Hi

I own a 2008 RX-8 Sport (base) model, I bought it new in California almost 3 years ago. I moved to Canada last year, and drove the car up here.

Now, it looks like I'll be moving back by the end of this year. Looking at autotrader, it looks like my car is worth a lot more in Canada than in California. So, from a financial perspective, it seems to make sense to sell the car here before moving back, and then buy a 2011 model in Cali. Or does it? Any thoughts?

 

I know there is a different ecu flash for California spec cars than the rest of the US. I don't know if there are any other differences.

 

Depends. If you're ok with the current car and would replace it with something equivalent, your current car has the advantage of being a known entity, as opposed to anything you'd buy used of the same age. On the other hand, if you want to buy a newer one anytime soon, you are indeed better off selling in the Canadian market and buying in the US.

 

Did you ever register the car in Canada? I'm not 100% sure on how that all works, but wouldn't it need to be registered to be sold? If you did then probably best to sell, especially when the dollar is as high as it is. If you didn't register, might look at that as I would imagine it wouldn't be cheap.

 

I know in the US a car does not have to be registered to be sold, or at least in Nevada.

 

Yes, but what about making it emissions legal for Calif.?

 

Thanks for the replies all...

Shouldn't be a problem, right? I bought the car in California, and, if I don't sell it, I'd be reimporting it to California. It's still a California car - I didn't mod it in Canada or anything, so it should pass emissions if I do bring it back, and if it doesn't, it should be under the emissions warranty (I only have 43k miles on it)


I agree. If I were to sell, I'd buy a much newer (2010/11) car in California.


Yes, the car is registered in Canada, and has Canadian plates, etc. The high dollar and higher resale here is why I'm even considering giving up my baby.

 

I would sell it and save yourself the hassle of re-registering it in the US.

On the other hand, I've noticed that in my area of BC RX8's take a while to sell, unless they are aggressively priced. As well, many people up here are reluctant to buy a car that came from the States...a lot of people got burned buying "flood victim" cars recently, so anything coming from the States is veiwed with suspision, and yeilds a lower price.

I'm jealous of your dilemma, though. I'd love to move to California. At least once a year I drive down there to gorge myself on In-N-Out and roller coasters.

 

I'm hoping the fact that it was registered and insured here for over a year will account for that.

So far I haven't got a single reason (other than sentiment) to not sell the car before I leave Canada. Which is a pity, cuz I wanted an excuse to keep it. This was the first car I bought to actually enjoy, and..... well you guys get the point.

 

Should get about $20-22K for it fairly easy if it is in good shape and close to stock...........That could make it easier for you to figure out

 

Yes and yes. Bone stock, couple scratches here and there, no accidents. I paid 20k+tax for it in Cali brand new, so it'll be hard for me to pass up 20-22k CAD for it now, after 3 years and 45k miles......