New owner - import to Canada

[DocMagoo]

Hi all....have lurked for awhile, but now it looks like I have a legitimate reason for joining your forum. We've just purchased and are going through the paces of importing a 2006 GT to Canada from Washington State. We looked high and low for a used 2006 or 2007 in BC but couldn't find one within our price range. We paid $12,950 (CDN....has 28,000 miles and the remainder of the warranty) before import fees, excise tax etc., but we've figured that it will come in well below the $18,000 for the same vehicle up here, as no one was willing to budge from the $17,500-$18000 range.

Right now we've picked it up and it's a stones throw away from the border as we have to wait 72 hours before going through the inspection and bringing it over into Canada.

Looking forward to checking out the forum on a more consistent basis and I might post more about the import as it progresses.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y287/DocMagoo/IMG_0733.jpg http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y287/DocMagoo/IMG_0732.jpg

[skyhawk]

Welcome. Do you have to reconfig the car? Like adding DRL (daytime running lights), Speedometer mph to kmph?

[DocMagoo]

Welcome. Do you have to reconfig the car? Like adding DRL (daytime running lights), Speedometer mph to kmph?

According to the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (http://www.riv.ca/english/html/how_to_import.html) we will need to have the DRL module installed, but converting to the metric dashboard I believe is optional.

[perfecto]

Just be careful about warranty considerations, as I believe you are SOL if you bring it across the border.

[DocMagoo]

Just be careful about warranty considerations, as I believe you are SOL if you bring it across the border.

Yeah, it was one of the first questions I had and inquired to Mazda both in the US and Canada. I was assured that the warranty "travels with the car"...just need to submit change of registry info.

[DocMagoo]

Well, 5 minutes at US Customs and 20 at the Canadian Customs and the Vehicle Import Form 1 was submitted. The Mazda now sits beside the Toyota Echo in the garage and cannot be driven :( until the Form 2 comes from the Registry of Imported Vehicles and the car passes inspection....

So far, here's a rundown on the cost:
Vehicle purchase 12950.00
Buyers inspection 105.73
Binders Insurance 60.00
GST/Duty/Excise Tax 1621.10
R.I.V Fee 204.75

Anticipated costs for the federal inspection/requirements:
Inspection 101.69
Daytime Running Lights module/inst. 169.50

ESTIMATED TOTAL 15212.77

A similar 2006 GT was going for 17,999 through a dealer here and he turned down our offer of 15,000 before taxes. So hopefully we've saved close to 4000. Hopefully we can get the car inspected soon and get it on the road!

[AIMWO4]

I think Canadian merchants are still living in 2004. Back then, $18K CAD would have been about $13K US.(bang)

[Mazda3]

I think Canadian merchants are still living in 2004. Back then, $18K CAD would have been about $13K US.(bang)

No, the dealer turned down the offer of $15k because they will have absolutely no problem selling that Mazda 5 for $17K plus tax. Why would the dealer throw $2k away?

[AIMWO4]

No, the dealer turned down the offer of $15k because they will have absolutely no problem selling that Mazda 5 for $17K plus tax. Why would the dealer throw $2k away?

Yes. (I don't appreciate your emphatic dismissal of my opinion. Your comment doesn't even directly address mine. (doh) I'm talking about economics, not a dealership's decision. I'm sure the dealer turned down the offer for the reason that you state.)

If the Canadian economy was on a par with the US economy, The price would be about the same. In 2004, the Canadian economy could have inflated prices based on the fact that the CAD was only worth 75 US cents.

The dealer has the right to not "throw away" $2K. If everyone followed Magoo (in theory), the dealer will have to come down.

[Mazda3]

Yes. (I don't appreciate your emphatic dismissal of my opinion. Your comment doesn't even directly address mine. (doh) I'm talking about economics, not a dealership's decision. I'm sure the dealer turned down the offer for the reason that you state.)

If the Canadian economy was on a par with the US economy, The price would be about the same. In 2004, the Canadian economy could have inflated prices based on the fact that the CAD was only worth 75 US cents.

The dealer has the right to not "throw away" $2K. If everyone followed Magoo (in theory), the dealer will have to come down.

I fully understand what you are saying and wasn't dismissing your opinion. I noticed you were from the US and might not understand how strong the Mazda name is in Canada and the outstanding resale value. Although the Mazda name is picking up some respect in the US its still considered a weaker brand. In Canada Mazda is huge they can't build 5's and 3's fast enough. They have the number one resale value of any car in Canada. All I was saying is that the dealers hold all the cards right now with these vehicles and it doesn't suprise me the dismissed the offer with little consideration.

You are of course right that if nobody would pay the price it would have to come down, but that also means whoever traded it in would have got alot less as well. The economy is strong here right now and I don't have a problem with strong resale value it works for the buyer and seller, everyones happy.

[AIMWO4]

I fully understand what you are saying and wasn't dismissing your opinion. I noticed you were from the US and might not understand how strong the Mazda name is in Canada and the outstanding resale value. Although the Mazda name is picking up some respect in the US its still considered a weaker brand. In Canada Mazda is huge they can't build 5's and 3's fast enough. They have the number one resale value of any car in Canada. All I was saying is that the dealers hold all the cards right now with these vehicles and it doesn't suprise me the dismissed the offer with little consideration.

You are of course right that if nobody would pay the price it would have to come down, but that also means whoever traded it in would have got alot less as well. The economy is strong here right now and I don't have a problem with strong resale value it works for the buyer and seller, everyones happy.

(thumb)T hat can happen in these threads. I am in the US, but I am from Canada. :D

My Mom is actually thinking about a 5. She's on Vancouver Island. So, I've been thinking she may want to import one if prices stay high in Canada.

[DocMagoo]

Anyways....aside from the debate on inflated Canadian prices.....importing the M5 isn't the "headache" that dealers up here would have the consumer think (and I think that dealers play-up the stress factor as well as the "hoops that you have to jump through"). We fully expected the dealer to turn down our offer as even private sales up here don't fall below $17500, but hey, we had to try and maximize our gain and minimize the amount of ca$h leaving our pocketbook. We're just surprised at finding the ideal M5 for so much lower stateside.

The car went through customs on Tuesday and then the completed forms were faxed into the Registry of Imported Vehicles same day. Today we received the necessary Form 2 via email from RIV (they state that this would take possibly up to 10 days after submitting Form 1 to them). We could realistically take the car in for the federal and provincial inspection tomorrow, but will have to wait until Friday due to work schedule.

The only downsides so far have been wiring a money transfer down to the US financial institution (had to put a trace on it), and due to Motor Vehicle Laws we had to scrape the tint film and adhesive off of the driver side window and front passenger side window or we'd fail the inspection on Friday.

[AIMWO4]

Excellent. Thanks for all the updates. It will help if my Mom decides to go this route.


Anyways....aside from the debate on inflated Canadian prices.....importing the M5 isn't the "headache" that dealers up here would have the consumer think (and I think that dealers play-up the stress factor as well as the "hoops that you have to jump through"). We fully expected the dealer to turn down our offer as even private sales up here don't fall below $17500, but hey, we had to try and maximize our gain and minimize the amount of ca$h leaving our pocketbook. We're just surprised at finding the ideal M5 for so much lower stateside.

The car went through customs on Tuesday and then the completed forms were faxed into the Registry of Imported Vehicles same day. Today we received the necessary Form 2 via email from RIV (they state that this would take possibly up to 10 days after submitting Form 1 to them). We could realistically take the car in for the federal and provincial inspection tomorrow, but will have to wait until Friday due to work schedule.

The only downsides so far have been wiring a money transfer down to the US financial institution (had to put a trace on it), and due to Motor Vehicle Laws we had to scrape the tint film and adhesive off of the driver side window and front passenger side window or we'd fail the inspection on Friday.

[themagni]

(thumb)T hat can happen in these threads. I am in the US, but I am from Canada. :D

My Mom is actually thinking about a 5. She's on Vancouver Island. So, I've been thinking she may want to import one if prices stay high in Canada.

I'm from Vancouver Island as well. I went to a dealer in Vancouver to get my Mazda5. Here's why:

Victoria / Nanaimo:
$19,990
used 2007 GS model
15k - 22k or more.
"We're the only Mazda dealer in Victoria. *smug smug smug*"
My response: "You realize I can get a online quote from any dealer in NA, right?" Vocalized as, "We really like it. Can we take an extended test drive?"

Vancouver:
$20,353
new 2007 GT model
25 km at delivery (not 25,000 - It had been shuffled around the lot and that's it.)
no freight, PDI, etc. $100 for A/C and $25 for tires.
"Yes, we'll pick you up at the ferry!"
OTD @ $23000
The kicker - I get $500 MIR because of the Grad Rebate program on new Mazdas.

There's another 2007 GT at Freeway in Vancouver for $20,353:
http://tinyurl.com/6osj3o

It's listed as "used" because they can't figure out how to list a non-2008 model as "new".

You'd be out the door for the same price I paid. They will call an autoplan agent to come and do the insurance at the dealer.

Note that there's no 0% financing on the 2007 models. If you do go there, I suggest packing a lunch as they make you wait for a loooong time. You could also try leaving and going to the mall that's nearby. They wouldn't give me anything else, not even a quarter for the vending machine so I could get some candy. (nuts)

I had been looking at a US import, but it was going to be a pain in the ass. Note that you can NEVER replace the speedometer / odometer. Those must remain as miles to show that it was originally a US car. (Well, okay, you can, but then you get the "insured out of BC" and "odometer replaced / broken" dings when you go to sell it, as it's now a replaced unit.) I was concerned about the resale value, which is why I went with the car I got instead of the US import.

Since they're made in Japan, they aren't part of NAFTA, so you'll have to pay 5% GST, 7% PST, and 6.1% duty. (Total of 18.1% tax) In the case of a 15k car, the duty alone is about $900. You're still saving a substantial amount of money, though.

[AIMWO4]

Interesting. It appears that the 2007 Can GT model is the same as my 2007 US spec Sport except I don't have a sunroof (which I didn't want) or DRL (which I can do myself).


I'm from Vancouver Island as well. I went to a dealer in Vancouver to get my Mazda5. Here's why:

Victoria / Nanaimo:
$19,990
used 2007 GS model
15k - 22k or more.
"We're the only Mazda dealer in Victoria. *smug smug smug*"
My response: "You realize I can get a online quote from any dealer in NA, right?" Vocalized as, "We really like it. Can we take an extended test drive?"

Vancouver:
$20,353
new 2007 GT model
25 km at delivery (not 25,000 - It had been shuffled around the lot and that's it.)
no freight, PDI, etc. $100 for A/C and $25 for tires.
"Yes, we'll pick you up at the ferry!"
OTD @ $23000
The kicker - I get $500 MIR because of the Grad Rebate program on new Mazdas.

There's another 2007 GT at Freeway in Vancouver for $20,353:
http://tinyurl.com/6osj3o

It's listed as "used" because they can't figure out how to list a non-2008 model as "new".

You'd be out the door for the same price I paid. They will call an autoplan agent to come and do the insurance at the dealer.

Note that there's no 0% financing on the 2007 models. If you do go there, I suggest packing a lunch as they make you wait for a loooong time. You could also try leaving and going to the mall that's nearby. They wouldn't give me anything else, not even a quarter for the vending machine so I could get some candy. (nuts)

I had been looking at a US import, but it was going to be a pain in the ass. Note that you can NEVER replace the speedometer / odometer. Those must remain as miles to show that it was originally a US car. (Well, okay, you can, but then you get the "insured out of BC" and "odometer replaced / broken" dings when you go to sell it, as it's now a replaced unit.) I was concerned about the resale value, which is why I went with the car I got instead of the US import.

Since they're made in Japan, they aren't part of NAFTA, so you'll have to pay 5% GST, 7% PST, and 6.1% duty. (Total of 18.1% tax) In the case of a 15k car, the duty alone is about $900. You're still saving a substantial amount of money, though.

[DocMagoo]

Today we received the necessary Form 2 via email from RIV (they state that this would take possibly up to 10 days after submitting Form 1 to them). We could realistically take the car in for the federal and provincial inspection tomorrow, but will have to wait until Friday due to work schedule.

:D UPDATE: Seems like my wife couldn't wait for Friday to come and she rescheduled today. The car has now passed inspection and she gets to experience the "Zoom-Zoom" factor tonight!! LOL Not bad...approved within 48 hours of coming through the border.

[Mazda3]

I prefer to purchse my vehicles in the economy that I earn my money in, because if all Canadians purchsed all their products and services in other countries we'd all be out of work and have no money to buy a car.

[randyl]

I prefer to purchse my vehicles in the economy that I earn my money in, because if all Canadians purchsed all their products and services in other countries we'd all be out of work and have no money to buy a car.

In normal circumstances that's what I do. I bought a 5 here in March and got it a month ago. If I'd known it was this easy I might not have done so though. It's not I don't support the local economy, if they can explain why I have to pay 6000 more just because I want to support the local economy then I might be a bit happier now. Haven't they noticed the exchange rate is different from 4 years ago? I bet you if we go back to the 1:1.5, they will raise the price in a heart beat. Oh well... it's a free country and they get to set whatever price they can get for what they sell, consumers get to choose however they want to get the products.

[Mazda3]

In normal circumstances that's what I do. I bought a 5 here in March and got it a month ago. If I'd known it was this easy I might not have done so though. It's not I don't support the local economy, if they can explain why I have to pay 6000 more just because I want to support the local economy then I might be a bit happier now. Haven't they noticed the exchange rate is different from 4 years ago? I bet you if we go back to the 1:1.5, they will raise the price in a heart beat. Oh well... it's a free country and they get to set whatever price they can get for what they sell, consumers get to choose however they want to get the products.

The 0% financing Mazda is offering is worth about $4k-$5k for the 95% that don't have their own real cash to buy a car with. I don't think the actual real savings add up to more than $2k when the smoke clears. What is good service worth? Even if the local dealer is forced to honor the warranty the service will most likely be crappy and a constant hassle. They will look after their own customers first, they won't squeeze the US buyer in on a busy day and offer that grade "A" service the preferred customers get.

If we are talking about high end luxury vehicles where some people are saving $30K on a car I can kind of understand, but at the same time the people who can afford those are making alot of money in our economy and should spend it here. I realise this all a matter of opinion, but I still pose the question to the cross-border shoppers: What if everyone purchased the products/services that your employment is related to in the US and you lose your source of income? Eventually the whole countries economy would collaspe.

[fam]

Forget about the economic effect, me and my buddies MORE than make up for it when they goto Windsor periodically (gambling and nicer\cheaper gentlemen's clubs). :-)

Plus, we are buying a japanese car remember?

[Mazda3]

Plus, we are buying a japanese car remember?

I'm referring to all the Mazda Canada and dealership employees.

[AIMWO4]

I prefer to purchse my vehicles in the economy that I earn my money in, because if all Canadians purchsed all their products and services in other countries we'd all be out of work and have no money to buy a car.

I'm sure the Japanese appreciate it... no matter where you pay for it. I think the Honda Pilot is made in Canada. (bump)

I remember a time when you could hardly find an import in Canada. Were they better off then? I don't think so. I don't recall seeing many people in PEI with Japanese cars until about 1995. Now they are all over the place. Heck, they even build most of them in North America now.

(canada)Canadians wouldn't be out of work if they purchased everything from somewhere else. What would the World be like without Canadian musicians, comedians, actors, oil and so many other great exports?

I typically buy what I think is the best bang for the buck. If everyone bought just the things their own countries produced, we'd end up with some expensive crap that was no good.

I wonder who actually assembles the Toyota Tacoma's in Indiana. Maybe people that once worked in Michigan on US auto assembly lines? What kind of pride do they feel? How does that affect the product? (thought) I wonder if they could do a worse job that they did with GM or Ford?

[Mazda3]

I'm sure the Japanese appreciate it... no matter where you pay for it. I think the Honda Pilot is made in Canada. (bump)

I remember a time when you could hardly find an import in Canada. Were they better off then? I don't think so. I don't recall seeing many people in PEI with Japanese cars until about 1995. Now they are all over the place. Heck, they even build most of them in North America now.

(canada)Canadians wouldn't be out of work if they purchased everything from somewhere else. What would the World be like without Canadian musicians, comedians, actors, oil and so many other great exports?

I typically buy what I think is the best bang for the buck. If everyone bought just the things their own countries produced, we'd end up with some expensive crap that was no good.

I wonder who actually assembles the Toyota Tacoma's in Indiana. Maybe people that once worked in Michigan on US auto assembly lines? What kind of pride do they feel? How does that affect the product? (thought) I wonder if they could do a worse job that they did with GM or Ford?

I think you're totally missing my point. I don't care where the product is built, I'm talking about supporting your local distributors of the product. How many people are employed buy the Canadian offices of automanufactures and the Canadian dealers. I'm talking about all the people employed in the local electronic, appliance, computer, insurance, financial services, banks....etc. It's not about where the product is made. 3/4 of our work force is employed at distributors for international products or services. All these people would be unemployed and the entire country would collapse.

[Mazda3]

I apologise to the original poster for hijacking his thread. I'm happy you are excited about your new vehicle, I just feel the need to express my opinion on this topic every once in a while. :)

[fam]

Some of you sound like the same pro union crazies around here in Ohio\Mi that hate walmart etc. They blame the people if things collapse for not buying internal products, but the reality is and always will be, better product and better price is what people go for, if you have neither, its not the buyer\consumer's fault. There is no real comparable USA vehicle for the mazda5, so I, the consumer, am not to blame for buying japanese, and if I could lived near the canuckian border and could get a better price on that vehicle by going up north into the cold, I would not hesitate whatsoever to do that. If someone gave me $(*% about not supporting the local dealer you can tell him you tried and they would not deal and they were overpriced. If that dealership falls eventually from their greed then thats business darwinism. Dont feel bad for what you have done, youve done whats best for your family and what any smart consumer should have done.

[Zoom5Zoom]

Congrats hope your happy with your new 5. Life is short you did a good thing.

[Mazda3]

Some of you sound like the same pro union crazies around here in Ohio\Mi that hate walmart etc. They blame the people if things collapse for not buying internal products, but the reality is and always will be, better product and better price is what people go for, if you have neither, its not the buyer\consumer's fault. There is no real comparable USA vehicle for the mazda5, so I, the consumer, am not to blame for buying japanese, and if I could lived near the canuckian border and could get a better price on that vehicle by going up north into the cold, I would not hesitate whatsoever to do that. If someone gave me $(*% about not supporting the local dealer you can tell him you tried and they would not deal and they were overpriced. If that dealership falls eventually from their greed then thats business darwinism. Dont feel bad for what you have done, youve done whats best for your family and what any smart consumer should have done.

Actually I'm as anti-union as it gets. I'm a big believer in free enterprise. You are either not grasping my point or choosing to ignore it and I don't think trying to explain it again will help. As a side note the Mazda 5 at the dealer he was refering to was not overpriced for the Canadian market. There just happen to be cheaper ones in the US market which has the cheapest auto prices in the world. It would actually cost more to buy the same car in any other country. The dealer probably paid $15k for that Mazda 5.

[DocMagoo]

I apologise to the original poster for hijacking his thread. I'm happy you are excited about your new vehicle, I just feel the need to express my opinion on this topic every once in a while. :)

meh. No skin off my back as I respect your opinion. Normally I wholeheartedly agree with you. We kinda did what fam posted, except in reverse:
There is no real comparable USA vehicle for the mazda5, so I, the consumer, am not to blame for buying japanese, and if I could lived near the canuckian border and could get a better price on that vehicle by going up north into the cold, I would not hesitate whatsoever to do that. If someone gave me $(*% about not supporting the local dealer you can tell him you tried and they would not deal and they were overpriced. If that dealership falls eventually from their greed then thats business darwinism. Dont feel bad for what you have done, youve done whats best for your family and what any smart consumer should have done.

We made an offer on a M5 that was in Canada, keeping in mind that for every penny spent on the car, it was one less penny that could have been spent on other needs for our family. That M5 at the Canadian dealer was brought in on trade-in and was originally listed at $21,999 (it was a 2006 GT/AT). It has sat at that dealer's lot since December 27/07. They dropped the price to $17,999 and the offer we made would have meant they took a loss on the trade-in. The car has since sold. The funny thing is that the dealer was prepared to take the vehicle to auction if it didn't sell within a couple weeks when we went to make an offer. What surprised us is that the local Mazda dealers up here have been doing the same thing and buying fleet vehicles being returned on lease and importing them into Canada and then bumping up the pricing to the going prices up here.

Regardless of whether we didn't support our local economy on the purchase of the vehicle, we will be supporting the local Mazda dealer by taking it in for the regularly scheduled maintenance, etc., and by paying GST, duty, PST.

[hieppo]

I am new to this Mazda Forum but I agree with Magoo. Yes he did spend money buying the vehicle down south. However, he is now going to have his car serviced in Canada. Either way, I think dealers make more money from servicing the vehicle than the actual selling. If the local dealer maintains its quality service, the customer will keep on coming back to have service done.

And if the economies change around and US price is not lowered than the Canadian price, those that have been treated well at their local dealers may go back and buy another car from them.

I understand dealers may not have any room to move on prices. It is set by Canadian headquarters. I believe if there is enough pressure from buyer to majorly affect the Canadian auto economy, they all will have to reconsider the prices. I don't expect them to match the US prices but should line up more accordingly. I know there is a difference in market population and cost of doing business. The cost of doing business should drop if the entire economy adjust to the difference in the loonies.

I know there has been debates on buying local, specifically manufactured locally, but that has gone out of the windows because more than 75% of the product now sold in Canada are all imported. The debate now moves over to buying from local retailers. It is difficult to contain this trend since everyone will tend to buy low, that is the economic way. So the only option is to stay competitive to gain people business.