« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: First time car buyer - Buying cars from the US??  (Read 3237 times)

Offline SodiumSulfate

  • Learner's Permit
  • *
  • Posts: 58
  • Carma: +0/-0
  • Gender: Male
  • member
    • View Profile
First time car buyer - Buying cars from the US??
« on: September 28, 2005, 10:25:04 am »
Hey Everyone,

I need some advice. I'm planning on buying my first car and I need a little help from the more knowledgable. I basically want something that's a 4-Door entry level car (read under $20-25K-ish on the road). I'm mainly concerned with reliability, I don't need a flashy car, just something that will get me from A to B and won't complain about it. My only caveat is that I refuse to buy American cars, my family has had too many problems with sub-par QC from GM/Chrysler.

What cars should I be looking at?

Also, my wife is moving here from the US, would it be better (read cheaper) for me to have her purchase the car there in the States and then bring it up here when she moves? How much will I really be saving? Should I make the purchase here instead? What would be some things I should take into consideration before buying a new car?

Sorry, I forgot to mention that I live in Ontario, and have a clean driving record for the past 5 years ( I had a traffic accident in 1998, is it still on my record?)

Thanks!
« Last Edit: September 28, 2005, 10:30:19 am by SodiumSulfate »
Logged

Offline agivant

  • Learner's Permit
  • *
  • Posts: 63
  • Carma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
Re: First time car buyer - Buying cars from the US??
« Reply #1 on: September 28, 2005, 10:34:50 am »
Take a look in MoneySense magazine, they had article on this issue couple month ago (I don't remember exact month, but around May-June).
Logged

Offline SodiumSulfate

  • Learner's Permit
  • *
  • Posts: 58
  • Carma: +0/-0
  • Gender: Male
  • member
    • View Profile
Re: First time car buyer - Buying cars from the US??
« Reply #2 on: September 28, 2005, 10:42:59 am »
Logged

Offline tenpenny

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Posts: 3906
  • Carma: +5/-2
    • View Profile
Re: First time car buyer - Buying cars from the US??
« Reply #3 on: September 28, 2005, 10:53:48 am »
For the hassles involved, I wouldn't bother buying a car in the US specifically to bring to Canada, unless you already owned it, or it was something you really wanted.  There have to be 648 threads on here about importing cars from the US to Canada, search for them.  It has to be one of the most commonly asked questions.
Logged

Offline SodiumSulfate

  • Learner's Permit
  • *
  • Posts: 58
  • Carma: +0/-0
  • Gender: Male
  • member
    • View Profile
Re: First time car buyer - Buying cars from the US??
« Reply #4 on: September 28, 2005, 10:58:35 am »
I threw the US buying thing in at the last moment, when it dawned on me that my wife could buy the car there and then just drive it up here when she moves here permanently.

Would that still be considered importing it? it'll be her car, and she'll use and own it here.

Also, are there any makes or models that you all would recommend to car newbies? I've only ever expereinced Toyotas, Mazdas and Pontiacs...how are Subarus regarded in terms of reliability and safety?

Logged

Offline Bullet Blue

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Location: Dartmouth, NS
  • Posts: 6795
  • Carma: +9/-19
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Cars: 2008 BMW 128i & 2008 Volvo C30
Re: First time car buyer - Buying cars from the US??
« Reply #5 on: September 28, 2005, 11:07:12 am »
Something reliable to get you from point A to point B? Toyota Yaris.

Not sure what your needs are for space, cargo, versatility etc, but there are many effecient reliable cars to choose from in your price range.
Logged

Offline tangj

  • Learner's Permit
  • *
  • Posts: 34
  • Carma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
Re: First time car buyer - Buying cars from the US??
« Reply #6 on: September 28, 2005, 11:14:19 am »
Buying in the US should definitely be considered because of current exchange rates that are beneficial for Canadians. Many people have complained about the difficulty of importing from the US but it really depends on the price difference. My friend purchased a 2003 BMW Z4 one month ago in NY that saved him C$14k compared to the exact car in Ontario. Trust me, the 5-7 hours of extra paperwork is worth it if you're saving that much. Plus American dealers are lot more competitive in pricing than Canadian dealers. So it really depends on the price difference, the higher priced the car, the bigger the savings.

As a beginner car, that Mazda 3, Mazda 5, Nissan Altima, Hyundais etc.
Logged

Offline wing

  • Big Wig
  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Location: Ottawa, On, Canada
  • Posts: 18103
  • Carma: +101/-61
  • Gender: Male
  • If you ain't first ... you're last!
    • View Profile
    • Drivesideways
  • Cars: 2001 Honda S2000; 2005 Nissan Titan
Re: First time car buyer - Buying cars from the US??
« Reply #7 on: September 28, 2005, 11:23:03 am »
I don't think it would be worth the hassel on a $20k car, but as tangj said, on a higher priced car it can be worth the effort.
Logged

Offline SodiumSulfate

  • Learner's Permit
  • *
  • Posts: 58
  • Carma: +0/-0
  • Gender: Male
  • member
    • View Profile
Re: First time car buyer - Buying cars from the US??
« Reply #8 on: September 28, 2005, 01:21:11 pm »
Thanks for the advice guys.

What kind of paperwork would I be looking at? I thought i'd just have to get the car registered and licensed here in Canada as it's my wife's car.

What are peoples opinions on the Subaru Impreza 2.5i?
Logged

Offline wing

  • Big Wig
  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Location: Ottawa, On, Canada
  • Posts: 18103
  • Carma: +101/-61
  • Gender: Male
  • If you ain't first ... you're last!
    • View Profile
    • Drivesideways
  • Cars: 2001 Honda S2000; 2005 Nissan Titan
Re: First time car buyer - Buying cars from the US??
« Reply #9 on: September 28, 2005, 01:23:00 pm »
You will have to convert the car to comply with canadian regulations.  That could mean a lot of things depending on the car.  Day Time Running lights for sure. 
Logged

Offline bmorton

  • Auto Obsessed
  • ***
  • Posts: 884
  • Carma: +2/-0
    • View Profile
Re: First time car buyer - Buying cars from the US??
« Reply #10 on: September 28, 2005, 02:14:57 pm »
The Impreza definitely deserves a look if you're shopping in the <$25k segment. Check out the "Best AWD hatchback/small SUV" thread in this forum for what people think of the Impreza. I've been very satisfied with my 2004 wagon.

For more info on importing vehicles, see the Registrar of Imported Vehicles site, www.riv.ca -- plenty available there on the process and eligible vehicles.
Logged

mdxtasy

  • Guest
Re: First time car buyer - Buying cars from the US??
« Reply #11 on: September 28, 2005, 02:35:10 pm »
Make sure the warranty is still valid in Canada if you do decide to buy in the US.  I don't care how reliable the car is, having a warranty (even if you don't use it) is a nice to have. 

Hyundai Elantra
Honda Civic
Toyota Yaris
Toyota Corolla
Subaru Impreza
Mazda 3

They all have their strong and weak points and for the money, the cars you are considering are good cars.  If this is a commuter car, get the cheapest car to operate. 
Logged

Offline SodiumSulfate

  • Learner's Permit
  • *
  • Posts: 58
  • Carma: +0/-0
  • Gender: Male
  • member
    • View Profile
Re: First time car buyer - Buying cars from the US??
« Reply #12 on: September 29, 2005, 09:06:33 am »
Thanks for the suggestions, I'll check those cars out.

Is there anything I should keep an eye on while testdriving/choosing a car? My family has never had good luck buying a used car, that and I like the brand new car smell.

I checked out a GM dealership because I saw some kind of incentive offering that they were offering, but I'm not interested in buying an American car...why is the "fit and finish" of American cars so lack-luster in comparison to Japanese cars? The dashboard on a Sunfire looked like it was made from cheap second rate plastic - my friends corolla's dashboard has this cool rubbery feel to it.

Is there a "check-list" or some other points that I should be aware of when scoping out cars?
Logged
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »