I'm wondering if it will be economically feasible and practical to buy a HR-V in the States and import it to Canada. What happens to the warranty and 3 year roadside assistance ? Is the 1.8l HR-V engine made in Japan and will it be liable for duty at the border? Will the present 17% exchange rate nullify any chance of saving money on the car? Will buying the car in a no-tax state (e.g. New Hamphire) be more benefitial? I'm hoping other forum members who have had experience in buying Honda products in the US and importing them to Canada will add their knowledge to this thread.
Importing a US HR-V into Canada?
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It would be both to save money and there might be different packages offered with the different trims. I went to a Florida Honda dealer and he showed me a sticker on the window of a vehicle which showed a percentage of the car made in Japan and anorther made in the US. This is why I am questioning if duty would have to be paid on a portion of the HR-V. For DRLs, the dealer told me that all NA Honda cars have them.
I live in London Ontario and went to Port Huron the other day to finally see the HR-V. They salesmen there told me they are forbidden by Honda Corporate to sell their HR-V's to Canadian residents!
When I was crossing the border back to Canada, I told the Canadian border patrol why I was in the U.S. and he asked me if I bought the car. I said "no, they are forbidden to sell to Canadians" and he asked "why?", I said "I don't know", and his reply was "So they can sell it to Canadian's for $15,000 more!"
We Canucks always get screwed, and we all know it
When I was crossing the border back to Canada, I told the Canadian border patrol why I was in the U.S. and he asked me if I bought the car. I said "no, they are forbidden to sell to Canadians" and he asked "why?", I said "I don't know", and his reply was "So they can sell it to Canadian's for $15,000 more!"
We Canucks always get screwed, and we all know it
There are differences between the American and Canadiian HRVs. In the EX and EX-L models, Canadians will be getting DUAL auto climate control, back center armrest, third 12 volt power outlet in the luggage compartment.But you will have to pay duty for the engine and transmission which are made in Japan if you import. I am beginning to believe it is NOT worth the trouble to buy it in the States unless you have a secondary residence there and plan to keep it there.. Avoiding paying Canadian taxes makes it advantaeous for Canadians,but I don t know how to do it.unless you leave the car in the US.
I bought my current car, 1996 Honda Civic HX in Minneapolis, and drove back to Ontario.
The HX (39 mpg city, 45 highway) has been our only car for 20 years now, but you could not buy them in Canada.
I bought it with no tax, then paid regular tax at the border.
Research ahead of time, to confirm duty.
But with current exchange rates, Canada gets the LX cheaper, and with more features, so the only reason would be choice of models or colours.
Honda has never had a problem with service or warranty.
The HX (39 mpg city, 45 highway) has been our only car for 20 years now, but you could not buy them in Canada.
I bought it with no tax, then paid regular tax at the border.
Research ahead of time, to confirm duty.
But with current exchange rates, Canada gets the LX cheaper, and with more features, so the only reason would be choice of models or colours.
Honda has never had a problem with service or warranty.
As pointed out above, we Canucks are actually getting a pretty sweet deal on the HR-V, we just have to be a bit patient. Especially on this forum, you're not likely to get much sympathy, especially from Americans that would love to have some of the features we get.I live in London Ontario and went to Port Huron the other day to finally see the HR-V. They salesmen there told me they are forbidden by Honda Corporate to sell their HR-V's to Canadian residents!
When I was crossing the border back to Canada, I told the Canadian border patrol why I was in the U.S. and he asked me if I bought the car. I said "no, they are forbidden to sell to Canadians" and he asked "why?", I said "I don't know", and his reply was "So they can sell it to Canadian's for $15,000 more!"
We Canucks always get screwed, and we all know it
Back when our dollar was high there was a booming cross-border trade in cars, until several makers, including Honda, made their US dealers stop selling to Canadians. I wonder if Honda Canada has the same restriction on selling to Americans?
One question: did they let you test drive it? I'm thinking of making a trip down, but it's only worth it to me if I can test drive.
You're right, I shouldn't complain considering the exchange rate. But I have unique scenario where I have to buy a red one for my job. In Canada, the red ones only come in EX-L! So I have to spend $30,000 instead of $22,000 just because of colour (ugh).
They didn't let me test drive them because they were all in "service" mode. No dash lights, instrument panel, etc.
I"m in the same boat as you.
I just want an LX, but I wanted red
I could pay to have it repainted for cheaper then buying the EX-L:crying:
I had full warranty on mine in Canada, but bought it new in the US.
Doesn’t quite make sense if you go on a road trip, and the car breaks down, they’ll fix it where-ever you go.
Good point come to think about that.
Too bad there isn't a dealer on this forum to also provide some input on this.
Yup, I have to give you that... our colour choices are much worse.
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I know you weren't talking about me.......
Bah humbug! I'll take the opposite, import Canada HRV to US!
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