jadeboy

iTrader: (1)

If all conditions remain good (ie. Low US Dollar, our stocks are good), I and perhaps 2 other people are likely to buy the 2008 Lexus IS 350 (+Sport Package + NAV + ML), Black Exterior, Black Interior with
MSRP $45,000US (we want to get it around $40,000 US), in Canada this would cost $60,000+. We are likely to buy 2 2008 Lexus IS 350, but if thing goes good, there is likely another one coming from the same dealership.

We are exporting the Lexus back for our personal usage in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Do we have to pay US state taxes (which states charge which states does not) ? We know we have to paid GST 6% and duty 6.1% + other exporting fees.

Also, Toyota is making it extremely difficult for dealers near the border to sell to Canadians. I have heard of Longo Lexus and New Port Lexus giving really good prices. But we would like something near the border (ie. Washington, Montana) so it's easier to drive down and drive up. But we are willing to drive/fly all the way down to Calfornia if needed. Pricing is critical to us, we would like to paid $500 above invoice.

We are planning this in several months.

Anyone know of good dealerships that would do business with Canadians and give the pricing we want? When should we buy for the best prices?

Drunkebuda

you should try umm lexus of bellevue they are in near seattle wa and they are really good. My car that i got with them went really smooth. Ask for nick wilcox he is the internet sales manager. He was who i dealt with. They are opening up another dealership which is huge soo they need sales. Longo will have a wide inventory but you would have to provide your own transport for the car to canada.

FiveOhNine

Good prices can be found all the time, you just need to shop around. I've heard November/December is probably the best for 07s.

01el

No US Lexus Dealer will sell directly to Canadians. Someone in US has to buy the car for you and pay state taxes then you will be able to buy from them. This is how I Bought my 2007 IS250 AWD.

Anoop

kickin8

iTrader: (1)

I think you need a US address to buy the car (in order to get the registration)?

you should check with your local DMV as I know they put a lot of restrictions doing so.....? If not, then all the canadians are flocking to US to buy cars?

off topic: with tthe 15-year exclusion, if i am gonna import, I would consider skyline R32/33s (with all the power and mods readily available).......

Evitzee

Lexus 'sales' events are in August and December. They do not blow out the cars at Detroit-style prices, it is very low key. Maybe better finance rates, or a bit better prices, but nothing dramatic. It is basically an advertising campaign to keep floor traffic moving in slow months.

By the time December rolls around there won't be many (any?) 2007's left.

To the OP, getting a car into Canada, or vice versa, is not as easy as you make it sound. The car industry has closed the loopholes where people could play the exchange rate differences to buy/sell on a cross border basis. You'll have to do more homework. It can be done, but certain procedures will have to be followed which will dilute your final savings.

kickin8

iTrader: (1)

one more thing.....i dont think canadian lexus dealership will do any kind of warranty work as the car is for the US market? that means you have to drive back to the US and get it fixed when warranty issues arises......

01el

I verified with Lexus Canada for my car bought in states. They said the warranty is valid in Canada.

Red@8

I would be very suprised if you can buy a car from the states as a cdn without registering/plating/insuring in the states first. FOr that of course you would need numerous american details (address/social/license/etc). I am in calgary right now (home) and moving to cleveland for school in august. I am actually just about to sign the paper work on my IS350, it is sitting right next to me as i type this. Even with an american address and student visa it has been an impossible process for me to purchase this vehicle. I bought mine through gloria (lady with the hat) at lexus of southbay in so.cal. SHe was very knowledgable and quite helpful with the cdn/us buying process. Longo lexus wouldnt even give me a price as they said they had been in lots of trouble from selling to cdn's in the past - they said this even after i told them i am moving to the us and it will be plated/registered, etc in the us.

Be prepared for a very frustrating and time consuming process. If you have any other questions feel free to PM me.

lexusgabro

Hey guys good idea!!!!

I just picked up my salvage is350 from WA for 16K, save alot down in the USA

Also you will have to pay 6% duty (not north american)
Also ~$215 to RIV
Also $100 for excise tax on A/C
Also 6% GST

so add 13% percent to canadian converted cost

so if it cost you 40k convert it to CDN then add 13%

jadeboy

iTrader: (1)

I have already done some research about importing a Car from USA to Canada. As stated already in this thread. Toyota will honor warranty for car exported to Canada from USA. There was a lawsuit a few years ago relating to exporting cars between US vs Canada and Toyota lost. Other manufactures (ie.. Honda will not honor warranty unless you are a US resident moving to Canada).

The biggest concern is US dealerships selling to Canadians. Toyota will reduce US dealerships quota for their lexus for every car sold to Canadian from what I have heard. Note this only apply to "NEW" car, US dealerships can sell USED car without trouble. This is very anticompetitive and anti consumer strategy Toyota is doing.

I would perfer to buy in Calgary, Alberta, Canada (only 1 lexus dealership here), but given the price differences... going to the US to save $20,000 for a car is no a brainer.

Evitzee

A few years ago when you had a 60 cent Canadian dollar it was the opposite, people were buying in Canada and bringing to the US. Toyota isn't being anticompetive or anti consumer. Toyota US and Toyota Canada are separate entities, they have territorial rights to sell Toyota branded vehicles within their regions. Their respective costs of doing business are totally different; Canada has 1/10 of the population and a much higher tax basis. Part of the price of items in Canada is a tax to help support the socialist aspects of Canadian society (Universal free health care and other extremely generous gov't benefits). That costs money.

I spent 2004 and 2005 living in Canada, and I never realized how socialist Canada was/is. And high tax. They will tax anything. Buy a postage stamp and their was a 15% GST on it. Isn't postage basically a tax anyway? Anyway, I digress. There are real reasons why there is such a difference in price. Right now the Canadian dollar is at an all time high. Toyota Canada is reaping those benefits by not reducing the costs of their cars, instead they pocket the difference. Capitalism!!

jadeboy

iTrader: (1)

This is not necessary true for the most part. Toyota is a private corporation, business Taxes is similar to the US. The only really different in taxes is "Personal Income" tax which is a lot higher in Canada, but that does not have to do anything with the price of the Car.

But it's not capitalism when Toyota CORPORATION penalized US dealerships for selling to Canadian - this is total anticompetitive. In a capitalist system, Canadian would be buying from the US, Lexus dealerships in canada will lose business and thus be forced to reduce price to attract the customers back. Capitalism is about Competition and the free movement of suppliers and buyers.

Evitzee

You can argue that, and it may be true from an academic standpoint, but in the real world there is never a completely free flow of suppliers and buyers. There are always trade restrictions, franchisee rights, and other 'issues' that get in the way. In the case of automobiles there is also a huge organization that needs to service these vehicles, so you just can't expect easy flow of vehicles to Canada based on lowest price. Cars aren't like bluejeans which don't require after sales service.

I'm not sure how Canadian corporate income tax compares to the US rate. I'd be surprised if it wasn't substantially higher, but have no facts to make that argument.

We are off topic now, so best not to continue arguing. Guess we have to agree to disagree.

jadeboy

iTrader: (1)

Thank, I will take note on this. What was the price did he give you over invoice? And Lexus of Bellevue sells to Canadians?