XLNC

Well my car passed both federal and provincial inspections today! I guess the fog light DRL worked like a charm. Didn't even need the tether anchorages either, just took the car to them without it and nothing was said about any of it.

For the provincial inspection, apparently I needed a $70 wheel alignment which I didn't really want to believe at first but I didn't really have any choice in the matter. They gave me the wheel alignment sheet which I have no idea how to interpret so I guess I'll just take their word for it.

Anyways, I'm happy. Going to get the car registered tomorrow. So glad spring's here and the snow's pretty much all gone. It was +12C here today! I think I can take the 8 out without having to worry about any more snow.

Thumper3322

NP! Glad it worked out for you. Just put my summers back on so nice!!

RE-Jo

Hi I have a few questions regarding importing a RX-8:

-Do I have to actually own the car for 3 days b4 it can be imported? Or can I get the seller to give me a copy of the title and receipt (not actually signed) and send them to the border, and make the actual purchase 3 days later?
-Can someone show me where to request for the recall letter on Mazda's website please?

Thanks,

Joseph

Thumper3322

Well not sure who is going to send you the title with out payment for the car LOL. Who ever you bought it off of have them certified mail you the title, or they can fax it 72 hours before boarder crossing. I guess essentially, yes you would own the car 3 days before border crossing. The title HAS to be there 72 hrs before you decide to bring it across. Bring original receipt and title, you fill out a gay form, pay your tax and duty and away ya go...zoom zoom

http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/disp...ontactCustomer

scroll down you will see it says importing to Canada.

Cheers GL!

RE-Jo

Thanks Thumper~
all made sense now hehe!

Thumper3322

NP!! Glad I could help...enjoy! It's so much fun taking it sideways around corners hehe...oh and don't lose it to the new 50km over law lol. It is too ez to do that in this car

Delmeister

What exactly is an immobilizer? Don't our cars already have it because of the chip in the key?

RE-Jo

Hi I have another question... do we need to change the gauge from MPH to KM/H?
sorry when I test drove the car I didn't pay attention...

Thumper3322

The immobilizer, is when someone tries to steal your car, the alarm goes off which makes the immobilizer kick in and stops any fuel going to the engine. The car can not start then. Yes the RX8 comes with that factory installed since they first came out so no worries up here in Canada. Side not, that only started for '08 models that are being produced/imported into Canada.

Hope that helps.

Thumper3322

RE-Jo full of questions eh LOL!! Dude it is seriously the best thing ever on our car, on the dash there is a little button between the gauges which essentially rests your odometer, just press and hold it in for something like 5 sec or until you see it change. That's it!! Luv digital displays lol. My bro got an '08 Toyotal hybrid SUV like a $75k truck up here and he can't even change it to KPH LOL dumb.

If you couldn't change it for example tho, Can. tire just puts a sticker on the dash saying it's in MPH.

So did you get it yet??

Cheers!

Delmeister

So I gather then that any car that has a chip in the key, is automatically immobilizer equipped. However, I don't understand your last sentence.

Genjuuro

I am assuming that what he means is, if you buy an RX8 in Canada that is older than an '08 model, that it will NOT come with an immobilizer. However, all models coming from the US regardless of year DO have it automatically. And since we're talking about importing from the US, then we should get it automatically. Added bonus.

I am not claiming these facts to be true, simply clarifyinf what Thumper was saying, as per my own interpretation.

Delmeister

But my car is a '04, and it has a chip in the key, so does this not qualify it as having an immobilizer?

Thumper3322

yes sorry...that is the immobilizer that '08 models must have. The system I was talking about was the gas immobilizer system. But it doesn't matter any how cause your car is an '04. It is gov't regulation for '08's to have it, but you have it anyways.

Cheers!

ARE-EX-8

I know this threads pretty much dead BUTTTT I need help with importing an 8 soon. I didnt wanna start a new thread cause i didnt wanna get you guys pissed. So i was reading on RIV about importing bla bla etc etc. Is it as complicated as it looks. Theres over like 20 sections on importing on the RIV site and right now its frustrating me cause i have to effin clue where to start. ANd i could not keep track of how many pieces of document you need. Can you guys tell me what you need for the whole process. Also do need to register my vehicle on RIV???

ARE-EX-8

Can anyone help me out pleasee please i need some knowledge from you guys

paudashl

I thought I'd share the process I went through to import a 2004 RX-8 into Ontario.
Purchased the car in Georgia.
Received a copy of the title and bill of sale from the dealer.
Faxed the 2 documents to the Lewiston NY Vehicle Import Office (72 hours lead time).
Drove the car to the border.
The US Customs officer checked the original title VIN to the vehicle VIN.
Then said have a nice day.
Declared the value of the car at the Canadian border.
Paid the GST portion of the HST on the declared value.
Paid 6.1 percent duty because the RX-8 is made in Japan.
Paid $100 A/C tax.
I received a receipt and a RIV Form 1.
And off I went.
Got home and paid the RIV fee $200 via the net.
Sent a request to Mazda USA and received a Recall Clearance Cert Letter in 10 business days.
RIV emailed me Form 2 in 3 Business days.
Had Mazda install the required daytime running lights.
Canadian Tire did the RIV Inspection, Provincial Inspection, and Emission Test.
All passed with ease.
Went to the DMV, paid the PST portion of the HST.
Paid for my sticker and plates and drove off with Ontario registration and plates.
The process was real easy and smooth.
I absolutely love the car. It's an amazing machine.
Hope this helps anyone thinking of importing a US car.

Johnboy

iTrader: (2)

I did the fog light rewire to make them into DRL s and RIV inspection was not an issue. All you need is one butt connector and electrical tape or heat shrink tubing if you are picky like me.

This was done to a 2009 R3 from Florida.

Look up the DIY foglight rewire second method and follow the pictures!

...cut the brown fog light wire
...cap or tape or shrink tube the one end that is furthest away from fog light relay
...butt connect the relay side of the brown wire together with the cut thin red/white ACC wire
...butt connect the other end of the thin red/white ACC wire to the other end of the butt connector
...heat the shrink tubing
...done

about 50 cents I guess

GTDave

I have imported several vehicles including Motorhome, motorcycles and cars. I was very surprised to find a 2005 RX8 GT Automatic in Toronto for 8495.00 It was in excellant condition and I brought it back to Saskatchewan and it ran like new. No import issues, no RIV, no federal inspection required (which is a joke at best). This was just last week. What kind of deals are you getting in the states on RX8s that is so much better?

Joker_andthe_thief

15 years to import from over seas if im correct??

It would be nice to get my hands on a rhd front clip to connvert my car lol

WNGD

Old thread I know.....I have imported several motorcycles from the US but never a car. However with the Cdn dollar in the toilet (+/- .80 US) the real advantage in price savings has been lost from what I see.

US price X 1.2
Add on 13% HST
RIV costs (easy process actually but time and money)
Travel time or gas or flight to pick it up. Or shipping costs can be 800-$1000

Not worth it for the time being, the only advantage left is better selection

Canada

Anything different I need to know about to get one into Quebec rather than Ontario? And I'll be driving it up from VT, not NY.

Canada

New bottom line:

I could not drive it up to Canada because the state of MA, where the Mazda dealer is located, does not give out temporary plates so I had the car shipped. Past couple years now the US export requirements include getting an ITN number and jumping through all sorts of new bureaucratic hoops - way too much effort - so luckily I found a shipper based in Montreal who also does the customs brokering. Merchant Customs Brokers picked up the car in USA and transported it in a closed carrier all the way to my local Mazda dealer who then did the daytime running lights. Car was a 2011 with 8927 miles on it. The reason I wanted this particular car is because it had what I wanted (low mileage and AT) and lacked what I didn't want (sun roof and electric seats). I had a compression test done before I wired the $16595 price. Here is the service provider who got me the car (highly recommended) and the cost breakdown:
Gaby Timerman gtimerman@merchantcb.com

DUTY $ 1391.72

A/C TAX 100.00

GST 1215.34

FREIGHT 1050.00

AES (ITN) 90.00

RIV FEE 205.00

ENTRY FEE 300.00

COURIER 35.00

FORMS 2.50

GST (FEES) 25.38

QST (FEES) 50.62

TOTAL CAD $ 4,465.56