Buying a brand-new car is just a dream for the vast majority of Venezuelans. Very few new cars are available in the country and those that are for sale, are priced out of reach for most people.
As CGTN’s Mary Triny Mena reports, that’s driving many Venezuelans to prolong the lives of their aging vehicles.
Buying a brand-new car is just a dream for the vast majority of Venezuelans.Very few new cars are available in the country and those that are for sale, are priced out of reach for most people.
Keeping their old cars running is a major challenge for Venezuelans. Spare parts are hard to come by, and they're expensive.
Taxi driver Sailor Estarita depends on his 14-year-old sedan to make a living, and it's important for him to keep it in tip-top shape. Taking the car to a mechanic is expensive, and Estarita says he’s determined to repair the car himself.
"I sold some gold jewelry so I could buy tools, to be equipped to work on my car, and to save some money instead of paying for repairs."
Estarita says he’s always been interested in cars and he’s happy to learn more about how they work. He’s getting practical tips on car repair and maintenance, from watching videos on his phone.
Recently, using YouTube videos he was able to fix his car's cooling system, and to adjust the valves.
"One video is taking me to another, and I spend hours and hours, until I find what I’m looking for," said Estarita.
To fix a set of brakes a mechanic might charge $60 U.S. dollars, two times the Venezuelan minimum wage.
Most of the people who bring their cars to a mechanic ask for minimal repairs to keep their cars on the road. Others want their cars fixed up for resale.
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