Mexico Drivers

[arellanon]

Hi gals/guys. Does anyone here drive their 200 in Mexico? I want to hit up some places in Baja as well as mainland Mexico and was wondering if other fellow 200 series owners have experience driving south. I have yet to get my 200 but plan on getting one hopefully before summer.

 

[eljune]

The LC was bred for Baja adventures. Although I've yet to take my 200 south of the border; I drove my 100 into Rosarito 6 days a week back when I used to run the family farm. I never had an issue, just remember to get proper insurance.

 

[arellanon]

The LC was bred for Baja adventures. Although I've yet to take my 200 south of the border; I drove my 100 into Rosarito 6 days a week back when I used to run the family farm. I never had an issue, just remember to get proper insurance.

Hey eljune. Yeah, I notice the Land Cruiser being the dominant off road vehicle in almost every Latin American country except for Mexico; perhaps it's due to Mexico's proximity to US? When I
go to Mexico (usually Baja and Sonora) I see mostly 80 series with American plates; I don't think I've ever seen an LC with Mexican plates. I see lots of Ford and Chevrolet vehicles with Mexican plates though. I think my first trip to Mexico in an LC will be the volcano fields by San Quintin or the Pinacate Biosphere in Sonora.

 

[linuxgod]

Any issues with the quality of gas? When we were in Belize the rental car company made a big deal about only using specific gas stations because of fuel quality. I've heard of people removing their cats before heading south because bad gas can foul them up, but I don't know if that's still required. Presumably if you did that you'd throw OBD-II codes until they were reinstalled

 

[arellanon]

Any issues with the quality of gas? When we were in Belize the rental car company made a big deal about only using specific gas stations because of fuel quality. I've heard of people removing their cats before heading south because bad gas can foul them up, but I don't know if that's still required. Presumably if you did that you'd throw OBD-II codes until they were reinstalled

Hey linuxgod. I have no experience pumping gas in a LC in Mexico but I have plenty of experience pumping gas in my Honda Civic Hybrid, lol. Three things to keep in mind while pumping gas in Mexico:

1. The only official gasoline available in Mexico is from PEMEX. They are pretty much all over in towns and cities but can be quite scarce on some stretches. For example, there is no working PEMEX station (at least back in February 2015, the last time I was in Baja) between El Rosario and Guerrero Negro. The distance between the two is 372km (231 miles) so it is important to fill up at either terminus of that stretch of road before heading to the next. However, there are private vendors selling gas along the way, especially in Cataviña, a major hub for off road dirt bikers.

2. PEMEX offers 3 types of fuel: Magna, Super, and Diesel. Magna is roughly their version of 87 octane while Super is their version of 91 octane. Diesel is diesel; however, low sulfur diesel is not a Mexican requirement to my knowledge so if you take vehicles that require low sulfur diesel this might cause problems because not all PEMEX stations have low sulfur diesel.

3. There is no self-service in Mexico; all gas pumping is done by employees.

Now, going back specifically to your question linuxgod. I have not detected any real change or difference in the performance of my vehicle when using Mexican gas. Interestingly enough, gas is on the expensive side in Mexico so we can't expect to get good prices like we do, oh let's say, in Texas. One thing to note: the gas service workers really like to top your tank off as much as possible. 99-100 times they are quite friendly and all one needs to make sure is to check the meter is reset to 00.00 and the type of fuel they have. Lots of the workers speak basic English and will offer to clean your windshield, tires, engine bay, etc.

From experience, driving (heck just visiting) in Mexico is an adventure since Mexico is still a developing country. It is the closest thing the US Land Cruiser community has to driving/exploring a non first world area (Cuba is close as well but we have to freight our vehicle there). Life can be quite laid back in the little pueblos but very busy in the cities. The fact that Spanish is the official language adds to the sense of adventure and to the travel/expedition/discovery ambiance. I think Mexico is excellent stomping grounds for the LC 200 and I cannot wait to do so and contribute my adventures/experiences to the community.

 

[linuxgod]

Hey linuxgod. I have no experience pumping gas in a LC in Mexico but I have plenty of experience pumping gas in my Honda Civic Hybrid, lol.

Thanks, that's interesting to hear. I've driven in Belize (crappy Jeep Patriot) and Costa Rica (LC Prado). In a few years once my LC is paid off and my kids a little older I'd like to take a summer and drive through Central and South America (which I know requires putting the LC in a container ship to get around the Darien Gap since Panama and Columbia don't actually connect via roads unfortunately).

 

[JamesC]

Lots of 200s around DF, armoured and non. I'd be happy to meet or arrange a 200 meet up but would prefer the Cortez side. Hard to argue with Bahia de LA as a base

Whale shark season is, what, October on? Good family activities. Maybe we can have Ouray for summer meet ups and BCN/S for winter?

 

[arellanon]

Thanks, that's interesting to hear. I've driven in Belize (crappy Jeep Patriot) and Costa Rica (LC Prado). In a few years once my LC is paid off and my kids a little older I'd like to take a summer and drive through Central and South America (which I know requires putting the LC in a container ship to get around the Darien Gap since Panama and Columbia don't actually connect via roads unfortunately).

You're talking my type of summer vacation! Central and South America in a 200?! Heck I might even follow you if you don't mind some company.

 

[arellanon]

Lots of 200s around DF, armoured and non. I'd be happy to meet or arrange a 200 meet up but would prefer the Cortez side. Hard to argue with Bahia de LA as a base

Whale shark season is, what, October on? Good family activities. Maybe we can have Ouray for summer meet ups and BCN/S for winter?

I love Loreto, let's meet there.

Interestingly I have a friend/colleague that is retired and has property in Bahia de LA so we can meet there too!

 

[linuxgod]

You're talking my type of summer vacation! Central and South America in a 200?! Heck I might even follow you if you don't mind some company.

That would be awesome. I think we got ourselves a convoy. Now I just need to cash in my tax return and start working on some mods

 

[arellanon]

That would be awesome. I think we got ourselves a convoy. Now I just need to cash in my tax return and start working on some mods

Have you been to Mexico as of yet linuxgod? Convoys are always a good idea, and when they are of the same vehicle they look quite cool!

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

No worries about Mexican gas as long as it comes from a gov owned and run Pemex station. I run Magna 87 all the time in our 06 LX470 with never an issue.

Last weekend Salina point, MX

 

[linuxgod]

Have you been to Mexico as of yet linuxgod? Convoys are always a good idea, and when they are of the same vehicle they look quite cool!

I was in Tijuana about 10-12 years ago for the day, but otherwise no, not yet. I'm anxious to spend time in the Yucatan and check out some ruins (Caracol in Belize and Tikal and Guatemala were awesome - Belize and Guatemala, Feb 2016).

My kids speak some spanish, so we made them converse when we were in Costa Rica 2 years ago, and when we were in Guatemala for the day back in February. Before I spend any significant time in Central and South America I need to brush up on mine though, since my high school spanish is just enough to get my arse kicked in a bar.

 

[arellanon]

Hi LandCruiserPhil! Thanks for the info; so no problems running Magna on your LX right? Sounds pretty good to me.

Thanks for the lovely picture! I am loving these Land Cruisers down south!

By the way where is Salina Point? I could not find it on Google Maps.

 

[arellanon]

I was in Tijuana about 10-12 years ago for the day, but otherwise no, not yet. I'm anxious to spend time in the Yucatan and check out some ruins (Caracol in Belize and Tikal and Guatemala were awesome - Belize and Guatemala, Feb 2016).

My kids speak some spanish, so we made them converse when we were in Costa Rica 2 years ago, and when we were in Guatemala for the day back in February. Before I spend any significant time in Central and South America I need to brush up on mine though, since my high school spanish is just enough to get my arse kicked in a bar.

I am fluent in Spanish so we are good Mexico to Argentina (Brazil might be tricky, lol)!



So, a drive to Yucatan sound good to you? It sounds AWESOME to me!

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Hi LandCruiserPhil! Thanks for the info; so no problems running Magna on your LX right? Sounds pretty good to me.

Thanks for the lovely picture! I am loving these Land Cruisers down south!

By the way where is Salina Point? I could not find it on Google Maps.

None

Google Maps
~6 miles off the coast to the end of the point

 

[Living in the Past]

Hey eljune. Yeah, I notice the Land Cruiser being the dominant off road vehicle in almost every Latin American country except for Mexico; perhaps it's due to Mexico's proximity to US? When I
go to Mexico (usually Baja and Sonora) I see mostly 80 series with American plates; I don't think I've ever seen an LC with Mexican plates. I see lots of Ford and Chevrolet vehicles with Mexican plates though. I think my first trip to Mexico in an LC will be the volcano fields by San Quintin or the Pinacate Biosphere in Sonora.

I don't drive a 200 series or even a 100 series anymore. As for not many LCs in Mexico, Toyota and the Mexican government had a falling out back in the sixties. Something to do with some 45LVs that the contract was cancelled at the last minute and they ended up in the US. Not sure how true that is but Mexico did not sell Toyotas for decades. Because most 4X4s came down for the US rather then north from Central America they tend to be non LC since from the mid eighties Toyota started to import only the most expensive LC wagon rather the basic stripped utility Vehicles imported to Central America. Also because Toyota had no presence in Mexico it made it harder to maintain one.

 

[arellanon]

I don't drive a 200 series or even a 100 series anymore. As for not many LCs in Mexico, Toyota and the Mexican government had a falling out back in the sixties. Something to do with some 45LVs that the contract was cancelled at the last minute and they ended up in the US. Not sure how true that is but Mexico did not sell Toyotas for decades. Because most 4X4s came down for the US rather then north from Central America they tend to be non LC since from the mid eighties Toyota started to import only the most expensive LC wagon rather the basic stripped utility Vehicles imported to Central America. Also because Toyota had no presence in Mexico it made it harder to maintain one.

Wow thanks for the information; had no idea about this. That would make sense. Nowadays there are Toyota dealerships throughout no? At least in Baja, back in September 2013, Tijuana, La Paz, and Los Cabos had dealerships.

 

[arellanon]

None

Google Maps
~6 miles off the coast to the end of the point

Ah, not too far from Puerto Peñasco. Awesome! Have you taken your LX to Pinacates Craters?

 

[Output Shaft]

To specifically answer the question of the thread, obviously some people have driven 200s to MX. Is it a prudent and safe thing to do? Hell no.
Why? It's a rich man's car and they know it. Doesn't matter that you bought it used for 42k.

Flaunting that much money around down there is just asking for it. Talk about standing out. Talk about being a bullseye.

I've traveled all over Baja for 20 years in a FJ60. Maybe 12 trips. The 60 never had that stigma. The Mexicans knew (and know) that model and it was known more as a gringo surfer's 4WD. Low key.

I have a friend that owns a 200 and a Ford pickup. He has a little casita in Todos Santos BCS. He'll never drive his 200 to Baja ever. Never. Why? See above.

Sure, guys do it and say it's fine. But friends of mine that have 60s and have spent many years taking trips in Baja have come to the conclusion (as I have) that it's not a smart vehicle to take to Mexico.

Of course you CAN, but if you weren't oblivious to what you were actually doing, you never would.

If you can't safely take a new Land Cruiser to Mexico, what's the point?
Pity.