Apr 30
Wow! Toronto Star calls it right!
Check out the Toronto Star, Mark Toljagic is right on and calls it as he sees it.
Canadians shopping for cars in the U.S. - again!
and take a look at some of the responses he has from your trusty Canadian car folks!
Volvo response is a bit funny, they offer a cash discount of UP TO $9000, but the difference in price is around $19,000.00! ( see our price comparison dated April 20.)
April 30th, 2010 at 7:23 pm
One of the more objective press articles on the subject - with proof positive that it’s not just used cars that people are importing.
May 1st, 2010 at 4:10 pm
Audi Q7
Today we decided to shop at our local Audi dealer in Toronto.When we asked about competitive pricing in respect to our dollar we were given the “thanks for coming in, but we don’t have…we sell everything we have” Perhaps true, but when are we mild mannered, laid back Canadian going to start looking at these purcahes with more of a business mind than an emotional one ? The Q7 TDI Premimum is $12K less in the USA. Equally equipped. I say everyone should seriously look at http://www.importrader.com. Thanks to Bluechip, I’ve just made my decision.
Submitted by Twat at 4:27 PM Saturday, May 01 2010
Importers
If you don’t have time to do the import yourself, there are services like http://www.importtrader.com/ Until Canadian dealers stop gouging, I won’t be buying Canadian.
Submitted by Bluechip at 2:27 PM Saturday, May 01 2010
Destination costs
$825 to ship a Chevrolet Impala to Hawaii while it costs me $1325 in destination charges? I live in Scarborough and this car is built in Oshawa! This doesn’t make sense! I’d rather drive 20 minutes and physically pick up the car myself. Another gouge from the Canadian car dealers. I’ll buy my next new car in the USA.
Submitted by silverpontiac at 9:19 AM Saturday, May 01 2010
Financing for Canadians in US
Financing in the US has much less to do with citizenship than with one’s credit history. A Canadian citizen CAN obtain financing, provided s/he can satisfy the lender’s credit requirements. This is based on personal experience purchasing a car in Ohio.
Submitted by SQL Boy at 3:11 PM Friday, April 30 2010
Just got Plates for My 2009 Saturn Vue
Even with all the bits and pieces I saved $5000 on a loaded 09 Vue over what’s available in the GTA. The process has a bunch of steps that all have to be followed but it’s not rocket science. The RIV site has the steps and the internet lets you shop all of the US.
Submitted by US Shopper at 1:57 PM Friday, April 30 2010
Excuses from the car companies
If a US spec car is worth less here, then why are Canadian dealers importing them and selling them at Canadian prices? Sports cars in particular. Nissan will not honor their warranty on US cars unless the new car sits registered somewhere in the US for six months. Nice way to do business huh?
Submitted by Jman at 12:00 PM Friday, April 30 2010
I’m All For Supporting Our Economy.
But when there is 10K difference in the price of a vehicle, something is a miss. But you can find deals if you get out there and look around.
Submitted by Pete at 11:30 AM Friday, April 30 2010
Don’t believe the scare tactics - it’s worth it to import
I did it for my last two cars, that I bought used and it was pretty painless. Just some advice - if you want warranty, buy a Toyota/Lexus or Subaru especially their pre-owned as their warranty is covered here in Canada. Also, buy in a state where you can get the full title as a non-resident and not pay the State sales tax. If you need help or have questions email me hoopitup at gmail dot com. Tons of resources on the web too, such as carswithoutborders.com
Submitted by DukeN at 10:32 AM Friday, April 30 2010
Go ahead - support someone else’s economy
Ah, nothing like saving money. Who cares if it means supporting a foreign country’s economy at the expense of your own. But remember, don’t complain when the only jobs you have left are flipping burgers at McDonalds. Oh well, that’s Canadians for you………
Submitted by calcan at 10:31 AM Friday, April 30 2010
Cdn Car Dealers
How is it that the canadian companies are allowed to not honour warranties yet their own dealers in canada are bringing in tons of vehicles from the states to sell here at a great profit and the warranties apply?
Submitted by chloe12 at 9:37 AM Friday, April 30 2010
Declarlation of funds at Canadian and US Customs.
Don’t forget to declare $10,000.00 or more as you leave Canada, and immediatly again as you enter USA. Applies to cash, money order, bank draft, etc. Wire the money instead to avoid siezure of undeclared funds.
Submitted by GoldenCaddy at 9:19 AM Friday, April 30 2010
Canadian Car Dealer Whiners
I am also looking at purchaing anew Nissan in the USA, yesterday I found that the warranty will not be honoured by Canadian dealers unless its registered in the US for six months first.What short memories when the US $ was much higher Americans were coming in buying property and everything they cvould get thier hands on and dealers where welcoming them, now the shoe is on the other foot and they cry like babies , Nissan better change there stance on honoring warranties becuase a $8000 difference is too big to ignore, either drop the Canadian price or honour the warranty.
Submitted by The Pegger at 9:02 AM Friday, April 30 2010
It’s not just the base price that’s an issue but also the freight charges and dealer fees that are being insidiously tacked on. For example the MRSP of an Acura MDX is around $9,000 more for the base model but Freight is around $1,900 verus $800 to ANY part of the US for a vehicle BUILT in Canada! In addition dealers try to add on their own little gems like $250-$800 for “Admin Fees” which are non-mandatory and is a rip-off. If they try to charge these or PPSA fees for registering loans walk away from the deal if they don’t cancel them. There’s always another dealer out there who will! Also don’t buy rustproofing or upholstery sealers - these are way overpriced and useless!
Submitted by hurricane ace at 9:01 AM Friday, April 30 2010
I forgot to add
That we found buying a used car in the US to be quite easy. This article is largely referring to new cars. I think we spent about an additional 5 hours or so getting it licensed, registered at the border, etc. When we came back, our local Midas was more than happy to get everything serviced to Canadian standards for under $300.
Submitted by Moby55 at 8:28 AM Friday, April 30 2010
Bought a used 08 Honda Accord
across the border. Loaded, with low km’s. Price in Ontario was $29,000. Price in Michigan was $18,500. Even with duty & taxes, we still saved over $6000. We love our car. We wanted to support a local dealer, but $6000 was a LOT of money to save.
Submitted by Moby55 at 8:25 AM Friday, April 30 2010
Real savings
It’s in the purchase of high end used cars where the savings are significant. For instance: 2009 Lexus LS460, 9500 miles for USD41,000 in Buffalo and 2004 SL500, 19000 miles for USD27,000 in Phoenix.
Submitted by Samirakhavan at 8:05 AM Friday, April 30 2010
I am sure going to try.
This article does have some very good points, but in the end look into it people. I want to purchase a Mazda CX-9. Fully loaded in Canada with tax 68,000 k. Vehicle fully loaded in the US 42,000. Wow this is a big difference. I do not think with 6% tax, mods to the car, its going to cost 26,000 to bring the car into Canada, I can still see the savings of at least 15,000 to me from the reasearch I have done. From what I have seen you save hudge on the move expensive cars, SUVs and trucks and it is well worth it. Find a good broker or if you know someone who works for a Auction house go for it. More money in my pocket is better than someone elses.
Submitted by kirkncc1 at 7:28 AM Friday, April 30 2010
Their excuses are running out. How is it more expensive to run a business in Canada? The corporate tax rates are considerably less and the health care costs, which are significant is the US, are zero here. Despite the dollar being at par for several months now, the prices are hardly improving. For example, the base Camaro is $22,680 in the US and $26,995 here. More than $4,000 extra for a car that’s made right here in Ontario–shameful.
Submitted by jerryg at 9:53 PM Thursday, April 29 2010
i guess now is a good time to point out that everything in canada is more expensive. not just prescription drugs. the government is being unfair when they complain that canadians are paying a premium on drugs. canadians are paying a premium on everything. yet the government is criminalizing pharmacists. they only reason the government ‘cares’ about drug costs is because they pay for it. they don’t pay for our cars; they couldn’t care less how much more we pay.
almost $10,000 more in Canada than it does in the US. I just checked on the American and Canadian websites. What a joke!
Submitted by Spliceit at 11:25 AM Friday, April 30 2010
Daytime lights and foregin exchange rates
Why do you have modify or reprogram the car to have day time running lights? Just turn on your lights. “Problem” solved. As well, this notion that Canadian prices should be on par with products sold in the U.S. based solely on currency exchange is very disturbing.
Submitted by BetterByDesign at 11:07 AM Friday, April 30 2010
Support yourself………
We live in one of the most socialized countries in the world. We work hard. We pay a lot in taxes. We treat each other in a civilized manner. We do alot to support our fellow Canadians, when it comes to making big ticket purchases there’s nothing wrong in supporting yourself a little aswell. No one deseverves to be ripped off by big Multi-national corporations who just want to pad their bottom line.
Submitted by Proud Ontarian at 11:04 AM Friday, April 30 2010
It goes 2 ways
I had an American accident car that I drove for 5 years. The car worked for me, but when I went to trade it in, nobody would touch it. My good deal was worthless in the Canadian Used car market.
Submitted by NKNLP at 11:02 AM Friday, April 30 2010
Warranty
Make sure you check the warranty before you purchase! http://www.apa.ca/template.asp?DocID=253 that site shows the which manufacturers have warranty in Canada for US cars.
Submitted by kendrew at 10:33 AM Friday, April 30 2010
May 6th, 2010 at 3:15 pm
The responses from all the car companies are actually funny. They basically are admitting to collusion, stating that they look at the pricing in the Canadian market to determine their own, and comparing to US pricing is “irrelevant!”….