contracted by DETRAN-AM, answered some health questions, and was good to go for three more years.
Like
Old Ford Couriers, balls to the walls the best pep for a small four banger. 

They are snagged left and right.

And old Toyota Land Cruiser Trucks , here called Toyota Bandeirante. Most to run on Mercedes Benz Diesel Engines. Those things can't quit.  They are loved and kept by farmers,  Japanse Sanseis and Nisseis. 

The later, not comfort cruiser, but built to last.   The last production run was in 2001. Good chances to find a well maintained one. 

On Toyotas, you are laying anywhere from R$ 50,000 up to R$ 200,000. 
Like

Bom dia.

Used Car: 

You can buy cars from a dealer and get 3-6month guarantee or buy from a privat person. I did both and it's ok. I think to buy, you need a CPF and identity document, to get a plate, you need to have a CNH (drivers licence). Anyway, take a despachante (broker) to deal with DETRAN.

You can use this website to get a overlook: https://www.carrosnaweb.com.br/compara.asp
Here you can have a look for the prices: [link moderated]/
FIPE is an institute which evaluates the actual prices for cars. They basecally calculate the average selling price for a specific type of cars (like  a 2015 Hilux or so).

Important: The insurance and taxes will be calculated acc. to those values, means, a expensive car is also expensive in insurance and taxes. As a rule of thump, you can calculate 6-8% of the FIPE-Value as yearly expenses for tax and insurance. 
IF the car is older then 20years (in SP, other states have other numbers), then there is no taxes to pay anymore. Taxes usually around 4% of the FIPE-value. If you like, you can calculate this against the maintenance costs or so.

As a general information: The prices in the used car market are build in another way compared to Europe or US, because of those rules regarding taxes/insurance. Which means, that used/old cars keep their value and that also means, they will not loose a lot of it during the years. So it can make sense to buy a older car and invest more in maintenance. 

Small pickups (VW, Fiat, ...) are very common in Brazil and when "we" would say, they are overloaded, Brazilians load another 300kg AND go with that (without AWD) through the jungle :)
The advantage is the lower operating costs and that those often run on Ethanol, which is a cheap way to drive. Diesel got really expensive right now. 
The bigger pickups (Toyota Hilux, Mitshubishi L200, Nissan Frontier, Chevy S10) are commonly available as diesel with AWD. Prices are higher, for sure. Spareparts for those cars are also avail and I wouldn't say, that there is a bullet proof version. The cars have to suffer here and maintenance is more important then the brand/type.
Volvo, Mercedes, Subaru, ... are importet and way more a status-symbol then in Europe or US. Very expensive and Parts hard to get. Once in a while you find a "affordable" one: stay away my friend :)

AWD necessary? Depends on you, most Brazilians in remote areas have just a small car and they survive. I have two cars and both with AWD and in the 3years I'm here now, I just needed it once. There are roads/tracks where you need a AWD but it's not common. 

Cars in SP often are less pricey then in other states because of the availability of used cars (or cars in general). But it doesn't mean, that there are no other places. It's just easier to find a certain model/type there. 

Toyota Bandeirante: I have one of those and they are fun, but I wouldn't buy one of those as daily drivers. Get yourself a "boring" japanese car. If you wanna have a car to work on and spend your time, you still can buy one of those. Also: those Bandeiranates are hyped right now and the prices getting really high. You pay for a average Band more then for a good Hilux. 
Forget about a Land Rover as well, too much money for a average car. 

Don't expect to find a "well maintained" car (unless you buy a 2 year old Toyota which only saw the official dealer), here everybody likes to "work" on the cars and Brazilians are masters in improvising things. A "perfectly maintained car" in Brazil usually means, it got every 10k (km) a oil change, that's it. 

If you buy from a private person: Get the RENEVAM (special number) and get it checked by a insurance broker. It's important, that the car is not stolen, has no open bills (multas) to pay AND all recalls need to be done and veryfied in the DETRAN system. Otherwise it'S not possible to get the licence-plate

Drivers Licence: Another story, maybe open a new post for it. 

Like
we found a dealer with two restored VW beetles yesterday.  R $65k each.  I remember when they were under US $2K, new.....
Like
LOL, those of us who've already gone through getting a Brazilian DL probably all have war stories to tell (the "psychophysical" test in PB was just plain surreal) but it is doable and the process should be started immediately because (I believe) you're entitled to a period of time where you can use your US DL along with a protocol from DETRAN but that eventually runs out.  In my case I was licensed for passenger car and any size motorcycle in WI. The PB DETRAN only accepted either/or moto/car. That said I had to do the whole moto relicensing thing which turned out to be a great experience. Another story for another time. Just get started on it but pay attention as the legislation is changing and, I hear, making licensure easier.

As for a vehicle to occasionally haul stuff, consider a robust passenger car with a trailer. The little pickups are great but passengers with luggage and parking in large urban areas lead me to getting a [once economical] Renault Duster. I got a 4X4 because I tend to get into "challenging" conditions (but I'm not an off-roading fan).  I added a real good trailer hitch and had a custom/simple single axle trailer built. The idea is that I only haul big stuff occasionally and if I change out the car I still have a trailer that takes all of the abuse of heavy loads. I zip around the dirt roads of the caatinga and the setup works quite well. In addition, a fellow who helps from time to time can snap my trailer onto his Fiat Way and he's good to go, although better on the secondary asphalt roads than dirt roads.

The options are many but mostly keep in mind repairs and parts.... Finding competent mechanics can be a challenge (and never assume that dealer mechanics are better than others). Finding parts, well the best solution is to have a somewhat popular car/truck as they usually have available parts.

Like my trailer, there are also talented fabricators for certain car/truck parts - thinking more about suspension problems people in the rural areas might have to deal with.

Matt
Like
I think the topic with the DL should get his own post.
But that much: I converted my German Licence incl. trucks. So they accepted all (Motocycles, cars, trucks). The key is a good translation of the original licence. There are no strict rules, of which foreign licence is accepted in which way, it's always a case-by-case decision.
Start the process immediatelly after getting the protocol, because it takes time and the limit with the int. licence is 6mon. Maybe nowbody cares in real life, but I (for example) needs it to drive as well for my employer and they accepted my german/int. only 6months.

I think a Duster with a trailer is a good option too. I would go for a gasoline-version, because it means less headache at the end.
Like
LOL, those of us who've already gone through getting a Brazilian DL probably all have war stories to tell (the "psychophysical" test in PB was just plain surreal) but it is doable and the process should be started immediately because (I believe) you're entitled to a period of time where you can use your US DL along with a protocol from DETRAN but that eventually runs out.  In my case I was licensed for passenger car and any size motorcycle in WI. The PB DETRAN only accepted either/or moto/car. That said I had to do the whole moto relicensing thing which turned out to be a great experience. Another story for another time. Just get started on it but pay attention as the legislation is changing and, I hear, making licensure easier.



Most driving schools will also give you a Brazilian license just for paying them. My Brazilian wife got her license that way, without ever driving a car, or going to Detran. I hired a facilitator to take care of mine, I didn't have to do anything., I just sent him a photo of my US DL, and sent the money by PIX. In Brasil, there are many ways to accomplish the same thing.   
Like
Right to throw some information here, I used to work for FCA, Now there is differences between the models as each vehicle brand is generally designed with a climate in mind.

So looking at the renegades. north american and latam models carry different wiring  and equips to handle either extreme colds or extreme hots. plenty of reasons your warranty doesnt carry over between countries.


So with that in mind. look at where your living and set your expectations of road conditions in your area , that will give you some better insight as to what you will want to get, too flashy draws alot of attention.
Like
No Edmunds in Brazil.

Here's what you do, if you can stomach Brazilian's Griping.....

Go to Reclameaqui.com.br and read the posts. Plug in the Dealer and Manufacturer, get your Google Translator.

For your peace of mind, short of VW and Fiat, avoid all those "European Jobs" ( BMW, Mercedes, British Imports ). And while at it, avoid Chinese made cars.   Most often, when you are buying those, someone is dumping their soon to be problems at you.  Don't be a chump.

Ford just closed all of its plants, so unless you are contemplating to get a Landau/Galaxy/Maverick ( not the truck )/Escort, then avoid it at all costs.  Parts will be hard to source on new models.   

French car makers gotten better, so I've been told. Stick to Renaults.  Too many issues sourcing parts for Citroens and Peugeots.   

Fiat are not as bad here as you have in the USA ( so easy on Scotty Kilmer rants ). 

Chevy's are cheaply made ( horrible plastics, seating ), but maintenance is affordable. Be reminded you are driving an Opel's engineered Chevy, not the Heartbeat of America. 

VW still decent, just avoid the entry level models.   

Toyota s rule out here, but they are sold at premium.   

You can still score vintage stuff where you can source plenty spares..

While at it, most techs in Brazil are not as resourceful as Americans.  They don't show up to the shop with their own tools. TSBs  are hard to score, and scanners are expensive. So go for the lowest denominator when it comes to be serviced.  Think shade tree mechanic ....

That being said, have a hard look at ....

VW Beetles
VW Van
Chevrolet Opala ( there is a cult amongst car owners , cool dudes drive Opalas, which is a choice for tunners and dragsters ).  Sedans are the least expensive, coupes and the two door station wagon are hotly pursued ).

That is my 5 cents
Like
@rraypo

How does that work to get a facilitator for a Driver's License?
☺️☺️🙏🙏
Like
@rraypo

How does that work to get a facilitator for a Driver's License?
☺️☺️🙏🙏
- @MA22

If it has to do with the Brazilian Government, buy or selling properties, taxes, investments, cars, businesses, large money exchanges, any types of immigration issues, all types of licensing or permits, and/or simple bureaucracy, he can do it all. He's been doing it all for way over 50-years. Someone in this group gave me his name and we have used him a few times. I have passed his name on now a number of times and everyone who's used him has had nothing but praise. He just got tourist visas for three family members in SP to go to the USA, with US Embassy interview appointments, with zero trouble while no one else can even make an appointment right now for the next 15 months.
Like
For licenses and plates, get a "Despachante" that is recommended by the grapevine. 

Despachantes charge a fee to sort through all things paperwork related.

They won't, thought, see through if a vehicle has issues.  You need to be liable for that on your own.
Like

@MA22 

It's possbile to transfer a foreign driver licence and it'S not black magic. No need to do shady things.

This will be a start: [link moderated]

Like
A related question, You cannot purchase a car without a Brazilian license correct? Which you can't get until you have your RNE? We're juggling timelines with a move and the car would facilitate that. If we decided my partner would buy the car in her name, would I be able to pay for it via a bank transfer or would I have to transfer to her (and therein expose her to taxes on the transfer?)?

Thanks!
Like
A related question, You cannot purchase a car without a Brazilian license correct? Which you can't get until you have your RNE? We're juggling timelines with a move and the car would facilitate that. If we decided my partner would buy the car in her name, would I be able to pay for it via a bank transfer or would I have to transfer to her (and therein expose her to taxes on the transfer?)?

Thanks!
- @rnbtg

That is incorrect. I have bought two cars in Brazil, in my name only as an American, the first with just a US Passport; I have never had a Brasilian Driver's license. just a license from Oregon, USA. In fact, no one has ever asked if I even had a Driver's License from anywhere. I bought the first car before I had a residency, just as a tourist, and the last car after having my CRNM. The insurance is a bit trickier as they do not like your only having a foreign address. But even my Brasilian insurance company has never asked for my driver's license.
Yes, of course, you have to have a CPF number, but you do need that today to do anything in Brasil, that's a given. Good luck to you, just be patient, very, very patient, things move/progress very slowly.
Like
@Inubia
I remember very well as a kid, the local VW dealer had a billboard advertising new Beetles for $1,995.
From what l remember they were fairly stripped down with no carpet or radio. But still $1,995. For a brand new car. That dealer went on to build an automotive empire that eventually included Mercedes, BMW, Audi, and Honda.
Like

@Michael P369


If you show up with a foreign, and updated license, for as long as you don't get caught, you could latch  on for a while.


Just don't bring the passport along, or you will get caught red handed.

Like


Chevrolet Opala ( there is a cult amongst car owners , cool dudes drive Opalas, which is a choice for tunners and dragsters ).



This is my new favorite car in Brazil😳😳😳😃..

Just looked at the prices.

I like what I see.

Like

I heard there is a way to use a facilitator to buy a vehicle. They will handle all the negotiation and paperwork. Anyone know anything about it?

Like

I heard there is a way to use a facilitator to buy a vehicle. They will handle all the negotiation and paperwork. Anyone know anything about it?
-@jasonlovesdogs

I heard that to. 


They can facilitate things when supplies are hard to come by, and you pay above sticker price for those. 


Now, with oversupply, this is a moot point.  Walk into a dealership.   


The paperwork is where they might shine.  Look out for "Despachantes".


Also, title and ownership comes rife with pitfalls on the account of liens.  Again, the Despachante.


Facilitators, as you describe, the good ones there is, don't waste time with retail. They work with dealerships. 

Like

@rraypo

How does that work to get a facilitator for a Driver's License?☺️☺️🙏🙏

-@MA22

No such a thing. For your Driver's License it is your DETRAN. As a Registry of Motor Vehicles. 

Like

My dentis is a car nut.


Here's his summation at my last Dentist Appointment.


Vintage Fords....  Avoid Corcel, they are severally underpowered. Rather buy an used Ford Escort. If you must get one ( and they can be found cheap ), go for the Del Rey trim level.


Ford Mavericks are awesome, but they have become obscenely expensive. Avoid the four bangers ( cylinders ), they are underpowered. 


Ford Galaxie/Landau/500.  They are cool, but are also gas guzzlers. No ethanol. So you might as well set money side for fuel. 


VW Beetle  - They are cool, easy to maintain, but have gotten expensive lately,  Also, they've been targeted by car thieves for their parts & Spares value.  They have become hot commodity. 


While under VW, Gol, Saveiro and Paraty have an engine that won't quit. The AP is a tunner favorite.  The older square versions there is.  The newer versions can be solid transportation, yet VW cheapened on the rubber mounts,, strut sleeves and hoses. And upholstery has gone poorly on late models.



Chevy Opala & Caravan ( including trim levels such as Comodoro and Diplomata  ). They are great.  Just avoid any older ones with the shift lever at the column. And if you are going to get one for the thrill of owning a Brazilian Muscle car, sitck to the flat six ( 4,1 or 4,3 engines ) 


Also, under GM Brands, the Monza is a pretty nifty choice. Comfy, good on gas.


The Brazilian Chevettes are actually better than their American Counterparts.  So indulge.



Hard to come by, and expensive.



Toyotal Trucks and Jeeps, dubbed Bandeirante. They are literally your Toyota  Land Cruiser.They will last forever. Most of them have Diesel Engines built by Mercedes Benz. 



Willy Overland Lineup. Jeeps, the Rural SUV, or the pickup truck, and the Aero Willys.  They are cool, solid, but spares are becoming harder to come by

Like

Just don't bring the passport along, or you will get caught red handed.
-@sprealestatebroker


Driving my own car, and having my CRNM, but not having my US passport with me almost had me in jail in Rio a couple of months back. I do not have a Brazilian driver's license as I am never in Brazil for more than 90 days at a time. The PF in a Comando stop insisted on seeing my entrance stamp to count the days I had been in Brazil. They mostly certainly were not interested in a digital copy of my flights/tickets, they were 100% into playing bully and demanding to see my US passport. It was way ugly to be on the side of the highway, at midnight in the dark, being terrorized by 6 officers over not having my US passport. I can promise you I will always have a copy of my passport, with last entrance stamp, with me from then on

Like


    @rraypo

How does that work to get a facilitator for a Driver's License?☺️☺️🙏🙏

   

    -@MA22


It's called either a Despachant or the mook at your corner Driving School. 

Like


        @rraypoHow does that work to get a facilitator for a Driver's License?☺️☺️🙏🙏        -@MA22

It's called either a Despachant or the mook at your corner Driving School. 
   

    -@sprealestatebroker


My Brazilian wife got her license through a driving school in SP. By paying them a little extra, she never went to the school, just got her license. Brazil is certainly an interesting country.

Like


            @rraypoHow does that work to get a facilitator for a Driver's License?☺️☺️🙏🙏        -@MA22It's called either a Despachant or the mook at your corner Driving School.          -@sprealestatebroker

My Brazilian wife got her license through a driving school in SP. By paying them a little extra, she never went to the school, just got her license. Brazil is certainly an interesting country.
   

    -@rraypo


Corrent.  Driving Schools have a gopher, aka despachante, at their beck in call.   A driving school is nothing short of a Despachant on Brick and Mortar, doing your end runs within Detrain, if you think about. 


All it is to it are names. 

Like

Articles to help you in your expat project in São Paulo

Travelling around Brazil
Travelling around Brazil

Taxis in Brazil are relatively inexpensive in comparison to North America and much of Europe. In most cities ...

Using phones in Brazil
Using phones in Brazil

It's much easier these days to get a cell phone in Brazil, and phones and calling plans are inexpensive ...

Marriage in Brazil
Marriage in Brazil

Brazil can be a romantic country, and you may want to marry here. Perhaps you even want to remain in Brazil ...

Leisure activities in Brazil
Leisure activities in Brazil

Have you always dreamed of dancing to the rhythm of a Brazilian carnival? Do you wish to enjoy the sand and the ...

Dating in Brazil
Dating in Brazil

If you're single and ready to mingle, then you might want to try your hand at dating after you've settled ...

Accommodation in Brasilia
Accommodation in Brasilia

Brasilia, the country's federal capital, is home to many highly-paid government employees and foreign ...

All of Sao Paulo's guide articles
Choose the best health insurance
Protect your health and get easy access to treatment for expats in São Paulo.
Open a bank account that suits you
Discover the best international banks to manage your money securely.
Plan your international move
Facilitate your move to Sao Paulo by getting a quote from our top rated movers.
Send money overseas at the best rate
For fast, safe and secure money transfers to and from Sao Paulo.