Hello there, I'm looking at buying a Prius V with ATP package. In Canada the equivalent car does not have LED lights and costs around 38K CDN. It seems ridiculous to pay that much and not get LED lights. So, I've decided to buy one in the US and import it into Canada. I've been looking at ebay and called various dealers across the border. I know how to import a car through customs but I wanted to get peoples feedback about buying a car from a US dealer and exporting it. Thanks for all your help in advance, Thanasi
Sadly Toyota corporate doesn't allow Toyota dealerships in the US to sell to a Canadian. This is to protect Toyota's Canadian dealerships from having to compete across the border on pricing. I live in Vancouver and tried to buy the car in Washington state, and they will absolutely refuse to sell you the car unless you have a US address to title the car with. Fortunately, I have a house in WA too and was able to title it there.
Also, there are other differences besides the LED lights. Canadian tech package has solar sunroof in addition to Advanced Tech (you can't get the sunroof with AT in the US). But on the Canadian car they took out: 1) LKA 2) Safety Connect 3) 17" wheels and tires Jay
Thanks for the response. I find the solar sunroof is useless for canadian owners. Did you try buying ebay?
Is it really cheaper to buy the Prius in the US? Has anyone done an actual comparison of the models and different options and the government rebates that are offered in Canada. I am curious and would like to hear from you if you did compare the prices and option as I am debating whether I should get one from down south and not familiar with the process. I just think that Toyota Canada is ripping us off especially with the difference in warranty.
There's no difference in warranty. There's about a $3k difference in the base price and I believe this year, the base models are identically equipped (Base vs. Prius II). Our Premium Package is better equipped than a Prius III and similarly equipped to the IV (minus leather, heated seats and a few small items). The bonus is that you can get the solar panels without being tied to the navigation system. Similarly with the Touring Package. You get the LEDs without having to spring for the top package. We also get a backup camera with all models except the base as well as 3-dr SKS. The US only gets a backup camera with the nav and 3-dr SKS with the IV model.
Nope. Didn't try eBay. I generally don't trust eBay for large ticket items (things that cost more than I'm willing to lose if I get scammed).
The difference between a US Package V with AT and a Canadian Tech package is around $5k (assuming US$1 = CAN$1), US$33,600 vs CAN$38,200. But you're not exactly getting the same car - this thread details the difference, the big ones being that you get the solar sunroof with the CAN car and LKA, LED lights, Safety Connect, and 17" wheels with the US car. Oh, and you get a big tax break in BC on a hybrid car, so the difference may be somewhat less than $5k.
Plus freight and delivery and misc. From the Toyota.ca website - also confirmed at a dealership: VEHICLE PRICE MSRP $36,565.00 Colour Package $220.00 SUBTOTAL for Finance/Cash $36,785.00 Administration Fee Included Documentation Charge N/C Freight and Delivery $1,420.00 Lien Registration Fee Not Applicable Battery Levy $5.00 Federal Excise Tax - Air Conditioning $100.00 Tire Levy $25.00 SUBTOTAL for Finance/Cash $38,335.00
Doesn't 1420 for Freight and PDI seem ridiculous? Anyways, my wife test drove a tech package prius and she was not impressed. I was hoping she would like the parking assist but she found it to be more trouble than it was worth(time it takes to setup before you start reversing made her feel uncomfortable). I still think it is cool but we might end up getting a IV model. I've talked to several dealers and they appear to be OK selling to a canadian and shipping it to the border. I just have to make sure they can go through with providing the recall letter. -T
Yup. The freight and PDI sounds like just another way for Toyota to pad their bottome line. Agreed that parking assist is useless, but the radar cruise control and LKA (US only) are very, very useful. And I haven't had a chance to test out the pre-collision yet (good thing), but I'm sure I will be thankful I have it if I ever need it. Both Toyota Everette and Toyota Bellevue said no go on selling to a Canadian address, but you may have some luck calling the other dealerships. Jay
Yup. I find the $2,000 for Lexus models even more so (it's $875 in the US to PDI a Lexus). I love my Tech Package. I bought it for the moonroof, radar cruise, PCS , heated seats and power lumbar support. Everything else is just gravy to me. Did you try with or without the Pre-Support function? there are two ways to set it up and without the Pre-Support requires a better understanding of how to position the vehicle. I've done both methods and because I roughly know where to position the car to get the box right the first time, I found "without" faster. When I was learning, "with" the Pre-Support was faster.
Hi In the past I have considered buying a car in the US when the CAD was on par with the USD. I ended up not doing it, but found some info during my search. I'll share it and hope it helps: Registrar of Imported Vehicles - Importing a Vehicle BSF 5048 Importing a Vehicle Into Canada RFQ - Vehicle Services - Step 1 APA.ca Import Car To Canada! How to Import a Car, Truck, Van, Motorcycle or Passenger Vehicle into Canada http://garanlucow.com/new2/Publications/2006-04-06-vehicle-canada.pdf How to Buy Your Next Vehicle from the US - and Save Thousands! - RedFlagDeals.com Forums enjoy!
Np. Of course parking it yourself should be faster but I know there are people who can't park centred in a stall or can't park straight in a stall so this would be very useful. It does parallel parking on both sides of the street so if you can't park on the driver's side, it would come in handy too.
I took one for a spin today but it was a touring package model with the LED lights. I have to say the lights were not that impressive. I'm convinced now that I will buy a car in the US regardless of how much money I save. I just can't stand the attitude of canadian dealers with regards to price -- no negotiations. Also, the dealer I was at had new Prius vehicles with aftermarket leather seats and was charging 2K for the option. It seems weird to buy a new car from a dealer with non factory options. Still trying to decide what features I want. The more I test drive the Prius the more I feel like the additional features would not be necessary...
That's probably the port-installed leather ($1,895). It's factory leather but done at the Port of Vancouver before being delivered to the dealers. The problem is that it's only the seats. The wheel and door panels and centre console lid is still in cloth. If that's the case, it's really pricey for $2k. $1k gets me a nice katzkin interior with heated seats done at the authorised installer somewhere on Commercial Dr. (or was it Clark Dr.? One of the "C"s somewhere on the east side).