So if I go the us this weekend and buy a car...

[undercoverbrother]

Great timing on this thread.

I am in Denver on vacation, and was gonna take a look around. Does anyone know if the the savings are still worth the work.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Great timing on this thread.

I am in Denver on vacation, and was gonna take a look around. Does anyone know if the the savings are still worth the work.

It all depends on the make and model, but typically I found that the more expensive the car, the better the chance that you're going to save. If you're looking to buy a compact, don't even bother...the savings are piddly, and it's not worth your time. If you're looking to buy some 40-50k truck....then the savings can be huge.

And again, if you can buy a car that's built in NA, then you skip out on the 6.1% duty...which if you're buying something expensive, can mean thousands.

[Table 5]

One other hurdle....if you buy a car in the US and plan to bring it here, you're gonna have to pay in cash. You can't import a lease/financed car.

You can probably line up financing on this side of the border though if you're creative.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Table 5

It all depends on the make and model, but typically I found that the more expensive the car, the better the chance that you're going to save. If you're looking to buy a compact, don't even bother...the savings are piddly, and it's not worth your time. If you're looking to buy some 40-50k truck....then the savings can be huge.

And again, if you can buy a car that's built in NA, then you skip out on the 6.1% duty...which if you're buying something expensive, can mean thousands.

Yeah I am looking in the upper end range of SUVs. Do you know if the savings are greater the further south you go? IE: do dealers I montana offer better or worse deals than Denver?

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by fotze

Is there a service that will do all the work, then split the savings with the Canadian?

Yes, there brokerages that will do it all for you (even ship it if you want).

I haven't used any myself, but I contacted the guys once, and they were really helpful. I didn't end up using them because I decided to make a road trip out of it, but they basically do everything from start to finish if you wish.

http://www.willz.ca/FAQstart.htm

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Yeah I am looking in the upper end range of SUVs. Do you know if the savings are greater the further south you go? IE: do dealers I montana offer better or worse deals than Denver?

Honestly, I think it really depends on the type of car. Generally, the southern states seem to be a bit cheaper (or more willing to sell to a Canadian), but that can again depend on the model.

Jersey seems to have pretty good deals too (Ive had a few friends import from there). When I was looking for a BMW a few years ago, the best prices by far were in Maryland. Pennsylvania I found has a huge number of great used/classic cars for some reason....I bought mine there.

Truecar.com is also a pretty great service that is a good way to see what the best prices are. You put in all your specs, and dealers around your area will basically give their bottom line price (often barely above invoice). Dealers basically battle it out to give you a discount right off the bat.

You just need to cast a wide net and start calling/emailing around. Don't just go to one dealership and call it a day.

[killer_carlson]

Originally Posted by KeepCalmCarryOn

Not even possible.

yep, you're right. I was using hyperbole to demonstrate the efficencies of the newer suvs

[Red John]

Some things to think about if going this route:

1) Dealers aren't supposed to sell new to Canadians, those who do are desperate to move vehicles so you should be able to negotiate a good price.

2) Buy in the state of Oregon if you can, believe they have the lowest taxes.

3) You can get around the whole Canadian issue by getting a US post office box. Put that down as your address when buying and registering the car. They also want the vehicle registered for six months in the States so one way to follow all the rules is to buy, store the car there for six months then bring it over. If you're willing to wait.

4) Any vehicle not manufactured in the States will cost you duty when you hit the border on your way home. Stick to American cars if possible.

5) You will have to pay GST at the border.

6) Get the dealer to send the paperwork to the border 72 hours in advance.

7) Pay in cash, wire the money to them in advance to make it easier for them.

8) riv.ca is a great sight to check out (already mentioned)

9) You'll need a federal and provincial inspection done once you hit Canada. The former can be done at Canadian Tire. The latter, a mechanic shop...and it will cost you more.

Definitely not a spur-of-the-moment kind of thing to do in one weekend. But is WELL worth the money if done right.

As a side note, many dealers in the States have employee pricing on right now (including Chev). Would be a great time to get even bigger savings.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by Red John

2) Buy in the state of Oregon if you can, believe they have the lowest taxes.

Any vehicle not manufactured in the States will cost you duty when you hit the border on your way home. Stick to American cars if possible.

Just two things to note:
-Montana has 0 state tax.
-It can also be manufactured in Canada or Mexico. As Table5 pointed out already, there's a lot of imports that actually build the cars in NA, not just the US makers.

[Fozzie_DeBear]

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

Just two things to note:
-Montana has 0 state tax.
-It can also be manufactured in Canada or Mexico. As Table5 pointed out already, there's a lot of imports that actually build the cars in NA, not just the US makers.

Just check the VIN...1-5 as the first number should mean no duty

Position one represents the nation of origin, or the final point of assembly. For instance, cars made in the U.S. start with 1,4 or 5, Canada is 2, Mexico is 3, Japan is J, Korea is K, England is S, and Germany is W.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Red John

2) Buy in the state of Oregon if you can, believe they have the lowest taxes.

Oregon is a good place to buy, however as far as I know, even if you buy in another state you can still get around the sales tax issue. Typically you don't pay sales tax if you take the car out of state, as you pay in the state/province that you reside/register it in. Since Alberta has no sales tax, you should be fine.

You have to be a bit careful though. Some states like CA will make you pay tax UNLESS you pick up the car outside of California state lines. So the dealer will have to ship it to Nevada/Oregon etc.

Btw, the following states have no sales tax:
Alaska
Delaware
Montana
New Hampshire
Oregon

[killer_carlson]

Ended up getting a good deal at platinum Mitsubishi in north Calgary on a Mitsubishi outlander.

2weeks now and haven't had to fill up yet, including the drive back to Edmonton.

So far so good.

[Northendzone]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

Ended up getting a good deal at platinum Mitsubishi in north Calgary on a Mitsubishi outlander.

2weeks now and haven't had to fill up yet, including the drive back to Edmonton.

So far so good.

What, according to the specs this thing holds 60l of petro, and the combined fuel consumption is approx 10l per 100km, you should have used about a tank just going to mulletville.........

[killer_carlson]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

What, according to the specs this thing holds 60l of petro, and the combined fuel consumption is approx 10l per 100km, you should have used about a tank just going to mulletville.........

Edmonton is only about 280 km.

I bought in Calgary, drove to Edmonton where I live and have gone another week and a half without having to fuel up.

[Northendzone]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

Edmonton is only about 280 km.

I bought in Calgary, drove to Edmonton where I live and have gone another week and a half without having to fuel up.

Assumed you did a round trip to edm......thoughts and prayers for you having to live there.....