Buying a Prius in Vancouver BC

georgekessel · 04-02-2006, 08:41 PM

We finally decided to trade in our regular car and get a Prius. Now that begs the question of how can I get the best deal on one here in Vancouver BC Canada.

Has anyone had any luck lately? Also should I hold off and order a 2007 (any significant differences coming on the 07)

And of course welcome me to the forum. We've a very green family, we have 2 other vehicles that we run on Biodiesel only including a Smart. We didn't want to get a Prius because it runs partially on Gasoline but then I found out about the plug in conversion. So now the plan is to get a Prius and later we'll conver it to a plug in.

Thanks for any help you can offer

Josh

georgekessel · 04-03-2006, 09:29 PM

As an update,

I'm considering purchasing one from the USA (in Seattle or Bellingham) so I can get HID headlamps and leather interior plus save $5k on the purchase price. We can't get HID or leather in Canada for some unknown reason

Any thoughts?

tochatihu · 04-04-2006, 12:46 AM

Welcome to Priuschat, Ecojosh! Who else could have a Prius bumper sticker saying "My other cars use less gas than this"?

In Vancouver, ask Andrew Grant where he buys his Prius taxis - I reckon taxi drivers are quite cost sensitive.

Can't argue with the -5K$ in WA, but I am not certain than HID headlights are substantially better than the the best quartz halogen bulbs. For example, Sylvania silverstar are brighter than the Toyota OEM part.

hyo silver · 04-04-2006, 01:20 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ecojosh @ Apr 3 2006, 08:29 PM) [snapback]234445[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

As an update,

I'm considering purchasing one from the USA (in Seattle or Bellingham) so I can get HID headlamps and leather interior plus save $5k on the purchase price. We can't get HID or leather in Canada for some unknown reason

Any thoughts?
[/b]

Hey, ecojosh. Welcome to PriusChat.

My thoughts are whether a US model will meet Canadian regulations, if you'll have to pay PST and GST, and how any warranty issues might be resolved. The headlights are pretty good. You might want to be sure you can register it before you buy it.

georgekessel · 04-04-2006, 10:14 AM

The Prius is on the list as 100% importable by Transport Canada. I will have to add DRL and that's it. I'm a dual citizen so I will still get the $2000 tax credit on my US taxes.

We really want leather seats b/c of excessive dog hair. I'm very familiar with the Silverstar bulbs, I have put them in every vehicle we have in our family that didn't have HID (buying them on eBay is cheapest).

The bigger concern is - don't HID's use up more power then standard bulbs? I wouldn't want those guys burning all day if that is the case. Someone mentioned doing a fog light converstion for my DRL's instead. I wonder if that will be equally as safe (this Prius is to be used for my 16 month old daughter to be driven around).

Anyone have any knowledge of the PHEV conversion coming out of Canada?

tochatihu · 04-04-2006, 11:36 AM

HIDs are about 30 watts apiece, vs halogen bulbs at 55/60 watts.

georgekessel · 04-04-2006, 11:40 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tochatihu @ Apr 4 2006, 08:36 AM) [snapback]234704[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

HIDs are about 30 watts apiece, vs halogen bulbs at 55/60 watts.
[/b]

Thanks - that's great news that they use LESS power

Now if I could only find a Black on Gray leather package #7 in northern Washington, I'd be set!

**Tideland Prius** · 04-04-2006, 03:30 PM

Yes, they use less. I thought they were 35W though?

The foglights are rather dim so yeah, they should be ok. Just look at the Nissan Murano or Audi A4 that uses foglights as DRLs. Also, you might want to change the foglight bulb as there are reports of cracked foglight covers due to heat. I haven't experience it as mine are rarely on. Another idea is to use the front indicators as DRLs. They have a rather large frontal area so they'll be visible.

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04-02-2006, 08:41 PM	#1
georgekessel Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 126 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	We finally decided to trade in our regular car and get a Prius. Now that begs the question of how can I get the best deal on one here in Vancouver BC Canada. Has anyone had any luck lately? Also should I hold off and order a 2007 (any significant differences coming on the 07) And of course welcome me to the forum. We've a very green family, we have 2 other vehicles that we run on Biodiesel only including a Smart. We didn't want to get a Prius because it runs partially on Gasoline but then I found out about the plug in conversion. So now the plan is to get a Prius and later we'll conver it to a plug in. Thanks for any help you can offer Josh

04-03-2006, 09:29 PM	#2
georgekessel Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 126 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	As an update, I'm considering purchasing one from the USA (in Seattle or Bellingham) so I can get HID headlamps and leather interior plus save $5k on the purchase price. We can't get HID or leather in Canada for some unknown reason Any thoughts?

04-04-2006, 12:46 AM	#3
tochatihu Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kunming Yunnan China Posts: 1,813 My Car: 2001 Prius Package: Pioneer #1 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 7	Welcome to Priuschat, Ecojosh! Who else could have a Prius bumper sticker saying "My other cars use less gas than this"? In Vancouver, ask Andrew Grant where he buys his Prius taxis - I reckon taxi drivers are quite cost sensitive. Can't argue with the -5K$ in WA, but I am not certain than HID headlights are substantially better than the the best quartz halogen bulbs. For example, Sylvania silverstar are brighter than the Toyota OEM part.

04-04-2006, 10:14 AM	#5
georgekessel Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 126 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	The Prius is on the list as 100% importable by Transport Canada. I will have to add DRL and that's it. I'm a dual citizen so I will still get the $2000 tax credit on my US taxes. We really want leather seats b/c of excessive dog hair. I'm very familiar with the Silverstar bulbs, I have put them in every vehicle we have in our family that didn't have HID (buying them on eBay is cheapest). The bigger concern is - don't HID's use up more power then standard bulbs? I wouldn't want those guys burning all day if that is the case. Someone mentioned doing a fog light converstion for my DRL's instead. I wonder if that will be equally as safe (this Prius is to be used for my 16 month old daughter to be driven around). Anyone have any knowledge of the PHEV conversion coming out of Canada?

04-04-2006, 11:36 AM	#6
tochatihu Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kunming Yunnan China Posts: 1,813 My Car: 2001 Prius Package: Pioneer #1 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 7	HIDs are about 30 watts apiece, vs halogen bulbs at 55/60 watts.

04-04-2006, 03:30 PM	#8
Tideland Prius Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 13,891 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 11	Yes, they use less. I thought they were 35W though? The foglights are rather dim so yeah, they should be ok. Just look at the Nissan Murano or Audi A4 that uses foglights as DRLs. Also, you might want to change the foglight bulb as there are reports of cracked foglight covers due to heat. I haven't experience it as mine are rarely on. Another idea is to use the front indicators as DRLs. They have a rather large frontal area so they'll be visible.