South America is vast. And its scale is far beyond what we imagined. That’s exactly why traveling by car here gives you an incredible sense of freedom. Oceans, mountains, rivers, deserts. Every day, we woke up and ate meals surrounded by breathtaking landscapes. Just driving around was enough to feel fulfilled. Every single day felt like a dream. But at the same time, it came with real risks.
Pros of a road trip
① Absolute freedom
You can go places where buses don’t reach. Even “empty spaces” on the map become part of your route. You’re not tied to schedules—you travel at your own pace. And you can sleep wherever you want, without worrying about accommodation.
② Much cheaper
Chile and Argentina are especially expensive. If you sleep in the car, you save both transportation and accommodation costs at the same time. Cars in South America also tend to hold their value relatively well, and even after the trip, you may only lose around 15% in value.
③ Safety advantages
Bus travel can be risky in some regions, and driving is often very rough. Honestly, in many situations, driving yourself feels safer. We also usually slept in remote areas away from towns, and we never had any dangerous incidents.
④ It is incredibly beautiful
South America is vast and dramatic. Patagonia, the Andes, the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, deserts, jungles. Try to imagine driving through it. Crossing endless deserts, stopping by a lake, drinking a beer while watching volcanoes. Sleeping under a sky full of stars that feels almost unreal. Waking up to colorful birds you’ve never seen before. Animals casually appearing like guests in your daily life. If you love travel, it feels like a dream you can’t fully describe.
So how do you buy a car?
The answer is simple:
Santiago, Chile is the only realistic option.
In other countries, it is extremely difficult for foreigners to buy a car.
What you need: RUT
First, you need a
RUT (Chilean tax identification number)
- It is possible to obtain, but the process is quite complicated
- Having a Chilean helper makes it much easier
- We didn’t have local contacts, so we used an agent
Ways to buy a car
There are two main options.
① Facebook Marketplace
Cheap at first glance. But risky.
- Many scams
- Serious defects are often hidden
- Sellers often don’t respond
② Agents
A system that connects backpackers selling cars with buyers. It looks safe—but there are traps.
Our conclusion:
We do NOT recommend buying a backpacker’s car at all.
The reason is simple:
long-distance travel, rough roads, and heavy use create a lot of hidden damage.
Our mistake
We used an agent called Suzi Santiago.
At first, everything seemed fine.
- Route planning support
- A mechanic accompanied inspections
So far, it felt reliable. But after struggling to find a car on the market, we became impatient and eventually decided to buy through this agent. That was our biggest mistake.
The nightmare begins
Before buying, we asked many times: “Is this car really okay?”
The answer was always the same:
“Yes, yes, Perfect!!”
We trusted those words. But after we paid and signed all the documents, we were handed one final paper.
Engine repair history: $3,000
That was the moment everything changed. The trust disappeared instantly. It was too late to go back. We could only hope for the best and start our journey.
Then reality hit
One month later. The engine broke down. The mechanic’s diagnosis was clear: “It was only a temporary fix by the previous owner.” From that moment on, it was no longer a trip. It was survival. The agent said: “We are not responsible,” and offered no support.
We are not the only ones
Other people who used the same agent had similar experiences:
- They were told they could start traveling immediately after arrival, but serious issues appeared → they got stuck in Santiago for a month, missed Patagonia winter timing, and had to completely change their route
- Some spent over $3,000 in repairs within the first month of travel
Conclusion
If you are buying a car in South America:
- Avoid backpacker cars
- Don’t blindly trust agents
- Prioritize condition over price
Final message
A road trip in South America was truly free. And at the same time, it was a dreamlike experience. But that freedom always came with risk. We tried to save money and also rushed because we couldn’t find a car for weeks. In the end, we made the wrong decision. No matter how impatient you are, don’t compromise. It became a painful but valuable life lesson. We truly hope you don’t go through the same experience.
