Buying a car in Barbados

Buying cars in Barbados is staggeringly expensive compared to North America.

The taxes and duties on new and imported second hand cars total around 250% - not on the cost but on the CIF (cost + insurance + freight).

Typically when cars are bought here the bank loans are 5-7 years (10-year loans are available) simply to make it affordable.

Insurance is reasonable - fuel is reasonable (compounded by the fact that everything is nearby)

Look at B$15,000 (US$7,500) for a very basic 10 year old compact car.

Check the engine and chassis number match the documents and that they are listed on the bill of sale; go with the seller to the licencing authority to get the paperwork sorted out (expect to queue for hours!)

One last thing - annual car tax - if you buy a used car and it has been off the raod for a couple of years or the tax was not paid, you the new owner have to pay the back tax.