Dollar's up: Should I go to the US to buy a car?

[GreenTeaFrapp]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

I didn't realize you were referring only to out of state buyers. Seems odd.

Not really. There's not many Canadians who reside in a state.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by GreenTeaFrapp

Not really. There's not many Canadians who reside in a state.

Sigh.

Seems odd that Canadians wouldn't be subject to sales tax when Americans are certainly subject to the GST.

[browna]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

I didn't realize you were referring only to out of state buyers. Seems odd. I am pretty sure I can't get out of GST if I prove I don't live in Canada!

I honestly don't know the rules for sales tax on large purchases for out of state buyers.

That said, one does have to pay GST at the border, when bringing a car in to Canada, but not taxed at the dealer in the US.

Now if an American resident bought a car in Canada and was exporting it, I am guessing they can get the GST back somesway/somehow, but I don't know details.

And I don't think this is for major purchases (although I think in Washington (maybe Oregon), if you're from a non tax province such as Alberta, you get sales tax exemption on almost anything), it works in thise case just because state taxes are for vehciles collected at state DMV's when registering it.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by browna

That said, one does have to pay GST at the border, when bringing a car in to Canada, but not taxed at the dealer in the US.

Now if an American resident bought a car in Canada and was exporting it, I am guessing they can get the GST back somesway/somehow, but I don't know details.

And I don't think this is for major purchases (although I think in Washington (maybe Oregon), if you're from a non tax province such as Alberta, you get sales tax exemption on almost anything), it works in thise case just because state taxes are for vehciles collected at state DMV's when registering it.

In that case, the whole 'no sales tax in Montana' is a moot point for the purpose of the thread! You guys are going to get hammered for sales tax whether you buy in Calgary or in the States.

Again, that tax at the DMV is not sales tax. It's property tax.

[GreenTeaFrapp]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

Sigh.

Seems odd that Canadians wouldn't be subject to sales tax when Americans are certainly subject to the GST.

That's a recent change. Americans used to be able to apply for a rebate on the GST they paid.

[browna]

Back to KC:

If the dollar keeps climing, it is worth it.

That said, all the incentives that are being piled on to buying cars in the US usually don't qualify for Canadians exporting. Certainly, obviosuly, not the financing ones, but I am guessing or are the other ones (such as 3 years no maintence etc).

Also, warranties vary. I haven't paid attention for the last 10 months, but each company is different. Honda/Toyota/Acura, no warranty work here is covered in Canada. GM, the car has to be 6 months in service or 12000km (whichever comes last) before warranty work is done. Subaru, you get tehw rok done here then invoice Subaru USA. Not sure Chrysler or Ford. I don't think BMW will do any warranty service here.

The import proceudre is pretty easy...your costs are the GST, tire tax, ac tax, and gst and $200 import fee. When it gets to Canada, a out of province inspection is required.

We were ready to import, but decided to buy off someone who was importing late model preowned vehicles at the end of last summer, just as the dollar was starting to turn back down. Certainly saved us around $10k or more at the time, probably more a few months later when the dollar sank.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Albertans don't have to pay sales tax in Washington even on small items. I've noticed when shopping in Seattle, that having an AB license will get them not to charge you tax, while having a BC license, they still have to charge you. Don't know why it's like this though.

[HotHotHeat]

It's not just cars. I'm heading down there in a couple weeks, and if the dollar continues to climb I'll be able to pick up a 60" LCD for $2000. The exact same TV is $3000, plus taxes.

It's hilarious how fast companies were to change prices back when the dollar started going back down, yet they refuse to budge when it goes back up to par.

Their loss.