Importing from Canada into the U.S.
08-21-2015, 03:06 AM
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Importing from Canada into the U.S.
This is how I purchased my new car and I would highly recommend it if the local market isn't to your liking.
Now, thanks to several owners of rotaries being total idiots, these cars have a reputation and in general are viewed with as much fear as a 5-series on the used market to the uninitiated. Because of this and the flood of Japanese cars on the Canadian west coast, the prices for these cars stays very low. How low? 75,000 miles and a new engine for $5200 low.
That's right kids, that is about half of one stateside.
"But Dafiltafish! Don't you know that importing things with 4 wheels onto U.S. soil is expensive and dangerous?! Look at the R34 GT-R!" you cry out "LOOK AT IT!!"
While I cannot fault you for that mindset, it is, in this case, completely false. You can import a Canadian Spec RX-8 into the U.S.A. with relative ease!
I bought mine through craigslist, but what is important to know is that in order for it to go smoothly, you need to have the Canadian registration (which acts like a title here in the U.S.), you might need a crash and emissions form from Mazda and to get one of those you need simply to ask using the attached form and wait. You will also need money to pay towards the 2.5% duty and temporary Canadian insurance.
All in my car was $5700
Other tips I would suggest:
-Reply to as many ads as you can asking for VINs and Date of manufactures at least 2 weeks before picking one out, it is a slow market, but not THAT slow.
-Go on a weekday, you will need to talk to an insurance office and maybe a bank.
-plan on heading back to the states at least 2 hours before sundown, the boarder check can take a long time
-push and hold the left stick on the gauge cluster until the speedometer says "MPH" as soon as you cross the boarder... a speeding ticket on a car with foreign temp plates isnt going to be fun
-if you have emissions testing that requires a probe insert into the tailpipe, be sure to get one that is as bone-stock as you can find.
-if you live within 600 miles of the border, I would not go through a broker or anything, it is just easier to do it yourself.
Again, this is an option open to you if you are willing to put the time and energy into it. The laws differ from state to state to province to province so some of this advice might not apply. Be a smart traveler and car buyer, don't do anything to get injured or arrested while abroad.
(is this in the wrong place? probably. Has it been answered on this site definitive? not to my knowledge.)
Now, thanks to several owners of rotaries being total idiots, these cars have a reputation and in general are viewed with as much fear as a 5-series on the used market to the uninitiated. Because of this and the flood of Japanese cars on the Canadian west coast, the prices for these cars stays very low. How low? 75,000 miles and a new engine for $5200 low.
That's right kids, that is about half of one stateside.
"But Dafiltafish! Don't you know that importing things with 4 wheels onto U.S. soil is expensive and dangerous?! Look at the R34 GT-R!" you cry out "LOOK AT IT!!"
While I cannot fault you for that mindset, it is, in this case, completely false. You can import a Canadian Spec RX-8 into the U.S.A. with relative ease!
I bought mine through craigslist, but what is important to know is that in order for it to go smoothly, you need to have the Canadian registration (which acts like a title here in the U.S.), you might need a crash and emissions form from Mazda and to get one of those you need simply to ask using the attached form and wait. You will also need money to pay towards the 2.5% duty and temporary Canadian insurance.
All in my car was $5700
Other tips I would suggest:
-Reply to as many ads as you can asking for VINs and Date of manufactures at least 2 weeks before picking one out, it is a slow market, but not THAT slow.
-Go on a weekday, you will need to talk to an insurance office and maybe a bank.
-plan on heading back to the states at least 2 hours before sundown, the boarder check can take a long time
-push and hold the left stick on the gauge cluster until the speedometer says "MPH" as soon as you cross the boarder... a speeding ticket on a car with foreign temp plates isnt going to be fun
-if you have emissions testing that requires a probe insert into the tailpipe, be sure to get one that is as bone-stock as you can find.
-if you live within 600 miles of the border, I would not go through a broker or anything, it is just easier to do it yourself.
Again, this is an option open to you if you are willing to put the time and energy into it. The laws differ from state to state to province to province so some of this advice might not apply. Be a smart traveler and car buyer, don't do anything to get injured or arrested while abroad.
(is this in the wrong place? probably. Has it been answered on this site definitive? not to my knowledge.)
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