Author Topic: Buying a car in ON to bring to BC (Read 2016 times)

855t · « **on:** May 11, 2005, 01:58:56 am »

This is just the opposite of a recent topic. But seriously, what are the things I need to be aware of when purchasing a car in ON and having it shipped to BC and registered there? Also, what's a good auto transport company? Thanks!

davidy · « **Reply #1 on:** May 11, 2005, 10:24:54 am »

A friend shipped his Civic from Nova Scotia to BC by rail I think.

Dave

william_w · « **Reply #2 on:** May 11, 2005, 12:40:24 pm »

Searail. I shipped my car when I moved from Vancouver to Ottawa. They let you pack your cars with things when you move it.

I have heard horror stories about buying a car in Ontario, and shipping it to BC. Just don't do what this guy does.

http://forums.redflagdeals.com/showthread.php?t=138283&highlight=buying+ontario

855t · « **Reply #3 on:** May 11, 2005, 01:08:07 pm »

Thanks for the link to the horror story. I'm proceeding very carefully with the dealer I am in touch with. He sent me a CarFax report on the car which surprised me because I didn't really expect him to go to that extent. Anyway, the CarFax report showed a clean record and a pretty recent service history. Dealer also admitted the car was bought from a wholesaler in TO without even me asking where he got it. Anything fishy here?

william_w · « **Reply #4 on:** May 11, 2005, 04:01:00 pm »

What I would recommend you to do is to ask for a friend or someone you know in Ontario or even a forum member here where the car is located, and have them do a preliminary check for you before you send it to the garage to get it inspected. Or better yet, fly out here and do an inspection of the car yourself.

davidy · « **Reply #5 on:** May 11, 2005, 08:12:03 pm »

Can you have a car inspection company like BCAA here in BC do a mobile inspection on the vehicle under consideration?

Dave

855t · « **Reply #6 on:** May 11, 2005, 08:52:31 pm »

Yes, I have a relative in TO who is going to check out the car for me, and if the car looks good I may even fly out there myself to close the deal.

I was told by my insurer that the car will require inspection prior to BC registration. Just wanted to ask the folks here if this is the case and if so, who does the inspection.

Thanks again everyone.

davidm · « **Reply #7 on:** May 12, 2005, 11:48:50 am »

Friend brought an S4 from Toronto to Vancouver via rail. Car was picked up on Annacis (sp?) Island at the yard, then driven to the other side of the Island where a local shop will do the inspection. Inspection is a joke - took 15-20 minutes with most of the time being paper work. I believe any Canadian Tire can do the inspection as well. If you'd be happy driving the car it will pass inspection.

ovr50 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 12, 2005, 02:11:07 pm »

Any approved by ICBC shop can do the inspection. As Davidm says, it's over in no time and is a bit of a joke. Costs about $65 up here. I had to do that to get the Bullitt registered in BC. No problem except the inspector made a bit of a stick because I refused to put on a front plate holder and he wrote on the Inspection Form that "I had plate holder in car and would put it on myself"; IOW, he was covering his as$. The actual insurance/ICBC rep who then inspected the car when plates were put on, just walked around it and didn't even mention the missing front plate holder. I think they are more concerned over older/rough-looking vehicles.

jamie1 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 12, 2005, 10:38:22 pm »

Why the heck would you go out of your way to buy an ont. rust bucket?

ovr50 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 12, 2005, 10:46:15 pm »

Price would be the only thing I can think of - cars are cheaper in Ontario than here. Not sure it would be worth the hassle tho.

855t · « **Reply #11 on:** May 13, 2005, 01:08:53 am »

The car I'm looking at is a Euro-spec car that is very limited in Canada, they don't even have this particular model in US. I believe most of these cars ended up in the East Coast. I came across one of these in BC but the asking price is double the market price in ON.

Back to topic, anyone used Hansen's Forwarding? SeaRail? Also, the dealer offered a warranty from Lubrico. Is this any good?

davidm · « **Reply #12 on:** May 13, 2005, 01:06:36 pm »

I believe the S4 was brought across on SeaRail. I would have to check.

As to why it was brought out from Ontario - the car was an in-family transfer of an absolutely cherry S4 and a killer price (with no taxes of any kind). Too hard to resist.