buying a car in kz

[joosd]

hi guys,

me and my friend are planning a trip in kazachstan for 3 weeks from almaty to astana.
our plan was to buy a car and drive it across the country because renting a car is difficult and expensive.
my question was is this possible and how long does it take to get the papers and stuff in order?

friendly greetings
joos

[steven]

Hi Joos, when we bought a car it took us about a week to scout out a decent model. The papers and insurance we did over 2 days. Take about the same amount of time to sell the car again. I think this is a good idea if you have a lot of time. 3 weeks is really rather short to get it all sorted.

Perhaps you can already arrange everything in advance over the internet (I assume your Russian is decent enough for that, or you have someone present to have a look at cars and negotiate the price), and you already put the car online the moment you buy it so you can start taking calls of prospective buyers. Perhaps then you only waste 4 days in the best instance. Still, that's almost a week gone and that's the very best case scenario.

I suggest you rent the cheapest car you can find in Kyrgyzstan - starts from 40$/day, make a tour through Kazakhstan and then return it to Bishkek. Or rent a car for a few days and combine it with train journeys and hitchhiking.

[joosd]

Thanks for the info! We Will c what we are gone do now. Renting a car is just very expensive we think for a country like kz. Maybe just buy crappy lada en hope it survives 2000 km

[Pflunt]

Hey Joos,

When are you looking to buy a car? My brother and I are currently driving a 1998 Mitsubishi Pajero that we bought in Georgia. Our last stop is Kyrgyzstan and we are looking to sell it sometime in the middle of May. The car comes with all the fix-ins needed for a dope long overland roadtrip.

My brother made a detailed post about the car here viewtopic.php?f=20&t=4373

Cheers,
Alex

[joosd]

that would have been great but we are arriving in the beginning of june is kazachstan so i dont think we are gone be able to make it work

thanks anyway

[deeejay]

Hi Joos, when we bought a car it took us about a week to scout out a decent model. The papers and insurance we did over 2 days. Take about the same amount of time to sell the car again. I think this is a good idea if you have a lot of time. 3 weeks is really rather short to get it all sorted.

Hi Steven Do you have a guide anywhere of the paperwork and insurance and steps that someone will need to take to buy and drive a car here in Kazakhstan?

[steven]

No, I don't. I would try in Kyrgyzstan, or buy it off a traveler.

[deeejay]

No, I don't. I would try in Kyrgyzstan, or buy it off a traveler.

Why would you recommend buying in KG? For the record I live in Kazakhstan, so not just passing through. I think I might have more problems having KG plates and documents. Or do you have experience on the contrary?

[steven]

Well, if you live in Kazakhstan, obviously Kazakhstan is better. Kyrgyzstan because there are more foreigners and people who can help you as a traveler. Since you live there, Kazakhstan is much easier.