Mexico Free Zone

Long term expat here, but my first post on InterNations!

I am trying to track down information on the Mexico Free Zone which basically consists of northern parts of the state of Sonora and the entire Baja peninisula.

I have been told by some expats as well as Mexicans that an expat can drive a car down there from the US without a permit and live indefinitely without a visa. This seems too good to be true. Surely there must be some caveats.

Internet searches reveal very little on this subject and are largely out of date by a few years.

Anyone out there with recent experience, friends living in northern Mexico or a link to reliable, up-to-date resources? Thanks in advance, Bud Smith