Canadians getting screwed!

[BJB]

Where are all the whiners talking about raising auto prices in Canada - they seemed to be out instantly when the dollar rose, these highly principled people should be out here again asking for fair pricing! 

[SkiBunny]

Where are all the whiners talking about raising auto prices in Canada - they seemed to be out instantly when the dollar rose, these highly principled people should be out here again asking for fair pricing! 

The C$-Euro exchange is about the same today as it was at the start of the year.  For vehicles made outside the US and Japan, they're still getting screwed.  While the Cdn dollar has crashed against the US dollar and yen, the C$ has risen against others.   

For example, the Canadian dollar has risen 30% against the korean won since a year ago. 

http://finance.yahoo.com/currency/convert?from=CAD&to=KRW&amt=1&t=1y

Therefore, a korean-built hyundai genesis or azera which used to cost $40,000 should now cost $30,000.  An Elantra that used to cost $17000 should now cost $13000

[BJB]

Where are all the whiners talking about raising auto prices in Canada - they seemed to be out instantly when the dollar rose, these highly principled people should be out here again asking for fair pricing! 

The C$-Euro exchange is about the same today as it was at the start of the year.  For vehicles made outside the US and Japan, they're still getting screwed.  While the Cdn dollar has crashed against the US dollar and yen, the C$ has risen against others.   

For example, the Canadian dollar has risen 30% against the korean won since a year ago. 

http://finance.yahoo.com/currency/convert?from=CAD&to=KRW&amt=1&t=1y

Therefore, a korean-built hyundai genesis or azera which used to cost $40,000 should now cost $30,000.  An Elantra that used to cost $17000 should now cost $13000

the complainers never really cared where the car was builti, it was always about the pricing in the U.S. versus pricing in Canada (unless of course it was convenient to moan about where a car was made)

[toolatecrew]

Where are all the whiners talking about raising auto prices in Canada - they seemed to be out instantly when the dollar rose, these highly principled people should be out here again asking for fair pricing! 

Why the prices never adjusted to be = to US. Even at .82 US there are stillcars (like Subaru) that Canadians get screwed on relativley speaking. WHen the Can Dollar falls we just get screwed "less"

[sailor723]

When you look at the Euro the CDN dollar really hasn't dropped at all....the US dollar has rallied.

[duck]

Where are all the whiners talking about raising auto prices in Canada - they seemed to be out instantly when the dollar rose, these highly principled people should be out here again asking for fair pricing! 

Okay, raise car prices.  Do you feel better now?

[ktm525]

When you look at the Euro the CDN dollar really hasn't dropped at all....the US dollar has rallied.

True but I am not cross border shopping for vehicles in Europe.

[initial_D]

Where are all the whiners talking about raising auto prices in Canada - they seemed to be out instantly when the dollar rose, these highly principled people should be out here again asking for fair pricing! 

Why the prices never adjusted to be = to US. Even at .82 US there are stillcars (like Subaru) that Canadians get screwed on relativley speaking. WHen the Can Dollar falls we just get screwed "less"

Those that are not buying vehicles, or comparing US prices are not getting any.

Those wanna think they are 'getting some', will always feel that way, regardless.

[ovr50]

Since I find myself in the position of wanting to replace the HL in the Spring of '09, does anyone seriously believe that car prices will higher then than today? This is a serious query. The sinking Cdn buck will say prices should go up, declining demand in face of probably the worst recession in decades will say prices should stay as today or even drop a bit.

We could do a deal now, but with the new house construction nearing completion, didn't want to fiddle with a car deal right now. Plus new models of the Mazda 3 Sport, and the Rabbit/Golf are coming in 2009.

Any cyrstal balls that work out there??

[BJB]

Where are all the whiners talking about raising auto prices in Canada - they seemed to be out instantly when the dollar rose, these highly principled people should be out here again asking for fair pricing! 

Okay, raise car prices.  Do you feel better now?

more content than happy

[sailor723]

Since I find myself in the position of wanting to replace the HL in the Spring of '09, does anyone seriously believe that car prices will higher then than today? This is a serious query. The sinking Cdn buck will say prices should go up, declining demand in face of probably the worst recession in decades will say prices should stay as today or even drop a bit.

We could do a deal now, but with the new house construction nearing completion, didn't want to fiddle with a car deal right now. Plus new models of the Mazda 3 Sport, and the Rabbit/Golf are coming in 2009.

Any cyrstal balls that work out there??

Don't know how good my crystal ball is but I really can't see prices rising during a recession. I have to think that the car companies are going to be pretty eager to "move the iron" by next Spring

[good shopper]

I have bought several nearly new cars in the states. On the Audi and a Volvo I saved about $10k each. I am now looking at a Nissan appears I'll save about $8k on it.  I just bought a set of tires for the Audi saved about $600 on the purchase.  My question is why would you buy in Canada? Do you like giving away money?
To those that question whether it is any more valid to look at prices in other countries besides the US, I would say sure.  I looked at buying a Mercedes in Germany and bringing it back, but Mercedes is very shrewd and puts up artificial barriers to this kind of trade, however they have started to get their US -Can pricing more in line, as have several other car companies. 
Now let's talk about dealer delivery charges on new cars, almost twice as much here in Canada.  There is no justification for this disparity, Honda should in particular be very ashamed.
Don't whine, do your research and behave accordingly.  It's the only message the car retailers will understand.

[jaman]

I have bought several nearly new cars in the states. On the Audi and a Volvo I saved about $10k each.
...

Did you have any trouble with Canadian Tire doing the "conversion" thing, or was it simply a couple stickers on the spedo and that's it?

Does anybody know if there is some official list on the things that need to be converted at Canadian Tire for specific cars? For example, if I'm cross shopping used Infiniti, Lexus, BMW, etc., the “conversion” price may play a factor in the final decision. Of course I could just go to CT and ask them 

[The Mighty Duck]

Generally, it's just a matter of installing daytime running lights (if the car doesn't have them) and doing an inspection to make sure everything else is legit (e.g., in BC you can't have aftermarket tint on your front windows, so that would fail a car).

Some cars make it really tough to install DRLs, though: you'd think it would be a matter of simply hitting a button or changing a jumper, but on some cars they require (or the manufacturers claim they require) a complete reprogramming of the ECU. Also keep in mind that, because in most cases the technician simply installs an aftermarket DRL module, it might much up some other systems. I saw one once where installing the DRL module mucked up the lights on the stereo's head unit. Not a big deal, especially given the savings by shopping in the USA, but something to consider.

I'd talk to your local CT and ask them how much it will cost for DRLs and what else you might need. Since CT is the only shop that does federal inspections, they've probably seen lots of them and should be able to give you an idea...

[tpl]

Canadian legal kid seat attachment point are required as well.
KMs on the speedo... not sure if the odo has to be in KMs  I don't think so.


Not sure about BMW but VW for sure the DRL is just a 10 second change to the programming on a car that is already a NA car.

[The Mighty Duck]

Canadian legal kid seat attachment point are required as well.
KMs on the speedo... not sure if the odo has to be in KMs  I don't think so.

Good point on the anchors - I'd forgotten that.

Most US cars have kilometres on the speedo already, just smaller and less visible than the MPH. But that's good enough.

I'm 99% sure the odometer does not need to be changed. But again, check with whoever's going to do the work.

[sailor723]

If you're looking at those brands  I'd stick with Lexus and Infiniti. The warranty is honoured and there is really nothing to do to the cars once you land them here. The last I heard BMW Canada was really screwing Canadians buying in the US by charging $1500 for a recall letter and forcing the installation of new instrument cluster etc by a BMW dealer for several thousand more before they would certify the car as meeting Canadian standards.

[jaman]

If you're looking at those brands  I'd stick with Lexus and Infiniti. The warranty is honoured and there is really nothing to do to the cars once you land them here. The last I heard BMW Canada was really screwing Canadians buying in the US by charging $1500 for a recall letter and forcing the installation of new instrument cluster etc by a BMW dealer for several thousand more before they would certify the car as meeting Canadian standards.

Ouch.....

I guess the dealers are protecting "their" marketplace.

[wing]

You can rig the headlights to just turn on with the ignition to pass the test, once registered you can remove the trigger and never worry about it again.  My Titan does not have DRLs.

[sailor723]

My SRX runs with the "parking" lights on and that was enough to pass