Topic: Buying a US car for Canada - Any experiences

[JR]

I was looking around and could not find anyone writing about what they had to do and spend to fix the new car they bought in the US.  Could some buys please explain to everyone the REAL cost.

We are looking at buying a Highlander or a MDX in the US.  We have a dealer who can get me either one but trying to find information on the real cost of actually importing.

[Snowman]

  I’m surprised with all the yakking going on how quiet it is in here.

[jcon]

I would suggest going to carburner.com

It details all the ins-and-outs of importing a vehicle including costs. It's a crude site and is completely a one-sided argument for importing, but you get get all the details you need.

Basics are:
You will pay GST on your vehicle at the border plus a ~$200 RIV fee.
You will need to have the vehicle inspected by Canadian Tire to be certain it meets Canadian requirements.
You will pay PST (if applicable) when you register your car.
If your vehicle was not built in North America you will pay a 6.1% import duty. Nothing if it was built in NA.
Your time. Your travel costs.

Sites you need: riv.ca (tells you what vehicles you can import)
apa.ca (tells you who honours warranties in Canada
canadiandriver.com/forum (to tell us how everything goes )

OR...

You can find a broker who charges ~$500 to ~$1000 to import a vehicle for you.


If you have the cash and are willing to spend even a marginal amount of time looking into this, it can be quite a worthy pursuit.

[Wolfe]

I’m surprised with all the yakking going on how quiet it is in here.

I'm surprised that you're surprised.

I looked into the possibility of buying in the US but it didn't seem worth the hassle and eventually I found what I wanted here for a good price anyway. I was happy to buy in Canada.



Jromanjr have you read all the info at www.riv.ca, particularly the introduction and notes to the admissible/inadmissible list they really do provide a lot of information as to what needs to be modified to meet Canadian regulations. For prices of the needed parts call your local dealership's parts dept.

[FMJ]

We are looking at buying a Highlander or a MDX in the US.  We have a dealer who can get me either one but trying to find information on the real cost of actually importing.

is that new or used? if its new, can you let me know which dealer?
thanks

[jcon]

FMJ - Have you gone to redflagdeals.com? Go to the forums and dig through the threads. Its a mess but loads of info (loads of junk too).

There is a large group of people on there that have imported vehicles from all over Canada. Not many here on CTC have.

[sailor723]

I bought a Subaru in late September. It's pretty straightforward if you follow the steps outlined on the RIV website.

[JR]

Just to add to my post.

I have imported the Toyota Highlander last week.  No issues of major concerns on the import.

now the saying.  We are in the area of about 10 -15 K in saving over the Canadian.

So F to Toyota Canada and their stupid pricing..

[sailor723]

 

Congratulations! The more people that do this the sooner the Canadian manufacturers will smarten up!

[jcon]

Just to add to my post.

I have imported the Toyota Highlander last week.  No issues of major concerns on the import.

now the saying.  We are in the area of about 10 -15 K in saving over the Canadian.

So F to Toyota Canada and their stupid pricing..

Can I ask you which model you purchased (options and all) and the price you paid? New 2008? From where? Lots of questions...

PLUS:
 

[TopGun]

Yes...congrats as well.  10 - 15K is huge when looking at the percent difference!!

I did a comparison of the Mini Clubman...with the SAME equipment - US @ $28,100 vs Can @ $34,500

A 23% difference. 

Just as I didn't hold it against BMW Canada for charging full MSRP due to (in their words) "market conditions" when we ordered one of the first 2002 Minis...I don't have any issues telling them I won't be buying a Clubman due to "market conditions".

[JR]

Can I ask you which model you purchased (options and all) and the price you paid? New 2008? From where? Lots of questions...

PLUS:
 
[/quote]

Well Jcon,

The highlander we imported with the limited with all options on the list plus the Rear DVD package.  My little guy loves the thing. 

Yes it was a new 2008 it had a november build date on it so it was reallly new.  The price we paid was 42K and that included the local state tax.  Basicly the dealer gave a 3K discount on the price.  we paid the GST and 6.1% import tax at the border and then paid the PST when we got the plate.  We only had to make one mod to the car at Crap tire.  They US highlander on the light stock has the ability to turn of the daylight headlights so they just added a module that would prevent one from doing that.  I talked to a local dealer and he said that is what they do there also.  So once that was done it was all done.  I can't say you sold us the car truck as it might get the dealer in trouble but if you want to PM me we can talk.  I don't want someone from Toyo Canada giving them trouble for giving a Canadian a good deal on a car.

Since there was no major problem I am now looking at importing my second car in April.  Hopefully the Cnd $ can stay strong for me to save some more money.  Just as a note New Hampsire does not have state tax and if you are interested in a Subaru they will even help with the paper work.