Monterrey - Post Report Question and Answers

What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?

Any car. Roads are smooth and easy to drive on; you may not want to bring a car that's excessively flashy if you plan on leaving the San Pedro area. Carjackings and robberies do happen, but are quite rare and usually targeted. - Feb 2021


Luxury cars are extremely common here so nothing will stand out. I’d get a car with good shocks and ground clearance because of speed bumps and potholes. - Sep 2018


Anything is available from Porshe to pick up trucks. - Aug 2015


I would bring things that don't stand out too much (lifted trucks, rare types of cars etc will make you a target). You will see BMW and Benz, etc, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend them, as you will stand out a little more than a Nissan or Toyota. - Mar 2014


Any car will do, although an SUV might be better if you are a rock-climbing enthusiast. - Oct 2012


Leave your Hummer at home - people will assume you are part of one of the cartels. Other than that, just about any car will be fine, though I would not drive a tiny car (like a Smart Car or a Geo) because traffic is insane. - Oct 2010


Anything is fine here. Just know that everyone drives like a maniac here, and your car will get dents, dings, scratches, etc. An SUV will help you during the rainy season, as the streets get very slick when they are wet. Work on the car is fairly cheap, and the dealerships are all over the city. - Jul 2010


Anything is fine. Lots of people buy cars in Texas and drive them over as 'temporary visitors' - a permit that needs to be renewed every 6 months or so. There are lots of mechanics and dealerships in Monterrey. - Jan 2008


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