WRITTEN by JOHN MORRIS
How to buy a car on Roatan
When I lived in the States, I detested TV commercials, except of course, for the ones during Super Bowl.
Then the ability to freeze live TV became possible and I relished taking a break, grabbing a snack and returning to fast forward through all the dumb ads.
Now after living on the island for 10 years, I have to admit I find the adverts entertaining… especially the ones for cars.
I have always loved cars, particularly vintage classics, and today I’m fascinated by the new models (mainly Jeeps) and the cheap lease options available.
Recently we have had auto dealerships “of a sort” pop up on Roatan – in reality a few new cars in the mall parking lot.
Generally the culture of cars on the island has been from the used market, many are salvage vehicles bought in the States at auction, shipped to Honduras and pieced back together.
I have actually seen two same model cars welded together to make one multi-colored gem!
When we first moved to the island, we knew right away that we needed a car.
With not much money left over after the move, we were “talked into” a former rental vehicle by our new friend, the doctor/used car salesman/rental car business owner/karaoke king… Dr. Noel Brito.
It was a used Kia Sportage, year uncertain with a leaky soft top. It started and ran well. We eventually sold it to a friend… who sold it to a friend… and so on until it likely ended up in the island junkyard.
Our next island transport was interesting, to say the least. It was another Kia but this time a Sorrento. It was kind of like “Kit” the talking car and had a personality all its own.
Seriously… it literally did what it wanted to.
We learned quickly to never leave the car running or even leave the keys in it because it would randomly lock itself. Sometimes things worked… and sometimes not.
After we sold it to another friend (quite reluctantly I might add), it shut itself off while underway. When they got out to look under the hood, the doors locked. Stalled and locked out!
It moved on to another friend who now looks at me and simply says, “thanks a lot”.
Next was the famous orange Jeep Wrangler. And this car is a story in itself.
During our first visit to Roatan many years ago, my wife spotted the Jeep parked outside Sundowners in West End. She looked at me and said, “I want to move to this island and I want that Jeep”.
Be careful what you wish for, right?
The Wrangler was originally imported to the island by a young man who bought it second hand in Florida and drove it down. It was raised six inches and steered like a bouncy ball.
The owner decided to continue on with his travels and left the Jeep in the “care” of the bass player (at the time) for the West End Players rock band. And it lived and partied like a rock star!
We bought it and put it back together and then sold it after we came to our senses and bought the real estate car of the island… a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado. With seating for seven, it certainly fits the bill.
Unfortunately the orange Jeep reared its ugly head when payments fell behind and it was back in my driveway once again. Another chapter in its life as a rock star car.
Back on the road once more, she went into the rental pool of the hotel we were running. Her last renter was a sweet, elderly English teacher from Pennsylvania who discovered Jimmy’s famous rum punch up on the east side of the island. The teacher made it home, but the Jeep did not.
Repaired for the last time, it was sold to the same friend who bought the first Kia. I kid you not. I occasionally see it from time to time at various mechanic shops around the island.
Finally – I saved the best for last – there is the now famous 1984 Jeep Grand Wagoneer. I scored it after a late night trolling on the Roatan Garage Sale Facebook page.
When we went to pick it up, my wife proclaimed it was the ugliest car she had ever seen, but I spotted a treasure beneath her rattle-can paint job and molding shag carpet interior.
I could write a book – or even a mini series – on her restoration, but after three years, I am simply delighted to say that she has been returned to her original glory.
So for me, cars come and go on the island but one thing is for sure, people recognize you by what you drive and always honk, flash their lights or wave as you pass each other on the island roads.
Your car becomes part of your personality.
The moral of the story my friends: choose wisely!
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