Canadian looking to buy Prius in US

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by thanasi, Oct 31, 2009.

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  1. thanasi

    thanasi New Member

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    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
     
    #1 thanasi, Oct 31, 2009
  2. jayong

    jayong New Member

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    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.
     
    #2 jayong, Oct 31, 2009
  3. jayong

    jayong New Member

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    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
     
    #3 jayong, Oct 31, 2009
  4. thanasi

    thanasi New Member

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    Thanks for the response. I find the solar sunroof is useless for canadian owners. Did you try buying ebay?
     
    #4 thanasi, Oct 31, 2009
  5. jamesktg

    jamesktg New Member

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    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.
     
    #5 jamesktg, Oct 31, 2009
  6. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    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.
     
    #6 Tideland Prius, Nov 1, 2009
  7. jayong

    jayong New Member

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    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).
     
    #7 jayong, Nov 1, 2009
  8. jayong

    jayong New Member

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    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.
     
    #8 jayong, Nov 1, 2009
  9. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    The Tech Pack is $36,565... where'd you get $38,200?
     
    #9 Tideland Prius, Nov 2, 2009
  10. jayong

    jayong New Member

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    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
     
    #10 jayong, Nov 2, 2009
  11. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    ohhh, you were including PDI and Blizzard Pearl. Got it.
     
    #11 Tideland Prius, Nov 2, 2009
  12. thanasi

    thanasi New Member

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    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
     
    #12 thanasi, Nov 3, 2009
  13. jayong

    jayong New Member

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    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
     
    #13 jayong, Nov 3, 2009
  14. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    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.
     
    #14 Tideland Prius, Nov 4, 2009
  15. thanasi

    thanasi New Member

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    OK, I'll take one out for a test drive and try out the pre-support function.

    Thanks for the tip.
     
    #15 thanasi, Nov 4, 2009
  16. Stefx

    Stefx Member

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    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!
     
    #16 Stefx, Nov 4, 2009
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  17. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    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.
     
    #17 Tideland Prius, Nov 5, 2009
  18. thanasi

    thanasi New Member

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    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...
     
    #18 thanasi, Nov 5, 2009
  19. Airbalancer

    Airbalancer Active Member

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    Way do they have to adjust their price if product is selling:confused:
     
    #19 Airbalancer, Nov 5, 2009
  20. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    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).
     
    #20 Tideland Prius, Nov 7, 2009
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