Thread: New / Used vehicle prices

Can someone tell me the most cost effective way to rent cars in Panama? The cars are not so expensive, but the various forms of insurance make it a lot. How much of the ins is necessary, and how much is increased margins? I have not had a wreck of any kind in 30 years in TX and I don't drive in PTY.

Is it better to rent cars only when you need to drive 100 miles or more? The local bus options with cabs filling in the front and back end may be the best. Shed some light on this?

I've rented a toyota Yaris at PTY for $26/day. Only got the Liability insurance, and the credit card covered the rest.

Originally Posted by topspinnn

Can someone tell me the most cost effective way to rent cars in Panama? The cars are not so expensive, but the various forms of insurance make it a lot. How much of the ins is necessary, and how much is increased margins? I have not had a wreck of any kind in 30 years in TX and I don't drive in PTY.

Is it better to rent cars only when you need to drive 100 miles or more? The local bus options with cabs filling in the front and back end may be the best. Shed some light on this?

I have looked on line when booking my trip and I have found cars for as little as $60/wk. I don't know if it is different when your down there, or maybe print off the rates and present it to them when renting. Good luck.
Captain

i've heard, from a very unreliable source lol, that one can now import a car for a fixed rate of $750, and 7% vat on the used car-price. i find it very hard to believe that something(esp tax) on this planet becomes cheaper, but just in case, i wanted to check if anyone knows about this as well.

Found the car rental agency if anyone is interested is: Economy Rent a Car
Less than $80/wk tax in.
Cheers,
Capt

Originally Posted by Captain

Found the car rental agency if anyone is interested is: Economy Rent a Car
Less than $80/wk tax in.
Cheers,
Capt

How much for insurance?

MRWOOHOO,
Basic insurance is included, accident waiver is extra. What I don't know is if you have to reserve on line or if you can just walk in off the street.
Capt

Forget about renting a car for $80/week. It will cost you much more than that. They will oblige you to buy their insurance policy.

HOSEM1
You are right, after your thread I called to confirm. My card only covers the collision part of the insurance. Liability is $15/day,
which would make it approximately $180/wk.
Thanx Capt

I was wondering about that. That sounded to good to be true.

Captain, I paid only $12 per day for liability at Thrifty last week. I have good experiences using Thrifty at Tocumen.

There are certain things that are not covered like scratches on the car, or if the car overturns.

Originally Posted by HOSEM1

There are certain things that are not covered like scratches on the car, or if the car overturns.

I had to personally cover a bent running board on a rented 4x4 here. Don't know how that happened?

MARCOMAC
How much is it for the weekly rental?
Capt

Captain...I didn't rent the cheapest vehicle...Hyundai Tucson and it was $190 plus insurance. I think the small cars were under $100. Thrifty has a 15% off promo for a 6 day or longer rental. Just check at Thrifty.com and go to deals for latin america. I have had no invented charges from them which I hear occurs frequently with some of the cheaper agencies. One thing I do though...I get out my camera and snap pics while they do the initial inspection.

Originally Posted by marcomac

I get out my camera and snap pics while they do the initial inspection.

Great idea and a great way to C.Y.A. (Cover Your A**).

Originally Posted by marcomac

Captain...I didn't rent the cheapest vehicle...Hyundai Tucson and it was $190 plus insurance. I think the small cars were under $100. Thrifty has a 15% off promo for a 6 day or longer rental. Just check at Thrifty.com and go to deals for latin america. I have had no invented charges from them which I hear occurs frequently with some of the cheaper agencies. One thing I do though...I get out my camera and snap pics while they do the initial inspection.

I checked out Thrifty, there cheapest car was $140/wk plus insurance @ $12/day

I just checked out Sixt Car Rental they came in at $130/wk INCLUDING INSURANCE