SEA BREEZE SCENT is a powerful and long lasting air freshener that comes in a ready to use spray bottle. It neutralizes bad odors and refreshes the vehicle interior. Like a fine perfume, it is oil based, there are no unhealthy solvents, so it is safe to use in any situation. Read More
Super Wheel
SUPER WHEEL is ready to use, it is non-acidic and won’t harm any factory original wheels. Glossy and/or aluminum coated, magnesium, wire, chrome or plastic covers.
Quickly and easily eliminates brake dust, metal particles, oil, dirt, grease, and other surface contaminants. Just spray and rinse.
Speed Gloss
SPEED GLOSS is a high grade liquid polymer, designed to be applied after washing, when the vehicle is still wet. Once dry, it coats the paint surface, repelling water and repelling contaminants.
It reduces drying time and water spots, as well as restoring the previous wax job, leaving a deep and brilliant shine. Won’t harm plastic, chrome or glass. Read More
Leather Lotion
Leather lotion shines and protects leather upholstery at home and on the road.
LEATHER LOTION is a creamy conditioner designed to restore, conserve and fortify leather interiors, keeping the original natural strength, beauty, and suppleness.
It’s a product formulated to nourish and moisturize leather, allowing the fibers to maintain their texture and color, as well as the original suppleness and softness of leather.
The lotion has a natural leather scent and is not toxic or flammable. Read More
Getting a Brand New Car in Costa Rica
Blue is meant to denote the eco-friendly aspects of the vehicle
Since 2006, we here at WheelsCR.com have helped their clients purchase reliable used cars from reputable dealers in Costa Rica. If you’re reading this, you probably know that vehicles are a major investment here. The import duties run from 30% for new cars, to 85% for cars that are more than 6 years old. No vehicles are manufactured here, so transportation and customs brokerage fees are always an additional cost.
Given the high price, the majority of the WheelsCR.com clients settle for older vehicles in the $5000 to $15,000 range. Some clients go for newer SUVs that will cost from $20,000 to $35,000.
A NEW Car
A new experience for Russ — buying a new car!
I had a positive experience that I wanted to share with anyone who might be seeking a similar type of service.Many months ago, I ran across an ad in the ARCR (Association of Residents in Costa Rica) magazine “El Residente” which advertised the services of Mr. Russell Martin. Mr. Martin, hailing from Texas/Nebraska, aids expatriates and others in the search for reliable used cars in Costa Rica. Since I recently purchased a small home near La Fortuna, in the Lake Arenal area, I knew that, for me, the next step was to buy a car, so I clipped the ad out and placed it within a folder in one of my desk drawers.
I had taken the leap to relocate to Costa Rica with the hope of easing the financial burden of my retirement. Buying a home in a foreign country is scary enough so I was careful to utilize a well recommended lawyer and to work through a competent real estate professional, which, in Costa Rica, can be an oxymoron. I feel strongly that those decisions were a vital factor in my acquiring a very nice property at a fair price without any hassles or irregularities.
So when I learned that acquiring a reliable car can turn out to be more difficult than purchasing a home, I wanted all the help I could get. Eventually, I contacted Mr. Martin via e-mail and we began a long and frequent communication as to what might be best for me, given my budget and where I chose to live. It wasn’t long before we were on a first name basis and I developed the assurance that Russell knew what he was doing. During these communications, I was impressed by Russell’s knowledge of autos, the clarity of his explanations, and the general thoroughness of his procedures.
I have no doubt that he can help anyone get the best value for their money in the Costa Rican market. He works only with proven and trustworthy dealers.
I finally decided that I would prefer to buy a new car and asked for his help in shopping the market and completing a deal. We began a new dialogue until we arrived at a game plan. Russell’s patience, his knowledge and his fluency in Spanish guided me through an unimaginable labyrinth and ended in total success. Although I suppose
there is no guarantee, I believe that his fee easily saved me money in the end. But even if it did not, given the frequent trips he made to the dealership, the time and the energy he put into the process, he saved me a ton of time and aggravation.
If you want your best chance to find a reliable used car or to help negotiate the process of purchasing a new car, I think that Russell Martin is a great asset to have on your side.
Alan R. Altman
Luggage Racks for Sale in Costa Rica
Luggage Rack image should show as slideshow in your browser
If you need to replace or install luggage racks on your vehicle, WheelsCR.com may be able to help you find what you need and deliver it right to your door (almost). Currently we offer 2 brands that will fit most vehicles: Winbo and Ace Racing.
Click here, Car Racks Quote Form to get a quote for your vehicle, or read below for more information on the racks, including estimated prices. Read More
Toyota 4runner RAV4 For Sale in Costa Rica
All-time, All-Terrain Classics
Toyota 4runner pictured, see below for RAV4 photos
The Toyota RAV4 and 4runner are classic SUVs for Costa Rica and residents here. Many current residents had their first experience driving in Costa Rica in a RAV4 rental. The RAV4 is a smaller SUV, based on an automobile chassis. This gives it a much better ride and handling than many SUVs. At the same time it offers an excellent all-wheel drive feature, which will get you out of the majority of situations where you need traction but not that much power. The lighter body helps in these cases too. The RAV4 seats 5 adults fairly comfortably and has some room in the back for luggage or gear too.
The Toyota 4runner is a great multi-purpose 4 x 4. It has a good amount of cargo space in the back and will seat 5 adults comfortably. The 4 x 4 capability and ground clearance are superior to most SUVs, while the classic styling looks good in the city and exploring on the back roads. The chassis will handle up to 33×10.5 tires without modification, which improves the ground clearance and is good for those who generally travel on bad roads. Read More
Suzuki Sidekick – Samurai in Costa Rica aka Geo – Chevrolet Tracker
Great if your motto is “Life’s a Beach!”
Used Cars in Costa Rica for Sale - The Ideal Sport Utility Vehicle ?
We talk about SUVs all the time, but if you sit down and think about the individual terms, the Suzuki Sidekick really comes close to being the ideal SUV — Sport Utility Vehicle.
Sport – Starting with the Samurai, and continuing with the original Sidekicks, the Suzuki 4 x 4 is convertible. How much sportier can you get? The colors are also fun and perfect for the tropics.
Utility – Utility means useful. The convertible top allows you to literally fit almost anything in the cargo area if the need arises, no matter how awkward or bulky. In normal day to day use, all of the versions have folding rear seats, allowing for 2 passengers and cargo / gear / groceries. Some versions have split bench seats, which means you can have 3 passengers and some gear — or a cooler! As well, the 4 x 4 capability is excellent, the bare bones construction and short wheel base means that you can get almost anywhere, and you aren’t worrying about damage you might be doing to some fancy electronics or delicate emissions control system.
Vehicle – being something that gets you from place to place. Aside from having 4 wheels and seats, the Suzuki Sidekick, Suzuki Samurai, Geo Tracker and Chevrolet Tracker are all dependable vehicles with good quality parts, that are also available nationwide. They’ll get you around when you first buy one, but you also can depend on being able to keep them going with a minimum of fuss. The Samurai is truly bare bones and you don’t have much that can go wrong there. Think of the classic VW Bug. The Sidekick is a step above and a bit more complex, but still fairly simple in most facets through the mid 1990s versions. Read More
Prime Blue Tire Cleaner
This post is to explain my experience with the Prime Blue tire cleaner. Our 1996 Kia Sportage has tires that are on their last legs and are begging to be replaced. For the last RTV inspection in June, I have to admit that I broke down and rented tires ! Below are pictures of the tires before and after using prime blue.
Prime Blue Tire Cleaner is sprayed onto the tires after they are clean. I have used foam tire spray before on these tires. The foam is good, in that it can be applied to dirty tires, and is easy to use. But it is pretty expensive and I haven’t found that it keeps the tires from getting dirty again. It lasts only for about 1 trip into town because of our gravel road.
The Prime Blue Tire Cleaner is superior. I washed the car a week ago and applied Prime Blue to the tires. You can see that they look great. The amazing part is that after a week and several trips into town, the effect has barely faded! Many of the Klympro products have special agents that will protect different parts of the vehicle, and actually inhibit dirt and grime from sticking. Prime Blue is one of those.
You can purchase Prime Blue for home delivery here, Prime Blue – Tire Cleaner . You can view all the Klympro products here http://wheelscr.com/catalogue/
