President Gets New Car, "Old" One Would Not Pass Riteve
Following the report last week that thousands of government vehicles are on the bling and without "revisión tecnica" (the annual vehicular inspection), president Oscar Arias had to change his car as well, because the "presidential" ride that was used by former presidents Rodríguez and Pacheco, is "parked" and will be for some time.

Apparently, the 1998 Lexus that was inaugurated by Miguel Ángel Rodríguez is parked because it has bad brakes, a bad battery, is leaking motor oil and the upholstery is in poor condition.

The president decided to replace the "old" ride eliminating the risk of getting a fine or being rejected by "Riteve" - the state monopoly on vehicular inspection, with a new "KIA Opirus".

The new ride is the most luxury vehicle built by KIA, with leather seating, 8 air bags, a 3.5 litre engine and with only 800 kilometres on the odometre. The car costs ¢17 million colones (us$33.250 dollars).

The vehicle was first lent to the Cancillería (Foreign Ministry) last year and was donated by the government of Taiwan.

José Torres, vice-minister for the Presidencia, said the president will use this vehicle until a better one is found.

President Arias, said he would prefer to use his Jeep Cherokee to handle the "potholes".