[Auto] WOW ---- New and used cars from US up to 30% cheaper - Read post #1

[mmonro]

What happen if you do not have your own property? like me I'm renting now

I believe its has be on someone's private proterty, but I would check with ICBC to be certain. You just can't park it on the street with the storage policy

[Monsieurmaggot]

Positive it wasn't 640AM, but 680 NEWS...LOL, 640 isn't even on my presets on my IMPORTED SUBIE...but here it is guys/gals...This is still a VERY HOT topic since it's still being discussed so often. As I said before guys, DO IT NOW BEFORE IT MAY ALL COME TO AN END!

I spoke to a reporter last night from 680News. I set the record straight since I found their report a bit skewed toward "warranty" coverage and relying on "third-party" importers.

The reporter was amazed that you can save over $20,000 importing a Subaru on your own. He didn't realize you could do if for $200.

He mentioned they might revise their report to include how easy it is for "do it yourselfers" like most of us here on RFD.

I'm spreading the word.

Someone PM'd me asking why I just don't move to the US since I'm promoting their products. My public reply is like this "as a dealer, why don't you push SCI to bring their pricing in line"?

From the Report on Business link listed a few lines back

http://www.reportonbusiness.ca/servl...Business/home/, car imports from the US are up 50% from last year.

[elmst200]

Look at what Toyota Canada formally says about the price disparity between the border. The following is taken from "alex just a canadian from montreal, Canada" in discussion of ReportonBusiness.
http://www.reportonbusiness.ca/servl...Business/home/
------
Thank you for your inquiry. Toyota Canada Inc. is the exclusive distributor of Toyota vehicles in Canada. Each Toyota distributor (there are hundreds around the world) works with the manufacturer in Japan to set its own prices for the products it distributes in its territory. Pricing for Toyota vehicles, therefore, does vary from country to country. Many business factors influence our vehicle pricing, such as: volume of units sold in this country, the value of our dollar (in comparison to foreign currencies), and the state of the Canadian economy. For the past few years, when the U.S. dollar was stronger than it is now, American residents were asking the very same question: they noticed that Canadian Toyota products seemed to cost less. That situation has now been somewhat reversed, but to a lesser degree. Although there are similarities between U.S. and Canadian market vehicles, there are also differences in features and options which must be taken into account for the differences in pricing. You will find that Toyota vehicles are very competitively priced if you compare them to other brands sold in Canada. We sincerely appreciate your having taken the time to write to us, thereby allowing us to respond to your concerns. We hope this information will be useful.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Maheu
Toyota Canada Inc.

[whampoa]

Someone PM'd me asking why I just don't move to the US since I'm promoting their products. My publice reply is like this "as a dealer, why don't you push SCI to bring their pricing in line"

Monsieur, it's so sad the day when someone PM that kind of question. What kind of idiotic rhetoric is that?

However, you can just answer back by saying you do promote Canadian made product, you're just not buying here but across the border.

You my comrade are more patriotic than some who just buy only import.

[Monsieurmaggot]

Actually you touched on something interesting Whampoa.

By saving tens of thousands of dollars on a US car purchase, this extra cash stays in my pocket which means I'm free to spend it over a few dozen vendors. Everyone gets their turn at the trough. If I bought my Subaru here, only a select few folks would benefit (and pocket a larger share).

Following that logic, if a couple of dozen people buy cars in the US and each save $10,000 then there would be an extra quarter of a million dollars available to be spent on the Canadian economy. If 100 people buy cars in the US, over ONE MILLION DOLLARS will be pocketed by the savy RFD consumer.

Everyone from coast to coast would benefit. The economy would flourish. Your local restaurants, stores and service industries would get a piece of the pie.

So really the motto should be <as Canadian anthem plays in background> "HELP THE CANADIAN ECONOMY, BUY A CAR IN THE US"

[Da Mango]

I've tried reading through several of the pages and finally decided to post a reply. If anyone has dealt with a Subaru dealer closer to the GTA ie. Buffalo and got a great deal, can they let me know? I think the West coast is covered, but not much mention here on the East side... thx.

[Monsieurmaggot]

Van Bortel Subaru, Northtown Subaru, West Herr (I bought from them) are just those near the GTA.

These folks are SUPER dealers. If memory serves me, I believe West Herr sells more cars in a week that most GTA dealers sell in a month. www.westherr.com or www.northtownauto.com

From the 'net I read that Northtown and West Herr have buyers from all over the Northeastern US shopping at their dealerships.

In and out, these folks don't use gimmicks and give you the bottom line in the first few minutes. Try that with ANY Canadian dealer. Since the Canadian dealers don't have anywhere near the volume, most of the reps. stand around like sharks waiting for a sucker (sorry I meant customer). They have nothing but time to chat it up with you.

[DarkCat]

Great thread; kinda nice to summarize the process.
Although the details are here somewhere (!), it'd be nice to have one
updated) summary in one place. Based on a summary in the mentioned
Globe/Mail article, I extracted the following summary (as per Henk Sluis).

If the pros could actually confirm all the steps are here, and if possible,
update it where required, it'll probably answer a lot of repetitive questions,
and cut down on the need to read 200 pages.

This process is based on importing to Ontario.

1. There is no duty if car is assembled in the USA.
Verify that the car is importable: www.riv.ca

2. Verify that the car has the required Canadian Safety Standards.
See http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/importation/menu.htm

3. Check that warranty is valid in Canada.

4. Verify for a label stating that it meets all US Federal Standard.

5. Verify if state taxes are required.

6. Have the dealership fax a "Certificate of Origin" to US Customs (USC).
72 hours before your arrival at the border crossing.

7. Inspect the car - check dealer modification (e.g. block heater, etc.).

8. Obtain a letter from the manufacturer
stating this car (include VIN) does not have a Recall Pending.

9. Dealership provides a temporary plate sticker.

10. Call your insurance company and
provide the VIN number to arrange coverage.

11. At USC will verify that the VIN matches the doc,
this document must be presented at Canadian Customs.

12. At Canada Customs, present the
a) Bill of Sale,
b) Certificate of Origin and drivers license;
customs will verify that the VIN matches the doc.

13. You must pay the $206.70 at CC to Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV),
this covers the cost of inspection at Cdn Tire and Federal Registration.

14. Pay the GST at the Canada Customs.
There is a $100.00 charge if you have A/C.
They will provide a Form 1.

15. At home, fax the Recall Letter and file number to RIV;
they will then mail/email you a Inspection Form.

16. Go to Canadian Tire with your doc package.
Canadian Tire will provide Form 2.

17. A provincial safety maybe required even if its brand new.
This can be done at Cdn Tire or other certified station.
A Safety Standards Certificate will be provided.

18. Obtain proof of Insurance.

19. Go to Driver Licensing and take your Documentation package,
Pay the PST and registration fee.

20. RIV will send you a sticker to place on the car.
You're done.

[sphinxx]

Actually you touched on something interesting Whampoa.

By saving tens of thousands of dollars on a US car purchase, this extra cash stays in my pocket which means I'm free to spend it over a few dozen vendors. Everyone gets their turn at the trough. If I bought my Subaru here, only a select few folks would benefit (and pocket a larger share).

Following that logic, if a couple of dozen people buy cars in the US and each save $10,000 then there would be an extra quarter of a million dollars available to be spent on the Canadian economy. If 100 people buy cars in the US, over ONE MILLION DOLLARS will be pocketed by the savy RFD consumer.

Everyone from coast to coast would benefit. The economy would flourish. Your local restaurants, stores and service industries would get a piece of the pie.

So really the motto should be <as Canadian anthem plays in background> "HELP THE CANADIAN ECONOMY, BUY A CAR IN THE US"

LOL

[sphinxx]

Great thread; kinda nice to summarize the process.
Although the details are here somewhere (!), it'd be nice to have one
updated) summary in one place. Based on a summary in the mentioned
Globe/Mail article, I extracted the following summary (as per Henk Sluis).

If the pros could actually confirm all the steps are here, and if possible,
update it where required, it'll probably answer a lot of repetitive questions,
and cut down on the need to read 200 pages.

This process is based on importing to Ontario.

1. There is no duty if car is assembled in the USA.
Verify that the car is importable: www.riv.ca

2. Verify that the car has the required Canadian Safety Standards.
See http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/importation/menu.htm

3. Check that warranty is valid in Canada.

4. Verify for a label stating that it meets all US Federal Standard.

5. Verify if state taxes are required.

6. Have the dealership fax a "Certificate of Origin" to US Customs (USC).
72 hours before your arrival at the border crossing.

7. Inspect the car - check dealer modification (e.g. block heater, etc.).

8. Obtain a letter from the manufacturer
stating this car (include VIN) does not have a Recall Pending.

9. Dealership provides a temporary plate sticker.

10. Call your insurance company and
provide the VIN number to arrange coverage.

11. At USC will verify that the VIN matches the doc,
this document must be presented at Canadian Customs.

12. At Canada Customs, present the
a) Bill of Sale,
b) Certificate of Origin and drivers license;
customs will verify that the VIN matches the doc.

13. You must pay the $206.70 at CC to Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV),
this covers the cost of inspection at Cdn Tire and Federal Registration.

14. Pay the GST at the Canada Customs.
There is a $100.00 charge if you have A/C.
They will provide a Form 1.

15. At home, fax the Recall Letter and file number to RIV;
they will then mail/email you a Inspection Form.

16. Go to Canadian Tire with your doc package.
Canadian Tire will provide Form 2.

17. A provincial safety maybe required even if its brand new.
This can be done at Cdn Tire or other certified station.
A Safety Standards Certificate will be provided.

18. Obtain proof of Insurance.

19. Go to Driver Licensing and take your Documentation package,
Pay the PST and registration fee.

20. RIV will send you a sticker to place on the car.
You're done.

PROPS! Nicely done DarkCat.

[whampoa]

This process is based on importing to Ontario.

1. There is no duty if car is assembled in the USA.
Verify that the car is importable: www.riv.ca

Including Canada and Mexico. NAFTA is North America, not Made in USA only.

3. Check that warranty is valid in Canada.

Don't worry if some manufacturer refuse warranty. Purchase first if you can save upward of 10K or more, have a class action lawsuit later.

4. Verify for a label stating that it meets all US Federal Standard.

They don't sell any vehicle without meeting US safety standard. I think you mean Canadian safety standard, like daytime running light, child safety harness and French labels.

[bigbug]

Is there any restriction on reselling an imported vehicle, particularly in Ontario? Someone told me you have to wait for a year to resell it, but I can't find any official link.

[Monsieurmaggot]

Don't worry if some manufacturer refuse warranty. Purchase first if you can save upward of 10K or more, have a class action lawsuit later.

Some people just don't get that part Whampoa.

They're worried about warranty repairs and would rather spend the extra $10,000 - $20,000 in Canada for piece of mind.

Those folks are hypnotised and under the Canadian dealers' control.

Let them go, they need to learn on their own!!!!

If they want to lose out saving TENS of THOUSANDs for the sake of a $1000 repair bill (that might not be warrantied) let them.

Over the past 20 years or so, the only time I had any of my cars returned for warranty work was due to a failed spark plug. It failed in the first month. Can't think of any other warranty claim. Unless I bring up the days when I owned a Fiero (that's a whole different story).

Here's what I propose: Those who are worried about buying in the US, take half your expected savings. Put it in a GIC and use it ONLY for warranty repairs. I would guarantee you'll never empty the pot.

Even with extended warranties. Remember, those warranty companies make HUGE profits. That's why they offer them. Consumer reports had an article indicating that overall, it made no sense.

There are literally hundreds of articles on the 'net showing just how much warranty work is actually performed on vehicles. Lemons are typically the result of a service shop not knowing how to properly diagnose a vehicle and compounding the problem.

[Monsieurmaggot]

Is there any restriction on reselling an imported vehicle, particularly in Ontario? Someone told me you have to wait for a year to resell it, but I can't find any official link.

Check out Auto Trader. Lots of "curbsiding" going on. Lots of folks are doing it. I could sell my loaded 2007 for about $40k. That's about $4000 cheaper than the curbsiders. Thanks to the Canadian dollars' value, I would still pocket $6000! Two a year gives me a $12,000 profit and a new car every six months. Problem is it's a CASH business that only a few individuals can do.

There's a few dealers in the Oakville area flipping BMWs and Subarus. They mark them up by $10,000 and have no problem selling them.

My US dealer told me he was approached by one particular Canadian dealer offering to buy his entire stock of higher-end Subarus.

I do remember reading somewhere that Revenue Canada limits a private individual to two imports per year (per licensed driver) without intervention. Anything over that requires an importer permit.

[Pseudo Nim]

I would still be careful with that statement. Take my case, for instance. I drive an Impreza. I've taken it to the dealer about 3-4 times so far for various noises - as a result, they've replaced my rear differential, my front differential, my transmission and (after I complained they didn't put on the muffler properly after the transmission swap) they replaced my muffler too. I'm not sure if this would be worth saving $10k over. I wouldn't say I got a lemon, as nothing actually _broke_ in the car, but I don't like excess noise, and my dealer was happy enough to make $ on the warranty to just replace things for me.

I'm not sure if that's a common occurrence, but my total for all that work has been $0 so far.

Some people just don't get that part Whampoa.

They're worried about warranty repairs and would rather spend the extra $10,000 - $20,000 in Canada for piece of mind.

Those folks are hypnotised and under the Canadian dealers' control.

Let them go, they need to learn on their own!!!!

If they want to lose out saving TENS of THOUSANDs for the sake of a $1000 repair bill (that might not be warrantied) let them.

Over the past 20 years or so, the only time I had any of my cars returned for warranty work was due to a failed spark plug. It failed in the first month. Can't think of any other warranty claim. Unless I bring up the days when I owned a Fiero (that's a whole different story).

Here's what I propose: Those who are worried about buying in the US, take half your expected savings. Put it in a GIC and use it ONLY for warranty repairs. I would guarantee you'll never empty the pot.

Even with extended warranties. Remember, those warranty companies make HUGE profits. That's why they offer them. Consumer reports had an article indicating that overall, it made no sense.

There are literally hundreds of articles on the 'net showing just how much warranty work is actually performed on vehicles. Lemons are typically the result of a service shop not knowing how to properly diagnose a vehicle and compounding the problem.