Soon to be Prius owner (Ontario Canada) - Questions!

Hello, Fatale.

Those are a lot of questions.

I live in Southern California and am not sure how one would go about driving and importing a car from the US to Canada or visa versa.

When we were looking for Prii, we were offered a used 2005, Pkg #7 or #8 for US $27K (Can $30K). The dealer offered to pay for tax and license, about US $3K. That seemed high to me given that a 2006 base model with no options was listed as US $ 21K (Can $23 K). Hence, it appeared that you could get a new Pruis for only slightly more than a used Prius.

We ended up with a new 2006, Pkg #8 for ~ US $30 K (Can $33K), not including tax and license. It is hard to judge what your dealer is offering you with the 2006 since you did not include the package information.

There were a lot of options that I wanted: Aux Input, 6 CD Changer with mp3 capability, back up camera, Navigation system, and Bluetooth. That set my decision.

Good luck, I hope things work out for you.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(fatale @ Jul 6 2006, 02:15 AM) [snapback]281884[/snapback]</div>

Just to let you know, i brought my car from Don valley Toyota on May, recieve it in June.
I chip down the price to $30124, plus Freight. I also get interior protection done for free.
if you needed, I can recommand you to my car sales agent at Don Valley. he is new, that is why easy to push around ^^, I can even go with you, to see if you can get a better deal then i am ^^

Just tell you the true, I am kicking myself for not taking the Package B upgrade.
I have the same mentiaty as you, but now........... those are alot of useful features.
Package C is not in good value, sicne my PDA cellphne can at as GPS aslo.
I really recommand you take the B upgrade.

another recommand, don't do the rust protection at Toyota, I take my to Honda.
they have the eletric module rust protection for $700. work better then spray rust protection.

 

The Ontario PST rebate does apply to used vehicles, so yes, by all means, do consider a used Prius..

I bought my Classic second hand a couple of years back, and in my case, I really lucked out because it turned out that it was litterally only a couple of months before the hybrid craze set in and demand and prices soared, so I ended up paying the equivalent of what a used Corolla of the same year would have cost.. Not only did I get the tax rebate (it was only $1000 at the time), but 6 months later, the demand for these vehicles shot up and all of a sudden it was worth $4000 more than I paid for it, even now, a couple of years down the line and with many more kms on the clock, I could still break even if I sold it.. The real plus is that my real life combined mileage is 4.8L/100km (yes, this is on a Classic), half what it was on my previous 1990 Corolla (which in the last 4 years of ownership used pretty much exactly 10L/100km all the time no matter where or how I drove or what the season), so in my case, I didn't have to wait years and years to experience savings, I got it all in my first year of ownership and the savings just continue to add up.. In terms of driving experience, it's almost the best car I've ever driven- utterly reliable, the hybrid allows you to drive pretty much any way you want, but its actually much more rewarding drive in a fuel efficient manner and see those mileage bars on the screen.. The "almost" qualifier comes because the car does have noticably variable performance and mileage based on temperature and state of the battery whereas I was used to my old Corolla performing exactly the same under all condtions..

As for mileage, on a Prius, I consider mileage a non-issue.. It is exceptionally gentle on its engine, and the battery management program ensures extremely long battery life.. I've got well over 200,000 km on my Classic now and it's still performing just fine.

I've thought of importing a US vehicle as well- you'd require daytime running lights to be added and documentation certifying that it meets all other Transport Canada regulations, then you'd pay tax and import duty coming over the border.. You'd probably save a few thousand between the sticker price difference and delivery (I assume you'd drive it up yourself), but the one issue might be warranty- although recalls would still be honored (as these are generally safety related), you may be denied regular warranty service..

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(fatale @ Jul 6 2006, 02:15 AM) [snapback]281884[/snapback]</div>

Jon, just though i add this
if all you want is base model, then order a package B 2006 Prius. i'll trade with you.
you take my 2week old 2006 prius base model. and i'll take your New 2006 Prius package B.
of course, we'll workout a deal that make everybody happy.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(fatale @ Jul 6 2006, 03:15 AM) [snapback]281884[/snapback]</div>

If they want to sell you extras, just say no, repeatedly, until they get the message.

 

the only thing that would make me consider a 2k4-6 is the Smart Key. It's the only thing I wish my Classic had. It's the reason I'd recommed a used "B" model. Plus you would save the 7-8 thousand over a new B. 25K klicks is just getting it broken in and if it's truly a clean car with no damage history and has a documented service history with the dealer and all the service campaigns are up to date, save your money and buy it.

 

What is the exchange rate USD/Canadian $?

I was in Canada a couple days ago and one store gave me $11 cdn for $10 usd($1.10 cdn/usd). Another one gave me $10.50cdn for $10.00usd (1.05cdn/usd).

I'm sure Canadian Retail stores make out well on that deal, but again.. what is the exchange rate if you were to take your $30k cdn and convert to usd?

The internet shows Canadian $ * 0.899685 = usd.

Your 30k cdn is worth about 27k usd.

Can you come to America to buy a Prius... and if so, how much fees do you pay to bring it into Canada and register it?

If you can't buy off the lot in USA, can an American sell you thier slightly used Prius.. I don't know these answers.. but 30k cdn (27k usd) for a base model prius sure seems like a lot.

 

that's the offical rate, it's what the Bank of Canada pay's on the international market to buy back Canadian dollars. Add about another 3 cents for what the banks charge to sell us USD. Gray market is a warranty boondoggle that no one in their right mind wants to get involved in. The inspection and conversion to Canadain saftey regulations would probably eat up any savings on a Prius as the US dealers charge MSRP or better and dealers up here will probaby let you dicker on the price but I doubt that you could get them to come down a lot. Also to answer the OP on the back up camera, not avalilable on the 2k4-5 as there was no Nav option in Canada on those years. But you can add one with a bit of work.

 

I strongly recommend AGAINST any model that does not have the side air bags and VSC. In Toronto you have winter driving conditions that make VSC worth whatever you have to pay, and the crash test results are enormously improved by the side air bags. Don't compromise on safety.

I'm sorry, but I don't know the answers to any of your questions regarding buying a U.S. Prius for use in Canada. I'd be most concerned to find out if the warranty will be valid, and if recall work can be done, should there be a recall that affects U.S. but not Canadian model cars.

 

anyone know where and how i can claim my rebate?
i ask my toyota agent, they don't know.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(chuckieland @ Jul 6 2006, 11:44 AM) [snapback]282027[/snapback]</div>

Not sure if that would work very well, since when you "sell" each other cars, the government will expect you each to pay the taxes (~ $4500) on the car again. I sure wouldn't do it...

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Jul 6 2006, 12:40 PM) [snapback]282064[/snapback]</div>

All true... and with respect to the lower back seat, I sat in an '05 when I was shopping back in March in the backseat and checked the headroom. I'm 6'2" and my head was touching the roof. Less than a week later I was sitting in an '06 (which I eventually bought), and my head did not touch the roof in the back. So I can confirm the seat is definitely lower, and almost an inch sounds about right.

As for my experience, I am also in Toronto as well and actually bought at Don Valley North as well. (They claim to be the largest Toyota dealer in Canada, and it seems accurate). I had a young rookie sales guy, and I knew more about the car than he did. I basically went in and said I want a 2006 Seaside with C package and they had that exact demo car with 5K KM. I negotiated $2600 off (when the dust settled after a long afternoon), essentially trading some mileage for nav, just a bit higher than the B, signed the papers that afternoon and drove it home 2 days later. She's been golden since and saved me $300 in the first 10 weeks, versus my old Integra, which was quite efficient in it's own right.

Interestingly, my sales guy is no longer there. I guess he wasn't that good and got a lucky sale with me walking in at the right time with a car that fit the bill perfectly.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(fatale @ Jul 6 2006, 03:55 PM) [snapback]282177[/snapback]</div>

Congrats on the purchase! Welcome to the club. B)

Just curious though - what gave you the idea that the 05 was driven hard? Just overall poor condition in terms of cleanliness, scuffs, etc...?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daniel @ Jul 6 2006, 01:27 PM) [snapback]282097[/snapback]</div>

Sound advice, I would say. I agree that if the option is available, then it is worth the relatively small price that could mean the difference between life and death, literally. Many find the nav a gadget - and it is - but I think the B package (with safety equipment, etc...) should really be the lowest car to consider.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daniel @ Jul 6 2006, 01:27 PM) [snapback]282097[/snapback]</div>

Ehhhh... I would really stay away from buying a car strictly to import, Prius or otherwise. I know when I bought my Prius in Canada, they made me sign a form stating that I would not export the car to the USA. Ha ha.

Add to that the headache of warranty support, DRL retrofit, taxes, etc... it just seems like a really big headache for what will probably amount to a small savings once all the paper work, travel, etc... is factored in. I wouldn't do it.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(fatale @ Jul 6 2006, 06:08 PM) [snapback]282257[/snapback]</div>

i have a silver....so wish you order a 06 silver package B to trade with me
i lease it. so if you lease it too, we can just do take over lease on each other.
but since you already brought one, congradulation on join the fleet of prius ^^
now, can any Canadian tell me how to claim the PST tax credit?