Author Topic: Importing (Read 21930 times)

kelli · « **on:** February 11, 2006, 11:18:04 pm »

Has anyone imported a car from the US or know of a service that will help you do so.

From what i've read, it's not too difficult, but there seems to be a lot of paperwork and several hoops to jump through.

I'm wondering how much it really costs to import a vehicle from the states.. it looks to be a better bargain, but if it looks that way, you'd think more people would do it, so i'm wondering if i'm not reading everything clearly.

Any info and suggestions appreciated.

mdxtasy · « **Reply #1 on:** February 11, 2006, 11:20:11 pm »

Do a search on the forum....lots of info as it's been discussed before.

kelli · « **Reply #2 on:** February 12, 2006, 12:45:58 am »

Oh you're right.. there's a great article on importing.

I wonder if it'll be worth it after you add up travel costs.. the permits and upgrades to Canadian standards seem cheap enough.. but having to travel to the US twice may tip the scales.

The xterra is 6-7K cheaper in the states (after conversion).. so this is a serious option for me these days

kelli · « **Reply #3 on:** February 12, 2006, 01:14:48 am »

i wonder if there's a service/business you can pay to do this for you.. it's an interesting research project though.

inco · « **Reply #4 on:** February 12, 2006, 09:42:06 am »

http://www.riv.ca/

Check these guys out.

The Mighty Duck · « **Reply #5 on:** February 12, 2006, 09:23:32 pm »

Why travel to the States? If it's a North America car (like the S2000 or STi) that you can buy here and you're just looking to save some money, then test drive here and buy it in the US. Have the broker drive it up for you.

84im · « **Reply #6 on:** February 12, 2006, 09:53:43 pm »

On new vehicles exported from the US there is always the warrantee (or lack of) to consider.

tangj · « **Reply #7 on:** February 13, 2006, 10:41:37 am »

You need to inquire whether warranty is valid across the border for cars 3 or 4 years new. I helped my friend buy a 2003 BMW Z4 a few months ago and BMW Canada recognises warranty but not the standard 3 year maintainence original to the car. It's not too hard, what car are you considering?

kelli · « **Reply #8 on:** February 13, 2006, 12:11:01 pm »

I have a quote here from a dealer in Pittsburgh for a 2006 Xterra for $24,876 which is about $29,000 CDN and that's about 7-8K less than a dealer here. (taxes and other charges not included in either quote)

It's just something i'm researching right now as an option.

eax · « **Reply #9 on:** February 13, 2006, 12:29:39 pm »

I'm sure Nissan will honor warranty. You need to add 6% duty, 7% GST on top of the converted price. In addition, you won't be able to finance so you will need to arrange your own financing here. Likely the only way would be to get a secured line of credit. I highly doubt any company would loan money to purchase an out of country vehicle. So basically you'd go down, buy it, drive it to the border. At the border you'd declare the value, pay the duty and taxes and come accross. Get a 10 day trip permit, you'd have to complete a safety. As stated above, follow the RIV. I would advise purchasing a 2005 X_terra if buy in the US for HUGE savings over one in Canada. Buy in NY State, Buffalo. Dealers there probably know exactly what to do.

ind · « **Reply #10 on:** February 13, 2006, 07:43:44 pm »

Check out this URL, and scroll to US > Canada importing:

http://www.lhf.com/hansens/refs_links/importexport/importexport.html

I wouldn't mind owning a 2006 Nissan 350Z for $33K CAD +tax. The link above has a list in PDF format of admissible vehicles. I'm not sure when it was last updated, but it shows that a 2003 Z is admissible. In fact, I couldn't find any model years beyond 2003, so I can only guess it was lasted updated in that year?

I've already ordered my Si, but definitely curious to see what you find. Let us know how it goes. Bay Brokerage apparently deals with import assistance.

Edit:
I'll likely keep my order, but when the new Evo X arrives and if it is available in Canada... it may be tempting to purchase from the US if the pricing (US v CA) is still way off.

Whatever you decide, make sure you check with some Canadian dealers first to make sure that the warranty will still be valid.

Ottawa · « **Reply #11 on:** February 20, 2006, 08:52:06 pm »

Quote from: eax on February 13, 2006, 12:29:39 pm

I'm sure Nissan will honor warranty. You need to add 6% duty, 7% GST on top of the converted price. In addition, you won't be able to finance so you will need to arrange your own financing here. Likely the only way would be to get a secured line of credit. I highly doubt any company would loan money to purchase an out of country vehicle. So basically you'd go down, buy it, drive it to the border. At the border you'd declare the value, pay the duty and taxes and come accross. Get a 10 day trip permit, you'd have to complete a safety. As stated above, follow the RIV. I would advise purchasing a 2005 X_terra if buy in the US for HUGE savings over one in Canada. Buy in NY State, Buffalo. Dealers there probably know exactly what to do.

Can you confirm that Nissan would honor the original warranty? Where can we find a list of manufacturers that would honor warranties for cars imported into Canada from the US.

Trainman · « **Reply #12 on:** February 21, 2006, 12:02:41 am »

Quote from: Ottawa on February 20, 2006, 08:52:06 pm

Quote from: eax on February 13, 2006, 12:29:39 pm
I'm sure Nissan will honor warranty. You need to add 6% duty, 7% GST on top of the converted price. In addition, you won't be able to finance so you will need to arrange your own financing here. Likely the only way would be to get a secured line of credit. I highly doubt any company would loan money to purchase an out of country vehicle. So basically you'd go down, buy it, drive it to the border. At the border you'd declare the value, pay the duty and taxes and come accross. Get a 10 day trip permit, you'd have to complete a safety. As stated above, follow the RIV. I would advise purchasing a 2005 X_terra if buy in the US for HUGE savings over one in Canada. Buy in NY State, Buffalo. Dealers there probably know exactly what to do.
Can you confirm that Nissan would honor the original warranty? Where can we find a list of manufacturers that would honor warranties for cars imported into Canada from the US.

How's this:

U.S. Vehicles that are are in canada will still benifit from the warranty included in the purchace of the vehicle, however any extended warranty that was purchaced on it will not be valid in canada. The US asp applies to vehicles used and residing in USA, and the canadian ASP applies to canadian vehicles used and residing in Canada.

He has a couple of choices.

#1, if he's out of his basic warranty, and has an issue that would be covered by his ASP, he can drive down to the U.S. and have it done at a US dealer. (May not be practical, especially if the vehicle would have to be towed)

#2 You can cancel your canadian ASP if you have never used it and get a refund (less penalties, and adjustments) there may be a similar clause in the US one and get his money back

He CANNOT purchace a canadian ASP on his US vehicle though, so if he does that, he cannot get an extended warranty on it.

As far as the daytime running lights, that's a simple change in the computer on the newer vehicles, we can go into the body control module now and simply chose daytime running lights to be on or off, but he will still need to go through the normal US-Canada import procedures.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mike Thomson
Service Manager
North End Nissan
mikethomson@northendnissan.ca
www.northendnissan.ca

Link: http://www.nissantruckclub.com/ntc/zzforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=10393, 5 post down.

Snowman · « **Reply #13 on:** February 21, 2006, 10:26:31 pm »

Considering you can save $10k-$15k on a 350Z the effort required to import one is worth it for sure. Since the majority of the Canadian population lives near the US border importing may prove to be a logical choice.

ktm525 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 22, 2006, 11:55:06 am »

Volvo is one of the worst offenders. Comparing XC70 Ocean Race editions.

USA = $40 735 (*1.16) = aprox. $47 253 CAN
CAN = $57 495.

Almost $10k.

Snowman · « **Reply #15 on:** February 22, 2006, 01:11:54 pm »

Come October when I buyout my WRX I will have all winter to ponder my new summer car purchase. My Line of credit will be poised and ready to strike. I will be able to buy something new for the same price as a 3 year old equivalent car in Canada. Or something used in the US that is the next class up. I hope our dollar can remain high for another 12-16 months.

Ottawa · « **Reply #16 on:** February 22, 2006, 02:36:55 pm »

So as a general rule, except for the domestic brands, will most imports honor the original warranty in Canada even though the car was brought in from the states? (I am obviously referring to a car being imported by a canadian resident not living in the States)

84im · « **Reply #17 on:** February 23, 2006, 09:12:55 pm »

Two cars that are MUCH more expensive in Canada (compared to the US) are the WRX (or STI) and the Honda S2000. Two vehicles I'd love to own.

wing · « **Reply #18 on:** February 23, 2006, 09:18:29 pm »

The japanese cars won't Generally but the euro's will

Trainman · « **Reply #19 on:** February 27, 2006, 06:09:21 pm »

Quote from: Ottawa on February 22, 2006, 02:36:55 pm

So as a general rule, except for the domestic brands, will most imports honor the original warranty in Canada even though the car was brought in from the states? (I am obviously referring to a car being imported by a canadian resident not living in the States)

No general rule. Nissan will, Toyota will not (I posted this a while back on the used SUV/Truck section.) Do not know about any others.

You need to check with the manufacture you plan on buying from.

Author Topic: Importing (Read 21930 times)

mdxtasy