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Canadian Car Buying (for Canadian Consumers)
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Thank you for the reply ^o^
APA members can call the APA and talk to some pretty knowledgeable people about buying cars. They can give you info, tips, answers, etc over the phone. I had a lemon back in the 80's; they gave me good info and guidance that helped me get the automaker to fix some of the problems. Both APA and CCC are pretty receptive to e-mails and provide some pretty helpful info and advice. CCC is mainly a fledgling service for car buyers, APA is more consumer protection/advocacy oriented. I found both to be reliable and trustworthy (APA has a longstanding reputation in that regard) and the cost of using both was every loonie for the stress it saved when I went to buy.
Nowhere near the glitz and breadth the Americans have available. But they're both grassroots Canadian and we gotta start somewhere, eh?
As a rule, America cars suffer heavy depreciation due to a number of factors, such as heavy rebates and subsidies/discounting, massive fleet sales, and a perceived lack of quality.
Japanese cars do a bit better, particularly Hondas.
German cars generally do pretty well, especially Mercedes-Benz and BMWs, but they have to be the right color with the right equipment.
But this is not a hard and fast rule. Some Japanese cars have lousy resale (Infinitis, Acura RL, some mitsubishis, especially the Diamante), Some American cars do pretty well (Oldsmobile Intrigue tho not for long!, Cadillac STS, some SUVs and most pickups). ANd some European cars do poorly, such as SAABs, Volvo S70s (V70s do ok), etc.
It all depends on the car. but that's a close generalization.
Bill
SOURCE: Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America, Inc.
Mitsubishi Motors to Enter Canadian Market With Full Range of Vehicles in 2003
Auto Maker's Success in United States Drives Growth Into Canada
TORONTO, Feb. 27 - Building on its extraordinary momentum and record US sales, Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America, Inc. (MMSA), today announced its plans to enter the Canadian market through Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada. Through this subsidiary, Mitsubishi will now be able to offer Canadians a full line of stylish passenger cars and sport-utility vehicles that encourage Canadian consumers to "Wake Up and Drive(TM)."
"Canadians purchase approximately 1.5 million new vehicles a year, making this one of the world's top 10 automotive markets and a natural choice for Mitsubishi Motors' global expansion," said Pierre Gagnon, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America, Inc. "We are excited to offer Canadians our full line of vehicles and look forward to growing across this great country."
Mitsubishi Motors anticipates it will begin selling cars in Canada early in 2003, with a goal of opening 51 dealerships in the first year, growing to 150 dealerships within five years. At that level, the dealer network would result in the creation of approximately 6,400 new jobs.
The company projects sales in Canada of 38,000 new vehicles annually by the end of 2007, giving Mitsubishi an estimated two-percent share of the Canadian new vehicle market. Canada is the only major global automotive market in which Mitsubishi Motors does not currently sell vehicles.
"For any major auto company like Mitsubishi Motors, the Canadian market is an important place to do business. Canada has a world-class retail dealer environment and a growing population of savvy consumers," added Gagnon.
Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada plans to sell and distribute the same models sold in the United States (eight models in 2003).
In 2002, Mitsubishi Motors product line will also include an all-new compact to be unveiled at the New York Auto Show in April 2001, and an exciting new sport-utility vehicle based on the ASX concept car Mitsubishi Motors showed at the 2001 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
Randy Sears is being appointed senior vice president and general manager of Canadian operations. Sears will be responsible for establishing Mitsubishi Motors in the Canadian marketplace. Currently, Sears is MMSA's regional director for the North Central region. Sears' career includes 20 years with General Motors of Canada Ltd. and two years as general manager for Saturn, Saab, Isuzu of Victoria Ltd., located in Victoria, British Columbia.
"We will offer Canadian consumers value through competitive pricing, as well as quality, reliability and style. We're confident the Mitsubishi Motors brand will connect with Canadian consumers just as it has with consumers in the United States," said Sears.
COO Gagnon and MMSA Senior Vice President and General Manager Greg O'Neill, will lead the company's senior management team. Gagnon and O'Neill are both native Canadians and veterans of the Canadian automobile industry.
Dealers interested in more information about a Mitsubishi Motors Canadian franchise should call 1-877-386-1530 and speak with Glenn Frantz to get an application form.
Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America, Inc. was established in 1982 by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, Tokyo, and markets a full line of vehicles, including coupes, convertibles, sedans and sport utility vehicles through a network of more than 550 dealers in the U.S. For more information about Mitsubishi Motors, including digital images, please visit the web site at www.mitsubishicars.com and www.mitsubishicars.com/canada.
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Bill
Legally the car has to be sold as "TMU" (True Miles Unknown)
Bill
I looked up the prices of the car I want on the GMCanada website. Then I converted the cost into USD for the MSRP cost. Can You believe that on a Chevy Camaro V6 the Canadian MSRP converted into USD is $2000 cheaper than buying the car here in the US? is this true?
Are there any other kinds of fees involved in buying and importing into the U.S.? Taxes?
I'd appreciate any info anyone can give!!!
Thanks
Bruce
Thanks in advance.
Any leads are appreciated - I'd like to contact any1 who's bought Canadian recently for help. Thanks!
Then get a list of all VW dealers in your target area - I'm sure VW Canada has a website with this info. You said "near the border" - the border is 3000 miles long LOL!(Vancouver and Toronto/lower Ontario are generally the most competitive.)Contact some of them to verify how much you'll save by buying there - in other words, negotiate. You needn't say where you're from. Try a fax-attack or email. See other Edmunds boards on how to fax-attack. Carcostcanada.com will provide facts and figures.
Then email me about the actual buying process.
With a little ingenuity it can be done.
I have faxed / called dealers - and they don't seem to think cross-border buying of a new car is condoned - located 1 possible way - but it's kinda back doorish- and am considering the risks and hassles of it.
These VW TDi engines get close to 50mpg on diesel - and they are pretty peppy w/ torque. May just get another color closer to home - thanks for the reply and congrats on your good deal!
that is only available in Canada. Let me know when you're leaving. It's awfully nice in the summer up there.
AUTOBYTEL.Ca is a US site only
CHARIOTS.COM defaults to AutoTrader (used cars only)
CARPOINT.CA defaults to Sympatico/MSN for list prices only.
CARS4U.Com is the only good site that gives discounted quotes.
Are there any Canucks out there that either got a good Honda deal or can recommend Canadian websites?
Another snag is that you will find that some cars marketed in Canada, cannot be imported as they do not meet US safety and pollutions standards. That is not generally a problem with the American makes.
Personally, unless you have some "sweetheart" deal with a friend or a relative, I'd forget about it.
On a related subject, what if a US resident wants to buy an Acura EL (not offered in USA) just to be unique. What are the pitfalls? Can he have it serviced by US Acura dealers? Just wondering....
That may have been true when the exchange rate was C$1.40 to the US$, but now that it's more like C$1.25 I don't think there are many cars that are significantly cheaper in Canada if you compare like with like.
Back in September, when the exchange rate was something close to C$1.23, I bought five Ford F250s that were identically equipped. Three went to Montreal, Toronto and Edmonton and two went to the midwesterm states. There was about a $1500 difference in the price that I paid taking into account currency exchange. I bought them through the same leasing company and took advantage of all available incentive programs from Ford.
For the most part, it is a moot point since the overwhelming majority of Canadian dealers will not sell to residents of the United States and visa versa.
Does anyone have any views on this topic?
Can you tell me which cars are not imported to USA?
Nissan Micra
Innocenti
Mercedes Smart Car
Lada
Skoda
Dacia
Hyundai Pony (pre Excel)
certain Peugeot models
I am sure that others can give you a more specific list.
Acura EL and CSX
Asuna
Optima
There is a good list of cars marketed in Canada but not U.S. at Wikipedia.
Subaru is the worse with 20% premium on the WRX and Honda has a 13% additional markup on an SI with Aero and 18" wheels.
At Audi Canadians pay a 14% premium for 4WD compared to an 8% premium for 2WD
Generally speaking across the Toyota lineup we're paying between 10% and 20% more than the US after factoring in the current exchange rate.
The new VW GTI gap starts at 14% for the base but when you add some extras it drops to 7%
Given the free trade laws I think it's at the point where it might cost less to import the car from the US rather than buying at a Canadian dealership.
PS - don't give me the line about supply and demand. This is the corporate machine exploiting the under informed consumer.
Especially since the Honda I was looking at is made in Allison, Ontario. Excluding taxes it is cheaper to buy it in Portland Oregon than in Ontario. Ford too is up to this game offering little more than about 15% more on the MSRP and Canadians don't get the $3000 USD discount the Americans in the many parts of the US are getting for a F-150.
Because the material costs are largely based on USD then Canadians should find vehicle prices coming down. Obviously car manufacturers think Canadians are stupid.
I imported my last Canadian built car from the US and will like do the same again.
RIV has info in this but do your research.
I am shopping for a Subaru B9 Tribeca. Any canadians want to share their experience buying a Subaru B9. I read some posts which said that buyers in US can buy one B9 $2000 below invoice. Can we Canadians get the similar discount or close a deal below invoice now?
Any suggestion are welcome.
BTW, I have the Carcostcanada reports in hand already.
Thx in advance.
I have no experience about canadian market. I would like to know how much you have paid for a new Honda crv. did you use any online service? do you know a good dealer? what options did you order on your car?
finally, do you think new 2008 will arrive in september?
thanks for your help.
If I were in the market for a new Honda and chose to buy it from the US I would be happy to buy a 'one week old, previously registered, used car with, let's say, 6 miles on the odometer'. I'd be happy to pay a price which relected the going rate for such a car plus delivery, doc fees etc., in fact the sort of price that I might be able to negotiate on a new car of the same specification.
We arrange all the necessary paperwork including financing if required. As an example, I have a 2007 Hyundai Santa FE SE that we can sell for $21,500 Canadian. I believe that the comparable vehicle in Canada would be priced closer to $30,000 Canadian.
I would be happy to explain how the process works in detail.
Canadians buying vehicles in the US, and importing / registering vehicles in Canada, the procedure is relatively straightforward. First, vehicles under 15 years must qualify for import and be on the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV)approved list (riv.ca). The list also indicates expected modifications required to register the vehicle. Expect daytime running lights and child safety seat anchors at a minimum. Avoid cars requiring bumper modifications and Mercedes Benz vehicles in this regard specifically as only the dealer ($$$$) can modify the vehicle to comply with RIV. Kit cars under 15 years are not admissible. Good news: vehicles ( except buses) over 15 years ( based on month /year of manufacture ) all are admissible without requiring RIV inpections. Cars over 25 years are antiques, no duty applies. Motorcycles, trucks (light and heavy ) and SUVS are all admissible. Having found an admissible vehicle, the title for any "self propelled land vehicle" must be faxed to US Customs at the border crossing for approval: each port has slightly different hours and rules. Some border crossings do not process vehicles. Three full business days later, the vehicle with original title can cross and be stamped by US Customs. The vehicle must then be admitted by Canada Customs. Expect to pay 6% GST, $100 air conditioning excise tax, $206 RIV fee ( under 15 years old ) and possible duty if not made in North America. Example: German vehicles 6%. I always fax the RIV form 1 myself to RIV, the next day call them and they will email you form 2, listing what has to be modified. If you do not call, form 2 will be mailed in about 10 days. After completing modifications, you take form 1 &2, the vehicle and a letter from the manufacturer stating " no outstanding recalls" to Canadian Tire for inspection, they stamp the forms and you can go to a licence office, pay the PST ( on actual price paid, not book value ), turn in the US ownership, and obtain a Canadian title to the vehicle. As always, you need a safety inpection and possibly an emission test. Be warned no original US title in hand and the vehicle cannot cross into Canada
Regards, Terry
This does not make sense to me as to why this car would not be covered under warranty - its crazy. By the way, Edmonton BMW says they have to replace the entire transmission because the "frost plug" is not a part available from BMW - it will cost me $14,000.
I was wondering if any others have had leaking transmissions in 2007 328XI (Automatic Trans)? Also has anyone ever heard about the frost plug leaking? Has anyone else had warranty issues denied by BMW?
Thanks
Darryl
I have posted this in the BMW 3 Series forum (and others in different site). Sorry for the cross post but I thought it might be interesting here.
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