I've only gone into cities over the border just a few miles, so I don't know what rural Mexico is like. In the cities, I never encountered any problems with the people, but it was clear that the government didn't put a lot of money into road maintenance. Many of the asphalt roads had really deep wheel ruts in them, and a lot of road signs were faded and weatherbeaten. We're really spoiled here in the U.S. with millions of miles of nice, flat roads and clean, reflective signage! The experience did put things in perspective a little bit.

We're used to a very consistent experience along any interstate highway... good road, a McDonald's and a name-brand gas station at the next exit, cell phone coverage, and a bunch of decent hotels around any fair-sized metropolitan area. That may not be so in other parts of the world. In light of the unknowns, I'd sell the car and just fly back to Canada. If something bad were to happen to a family member, the value of a 98 Accord would be nothing in comparison.