NGC: Any concerns about buying a vehicle from a dealer thats from Canada

[dave1068]

Many knowledgeable people here:

Im thinking about buying a used Jeep Wrangler and a dealer has a 2012 model and I checked the carfax for confirmation. Its listed as being from Canada (1st owner) It was then brought over to the US, It has a US title.

For anyone who's done this, are there any other issues I should concern myself with? Im thinking its in KM instead of miles, etc

Thanks,
-Dave

[Scott of the Sahara]

my in-laws gave us a '98 Plymouth Voyager in 2001. It was cool because it had all wheel drive (which never kicked in while we had it). No issues. KM vs miles was the only difference. If the car is already in the US you will not have any hassles.... until YOU go to sell it. Hopefully you can keep it for awhile and not worry about resale.

[Triple Jim]

Just curious, Scott, if it's already in the US and has a US title, why will Dave not have any problem now, but will when he wants to sell it?

[acogoff]

     If it has a clear title from one of the US States, it is no different than any other vehicle. The importation is complete.

[dave1068]

Thanks for the info, its already been sold.

I guess its one reason Jeep Wranglers are always popular and overpriced compared to other used vehicles-

[Scott of the Sahara]

Some people do not like a car with KM on the speedometer

[rodekyll]

The title is one concern.  The possible 'gray market' aspect is another.  Mfgrs make vehicles (and cameras and computers, and . . . ., and . . .) to certain standards for certain markets.  They may not offer warranty or support for an item owned outside of the intended region.  I see it a lot with computers and cameras, and I have owned a Canadian 'gray market' Mercedes that I could not get some parts for, and dealerships would not touch.

just something to think about.

[canuck750]

The title is one concern.  The possible 'gray market' aspect is another.  Mfgrs make vehicles (and cameras and computers, and . . . ., and . . .) to certain standards for certain markets.  They may not offer warranty or support for an item owned outside of the intended region.  I see it a lot with computers and cameras, and I have owned a Canadian 'gray market' Mercedes that I could not get some parts for, and dealerships would not touch.

just something to think about.

There are specific requirements to importing or exporting to or from the USA to Canada. I have imported bikes and cars from the USA to Canada and sent bikes to the USA. Each country has a web site that lists which vehicles are allowed into each country and what the restrictions and requirements are for each jurisdiction. There are definitely quirks for each country and there are certain vehicles that are cost prohibitive to import due to crash test and environmental differences. Years ago there was a glut of high end European cars being imported into Canada, the manufacturers stepped in and had the CDN government dictate ridiculous conformance requirements. For example BMW Canada changed the registration requirements for day time running lights, originally there were no changes, just switch the headlight control to auto select for day time and that was it. After 2007 BMW Canada insisted the lighting module be changed so that day time running lights could not be manually selected, that required a complete instrument cluster change and computer re-programming to the in excess of $4000.00. Similar issues for Corvettes to name but one more.

You really need to do your homework.

That said if the vehicle has been properly exported / imported and all documentation is in hand it should not be a cause for concern.

With the steep drop in the value of the Canadian dollar and the mass layoffs in the oil sector full size 4X4 pick up trucks are being sold on mass to the USA through dealers, this happened back in the early 90's as well. In turn when the Canadian dollar was at par or more a few years ago the exodus of vehicles out of the USA was the case.

Money follows the markets.

[mgfan]

I would guess that half the used cars you buy in the northern U S states are Canadian. There is a steady stream of cars going south everyday to auctions in Seattle and all other American cities close to the border as the dealers love the 35% discount that never gets reflected in the retail price. There are 20 to 30 cars a day,everyday headed to Seattle just from the company I worked for!