Can anyone explain why the MX5 is so expensive in Canada?

by "Greenmobile Supremo Commando, BRZ Extrordinare" (jbezugs)
Published 01/11/2017 at 16:46

Tags: BRZ ; MX-5 ; mazda ; expensive
STARS: 0

Going to be graduating soon and I’ve been eyeing down the BRZ for a long time. But not to buy completley blind, I really want to drive its competition so I can make an informed decision once the time comes. That includes other cars that I’d consider outside the specific lightweight & RWD segment, but still have sporting intentions (insert hot-hatch here, the mustang/camaro etc.).

Upon looking at the MX5 on mazda.ca (the BRZ’s main competition), I’m completley blown away at how expensive they are in Canada! As I’d be dailying the car and driving it all year round, the MX5 RF has more appeal to be (besides its good looks of course), but equip one like a Sport Tech BRZ and your over $45k!

Unfortunately, the soft-top doesn’t fare much better in price either. What the hell Mazda?

Edit: For reference, a sport tech BRZ is a way more reasonable $32k MSRP after all fees, excluding tax:

Replies (31)

"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
01/11/2017 at 16:47, STARS: 0

Because Loonies.

"Echo51" (echo2047)
01/11/2017 at 16:49, STARS: 0

In denmark it costs 58K $CAD/44K $USD, stop whining. Local dealer even had 3 in different colors parked out front today :(

"bob and john" (bobandjohn)
01/11/2017 at 16:50, STARS: 4

canadians always get screwed for that. have you seen our base price for a focus RS?

"Greenmobile Supremo Commando, BRZ Extrordinare" (jbezugs)
01/11/2017 at 16:51, STARS: 0

I wouldn’t be as mad if the relative competition was priced similarly. But in this case, it’s not by a long shot.

"fintail" (fintail)
01/11/2017 at 16:51, STARS: 0

Loonie has been at ~75 US cents for some time now, which makes the prices very close to similar, I think.

"RT" (rt-p)
01/11/2017 at 16:54, STARS: 0

For some reason the new coupe model costs a lot. When converted into USD, it’s about $30-34k. The US prices are $31-32k, so it’s not just a Canada thing.

These cars will depreciate into the ground either way, see NB and RX8.

"Wacko" (wacko--)
01/11/2017 at 16:54, STARS: 0

everything is more expensive in canada, except base model F150s

"dogisbadob" (dogisbadob)
01/11/2017 at 16:56, STARS: 0

The same reason we don’t get the Micra, Rondo, or 5.

The price also includes four snow tires and an electronic lifting system

"Echo51" (echo2047)
01/11/2017 at 16:57, STARS: 1

I.... wait what, the GT86/BRZ is 92k $CAD!? WHA THE HELL DENMARK

"Greenmobile Supremo Commando, BRZ Extrordinare" (jbezugs)
01/11/2017 at 16:58, STARS: 0

Holy hell. I feel so bad for you right now. Denmark must have other perks, right?

"Wacko" (wacko--)
01/11/2017 at 17:00, STARS: 1

what does Trump have to do with that, oh wait you mean our dollars.....

"Ash78, voting early and often" (ash78)
01/11/2017 at 17:01, STARS: 0

Copenhagen is the “ happiest ” city on earth...but the usual high Nordic taxes. And don ’ t forget that direct currency conversion rarely works. The European markets in general will bear 50% higher prices on their cars, part of which is tax, part of which is additional options and custom ordering, etc. But Canada? I ’ ve seen 10% - 20% higher prices than the US (ignoring currency fluctuations), but that ’ s ridiculous.

"for Michigan" (formichigan)
01/11/2017 at 17:01, STARS: 0

This is the correct answer.

Though that means their C$33K ($25K) Inazuma is a steal compared to our $30K Series.Yellow.

"for Michigan" (formichigan)
01/11/2017 at 17:01, STARS: 0

And BRZs, apparently. After conversion, their BRZ range tops out at US$25K.

"HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles" (hondasfordsvolvo)
01/11/2017 at 17:01, STARS: 0

Because your minimum wage is reasonable

"Greenmobile Supremo Commando, BRZ Extrordinare" (jbezugs)
01/11/2017 at 17:02, STARS: 1

Very true. I know our prices are going to be more expensive than in the US given the value of the loonie, but where the MX5 is cheaper than the BRZ in the US, it runs an almost 5k premium over the BRZ in Canada (this is base model to base model, the gap widens as trim level increases). Seems a little crazy that you can get a loaded up Golf R/STi for the same price as an MX5 RF over here.

"Echo51" (echo2047)
01/11/2017 at 17:02, STARS: 1

Healthcare paid over the tax, supposedly the happiest people in the world? the 150% import tax on cars suck big time however, and the road tax isn’t that good either on... “fun” cars

"Jarrett - [BRZ Boi]" (jarrettw)
01/11/2017 at 17:02, STARS: 1

I’ve done this comparison before. It’s what drove me to look for a 2nd gen Miata over a 4th gen.

For all of the “Because Loonie” people, let’s look at it in percentage bases. I picked the same trim levels for both:

USA:

BRZ Limited - 27,645

MX5 Club - 28,600

% increase = 3% more

CANADA:

BRZ Sport-tech - $29,995

MX5 Club - 37,725

% increase = 26% more

"Greenmobile Supremo Commando, BRZ Extrordinare" (jbezugs)
01/11/2017 at 17:05, STARS: 1

Alas, you understand. It’s not the tit-for-tat price, its the relative price that is a real concerning. Considering that the cars are direct competition, its nuts that there is such a premium to get an MX5 over the BRZ.

"Cé hé sin" (michael-m-mouse)
01/11/2017 at 17:14, STARS: 0

VAT and registration taxes are included in the price. The US and Canada are unusual in showing prices before tax so you never know what anything costs.

"RT" (rt-p)
01/11/2017 at 17:15, STARS: 0

Oh yeah, sounds like a much better deal.

Though I live in the UK, meaning that an ND coupe costs around $28,000 USD. But, the insurance here is much more expensive so it probably balances out.

"bhtooefr" (bhtooefr)
01/11/2017 at 17:20, STARS: 1

CO2 taxes? The GT86 and BRZ are quite a bit less efficient than even a 2.0 liter ND, let alone a 1.5 liter.

"duurtlang" (duurtlang)
01/11/2017 at 17:22, STARS: 0

Is insurance still as insane in the UK if you’re a bit older? Say 30+.

"RT" (rt-p)
01/11/2017 at 17:38, STARS: 0

It definitely gets much more reasonable by then, usually a little earlier than 30.

Still not perfect, but thankfully the ‘insanity’ wears off with age.

"Future next gen S2000 owner" (future-next-gen-s2000-owner)
01/11/2017 at 17:45, STARS: 2

Mazda hates Canada. Didn’t you know that?

"Greenmobile Supremo Commando, BRZ Extrordinare" (jbezugs)
01/11/2017 at 18:27, STARS: 0

Considering how popular the Mazda 3 is here, I was not aware of this. Damm you Mazda!

"TheBimmerGuyWhoNowOwnsAChevy" (thebimmerguy)
01/11/2017 at 18:39, STARS: 0

I could be wrong, but maybe it’s because if the current state of the Canadian dollar, it’s not doing too well

"Spasoje" (Spasoje)
01/11/2017 at 19:36, STARS: 1

Ah, the good ol’ Canadian mark-up – shit’s more expensive up here just because people will pay it w/o asking questions.

Try CarCostCanada, BTW! They’ll give you the invoice price and all available discounts, on which you just add 3-5% dealer profit. I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re out the door for less than $40k, after taxes.

"LOREM IPSUM" (lorem---ipsum)
01/11/2017 at 19:51, STARS: 0

New car prices are absolutely ridiculous in Canada imo. 40 grand miatas, 50 grand focui, 100 grand+ pickups, 250,000 teslas.

Nope nope nope nope nope.

I’ll wait a decade, buy whatever it is for a grand or two and beat it until the wheels fall off.

"Long Live the Longdoor" (victoryred08)
01/11/2017 at 21:06, STARS: 1

Ya, the pricing structure of the new Miata is consistent with the NC. A new Miata has not been then answer in Canada for quite a while. Sadly, used NC pricing looks to be holding pretty strong too.

Much as I too would like one, it’s hard to justify from a value standpoint when great options like the BRZ and the FiST exist for much less (even in the used market).

"Jarrett - [BRZ Boi]" (jarrettw)
01/12/2017 at 01:46, STARS: 0

They really have no reason to hate us. Their market share in Canada is 3.6%, compared to 1.7% in the States. That’s more than double!

http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2017/01/usa-2016-auto-brand-sales-results-rankings.html

http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2017/01/2016-canada-auto-brand-sales-results-rankings.html