DRIVERS RISK THEIR LIVES AND ENGINE WARRANTIES FOR CHEAPER GAS IN MEXICO

Thousands of cash-strapped Americans are going to border cities with sky-high murder, kidnapping and robbery rates - Tijuana, Ciudad Juarez, Nuevo Laredo, Reynosa, Matamoros, etc. - just to save a buck-and-a-half per gallon of gasoline.

DRIVERS GO TO MEXICO FOR GAS
By Jerry Reynolds

Car Pro News
March 21, 2012

As gas prices skyrocket, American drivers are looking south of the border for an alternative to ease the pain at the pump.

There’s growing concern that bargain-seekers could be putting their lives at risk, with the US State Department issuing travel alerts because of the dangers of encountering drug cartel violence in Mexico.

The national average for a gallon of gas is hovering around $3.80 across the US — and is $4.35 in California, according to AAA. Some analysts think it will keep climbing as the US heads into summer.

The price for a gallon of gas in Mexico is around $1.50 less.

“It just goes to show how much Americans believe in low gas prices and how far they’re willing to go,” said Patrick Dehaan, senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy.com.

The Mexican government regulates prices, leading to cheaper fuel.

“The economy relies on cheaper gasoline, because residents can’t afford the higher cost,” Dehaan said.

While the price may be right for some — the same can’t always be said about how good the product is.

“There may be an unknown quality of the gasoline that they’re purchasing in Mexico, and they likely would void the warranty of their vehicles’ engines,” Dehaan said.

That’s not going to stop some drivers who say if prices keep rising, Mexico is one way to help get by.

“For $5 down here, and cheaper down there — like around $2 a gallon — I would go down there,” said truck driver David Flores.

Elizabeth Perdoza, a motorist from El Paso, Texas, said she wouldn’t risk it.

“I do work with a lot of people who do go across the border for gas and other stuff, but they’re risking their lives. There’s no way I would do it,” she said.

There’s no way to really track how many American drivers are going to Mexico for fuel — but analysts at GasBuddy.com estimate it’s in the thousands.