looking at buying a car from USA repo - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

killer_carlson · 07-28-2011, 01:00 PM

http://www.gov-auctions.org/

It's time for me to move on from my current vehicle, and with the dollar being what it is, and with the US economy having the snot kicked out of it, I have been thinking about going to a repressed state and looking at their vehicle auctions.

Has anyone tried this before? What are your experiences?

What is your advice?

If one buys a vehicle from the US, what sorts of fees/upgrades/duty do I have to pay coming across the border?

Bonded · 07-28-2011, 01:23 PM

Let me know how this goes. I will need to buy my first car soon and I will be in the states for a year. I could always try to drive back up :3

rd_aaron · 07-28-2011, 01:32 PM

How are these vehicles so unbelievably cheap? I'm looking at Great Falls, MT (zip code 59401) and looking at recently ended auctions for specific makes. For example:

2007 Hummer H2, 16,858 miles went for $2,790
2008 Porsche Cayenne, 23,962 miles went for $5,975
2005 BMW 745i, 39,816 miles went for $4,210

Every single vehicle on there they show is about this cheap. I'm sure the website is selectively showing some of the good deals, but what am I missing?

anyonebutedmonton · 07-28-2011, 01:48 PM

This has my "too good to be true" senses tingling.

killer_carlson · 07-28-2011, 01:58 PM

that's why I'm posting on CP!!!

Fozzie_DeBear · 07-28-2011, 02:12 PM

As long as you can get a clear title and bill of sale...it should be as straightforward as any import is.

I am going through importing a motorcycle right now...and have learned a lot.

If you are in Calgary PM me.

aaronck · 07-28-2011, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rd_aaron

How are these vehicles so unbelievably cheap? I'm looking at Great Falls, MT (zip code 59401) and looking at recently ended auctions for specific makes. For example:

2007 Hummer H2, 16,858 miles went for $2,790
2008 Porsche Cayenne, 23,962 miles went for $5,975
2005 BMW 745i, 39,816 miles went for $4,210

Every single vehicle on there they show is about this cheap. I'm sure the website is selectively showing some of the good deals, but what am I missing?

Police auction. Maybe they contain body parts? Maybe drugs. Spin the wheel of chance!

rd_aaron · 07-28-2011, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aaronck

Police auction. Maybe they contain body parts? Maybe drugs. Spin the wheel of chance!

But if they contained drugs, they would be worth even more!

If I can get a nice Porsche for a few thousand, I don't mind if there's a dead hooker in the trunk.

Hockeyguy15 · 07-28-2011, 02:26 PM

I would hope to get one owned by Jon Voight

bc-chris · 07-28-2011, 02:27 PM

i've never done this, but i have a few buddies who have - but we're in BC

my one buddy brings in motorbikes a few times a year, another brings in bmw's

both guys always have buyers for the vehicles that they are bringing across and i know they make some good $$ doing it.

the one guy make over $10K on one bmw he brought in - not bad a for a weekend drive!

i would assume that as long as you have the proper papers it will be fine and i'm pretty sure it will have to get inspected once you bring it into the province.

i bought my truck in Brooks and becuz it was getting insured in bc it would have to get a bc inspection - so i had the owner take it to a local garage and get it inspected to 'bc-code'. there was about $500 that had to get done so the seller dropped her price $500 - so that was sweet!

JackJack · 07-28-2011, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rd_aaron

How are these vehicles so unbelievably cheap? I'm looking at Great Falls, MT (zip code 59401) and looking at recently ended auctions for specific makes. For example:

2007 Hummer H2, 16,858 miles went for $2,790
2008 Porsche Cayenne, 23,962 miles went for $5,975
2005 BMW 745i, 39,816 miles went for $4,210

Every single vehicle on there they show is about this cheap. I'm sure the website is selectively showing some of the good deals, but what am I missing?

What website are you using to find this?

afc wimbledon · 07-28-2011, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackJack

What website are you using to find this?

Jose's pick it up in Juarez, drive it to Canada but never look in the trunk.com

Hanni · 07-28-2011, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

I would hope to get one owned by Jon Voight

You're bang on with the Seinfeld references lately.

greyshep · 07-28-2011, 03:14 PM

I believe the border requires 3 days advance notice prior to bringing a motor vehicle across the line now. No more drive in, test drive, purchase...and out on the same day type of thing. Takes a bit more planning now if you want a chance to test drive and make your decision at the site itself.

Exception to that rule is trailers, they can be brought across without advance notice to the border crossing.

As long as you can work that out, I say go for it!

yads · 07-28-2011, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

I would hope to get one owned by Jon Voight

What if you get one from John Voight?

Daradon · 07-28-2011, 03:28 PM

I had a boss who did this. If you want to do it legally there is a bit of work and a lot of fees and taxes, but you can still end up saying, often quite a lot.

There are also agents/businesses that will handle the work south of the border for you and drive the vehicle up to the border.

Unfortunately I don't have any specific information for you, but ti sounds like a few other posters can help you out.

rd_aaron · 07-28-2011, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackJack

What website are you using to find this?

http://www.gov-auctions.org/

Click "Begin Search", and then select the make you want and put in the zip code (59401 for Great Falls) under "Search Here" and hit Go.

THE SCUD · 07-28-2011, 03:33 PM

You guys need to realize those numbers are being sodl to sell you on buying a membership - it's like how commercials for Direct Buy say you can save 90%!!!

Yah, you can - on one specific tap.

These are cherry picked examples that in no way reflect the truth. Buy a membership and tell us what you end up seeing.

greyshep · 07-28-2011, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daradon

I had a boss who did this. If you want to do it legally there is a bit of work and a lot of fees and taxes, but you can still end up saying, often quite a lot.

There are also agents/businesses that will handle the work south of the border for you and drive the vehicle up to the border.

Unfortunately I don't have any specific information for you, but ti sounds like a few other posters can help you out.

The fees and taxes are minimal considering the savings you can gain.

I believe there is a general RIV fee, an a/c excise fee, and GST (which you would pay on any vehicle you purchase at a dealer here anyways)

All these fees have to be paid at the border crossing when bringing the vehicle across.

But if you do your research you should still be way ahead of the game when it comes to total costs.

I saved $5000 on importing a travel trailer back when we had a 85cent dollar. I cant imagine how much a person could save now considering the strength of our dollar.

THE SCUD · 07-28-2011, 03:35 PM

... and a quick google shows it is a scam, no real deals, just beat up gov vans and stuff:
http://www.google.ca/search?sourceid...ons.org+review