Buying a car in Mexico

A used car  from private party is the trickiest so definitely take somebody with you that knows what to check for.  Need original receipt, records of paying yearly costs like licence renewal and smog test, all past tickets need to be paid ..... and yes you need insurance even if over half Mexicans don't have it.

Rules vary from State to State ...... and better to buy a car licensed in the State you live because changing can be a real pain

Katrina cars were unloaded in Mexico and throughout central america.  look for flooding in a used car 2005 or older

Yes look for rust.  If it hasn't started in 10 years, it's not likely it ever will.  Unless you're pin a very humid location.

Talk about flooding ..... I was house sitting near our canal when Hurricane Jova hit and didn't think to take it to higher ground.  When I first noticed what was happening it was too deep to drive in and eventually half way up my windshield. $2000 dollars and 3 weeks later I was able to drive it but numerous problems after. I still have it

the very least of a katrina cars problems is rust

With a permanent resident card and a U.S. license, I bought a 2016 Nissan Tiida 4 dr sedan new in Cuernavaca for $10,500 U.S. at the local Nissan dealer. They handled the paperwork and gave me 5 or 6 insurance quotes for full coverage for $400 U.S. annually. It was easy and quick. It's a very basic spacious car with a big trunk.

Insurance is mandatory (if you get caught without that is a big problem) it is very different from Canada & US insurance best thing is to go to the big banks they represent most of the big insurance companies. Buying cars is not much different than Canada & US watch the interest rates on the loans the are very high. Find a good mechanic and have ti checked.