Is it easy to buy cars from Canada and save because of the exchange rate?

"Tapas" (tapas) 03/07/2016 at 00:14 • Filed to: None

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Canadian dollars are worth a little less (almost 25% less) than the US dollar right now and I was wondering exactly this.

So I did find an Autoblog post on the topic, but it doesn’t really answer the question completely. And the author starts off by saying he doesn’t know much about American import laws.

Can anyone on Oppo with knowledge/experience with importing cars weight in?

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > Tapas 03/07/2016 at 00:24

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I’m seeing “25 year ban” throughout this article. I wouldn’t do it, dude.

Tapas > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 03/07/2016 at 00:29

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Those only apply to cars that were never sold in the states, right? If you can prove that the car you are importing is the same as the car that is/was sold in the states, the 25 year ban doesn’t apply....

scoob > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 03/07/2016 at 00:29

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But if you buy a car that is sold in both places (like a Honda Civic) I don’t think that rule applies, assuming it’s the same model and has the same drivetrain goodies. Or so the internet says.

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > Tapas 03/07/2016 at 00:30

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Good point. I wouldn’t try it though because customs can just randomly send feds to “apprehend” your vehicle for no reason.

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > scoob 03/07/2016 at 00:30

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“Or so the internet says.”

Exactly. It is a huge risk to bring anything new from a different country to the United States.

Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) > Tapas 03/07/2016 at 00:31

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I admittedly, like the author, don’t know much about import fees, taxes and regualations (aside from the obvious 25 yr one we all loathe) for vehicles but I would imagine that by the time you go through the hassle of the import, and pay whatever you have to, you’re coming out even and with higher blood pressure.

scoob > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 03/07/2016 at 00:34

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All I know is... Damn whoever came up with that law.

ranwhenparked > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 03/07/2016 at 00:34

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You can still do it, if the car is identical to what’s sold in the US - you just have to get a letter from the manufacturer stating that it meets all federal motor vehicle safety standards - aside from headlight, speedometer/odometer units, and labeling requirements (since the door jamb label will indicate compliance with CMVSS instead of FMVSS).

Now, the hard part will be getting someone in Torrance to actually send you a letter on American Honda stationary verifying that the Civic you bought in Ontario is in full compliance will all Federal Motor Vehicle Safety standards for the 2016 model year (excluding those three exemptions). Car companies obviously won’t like that you circumvented their American dealer network. Well, they might not care that much, since they still got a sale, but they have to at least pretend to care to maintain good relations with their dealers.

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > scoob 03/07/2016 at 00:36

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Mercedes-Benz.

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > ranwhenparked 03/07/2016 at 00:38

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That’s a very good explanation of everything! Exactly why I would not condone bringing a car from outside the USA into the USA.

Tapas > Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) 03/07/2016 at 01:50

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I suspect that as well.

When its too good to be true, its not.

Tapas > ranwhenparked 03/07/2016 at 01:55

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I wish there were brokers who took care of everything for a fee.

I don’t think the car manufacturer would care. Pretend for who’s benefit?

Its not like I’d advertise my effort to bring in a Porsche so the dealer lobby in the US finds out and pushes Porsche to stop one car from being federalized...

But because the request is out of the norm, Porsche wouldn’t have set channels/people who deal with this. Mix that with bureaucracy of a huge car company, it might take time.

Saving $20 grand off a $100 grand car doesn’t seem too bad.

RyanFrew > Tapas 03/07/2016 at 02:28

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I looked into this recently. The short answer: No

The exchange rate is favorable right now, but Canadian taxes are a bitch, and you don’t get to avoid them as a foreigner. Even at this basement exchange rate, it’s a wash, at best.

On top of that, resale can be tough, just because the odo and speedo are in KM.

Tapas > RyanFrew 03/07/2016 at 02:43

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ooooh didn’t know about the taxes.

That would definitely make it not worth it :(

wrxfan > Tapas 03/07/2016 at 02:43

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I’ve read some posts about importing from Canada, and you need to save quite a bit off the US price to make it work, as you’ll need to pay tax for entering the US, possibly the local Canadian taxes, the import fees and all and modifications needed to bridge the differences between CMVSS and FMVSS. This is also assuming the Canadian dealer will even sell it to you in the first places. (apparently, a lot of places don’t sell to foreign customers) Also remember you’ll get zero warranty support in the US. (and probably Canada too, since it’s been exported)

Tapas > wrxfan 03/07/2016 at 02:47

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Wow so you get fucked on price and no warranty?

Thats messed up lol

Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) > Tapas 03/07/2016 at 10:16

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Exactly.

vicali > Tapas 03/07/2016 at 11:42

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The same thing happens in reverse when the CAD is strong;

For the first little while it’s good - you can save big $$ on bringing US models up. But then the Canadian companies get sore and all of the sudden you can’t even buy a Corolla in WA unless you have a US address..

Then the Canadian dealers tell you you’ll have to take it back to the US for service because they don’t want to bother with the paperwork.. Finally you get so fed up that you list it on Kijiji for sale and every person who hears it’s in miles because it’s imported walks away. You try to take it to the dealership and get a trade in value and they tell you to take it somewhere else..

Finally you drop your price until some hipster kid who doesn’t care about any of that and just wants a drift missle comes and gives you a little wad of cash. He runs over the curb as he backs out and then you see it in town for the next few years with more and more body damage each time.

Finally you see a posting on Kj for it, parts only - some front end damage..

Seen it happen so many times..