[Dion]

Originally Posted by Burninator

If anyone is the new car market right now is the time to look into buying a car in the states. Even after the exchange, duty and taxes the car is typically cheaper.

For example. If you wanted to buy a Subaru WRX STi.

Canada: $48,995 CDN.
With taxes and freight it comes out to about $53,000 CDN.

US: $34,120 USD ($36,060 CDN)
With freight.

You shouldn't have to pay states taxes, but you will have to pay a 6.1% duty and 6% sales tax. (there is also some other minor taxes and costs).

So the total is roughly $40,400 CDN.

So you are saving in the neighbourhood of 10,000-12,000 dollars. It is more of a hassle, yes, but if that is hassle is too much to save that much money then I want your job. Also if the car you want is made in North America then you don't have to pay that additional 6.1% duty.

If you buy a vehicle in the States and bring it back to Canada, depending on the automaker, your vehicle warranty would be nul and void.

Also I found this.......
http://forums.canadianbusiness.com/t...00985&tstart=0

We've done it a few times, and are actually planning to do it again later this year (assuming the exchange rate holds)

What I have found is that it is worth doing only on more expensive cars. Generally, on vehicles worth at least $45000Cdn. On less expensive cars, for the few thousand we may save, it's not worth the time or hassle.

Things that you need to factor in include (but not limited)
- taxes - GST is paid on the full amount
- Fees for the Fed inspection, about $300
- If it's an SUV, then there is an additional tax
- If the vehicle is manufactured outside of North America, there is another tax. You can only tell this base on the VIN. We only purchase vehicles that have the North American VIN.
- You need to make sure that you have all your paper work prior to immigration.
- How you're getting the car back. Transportaion/freight forwarding cost are usually between $2000-3000
- Also, you have to make sure that your car is allowed in Canada, there is a list of cars that cannot be imported in

For us, we have purchased the vehicles, and plan a vacation around the transportation back. We also have relatives who are in the industry in the US, so we get pretty good deals on that front too. We also pay for our vehicles in cash, so if you need financing, that brings another factor to consider.

It can be a hassle the first time you do it, but the last few times, it's been easy.

We saved between $5000 - $15000 cdn on our vehicles after factoring all costs.