We are in the process of looking for a car and it has been a bit of interesting experience. We looked for a vehicle over several weeks and by-chance happened to see a Chevrolet Grand Vitara XL-7 4x4 at a dealership. The price was reasonable for the a 2006 in Ecuador.
The problem started when we showed interest, the dealership seemed to show a lack of interest. The car was unlocked so we were sitting in it checking it it out, waiting for the salesperson to come out and let us take it for a test-drive. After about 10 minutes, the manager came out and told us that another couple had been looking at the vehicle and that the wife had arrived to take the car home. Bummer! But as we went back inside, the wife asked for our phone number as she doesn't like automatics (the Vitara 4x4 only comes with automatic) and if she can't get used to it that they would give us a call.
We received a call two days later. We had the vehicle checked and everything looked good, right up to the point where we took it to the lawyer's office to do the paperwork. As it turns out, the car was purchased by the couple but then the husband died. This wouldn't have been a problem except that they had children and under Ecuadorian law, the children have a 50% right to the estate. So the courts need to authorize that the children are in agreement that the cars be sold. The downside is that this can take anywhere from 2-6 months; our layer told us a minimum is 3 months and this is if you get the right judge.
So, we continue to look. We'll keep you updated.
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