Driving my car into Mexico

[shineonyou]

In January, I am hoping to do a roadtrip through southern California, and I was hoping to extend that roadtrip in Baja California. But my fellow workstudy-er has told me that one does not drive to Mexico these days. Flying there is fine, but car thefts have gotten really bad. She seemed really sure when she said it, but she says EVERYTHING as if there's no room for arguement. She also claimed that overnight bus tours from San Diego to Tijuana have stopped because of vehicle thefts.

Lonely Planet seems to think it's okay, but she said this was a new development. Is there truth to any of this? Has anyone here roadtripped from the US into Mexico? Would it be naive of me to take my 2002 Saab 93 into the country? I would of course take all the necessary precautions, get insurance that was valid in Mexico etc. And I would only go if I could convince someone else to come with me. I'd drive around southern California by myself though.

[Sijuki]

I know that thefts of all sorts have gone up in border towns. I think the biggest fear would be carjacking. With proper insurance, if your car gets stolen hopefully it's covered and you can get paid for it.

I know several border crossing towns have seen a rise in theft, murders, and kidnappings and typical border crossing trips by Americans have fallen dramatically.

[SGRHewitt]

Either make sure your insurance is up to par, and don't take anything of value you with. Or rent a car.

[shineonyou]

Thanks for the responses. I did check the state department website, and it also warns of increasing car thefts. I think maybe this is a sign that I should focus southern California during the little roadtrip time I have rather than biting off more than I can chew and spending all the time in my car.

I'm emotionally tied to my car.

[ScarlotteDorian]

Will, (Monsignor) might be the person to ask. he rode his motorcycle into mexico a couple years back.

[SGRHewitt]

A friend who lived in Oakland would make sure nothing was in his car, leaving the glove box open and everything. To show that there is nothing to steal.

Granted in Mexico, they may just want the car. In Oakland, crackheads are looking for something to sell. He got a 20 dollar set of tools stolen from his car.

[shineonyou]

Originally Posted by SGRHewitt

A friend who lived in Oakland would make sure nothing was in his car, leaving the glove box open and everything. To show that there is nothing to steal.

Granted in Mexico, they may just want the car. In Oakland, crackheads are looking for something to sell. He got a 20 dollar set of tools stolen from his car.

Yeah, that's what I was told, people in Mexico apparently want your car. And from what I was told by my co-worker, they won't just steal when it's parked. they'll threaten violence if you don't get out and let them take it. Athough I don't think the state department travel advisory confirmed this, it just said car thefts were on the rise.

[TheJake]

I had no issues when I drove through Baja. I can't imagine that it has changed that much and having just moved from Phoenix, no one was talking about mexican car thefts.

I would recommend driving straight through TJ and south another 2 hours or so to Coyote Cal's Youth Hostel in Irindira. Three travelpunks have been there I think on separate occasions and we would all go back in a heartbeat.

http://coyotecals.com/

Ignore the naysayers and have fun!

[shineonyou]

Originally Posted by TheJake

I had no issues when I drove through Baja. I can't imagine that it has changed that much and having just moved from Phoenix, no one was talking about mexican car thefts.

I would recommend driving straight through TJ and south another 2 hours or so to Coyote Cal's Youth Hostel in Irindira. Three travelpunks have been there I think on separate occasions and we would all go back in a heartbeat.

http://coyotecals.com/

Ignore the naysayers and have fun!

Thanks for the tip! I may head down to this hostel for a few nights. Especially if I make it to San Diego anyway.

[Somnambulation]

Hey man did you ever make it down to Mexico?