Such a deal, Uruguay style.

Yes, you can buy this tiny 34-year-old Fiat 600s toy-looking car for only 3,100 US dollars. And you can call any time during the day!*

New vehicles in Uruguay are ridiculously overpriced. You can expect to pay close to double what similar would cost in the US. Comparative used vehicles, however, can cost much more than that—not that you could back this thing out of your driveway in northern North America without getting arrested.

When we moved here in 2009, I had sold my 2002 Toyota 4Runner in Texas. In mint condition, I might have gotten $8,000 for it. Here, I saw same year, diesel engine, same mileage, advertised for $32,000. Yes, USD 32,000.

You think this is an anomaly? Look here to see other Fiat 600s for sale in Uruguay. “U$S” means US dollars; “$” means Uruguayan pesos, currently trading at 22-23 per dollar.

* see comments; doesn’t mean what I thought

Price of meat in Uruguay

After ordering at our favorite carniceria (butcher shop), I realized I had no money. No problem, the owner said, taking my name and writing the amount on a strip of paper. The next day, I saw he had a stack of these slips over an inch high. Mine was someone near the middle, so obviously this is a common thing. Interesting.

How do these prices compare with current prices elsewhere?

En conflicto

Sceneon the Ruta Interbalnearia today.

A worker earns 11,000 pesos per month, the Secretary General 97,000.

Sounds like a reasonable ratio of CEO-worker pay.

But:

132,000 pesos = US$6,600/year.

Sueldos de hambre (starvation wages) indeed.