Vix: How bad are Mexican trucks, really?

[Mahnarch]

The U.S. has allowed Mexican trucks to drive on our roads, beginning today, and a lot of people are upset about it.

wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=57520

But, I want to know from someone who actually lives there.

Are these semis really that bad?
Some people are claiming that there's no inspection process and that they may be carrying illegals or drugs across in the trailers. They'll break down and throw clutter along the road as pieces fall off.

I'm not sure about this. I mean, I've seen some pretty badly wrecked trucks that shouldn't be on the road, but they pass inspection.

[grape]

In reality, the trucks around here aren't that bad. There are some that look like they're going to fall apart, but those are pretty rare to go long distances. My history teacher keeps on saying that the Americans don't want any Mexican trucks on their shiny clean roads. I don't really think that it's really a problem. The trucks that go around here are almost like the trucks in the U.S. The main problem is the concern of the illegal immigrants that they could sneak in. One large problem is corruption. But I find it that it's controlled right now.

There are inspections before the truck leaves. But those trucks don't break down, they have modern models.

[Phil]

There are a lot of vehicles made in Mexican plants. I don't know anybody who had worse luck with 1 that was made in Mexico than made in USA.

[dannyboy]

As a rule of thumb there's a sequence.

If the Vin {Vehicle Identification Number}
starts with the following.
1= Built in the United States
2= Built in Canada.
3= Built in Mexico
4= Built in Japan
J= Also a symbol of build in Japan.
K or 5 = Korea

I have read that that is not 100% accurate but I have found it to be right on so far. Cars made before 1980 followed a different numbering system but since then there are 17 characters in the VIN for all cars build in or exported to the United States.

[Mahnarch]

Good to know, Vix.
I've heard horror stories about taxi cabs being pulled by horses, and such. But I've never seen it, so I can't be sure.

***

Phil, there's a difference from a car that's built in Mexico to be shipped elsewhere and one that's built to be used in Mexico.

Site taxi example from above....

I've heard that they'll run the wheels off, fix em and run them off again.
That was my main concern - doors being held on with duct tape and such.

***

Dannyboy, I have a '72 Gran Torino, and I think the VIN only has about 12 numbers.
Not as many cars built and on the roads back then.

I used to be keen on the VIN code, too, but it's been almost a year since I left the garage.

8th digit is engine.

GM
Z: 4.3L Vortech
K: 5.7L Vortech?

Dang, can't remember, now...

[grape]

Here in Mexico City, the Site taxis are in good shape, most of them are the old version of the VW beetle. they are in good conditions. The free taxis are the ones that you should worry about. Some of them are fake. Its best to take a taxi that has a license plate number that begins with L (Libre) or S (Sitio).

[Mahnarch]

They have 'free' taxis?

Are those the ones that kidnap people and force ransoms? *nervous lol*

[grape]

Free roamers but yeah, you have to be careful. Especially on the color of the car and it's number. If you see a taxi with a number that begins with S, it's safe. If it has L then make sure you can see his/her license saying that he/she is a licensed driver with permission for public transport. Otherwise, you're family is going to have to spend a while getting some ransom or you might just get either overcharged. Although sometimes they just take your shoes.

The usual cost for a distance of 2 km is usually just 20 pesos. Some taxis charge 50 pesos for that distance (and obviously are pirated).

[Phil]

So if we're ever in Mexico make sure the cab is labeled S or L. Otherwise stay clear?

[grape]

yup, exactly.

There are some newer model taxi's now, like Hayiundi(spelling) Atoz and the Nissan Tsuru.

Keep an eye on the color as well.

It MUST be a color combination of either:

Red and White
or
Green and White.

Any other combinations may be pirates.

[Blastgirl]

Is that a Government Regulated way to identify the Taxis?

There was a time when all Rented cars in our State had license plates start with the same letter.

Some tourists were attacked in Florida so all states I believe it was all decided that Rental Cars would be ambiguous from now on and plates would be the same as any residential car.

[grape]

Yes, there is a government regulated way to Identify. As well as there may be some taxis that have a checkered design. Normally you can only access these in only certain parts of the city. The airport taxi's are special, they only pick up and drop off from the airport. Airport taxi's have a yellow with white color with a black airplane design on it.

[Phil]

So most people could avoid danger by learning the standards of which cabs are safe to take.

[Hedgy]

Do the taxis have 2 number plates? Up here in Scotland, Taxis have a normal one and a special one for the taxi. (They're really just ordinary cars with a 2nd regi plate, the money meter thingy and GPS slapped on )

[Classicblast]

I have a lot of friends from Mexico, Dominican Republics, Puerto Rico and multiple South American countries.

And they all have heavy concerns that a lot of us in the United States take for granted.

We tend to forget how tame society is most of the time. Oh yeah there's the occasional news event. I can usually go into a store with my car running and come out and it will still be there.
Not a good idea of course but most likely nothing will happen.

I don't lock my luggage and I'm on the road 70 days in the summer and various other times throughout the year. I've never lost anything by theft. I dont think I have at least.

So my rookie teammate from Brazil and I are in my F350 and I turn off a lined highway onto a rural street. My passenger raises his window and makes sure his door is locked. He also glances into the bed to make sure there's nothing in there that can be taken.

He was accustomed to road robbers. And if you're outside the major cities that's a very honest concern.

Again that's not to say that you can't have a problem in American soil but you probably won't and in his homeland you most likely will. The rural people see a "City Slicker" and they figure this is easy prey.