When I find myself getting frustrated about the way things are going here in Costa Rica, I usually just remind myself, “this is just how it’s done here!” But when does the line get crossed? Does one always have to put up with “the way it’s always been done here?” Is there a time to stand up for oneself and speak out?

I’m asking this because I’m in the process of buying a new car here. If it works out, soon I’ll be driving a new 2006, Subaru Forester. However I’ve never had the opportunity to take it for a test drive!

The dealership has a policy that they don’t use new cars for test drives, only used ones. And to make it worse, the salesperson does the driving while you sit in the passenger seat and try to make your mind up how well you like the car!

For instance, to help me decide I wanted to buy the 2006 Forester, they gave me a 1-hour ride in a 1999 Forester. This makes no sense to me. On top of really having to pee, I found myself getting more-and-more upset about the situation.

As cars cost so much more here than in the US, I’m going to have to pay $29,000 for this car (after negotiating a $2,000 discount). Yet I’m not allowed to drive it until I pay for it!

I suppose that is the time I should have stood my ground and told them I wouldn’t buy the car without driving it. But instead I fell into the whole, “I guess this is just how it’s done here. Hard to get mad at the messenger (salesman).”

In truth, as long as the car drives fine I’ll be okay and will probably forget all about this. But if I end up not liking the way the car handles, my blood will be boiling as long as I own the car!