RE: Cuba loosens car-buying restrictions
Friday 3rd January 2014
Think of Cuba and a few things spring immediately to mind; Castro, cigars and a feast of old American cars. But the latter could be about to change owing to a new piece of legislation.
Cuba loosens car-buying restrictions
Permit no longer required to purchase a new car, but it still isn't easy
Since the island's Communist takeover in 1959 until 2011, residents were only permitted to buy cars built prior to the revolution. Hence the 40s and 50s Americana rolling around Cuba with all manner of ingenious mechanical solutions devised to keep them running.
In 2011, reforms were introduced that allowed Cubans to buy and sell between each other. It also permitted the sale of new vehicles or more modern secondhand cars, but only through state-controlled retailers and only with authorisation. Not exactly easy then, or encouraged.
But today Cuban state media suggests the restrictions will be slackened to allow permit-free purchases. Granma, the Communist Party paper, reported this week that Cuba's Council of Ministers will eliminate existing mechanisms of approval for the purchase of motor vehicles from the state".
This isn't a wholesale change in policy though. Priority on buying cars is still expected to favour existing permit holders, and neither Cubans nor foreigners will be able to import their own cars. The new legislation is expected to be passed in the next month or so.
But what can Cubans buy? Surely the theme of the pre-59 cars will continue so perhaps the old Yank metal can be modernised. The PH classifieds has just the right stuff for those state-approved retailers, ready for sale in the USA. For those not wanting anything too modern, how about a 1965 Buick Skylark Convertible? And US cars of the 60s couldn't be mentioned without a Corvette. But given the Cuban economy remains fairly flat, perhaps a rather cheaper Cadillac Eldorado would be more appropriate?
Discussion
When we were there this year there were lots of the classic American cars particularly in Havana where those with an original vee eight were charging a premium for trips around the city.
Weird experience being sat in a car with a large V8 that can only just manage to keep the car going up a hill and with steering akin to piloting a boat with a lot of steering wheel movement before any alteration in course.
Have to admire their inginuity in the way they keep the old stuff going though.
We had a new Passat petrol as our hire car and it was one of the newest and quickest cars there.
Weird experience being sat in a car with a large V8 that can only just manage to keep the car going up a hill and with steering akin to piloting a boat with a lot of steering wheel movement before any alteration in course.
Have to admire their inginuity in the way they keep the old stuff going though.
We had a new Passat petrol as our hire car and it was one of the newest and quickest cars there.
One of those places I'd love to go just to see all the old Yank tin.
The Skylark linked to looks great. I'm no expert on this stuff, so no doubt someone with more knowledge will be along to explain how bad they are, but it looks like just the sort of US classic I'd want to roll around in.
The Skylark linked to looks great. I'm no expert on this stuff, so no doubt someone with more knowledge will be along to explain how bad they are, but it looks like just the sort of US classic I'd want to roll around in.
Mermaid said:
Laser Sag said:
Have to admire their ingenuity in the way they keep the old stuff going though.
.
Those skills will be lost in a decade or two..
Apart from a very small bit of begging in one of the more touristy towns everyone just seems to get on with fashioning life out of whatever they can.
Was a great place to go and see before the inevitable changes take place over the coming years as the rules are relaxed.
Hope things improve for them as they were a lovely bunch of people.
Unfortunately the article is factually incorrect in at least one aspect.
It has been possible for a long time for Cubans to purchase any type of car and not just pre-revolution models (subject to local availability of course) but the purchaser had to have a permit to own a car before purchasing - such permits were only "sparingly" handed out. It is the requirement to have a permit which is being abolished.
I second the comments about the ingenuity and resourcefulness of Cubans. It is not uncommon to see car owners stripping their car engines down to their component bits on the side of the road (i.e. wherever the car has broken down). This ingenuity extends to all kinds of mechanical items - e.g. electric lawn mowers made out of parts of washing machines. Necessity is definitely the mother of invention..
In relation to prices of second-hand cars on the island (an item discussed in various shed threads), the costs of these for even the most beat-up cars would make your eyes water when you compare them to second hand car costs almost anywhere else. This practically limits the ownership of cars more than any other factor.
It has been possible for a long time for Cubans to purchase any type of car and not just pre-revolution models (subject to local availability of course) but the purchaser had to have a permit to own a car before purchasing - such permits were only "sparingly" handed out. It is the requirement to have a permit which is being abolished.
I second the comments about the ingenuity and resourcefulness of Cubans. It is not uncommon to see car owners stripping their car engines down to their component bits on the side of the road (i.e. wherever the car has broken down). This ingenuity extends to all kinds of mechanical items - e.g. electric lawn mowers made out of parts of washing machines. Necessity is definitely the mother of invention..
In relation to prices of second-hand cars on the island (an item discussed in various shed threads), the costs of these for even the most beat-up cars would make your eyes water when you compare them to second hand car costs almost anywhere else. This practically limits the ownership of cars more than any other factor.
I spent several days in Havana in 2010 and spent a fair while looking at the old American iron and i dont remember seeing one car with a V8 engine? In fact they all seemed to be powered by 4 pot diesel lumps running on home brew fuel!
I remember riding in the back of a 1960 Impala convertible taxi,and thinking i hope the rain stays away because there was no hood at all! I then noticed that i was leaning on the door and thought Hell,this door could fall open at any slight bump judging by the rest of the car!
I looked inside a 55 Chevy and there was only a front seat in the car,no dials in the dash no switches only a chocolate block connector fixed to the dash to start the thing up!
Great place to visit though,really nice people,might go back soon!
I remember riding in the back of a 1960 Impala convertible taxi,and thinking i hope the rain stays away because there was no hood at all! I then noticed that i was leaning on the door and thought Hell,this door could fall open at any slight bump judging by the rest of the car!
I looked inside a 55 Chevy and there was only a front seat in the car,no dials in the dash no switches only a chocolate block connector fixed to the dash to start the thing up!
Great place to visit though,really nice people,might go back soon!
It is a ridiculous situation, one of the reasons Im not for communision and socialists. At least allow people to make new cars or cars sourced new via other countries. Maybe Korean/Japanese as they seem to have a slight trade with Cuba, or how about allow people to get used cars from their neighbouring Caribbean islands.
Escort Si-130 said:
It is a ridiculous situation, one of the reasons Im not for communision and socialists. At least allow people to make new cars or cars sourced new via other countries. Maybe Korean/Japanese as they seem to have a slight trade with Cuba, or how about allow people to get used cars from their neighbouring Caribbean islands.
Have you been there? Without wanting to sound harsh, yours is a not unfamiliar view for people who haven't been to Cuba. The last time my family were over there by and large, they had nothing but praise for the people and the culture. I would feel very sorry for the Cuban people if Cuba ultimately became like the US or dare is say, UK.
howertings said:
In relation to prices of second-hand cars on the island (an item discussed in various shed threads), the costs of these for even the most beat-up cars would make your eyes water when you compare them to second hand car costs almost anywhere else. This practically limits the ownership of cars more than any other factor.
nail on the head!its ok making new cars available, but if the people cannot afford to buy them or run them, it wont make much difference. well not in the short term anyhiw. but i do agree its a step in the right direction.
Cuban's might be able to rebuild a 50s V8 on the road side, but not sure they will fair quite as well with the complicated electronics of modern cars when they go wrong (not if, but WHEN). not sure you can make yourself a new ECU or whats it control module out of fishbones and tobacco leaves.
what they need is new/old cars. like how they still make vw beetles and campers in brazil (or is it mexico?) new cars, but made with old fashion easy to fix and cheap parts technology. oh but hang on, we are supposed to be saving the planet with hybrids and all electric cars. plug in hybrid in the jungle? haha
Fire99 said:
Have you been there? Without wanting to sound harsh, yours is a not unfamiliar view for people who haven't been to Cuba. The last time my family were over there by and large, they had nothing but praise for the people and the culture.
I would feel very sorry for the Cuban people if Cuba ultimately became like the US or dare is say, UK.
my father in law is Cuban, and he regularly goes back with a suitcase full of computer parts and other basics that his family cannot get over there.I would feel very sorry for the Cuban people if Cuba ultimately became like the US or dare is say, UK.
i tend not to get into talking cuban politics with him, as it gets into a very long and complicated debate. so i dont think the argument is cut and dry.
summarize though, i think they want the independence to run their country as they see fit, but without the trade embargoes and restrictions. i dont think any cuban can honestly they like having trade embargoes against them.
in this day and age though, with a global economy, its hard to do this totally against the grain of the rest of the world, and still form/ maintain favorable trade agreements. especially with neighbours who have very different views than you!
Fire99 said:
Have you been there? Without wanting to sound harsh, yours is a not unfamiliar view for people who haven't been to Cuba. The last time my family were over there by and large, they had nothing but praise for the people and the culture.
I would feel very sorry for the Cuban people if Cuba ultimately became like the US or dare is say, UK.
It is an odd country. Officially, very communist, The currency is the Peso, food is distributed by ration books and official Peso shops which have 2 pairs of socks, 4 AA batteries and a kilo bag of sugar for sale.I would feel very sorry for the Cuban people if Cuba ultimately became like the US or dare is say, UK.
Its great, everybody pretends the system works, and says its wonderful, and shows the damned Yankee a thing or two.
The reality is more like 1950s South Carolina, the $US is the real, useful currency and that comes from tourists or relatives remitting them. Castro is a Mandela-like figure, whom everyone loves, admires and ignores, while getting on with real life.
Super place for a holiday, no Americans, mainly Canadians, the English speaking are fine, the Francophone ones loud and amusing. Cubans are generally well educated, bright and very funny people who are amazingly adaptable. It is changing, though.
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