Prius - US vs Canada

I have a dealer in Niagara Falls that actually imported a toyota prius Magnetic grey package 5 originally for me. but then he tried bumping up the agreed upon price to 35,000. That was too rich for my blood so i decided to go through the hassle and picked up a super white package 6 with leather and am importing it tomorrow morning. I'll let you know how the process goes. I believe they still have the prius in the showroom. I'm sure you could probably talk to them and get it for 35,000. And i guess because it's still considered new and and purchased in canada from a dealer it might be able to squeek by the federal rebate requirements.

Give them a call at Autoline Toyota in Niagara Falls. 905-356-1505 talk to Craig Coutou he's the owners son and is responsible for most of the imported vehicles since that's his game. BTW it's listed on the auto trader at 38,710, try to get them for 34,000 and agree to 35,000 i don't think they installed the daytime running lights though. but whatever you do get it for agree to have it certified. They're trying to make a ridiculous profit on this unit but they did offer it to me for 35,000

here's the link to the auto trader listing.

http://trader.ca/powerpage/details.aspx?vl...mp;adid=6252522

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Sarge Thomas @ Jul 31 2007, 10:46 PM) [snapback]488455[/snapback]</div>

 

I am really disappointed that you are having such a problem finding a US dealer who will work with you, Sarge. I am seriously considering going to the US this Fall to buy a Prius, but if no dealership will sell to me since I'm a Canadian, then that will be a very, very frustrating problem. I'll be looking at the North Western US states though, likely Montana, Idaho or Washington.

Please let me know Sarge if you have any luck purchasing in the US. Or if you do end up buying in Canada, please let me know if you were able to get a good deal.

Does anyone know of any US Toyota dealerships who will sell to a Canadian in Montana, Idaho or Washington?

If US dealerships will no longer sell to us because Toyota Canada has made some threats about pulling their dealer licenses, then I may not bother with a Prius at all with those kind of tactics. I really like Toyota cars and would like a Prius, but I'm not very happy with such tactics that Toyota Canada seems to be using.

When I bought a Toyota Sienna minivan in 2003, at that time all Toyota dealership in Alberta would not budge a cent off of MSRP on any new Toyota. This was apparently mandated by Toyota Canada too, and, as I understand it, they later had to stop this as the Canadian government said that this was price fixing. I may be wrong about some facts there as I am trying to remember from a few years back, so please feel free to correct me if you know more, but I know there was an issue with Toyota Canada and price fixing a few years ago here.

At some point enough is enough. As much as I want a Prius, my next car may be another Hyundai! I already have a 10 year old Hyundai Elantra and, being a small car, it gets good gas mileage and still runs really well. And no rust either despite all the salt on the roads in the winter here! It's actually the Elantra I'd like to replace with a Prius, but now I'll just have to see how this all works out.

I know I could get a used Prius from the US, but I tend to keep cars for about 10 years and like to start with a new one so I always know how it has been maintained and driven.

Please all, if you have any new information on buying a new Prius in the US and importing into Canada, please keep posting.

Thanks!

 

I have a 2007 package #2 with 2,800 miles on it i need to sell. Driftwood pearl.
I bought it in the states and imported it to BC. I put in the turn signal DRL and added
clear floor mats i found on this site.
Its presently in Victoria. My question is how much should I ask for it in the times Colonist?
I want to be realistic, yet of course get as much as I can.
Reason for selling is we are moving to Nelson in September and I will have to commute to Spokane
Washington twice a month for work. This means I will come into Spokane late in the evening and need
to negotiate the mountains to Nelson via Rossland in all weather at all hours, with confidence. I am a very experienced winter driver, 13 years Alaska, born and raised in Minnesota, but I am thnking this vehicle is a little to low to the ground.
I have read all the winter driving threads, including tires, chains etc.
I personally love the vehicle and will get another in the near future, although my wife in not as enthusiastic due to the fact that the cloth interior is a little fragile for our camping/ outdoor lifesyle.
I am also thinking of just getting a 4X4 winter beater and keeping the Toyota.
Or I might get a Ford Escape Hybrid 4X4.
decisions decisions
jeff

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jdsmith @ Aug 1 2007, 11:13 AM) [snapback]488717[/snapback]</div>

Jeff,

Still considering selling your Prius? I'm in the market and live in the area and would like to see if you still have and want to sell your Prius. Let me know.

Dave

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Sarge Thomas @ Jul 31 2007, 10:46 PM) [snapback]488455[/snapback]</div>

Hi Sarge,

I did not get a reply from the dealer so I sent a reminder to him. He finally replied that at this time they can't sell a new car to Canadians. They can still sell a used one. Sorry it did not worked out - hope you find a good deal somewhere else.

Gabe

 

hey Newt,

You are right, Toyota Canada did lower their prices for the 2008 prius lineup. Toyota USA, however, did not. So you aren't actually missing anything. You will most likely save closer to $5000 but i haven't done the new calculations on savings. I recently was able to bring a 2007 US package #3 across the Ontario border and am currently standing at about $8000 savings compared to the pricing of 2007 CA package B. Compared to the 2008 Package B, I'd only be sitting at around $4500. This is after DRL alterations, safety, licensing and provincial rebate.

For the Ontario provincial rebate, it applies to all hybrids no matter new or used. You should check over the BC rebate rules for this as well. I'm assuming it will be similar.

As for the federal rebate, everyone that has imported one into Canada is waiting to hear the final word as the program has not been finalized by the government.

You can still save some money buying from the US, but the savings will not be as much as they once were. Toyota Canada has closed the gap a little with their new pricing. Anything over $1000 (to me) is still quite a substantial amount of savings. What its worth to you is really up to you. Warranty issues are not a problem, it will just be a matter of time and effort it'll take to find a willing dealer and bring it across the border.

Hope this helps and isn't too confusing :blink:

 

In Australia the base model Prius is $37,400AU, the price for the equivalent car in USA is $25,428AU!
Only $12,000AU difference!! The price includes goods and services tax of $3400. This price excludes on road charges like stamp duty and registration costs.

 

I would not complain if I were you: In Europe a fully loaded prius costs US$42560.

I would like to see USA pay the same buck for cars and petrol.

 

-Today-, the difference is about $1500 dollars. Old Canadian Package "B" or middle one of three (base, Premium, and Premium with nav), which goes for $32,400 or so. If you buy in the US you don't get the $2000 Federal rebate so drop the price in Canada to $30,400. If you buy in the US you pay the duty (6.2% or so or about $1500), so drop the Canadian price to $28,900. This for a "touring" with everything but Nav and leather, which goes for about $26,000 to $28,000 in the US depending on location and dealer.

If you buy in the US you will have to live with an odometer reading in miles and the fuel economy gauge reading in US MPG (even the dealer can't change these).

Either way you pay the GST and your provincial sales tax. Dollars are about the same currently +or - 2%.

Is the time/effort you will spend and/or the trip worth saving the $1500? Your choice.

 

Sorry Tideland, HIDs are not worth anything in my opinion. They are expensive, failure prone, and questionable in "better light" (just try them in fog!). They do draw half the power compared to the standard halogens, so that's a plus. A friend here in Edmonton is looking to buy a Prius, and he doesn't want leather either.

I would say you can add aftermarket leather for about $1000, and HIDs cost perhaps $500 extra.

 

in this situation, a global money standards system would be the way to go...

we are comparing the worth of candian currency against american currency with a pricing structure that was made using candian currency against JAPANESE currency...

now is that the same? to be honest with ya, i dont know... but sure does not sound like it is

 

i know a few people who swear by them... says the light is much better, especially in dark rainy conditions we see so frequently here. i dont have them so i have little personal experience with them.

like all products, im sure some work better than others,
once my night blindness starts kicking in, i might try a set as well