Have you bought a car recently from the US? What was your experience?
02-14-11 | 12:14 PM
#1
Thread Starter
EV ftw!!!
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 8,596
Likes: 326
From: Lake Ontario
Have you bought a car recently from the US? What was your experience?
Have you bought a car recently from the US as opposed to buying it here in Canada?
What was your experience and was it worth it?
Based on prices I see on autotrader.com - the difference in price is at least $5 - $7.5K on a car worth around $35K in Canada. I am seriously considering getting a car from the US.
I've read the rules and regulations around importing US cars into Canada and it appears to be a straight forward process.
What was your experience? I won't be selling the car down the road as I drive my cars into the ground before they are gotten rid of, so the negative effect of buying a cheaper US car is not a factor for me. It would be a negative factor if you are planning to sell it later as US cars sell for less in Canada.
What was your experience and was it worth it?
Based on prices I see on autotrader.com - the difference in price is at least $5 - $7.5K on a car worth around $35K in Canada. I am seriously considering getting a car from the US.
I've read the rules and regulations around importing US cars into Canada and it appears to be a straight forward process.
What was your experience? I won't be selling the car down the road as I drive my cars into the ground before they are gotten rid of, so the negative effect of buying a cheaper US car is not a factor for me. It would be a negative factor if you are planning to sell it later as US cars sell for less in Canada.
02-15-11 | 02:54 PM
#2
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Alberta, CA
Imported my last car from the US in 06. Pretty painless then - a few forms to fill out and an extra inspection (Canadian Tire does them) and I was rolling. Was definitely worth it - I conservatively estimate I saved $15 - $18K on the vehicle I purchased and I never really had any "cross-border" issues with the car as long as I owned it (e.g. no problems getting warranty work done in Canada, etc.). The only time the fact it was a US car came up as a negative was when I'd try to trade it off against something else at a dealership and the fact it was a US car would be cited by the sales guy as a reason to grind down the trade in value even more. I ended up selling the car privately and most of the serious potential buyers had no issues whatsoever with it being a US car.
If you don't want the hassle, virtually every major city/town has private dealerships that will handle everything for you, including sourcing the vehicle. If you want to do it yourself, starting point is the "Registrar of Imported Vehicles" (www.riv.ca) - pretty much everything you need to know is there.
If you don't want the hassle, virtually every major city/town has private dealerships that will handle everything for you, including sourcing the vehicle. If you want to do it yourself, starting point is the "Registrar of Imported Vehicles" (www.riv.ca) - pretty much everything you need to know is there.
Last edited by TyreKckr; 02-15-11 at 02:59 PM.
02-15-11 | 09:41 PM
#3
Bought a Ford Raptor (Ski cruiser/Winter destroyer). Saved 12k buying it in Oregon. breeze at the border, just signed some papers, gave the boys a few bucks. Got the out of province inspection and off to the races.
02-22-11 | 08:40 AM
#4
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Imported my last car from the US in 06. Pretty painless then - a few forms to fill out and an extra inspection (Canadian Tire does them) and I was rolling. Was definitely worth it - I conservatively estimate I saved $15 - $18K on the vehicle I purchased and I never really had any "cross-border" issues with the car as long as I owned it (e.g. no problems getting warranty work done in Canada, etc.). The only time the fact it was a US car came up as a negative was when I'd try to trade it off against something else at a dealership and the fact it was a US car would be cited by the sales guy as a reason to grind down the trade in value even more. I ended up selling the car privately and most of the serious potential buyers had no issues whatsoever with it being a US car.
If you don't want the hassle, virtually every major city/town has private dealerships that will handle everything for you, including sourcing the vehicle. If you want to do it yourself, starting point is the "Registrar of Imported Vehicles" (www.riv.ca) - pretty much everything you need to know is there.
If you don't want the hassle, virtually every major city/town has private dealerships that will handle everything for you, including sourcing the vehicle. If you want to do it yourself, starting point is the "Registrar of Imported Vehicles" (www.riv.ca) - pretty much everything you need to know is there.
Hi there, I'm planning to get a used Lexus RX 350 '2010 (premium package w/o navi) with 10k KM from US. I'm able to get the vehicle for $41900+tax. Do you guys think is a good price? . I've been checking the price of the car in autotrader.com, approximately goes around $38000-$39000 for the the exact car with the same options and simillar milleage.On the other hand someone in the forum said they paid a new RX 2011 with the same options he only paid 38500+tax from 43899 sticker price + tax. So if its true then I'm thinking about getting a new one.
03-07-11 | 12:35 PM
#5
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Alberta, CA
Hi there, I'm planning to get a used Lexus RX 350 '2010 (premium package w/o navi) with 10k KM from US. I'm able to get the vehicle for $41900+tax. Do you guys think is a good price? . I've been checking the price of the car in autotrader.com, approximately goes around $38000-$39000 for the the exact car with the same options and simillar milleage.On the other hand someone in the forum said they paid a new RX 2011 with the same options he only paid 38500+tax from 43899 sticker price + tax. So if its true then I'm thinking about getting a new one.
03-07-11 | 05:28 PM
#6
I imported my 2007 IS350 this past July. I conservatively estimate that I saved $8000-$10000 doing it that way. I bought of ebay, which is good because ebay motors has a great fraud protection guarantee. I flew into Chicago and then drove the car back over the border to Toronto.
Let me just say that my experience was buying a used Lexus from a private seller who was the original owner of the car. If you are buying through the dealership, your experience my be a little different, but many of the points below still apply to you.
Like someone above said go to the RIV website, it is the best source of information. I will try to focus on some tips for importing a Lexus that are NOT on the website.
Pros:
-Relatively easy to do for the amount of money you save
-Lexus original manufacturing warranties are good in Canada!
Important Things to Know:
- Sourcing a good deal from a repuatable seller is time consuming, patience needed
- If not buying at the dealer, then there is a bit of paper work you need to have in order at the border so there is some planning involved (if done through the dealership, they usually take care of most of this for you)
- Getting insurance can be a PITA until you have the car imported. My insurance company refused to insure it until it was registered in Ontario, which meant that I had to drive it here, get all the inspections done, while it was uninsured in my name. I was lucky that the seller was willing to keep the insurance on the vechicle until I had mine in place... so i was still covered. But make sure to check with your insurance.
- You car will not be eligible to get an extended warranty here in Canada. Lexus Canada will not sell you an extended warranty for a US car, and the US extended warranty is not good in Canada. Lexus' EXTENDED warranties are NOT honoured in Canada, only the original warranties, so don't spend any money on them, or anticipate that you will be able to use them in Canada
-Your speedometer will be in miles not kms. Not really a big issue, I don't even notice it now.
-You don't get recall notices in the mail from Lexus unless you have a US address. Not a big deal since you hear about them on the news anyways.
Must do's:
- Check the vechicles warranty is still good (just call Lexus USA)
- Check if you have to pay state tax (may have to actually call the local DMV to figure it out)
- 3rd party inspection preferrably by an ASE certified company. Not really that good to do it at the dealership because the dealership will just the same inspection they do when you go for a servicing, however, they don't document scratches, tears in leather, etc... Anything that a dealer would find is covered by the warranty anyways, so you can just do that when you get here.
- carfax report (I did a car proof as well, just to make sure)
In the end, the addtional steps you have to do is not worth it for everyone. However, if you are a resourceful person, who doesn't mind doing alot of googling and planning to get a good deal, then this way to buy is for you!
Sean
Let me just say that my experience was buying a used Lexus from a private seller who was the original owner of the car. If you are buying through the dealership, your experience my be a little different, but many of the points below still apply to you.
Like someone above said go to the RIV website, it is the best source of information. I will try to focus on some tips for importing a Lexus that are NOT on the website.
Pros:
-Relatively easy to do for the amount of money you save
-Lexus original manufacturing warranties are good in Canada!
Important Things to Know:
- Sourcing a good deal from a repuatable seller is time consuming, patience needed
- If not buying at the dealer, then there is a bit of paper work you need to have in order at the border so there is some planning involved (if done through the dealership, they usually take care of most of this for you)
- Getting insurance can be a PITA until you have the car imported. My insurance company refused to insure it until it was registered in Ontario, which meant that I had to drive it here, get all the inspections done, while it was uninsured in my name. I was lucky that the seller was willing to keep the insurance on the vechicle until I had mine in place... so i was still covered. But make sure to check with your insurance.
- You car will not be eligible to get an extended warranty here in Canada. Lexus Canada will not sell you an extended warranty for a US car, and the US extended warranty is not good in Canada. Lexus' EXTENDED warranties are NOT honoured in Canada, only the original warranties, so don't spend any money on them, or anticipate that you will be able to use them in Canada
-Your speedometer will be in miles not kms. Not really a big issue, I don't even notice it now.
-You don't get recall notices in the mail from Lexus unless you have a US address. Not a big deal since you hear about them on the news anyways.
Must do's:
- Check the vechicles warranty is still good (just call Lexus USA)
- Check if you have to pay state tax (may have to actually call the local DMV to figure it out)
- 3rd party inspection preferrably by an ASE certified company. Not really that good to do it at the dealership because the dealership will just the same inspection they do when you go for a servicing, however, they don't document scratches, tears in leather, etc... Anything that a dealer would find is covered by the warranty anyways, so you can just do that when you get here.
- carfax report (I did a car proof as well, just to make sure)
In the end, the addtional steps you have to do is not worth it for everyone. However, if you are a resourceful person, who doesn't mind doing alot of googling and planning to get a good deal, then this way to buy is for you!
Sean
Last edited by SeanIS350; 03-08-11 at 07:56 PM.
03-13-11 | 08:17 PM
#7
if you think it is cheaper to buy it retail in the states , it is .
It is even cheaper if you find someone who does this as a regular business .
The best way to get a deal is have a Canadian dealer who wholesales US cars.
So a Porsche Cayenne S here is 36000 plus tax but from a wholesale dealer using the professional auction houses it is 18000 -21000 . After import and fees and taxes maybe 26000 shipped to your door , inspected and modified ready to be plated. it might be $1000 more than doing it yourself but will be protected .
Just need to find a good one to do it for you.
It is even cheaper if you find someone who does this as a regular business .
The best way to get a deal is have a Canadian dealer who wholesales US cars.
So a Porsche Cayenne S here is 36000 plus tax but from a wholesale dealer using the professional auction houses it is 18000 -21000 . After import and fees and taxes maybe 26000 shipped to your door , inspected and modified ready to be plated. it might be $1000 more than doing it yourself but will be protected .
Just need to find a good one to do it for you.
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