Any Canadians imported a US spec Lexus?
08-23-08, 08:50 PM
#1
executive matchup
Thread Starter
Any Canadians imported a US spec Lexus?
Hi folks, just wondering if anyone here imported a US spec Lexus up to Canada. If you have (or know someone who has), I would like to know who you dealt with, and what kind of modifications you needed to do to meet Canadian standards. Thx
08-23-08, 08:58 PM
#2
Hacked CL to become a Mod
I think? and if i'm not mistaken, JLSC (John) imported his sc400 from the states, so you might want to give him a PM as he doesn't really check up often.
and not to discourage you from the site or anything, you're probably better off posting this on revscene or something where there are tons of guys who imported their cars from the states. There are more local owners here on the canada section. Hope this helps
and not to discourage you from the site or anything, you're probably better off posting this on revscene or something where there are tons of guys who imported their cars from the states. There are more local owners here on the canada section. Hope this helps
08-23-08, 09:30 PM
#3
Lexus Fanatic
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 7,468
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i think the upgrades on most lexus are pretty minimal ...
if u know exactly what you want you can go to a place called "auto|one" they're on w3rd ave in kits ... that's what they do there. find, import, safety cars from the states ... i think they put a 1yr warrenty on things they bring up too
if u know exactly what you want you can go to a place called "auto|one" they're on w3rd ave in kits ... that's what they do there. find, import, safety cars from the states ... i think they put a 1yr warrenty on things they bring up too
08-23-08, 09:54 PM
#4
executive matchup
Thread Starter
i think the upgrades on most lexus are pretty minimal ...
if u know exactly what you want you can go to a place called "auto|one" they're on w3rd ave in kits ... that's what they do there. find, import, safety cars from the states ... i think they put a 1yr warrenty on things they bring up too
if u know exactly what you want you can go to a place called "auto|one" they're on w3rd ave in kits ... that's what they do there. find, import, safety cars from the states ... i think they put a 1yr warrenty on things they bring up too
Just this past week, I contacted HM Brown (www.hmbrown.com), and one of the brokers I've been in contact with says there are three (3) silver GS450h available in the mid-West, he can get any one of them for me. Only problem is I really, really want the active power stabilizer suspension system (APSSS), so that would have to be a factory order for a 2009 model as this APSSS option is extremely rare.
My problem right now is the instrument cluster (housing). I don't know if the US spec instrument cluster has a specific cel light for the APSSS. IF yes, then I'm screwed because APSSS is not an available option here in Canada (I was planning on being compliant with the Canadian standard by swapping out the US miles/hr speedo and odometer, and swapping in the Cdn metric speedo and odometer). I don't want to order the GS with APSSS and find out that I have problems later on. Geez, what a headache!
08-23-08, 09:58 PM
#5
executive matchup
Thread Starter
I think? and if i'm not mistaken, JLSC (John) imported his sc400 from the states, so you might want to give him a PM as he doesn't really check up often.
and not to discourage you from the site or anything, you're probably better off posting this on revscene or something where there are tons of guys who imported their cars from the states. There are more local owners here on the canada section. Hope this helps
and not to discourage you from the site or anything, you're probably better off posting this on revscene or something where there are tons of guys who imported their cars from the states. There are more local owners here on the canada section. Hope this helps
08-24-08, 12:01 AM
#7
Lexus Fanatic
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 7,468
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Are you referring to Trevor Kramer (I think Auto One and Infinity Auto merged)? I tried, he can't find any US Lexus dealers willing to do a deal. I gave him 2 solid months to help me land a GS450h and nada. So I gave up.
Just this past week, I contacted HM Brown (www.hmbrown.com), and one of the brokers I've been in contact with says there are three (3) silver GS450h available in the mid-West, he can get any one of them for me. Only problem is I really, really want the active power stabilizer suspension system (APSSS), so that would have to be a factory order for a 2009 model as this APSSS option is extremely rare.
My problem right now is the instrument cluster (housing). I don't know if the US spec instrument cluster has a specific cel light for the APSSS. IF yes, then I'm screwed because APSSS is not an available option here in Canada (I was planning on being compliant with the Canadian standard by swapping out the US miles/hr speedo and odometer, and swapping in the Cdn metric speedo and odometer). I don't want to order the GS with APSSS and find out that I have problems later on. Geez, what a headache!
Just this past week, I contacted HM Brown (www.hmbrown.com), and one of the brokers I've been in contact with says there are three (3) silver GS450h available in the mid-West, he can get any one of them for me. Only problem is I really, really want the active power stabilizer suspension system (APSSS), so that would have to be a factory order for a 2009 model as this APSSS option is extremely rare.
My problem right now is the instrument cluster (housing). I don't know if the US spec instrument cluster has a specific cel light for the APSSS. IF yes, then I'm screwed because APSSS is not an available option here in Canada (I was planning on being compliant with the Canadian standard by swapping out the US miles/hr speedo and odometer, and swapping in the Cdn metric speedo and odometer). I don't want to order the GS with APSSS and find out that I have problems later on. Geez, what a headache!
yea since the merger i dunno who i would talk to there anymore; there used to be a woman by the name of Karen, but she moved on when the merger happened (she didnt like how things were going)
i'm sorry to hear that they're not as good as they once were ... i was going to get them to find my next car for me ... but perhaps not
Trending Topics
08-24-08, 11:48 AM
#8
why do u need to change the cluster? doesnt the US cluster show both the mpg and kph (just that the kph are on the inner and smaller lettering)
so long as it has the markings u are fine.
as long as the cars rebar is US spec, its fine, new import rules made it easy to import a US car, thats why you will see MR-S's and evo4/5/6/7/8/9's on the canadian roads very soon.
you need DRLs
go to www.riv.ca to see if ur car is importable. lexus just wont allow u to import a brand spanking new car, HOWEVER, if it makes the riv list, then the one way to bypass this is to find someone in the states to buy the car, then you buy it from them, thus the car is 2nd hand aka used. just make sure ur bill of sale is not some super cheap amount as the border does check online and black/blue books for current pricing.
so long as it has the markings u are fine.
as long as the cars rebar is US spec, its fine, new import rules made it easy to import a US car, thats why you will see MR-S's and evo4/5/6/7/8/9's on the canadian roads very soon.
you need DRLs
go to www.riv.ca to see if ur car is importable. lexus just wont allow u to import a brand spanking new car, HOWEVER, if it makes the riv list, then the one way to bypass this is to find someone in the states to buy the car, then you buy it from them, thus the car is 2nd hand aka used. just make sure ur bill of sale is not some super cheap amount as the border does check online and black/blue books for current pricing.
Are you referring to Trevor Kramer (I think Auto One and Infinity Auto merged)? I tried, he can't find any US Lexus dealers willing to do a deal. I gave him 2 solid months to help me land a GS450h and nada. So I gave up.
Just this past week, I contacted HM Brown (www.hmbrown.com), and one of the brokers I've been in contact with says there are three (3) silver GS450h available in the mid-West, he can get any one of them for me. Only problem is I really, really want the active power stabilizer suspension system (APSSS), so that would have to be a factory order for a 2009 model as this APSSS option is extremely rare.
My problem right now is the instrument cluster (housing). I don't know if the US spec instrument cluster has a specific cel light for the APSSS. IF yes, then I'm screwed because APSSS is not an available option here in Canada (I was planning on being compliant with the Canadian standard by swapping out the US miles/hr speedo and odometer, and swapping in the Cdn metric speedo and odometer). I don't want to order the GS with APSSS and find out that I have problems later on. Geez, what a headache!
Just this past week, I contacted HM Brown (www.hmbrown.com), and one of the brokers I've been in contact with says there are three (3) silver GS450h available in the mid-West, he can get any one of them for me. Only problem is I really, really want the active power stabilizer suspension system (APSSS), so that would have to be a factory order for a 2009 model as this APSSS option is extremely rare.
My problem right now is the instrument cluster (housing). I don't know if the US spec instrument cluster has a specific cel light for the APSSS. IF yes, then I'm screwed because APSSS is not an available option here in Canada (I was planning on being compliant with the Canadian standard by swapping out the US miles/hr speedo and odometer, and swapping in the Cdn metric speedo and odometer). I don't want to order the GS with APSSS and find out that I have problems later on. Geez, what a headache!
08-24-08, 03:06 PM
#9
executive matchup
Thread Starter
yea since the merger i dunno who i would talk to there anymore; there used to be a woman by the name of Karen, but she moved on when the merger happened (she didnt like how things were going)
i'm sorry to hear that they're not as good as they once were ... i was going to get them to find my next car for me ... but perhaps not
i'm sorry to hear that they're not as good as they once were ... i was going to get them to find my next car for me ... but perhaps not
08-24-08, 03:09 PM
#10
executive matchup
Thread Starter
why do u need to change the cluster? doesnt the US cluster show both the mpg and kph (just that the kph are on the inner and smaller lettering)
so long as it has the markings u are fine.
as long as the cars rebar is US spec, its fine, new import rules made it easy to import a US car, thats why you will see MR-S's and evo4/5/6/7/8/9's on the canadian roads very soon.
you need DRLs
go to www.riv.ca to see if ur car is importable. lexus just wont allow u to import a brand spanking new car, HOWEVER, if it makes the riv list, then the one way to bypass this is to find someone in the states to buy the car, then you buy it from them, thus the car is 2nd hand aka used. just make sure ur bill of sale is not some super cheap amount as the border does check online and black/blue books for current pricing.
so long as it has the markings u are fine.
as long as the cars rebar is US spec, its fine, new import rules made it easy to import a US car, thats why you will see MR-S's and evo4/5/6/7/8/9's on the canadian roads very soon.
you need DRLs
go to www.riv.ca to see if ur car is importable. lexus just wont allow u to import a brand spanking new car, HOWEVER, if it makes the riv list, then the one way to bypass this is to find someone in the states to buy the car, then you buy it from them, thus the car is 2nd hand aka used. just make sure ur bill of sale is not some super cheap amount as the border does check online and black/blue books for current pricing.
Since I'm using a US autobroker to get the car for me, it shouldn't be a problem. The guy at HM Brown says it's not a problem. I hope they got a way around the loophole.
08-24-08, 09:49 PM
#12
Just got back in town....
I imported a '97 SC400 a couple of years ago. The only modification I had to make was the DRL's, which was done by Regency Lexus for $195. The cluster was fine since it displayed both mph and kph. The '97's had one recall and I had it resolved before importing. I was told it is much easier to deal with any recalls in the US and getting the clearance letter before importing the car than trying to resolve it afterwards.
PM me anytime. Although I don't often post, I do check the site quite regularly.
John
I imported a '97 SC400 a couple of years ago. The only modification I had to make was the DRL's, which was done by Regency Lexus for $195. The cluster was fine since it displayed both mph and kph. The '97's had one recall and I had it resolved before importing. I was told it is much easier to deal with any recalls in the US and getting the clearance letter before importing the car than trying to resolve it afterwards.
PM me anytime. Although I don't often post, I do check the site quite regularly.
John
08-24-08, 10:15 PM
#13
Lexus Fanatic
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Los Angeles/Vancouver
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
all lexus have km/h scale even if it is smaller than mph scale
as long as it has it, it will pass the certification requirements
so you dont need to swap the instrument cluster if that is what you are worrying about
as long as it has it, it will pass the certification requirements
so you dont need to swap the instrument cluster if that is what you are worrying about
08-24-08, 11:37 PM
#14
executive matchup
Thread Starter
and what about the odometer - doesn't that record miles driven instead of km? but if you are absolutely certain there's no need to swap instrument cluster, then cool, one less headache to worry about. thx!
08-24-08, 11:41 PM
#15
executive matchup
Thread Starter
Just got back in town....
I imported a '97 SC400 a couple of years ago. The only modification I had to make was the DRL's, which was done by Regency Lexus for $195. The cluster was fine since it displayed both mph and kph. The '97's had one recall and I had it resolved before importing. I was told it is much easier to deal with any recalls in the US and getting the clearance letter before importing the car than trying to resolve it afterwards.
PM me anytime. Although I don't often post, I do check the site quite regularly.
John
I imported a '97 SC400 a couple of years ago. The only modification I had to make was the DRL's, which was done by Regency Lexus for $195. The cluster was fine since it displayed both mph and kph. The '97's had one recall and I had it resolved before importing. I was told it is much easier to deal with any recalls in the US and getting the clearance letter before importing the car than trying to resolve it afterwards.
PM me anytime. Although I don't often post, I do check the site quite regularly.
John