I just bought a 2011 f-150 Lariat / Eco / Max Tow with extended warranty (Window Sticker was $57K & another 6K of aftermarket add ons) - paid less than $17K. Yes, it is a big vehicle but it is now towing my home.
Came with additional Chrome and an extra set of rims with snow tires, folding bed cover & spray in. Much cheaper than anything I could find in the USA. I wrote a guide below on my experience. I will probably go get another vehicle next month.
Prices
Canadian dollar lost about 30% since oil prices dropped. Just a year or two ago Canadians used to come to the USA to buy vehicles. Further, Alberta in particular is in a recession and people are losing jobs left and right (Alberta = oil). During the boom everyone was rich and thought nothing of buying a $70,000 pick up. Well, those vehicle are now hitting the used market.
Further, liberal party just won the election so the Canadian dollar is weakening even more! Could hit $1.50 soon.
Prices are much better in Canada and there is no issue bringing one down. There is a lot of chatter about import taxes, etc. None true.
Buying in Canada and Importing Made Easy - Malacca's Guide
Summary: Buy vehicle. Get DOT and EPA letter from manufacturer. Cross border & get form 7501. Bring 7501 and Bill of Sale to your state DMV and register.
Buying in Canada
- They don't have titles. You make a Bill of Sale. Find examples on web to download.
- Instead of a title you will get the vehicle's 'registration' signed buy seller.
- Go to Canadian DMV and check vehicle for any liens ($12). Buyer beware - if you don't check you could be stuck. Also will need a temporary permit to drive it to the border ($24). You WILL need proof of valid insurance on the vehicle that you are buying. In my state, any vehicle I buy is covered for 14 days. But the DMV wouldn't buy it - so I emailed my agent and he sent proof with the vehicle VIN on it.
- I just brought seller to DMV with me - much easier.
- If there is a lien on it, you will have to pay off the lien and get lien release.
Get DOT and EPA Letter from Manufacturer
- DOT. All recent USA made cars and truck will meet USA requirements. But you need proof. Some cars will have a DOT sticker on door jam and some will have a Canadian sticker (Maple Leaf). If it has a Maple Leaf it won't work. Need letter.
- EPA. Under the hood will be an US EPA sticker.
- If you are missing either one you will need a letter from the manufacturer (must be on Manufacturer letterhead - not a dealer). Process is different for each manufacturer. You will need the VIN.
Ford: Can get letter from any Canadian Ford dealer. They charge whatever they want. One quoted $60. It takes a day as they have to contact Ford to get the letter.
You can also get a letter online from
www.shopfordgear.com ($18). It takes 2 days and they email it to you (you will have to call them and ask for expedited service via email after placing order on web).
GM will do it for free and takes 3 days.
Hint: If you have a vehicle in mind you can get the VIN ahead of time from seller and get the letter ready.
Heading to Border
- Canada doesn't check you when you leave. You can ask for a paperwork showing you permanently exported the vehicle but it is not necessary.
- I went to a crossing in the middle of nowhere. Two customs guys asleep at the desk. They new the process - kind of.
- Show them Bill of Sale, your passport, Letter from Manufacturer and they will create a form 7501 for you. You MUST have this form or you cannot register it in the USA and must drive back to the border to get one.
- YOU ARE DONE. Home Free.
Register at Your DMV
- Took Bill of Sale and form 7501 to DMV and registered it. Didn't have to pay any more than if I had bought it form another state - Tax, Title & License.
- I originally was going to register in Oregon as they don't have sales tax. But my plans were changed and I headed to Minnesota. I will head out west with the F-150 but thought it wasn't prudent to drive through 5 states with an unlicensed vehicle.
Notes - It would be good to print out the original online ad. Bill of Sale should have all contact info for seller. If it had a lien on it you should have a lien release. Funny thing is US customs DIDN'T want to see the lien release. So you could technically import a vehicle with a lien on it. I see some gears turning in some reader's heads...
In Canada the license plates stay with the owner - not the vehicle. So when you buy it, you won't have a plate. Hence the need for a temporary transit permit.
You could bring a US license plate with you and slap it on until you get to the border. Of course you will want to remove it once on the USA side. Your form 7501 should be good if you get stopped.
My seller had the original dealer advertising plate. I put that on just so the spot wasn't noticeably blank.
If you are car dealer you can use your US dealer's plate.
Dealer vs Private Party
If you buy it at a dealer you will need to pay 5% GST and any provincial sales tax (might be another 5%). I did research about getting a refund of the GST but didn't need to as I ended up buying from a private party. I know Alberta only has GST - no sale tax.
Warranties
Most brands transfer. Just call and ask. My truck had a super premium extended warranty. It cost $100 to transfer it to my name. Warranty is good in Canada and USA. Already used it at my local dealer. Zero issues.
There is competition. US car dealers are buying like crazy up there. But bargains are abound. Canadians don't use Craigslist much - they use Kijiji.com