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Well the fine print on the latest Ford ad, which begins with ” WISE BUYERS READ THE SMALL PRINT”.  is pretty deceptive and we are told these ads “stink so much, they are there just to get you into the showroom, and then squeeze you for an extra 5 or 10K.”

 After reading and examing the Ford ad today, we thought we would check out the Internet.  In their rush to combat CWB’s entry yesterday pointing out that “Even Ford is Screwing Canadians!” , the build and price feature doesn’t appear to work.

So we phoned up a Canadian dealer and learned that the current deal for a 2011 Manual Escape Xlt I4, is for cash only!, If you want to finance it the rate is 6.99% apr!

But he told us that if you purchase one of the more upscale models, ie…  the price will be 4-5 k higher but you can get 0% financing for up to 72 months.    The same model with Automatic transmission is $6,000 more, but you can get 0 % financing!  You can check the specs and options and pricing out here.

Now how many of us think this is a good deal?  How many Canadians think that if they overpay for a vehicle, but obtain 0% financing they are getting a good deal!  

These car companies really think you Canadians are stupid!

We have included a PDF version of the Ford ad  in order to help you read the small print! We couldn’t make it out ourselves until we loaded it into a PDF file, rotated it and then blew it up to 400%.  Don’t you just luv the Canadian Consumer laws that allow Multi-national companies to get away with this deceptive marketing.  The 2011 Ford explorer ad.

Now,  to top this all off, Page B16 of the Gazette featured an article by Zack Spencer titled ”Ford’s Faded Explorer gets a new life with redesign”… he could have titled it:   Ford’s Faded Explorer Gets a new Life, unfortunately Ford still screwing Canadians on Price!

So the battle for your hard earned taxed dollars goes on!  Please shop smartly!

A friend of ours is considering a new Ford Explorer.  We were originally under the impression that Ford pricing was very reasonable, but never the less we took some time today to check them out. 

Unless we missed something in the details, 2011 Ford Explorer XLT V6 FWD version with no options has a difference of over $7,000 or 15.55%.

So Ford Canada has decided to get on the band wagon and screw hard working Canadians! 

The good news is that they are not taking any chances with warranty coverage and respect an all  North American solution, (this will keep them out of court) according to the APA.ca web site.  We recommend you call first!

Here are the details: 2100-01-16fordex-can.pdf     2011-ford-explorer-us

So we assume the bottom line here is if you want a Ford… do your homework!

Many thanks to one of our members who documented his experience in our newly updated forum:

“Howdy

I actually Factory Ordered a brand new 2011 Base Mustang GT (you cannot get this model in Canada) in April 2011. I aquired this vehicle in Montana July 2011. I was refused by 3 Ford dealers before I found one that would sell to a Canadian. In my case, U.S. Ford dealers have to worry about their Mustang “allocations” as they are only allowed so many Mustangs per Dealer, and if they sell to a Canadian, which Ford Head Office frowns upon, when they find out, may sometimes “punish” the dealer by reducing their Mustang allocations the following year.

This dealer was very fluent in the importation process as they sell a lot of trucks to their neighbours in Sask.

The things I needed to do to import the car were as follows,

- Immobilizer - Already installed when you order the Security System option
- Child Tether Anchors - Already factory installed on all Mustangs
- Recall Letter - Aquired from my U.S. Dealer on U.S. Ford letterhead. accepted by RIV.
- DRL’s - this is the tricky one….
The Daytime Running Lamp (DRL’s) Modules in the US sourced Fords are already in the vehicles, they just don’t turn them on.
My US dealer was happy to activate them, but was unable.
Reason, US Ford Dealer computers need a “password” from Transport Canada to activate the DRL module via the computers in their service departments. This “password” is not provided until Form 1 is filled out at the border.
That’s why we can only get them activated at a Canadian Ford Dealer as their computers can somehow access Transport Canada servers to retrieve the necessary password.
- Sales Tax - This issue goes out the window as there is no sales tax in Montana, and no sales tax in Alberta.
- GST - paid at the border.
- Driving Home
A couple years ago, I once bought a car in another province, at that time i needed an in-transit permit to drive it home. I expected the same for this car. Instead, my local Registration office said “not required, just bring a valid plate with you, and put it on the car.” I was about to do so in Montana, but instead the Ford dealer has a Paper Licence in plastic attached to a licence plate frame that is registered with the local (and State I think) Authourities. Once I got to the border, I asked the Customs official what to do with this Paper Licence, I was informed I can leave it on there for the rest of the trip home! There was no charge for this! cool….

In total, after accounting for the exchange rates ( I had been been adding to my US account over time) I saved a little over $8000.

Next time, If I can even save a $1000 bucks, I will do this again. ”

If you have questions or just achieved some great savings shopping in the U.S. tell us about it!  Join our Forum today.

In case you were wondering  what kind of cars are being the most imported into Canada.  Well here is a list of 6 companies and how the 2010 1st Quarter imports compare to the 1st Quarter 2009.   It’s going up boys and girls - going up even with all those hurdles.

Today the  Canwest follow-up story to the 3 part series concerning the Bathhurst tragedy focuses on Transport Canada’s lack of leadership and its inability to adopt CSA standards to protect human lives on our roads.

The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) has been after Transport Canada to adopt school-bus transportion standards that they had spent years working on.

Spokesman Ron Campbell stated “The CSA  wouldn’t have gone into this if we felt those vans were providing the safety that was needed”  , he went onto state “I don’t understand why, after the Bathhurst tragedy, this hasn’t been changed”.

It appears that Transport Canada - sticks its head in the sand as Canadian Citizens die needlessly on our roads.  How much time and $$$ have Ford lobbyists spent in the offices of Transport Canada.

John Baird mintc@tc.gc.ca , Lawrence Cannon….. same fishy smell,  different name.

Since Ford is appearing to be bouncing back, promoting  a new stable of safety focused cars maybe they should either spend some time and funds to modify the Vans to the CSA standard or just stop production.

For full story: 2009-09-10gazette.pdf

Almost two years after the tragic accident that took the lives of 7 New Brunswick high school athletes Transport Canada continues to dodge the public and has not followed any of the major safety recommendations that were adopted by an inquest into the accident.

 CanWest has  let one of it’s top reporters, Richard Foot,  out on a 3-part story concerning the accident, the repercussions and the inactions of Transport Canada and all levels of Govts in Canada to protect Canadian citizens.

The 15  Passenger Ford van - referred to as a “death trap” has been “outlawed” in the United States for several years, yet only Quebec and Nova Scotia and New Brunswick has enacted laws to ban the use of these vehicles to transport school children.

Transport Canada won’t even respond to requests from  Canwest reporter Richard Foot to be interviewed.

Again we see that the “lobby” groups in Ottawa appear to be pulling all the strings.  We wonder when our politicians will wake up and start doing the right things!

The U.S. , despite its  failings in many areas always appears better tuned into consumer safety issues. 

Please take a moment and call or write  your local MP or MPP(MNA).  This 15 Passenger van is a dangerous vehicle and should not be on the road period.

Canwest Articles 2009-09-08

How can Transport Canada expend so much in resources and $$$ to prevent  Canadians from importing cars that meet U.S. safety standards, when such serious life taking issues remain unattended. 

One of our members sent in the following cost comparison on a Lincoln MKT. It appears that with the employee discount, The Lincoln MKT Eco Boost AWD is cheaper in Canada!

It appears that Ford has the “employee discount pricing”  incentive only in Canada.  Although if Americans have clunckers they can save up to an additional $4500. 

Despite the Employee Pricing Discount, the difference would be minimal.  Ford seems to have established their pricing models with a 90 cent loonie.   Congratulations Ford,  Thanks for being fair to Canadians!