Canadian Buying American

j.roffel · January 28, 2008

I'm in the market for a new GM and the price difference is ridiculous so I'm wondering if anyone has bought US and imported it to Canada, or if anyone knows what's involved in that process?

Thanks.

Jon

d3athsong · January 28, 2008

You will have to find the right dealer that is willing to sell a new gm to a canadian. Last i heard, US dealers were being threatened with fines if they sold to Canadians. Even heard of one dealer getting a fine for $30000. Your savings are more if you buy a higher end though. Had a buddy bring a new dodge diesel up and saved $20000. I thought about it, but after all the extra screwing around, it would have only been a $1200 difference for me. Heres a site that should help you out. http://www.riv.ca/english/html/how_to_import.html

Zembonez · January 28, 2008

Sorry to pick on your thread topic but you guys are just as much Americans as we are down here in the states. We is all Americans.

Yes, I know that was not your point...

punmax · January 28, 2008

Hey you from Vancouver? I'm from Abbotsford and I bought my truck from Oregon lol.

redvett · January 28, 2008

Buy it in America and there is no warranty in Canada. Plan on using your savings to pay for warranty.

Not worth it in my opinion. Could cost you more than you saved.

j.roffel · January 28, 2008

It's starting to look that way... The lease isn't up for about 6 months so hopefully by then GM will have followed suit (like subaru and chrysler) and start offering some "Canadian Prcing Discounts" aka ripping canadians off less than before. It's too bad they didn't come up with some kind of free trade pact that would have prevented this dilemma....

tedco21 · January 28, 2008

Buy it in America and there is no warranty in Canada. Plan on using your savings to pay for warranty.
Not worth it in my opinion. Could cost you more than you saved.

Thats just not true.

Call GM and you will find that there is no warranty in Canada only until 6 months and 12,000 kilometers have passed.

After that, you have the full warranty!

j.roffel · January 28, 2008

Buy it in America and there is no warranty in Canada. Plan on using your savings to pay for warranty.
Not worth it in my opinion. Could cost you more than you saved.

Thats just not true.

Call GM and you will find that there is no warranty in Canada only until 6 months and 12,000 kilometers have passed.

After that, you have the full warranty!

Can you elaborate? I'm not quite sure I follow... Is it like a car citizenship kind of thing?

d3athsong · January 29, 2008

It's starting to look that way... The lease isn't up for about 6 months so hopefully by then GM will have followed suit (like subaru and chrysler) and start offering some "Canadian Prcing Discounts" aka ripping canadians off less than before. It's too bad they didn't come up with some kind of free trade pact that would have prevented this dilemma....

They give a $1000 dollar rebate and then spend a few million on ads telling people how they have dropped their prices to be more even with US prices. What a joke. Oh, and GM did the same thing. And there is NAFTA, but it seems to only ever work one way.

On the warranty thing, GM doesnt have a problem with people buying used, and alot of slightly used still have warranty. Infact, your local dealer probably has a few US imported vehicles on the lot that still have warranty on them.

j.roffel · January 29, 2008

It's starting to look that way... The lease isn't up for about 6 months so hopefully by then GM will have followed suit (like subaru and chrysler) and start offering some "Canadian Prcing Discounts" aka ripping canadians off less than before. It's too bad they didn't come up with some kind of free trade pact that would have prevented this dilemma....

They give a $1000 dollar rebate and then spend a few million on ads telling people how they have dropped their prices to be more even with US prices. What a joke. Oh, and GM did the same thing. And there is NAFTA, but it seems to only ever work one way.

On the warranty thing, GM doesnt have a problem with people buying used, and alot of slightly used still have warranty. Infact, your local dealer probably has a few US imported vehicles on the lot that still have warranty on them.

I've seen ads for 10000 off subarus and 9500 off of a ram. If GM does that they'll definatly get my money...

On a seperate note, I find it interesting that a loaded 08 Malibu is cheaper than a non hybrid....

unit731 · January 29, 2008

It used to be the other way around. US buyers were going to Canada to purchase vehicles.

I read at that time that the dealers in Canada were going to be punished in some form or another by the manufacturers.

And the warranty issue did come up. Can't remember the outcome though.

tedco21 · January 29, 2008

Buy it in America and there is no warranty in Canada. Plan on using your savings to pay for warranty.
Not worth it in my opinion. Could cost you more than you saved.

Thats just not true.

Call GM and you will find that there is no warranty in Canada only until 6 months and 12,000 kilometers have passed.

After that, you have the full warranty!

Can you elaborate? I'm not quite sure I follow... Is it like a car citizenship kind of thing?

Basically, they want you to give up the first 6 months and 12k for warranty in Canada. If you're close to the border, nothing stops you from crossing back should a serious problem occur in the first six months. The savings do make it worth the hassle!

d3athsong · January 29, 2008

It used to be the other way around. US buyers were going to Canada to purchase vehicles.

I read at that time that the dealers in Canada were going to be punished in some form or another by the manufacturers.

And the warranty issue did come up. Can't remember the outcome though.

I do rememebr that. When the dollar was at 65 cents, it was a good deal the other way. A lot of used diesels went south a few years ago.