On Tue, 29 Jan 2008 16:30:25 GMT, "Larry L"
wrote:

Each day I do a little research on Patagonia and write an e-mail or two to
start developing contacts there.

One thing that has popped up is the high cost of renting a vehicle.

It occured to me that maybe I could buy a used one ( probably 4x4 ), use it
60 days, and re-sell it before flying home .. for less than renting for
that period. Before I give this more thought and research, let me ask ....
is there some hidden ( to me ) reason why this is an absurd idea unworthy of
pursuing?

Depending on the country, a non-citizen may be in a sticky legal
position driving, be it in a rental or a car they own (either purchased
in the country or imported into it with them). However, you are
_generally_ safer from a liability standpoint with a rental, or at least
forewarned of any potential risks because the rental company doesn't
want to lose the car or be on the hook for any trouble you might get
into.

My advice would be to research the situation as to the actual _law_ as
well as the application (or lack thereof) of it with regard to both
ownership/buying and selling a vehicle as well as being a alien
owner/driver. In some cases, you could be at fault regardless of the
situation (even if an unlicensed drunk driver in a stolen car rear-ends
you) simply because you are an alien (by law) or "at fault" (in
practice) because you are what might appear to be a rich
"American"/foreigner/easy mark/etc. IAC, I'd not spend more than I was
willing to walk (or run) away from should the situation call for it.

TC,
R