U.S Cheaper for vehicles?

[Mr Ontario]

is it worth it going to the U.S to grab a new vehicle? pain in the ass?

[guest]

we got a Harley down there a couple of years ago, it was well worth it then. some paperwork and hoops to jump through but not too bad.

[ubcpower]

it is generally worth it. pm if you want some info on the details, i use to work in that department.

[marino]

My buddy did it a few years ago for a Nissan Pathfinder saved about $10,000. The dealer helped with all the paperwork

[LonelyBedouin]

What about warrenty? Ive heard that Canadian dealerships will not service your car even if its under warrenty you have to take it to an American dealership. Might want to look into that, Im not 100% sure if thats correct or not though

[Mad-Bull]

What about warrenty? Ive heard that Canadian dealerships will not service your car even if its under warrenty you have to take it to an American dealership. Might want to look into that, Im not 100% sure if thats correct or not though

Curious about that as well

[pseclint]

What about warrenty? Ive heard that Canadian dealerships will not service your car even if its under warrenty you have to take it to an American dealership. Might want to look into that, Im not 100% sure if thats correct or not though

not true although the guidlines are the canadian warrenty ......... so if in the US its bumper to bumper for 100 000 miles and its only full coverage for 100 000 kms in Canada, you only get warrenty for the kms......

Also its so competitive up here now because of this you can actually find deals for right around the same price with less hassle...... remember if you buy a vehicle outside your province you have to pay the PST and GST on it when you bring it into you province, safety of the vehicle and a recall letter that can cost $800......... then you have gas, flight, hotel and time to get the vehicle....

I imported a couple vehicles before "everyone" was doing it..... now you can get a vehicle damn cheap from people that are importing or from people on Kijiji...... best of luck!

[ubcpower]

...remember if you buy a vehicle outside your province you have to pay the PST and GST on it when you bring it into you province, safety of the vehicle and a recall letter that can cost $800......... then you have gas, flight, hotel and time to get the vehicle....

I imported a couple vehicles before "everyone" was doing it..... now you can get a vehicle damn cheap from people that are importing or from people on Kijiji...... best of luck!

Yes, the PST is the biggest hidden cost and can accumulate to thousands of dollars depening on the value of the car. Just having to pay this alone wipes out the entire deal or profit the purchaser made from buying it from the US. The reason it is somewhat 'hidden' is that CBSA does not handle it. So when you import the vehicle through customs you would pay the RIV fee, gst, luxury tax, duty if a foreign vehicle, environment tax...etc but they do not charge you the PST. The pst is payed when you take it to register it in your province to get insurance then the PST charge is slapped on to you.

[georgian]

Over the past four years I've imported two GSXR's, a wakeboard boat and a Corvette. And as long as you do your research before hand it can be a smooth painless procress.

High end vehicles and recreational vehicles, ie bikes, boats, and atv's you can save thousands. I saved over 3k on each bike, around 8k on the boat and over 10k on the car. There's also the added bonus of being able to find the exact vehicle with options you're looking for since there are so many more for sale.

If you need any info just pm me, I'm helping a friend bring a harley in next week.

[fathead]

depends on the car. the real savings can be found on vehicles built in north america. generally you pay 6.1% duty to import a car meaning any deal you get disappears or is so minimal its not worth it.

example bmw x5, lexus rx, etc are built in canada/usa so you dont pay this duty, this is also why you see an abundance of usa cars of these models for sale locally.

also remember for resale a usa car is worth less so it depends how long you hope to have it

[#8]

there are so many fees to bring anything over the border its a complete joke.

what happened to free trade?

[andrewT]

imo its only worth it when buying classic/muscle/drag cars as I have done it before.

not so much with new cars though

[kawikaratekid]

Where do you guys look online for recreational vehicles? Any good sites in particular?

[ironwill]

Yes, the PST is the biggest hidden cost and can accumulate to thousands of dollars depening on the value of the car. Just having to pay this alone wipes out the entire deal or profit the purchaser made from buying it from the US. The reason it is somewhat 'hidden' is that CBSA does not handle it. So when you import the vehicle through customs you would pay the RIV fee, gst, luxury tax, duty if a foreign vehicle, environment tax...etc but they do not charge you the PST. The pst is payed when you take it to register it in your province to get insurance then the PST charge is slapped on to you.

Unless you live in Alberta.....:D

[Mr Ontario]

Well so far, it's does not look to exciting lol

[ubcpower]

Unless you live in Alberta.....:D

hah yep.
i knew a guy who imported cars through alberta, sat em there for a year then brought them over to BC. made a killing.

on a side note,
for those of you who have relatives in the US and are thinking about importing a car. it is in your best interest to look in to the CBSA policy on 'bequethment' or 'gifting' ;)

[gingerbreadman]

Over the past four years I've imported two GSXR's, a wakeboard boat and a Corvette. And as long as you do your research before hand it can be a smooth painless procress.

High end vehicles and recreational vehicles, ie bikes, boats, and atv's you can save thousands. I saved over 3k on each bike, around 8k on the boat and over 10k on the car. There's also the added bonus of being able to find the exact vehicle with options you're looking for since there are so many more for sale.

If you need any info just pm me, I'm helping a friend bring a harley in next week.


This is true. Generally, it's like any business - you don;t make a super profit in one haul, the potential is there but you have to do the research and the details and the work and importing etc etc etc after a while you have to figure out if its worth it. Yes, there is potential to save but it's not out there waiting for you to take it.

After the New Orleans floods my buddies are in the used car business and there were steals then to be made. The insurance companies were so overwhelmed they were writing off cars that had minor flood damage (like hardly up to the door sills) without even having a chance to appraise them and you could buy for rediculous price and have a perfect car. Those days are pretty much gone.

[Mr Ontario]

Not sure if I had mentioned this,,.. but i was looking on buying new.

[gixxman]

After the New Orleans floods my buddies are in the used car business and there were steals then to be made. The insurance companies were so overwhelmed they were writing off cars that had minor flood damage (like hardly up to the door sills) without even having a chance to appraise them and you could buy for rediculous price and have a perfect car. Those days are pretty much gone.

...pretty sure if a car has been written off for flood damage it is not allowed into Canada
....back on topic u can find really good deals in the states on car's, bikes, boats but u have to do ur research...the biggest savings i find is in luxury type vehicles since there is so many over there, but if u buy one it would be wise to pick up a warranty.