salesinfo

Gents,
I sell Audi's here in Toronto and I'm forever being threaten with the option of buying from the States and it DOES make sense at the moment. However here is what i have been told, and remember i work for a corportaion so it might be what they want me to think...(take it with salt). They told us that they are thinking of following Honda in voiding the warrenties if this occurs. They claim that its a gray area legally and their lawyers are all on salary so they welcome the court dates. Also, coming over the boarder you will need to get day time running lights that come on automatically, change the cluster (mainly becuase our brake light is a symbol and the american car says "brake"). Its all silly, at the moment i think that I would buy from the states if they had the car i wanted. Once th $ stregthens in the states im sure it will all simply blow over. its not as cheap as it seems in the beginning, but there are some $'s to be saved i think.

asalvari

OK, please do so. I think it is possible, but its not going to happen on the previous cars. (i.e. - it may start for 2009)

maybe they would look into the Toyota experience from 2002, when they tried to do the same for the US buyers buying Canadian cars..

(hint: it did not work well for Toyota)


default on 2008 and electronic setup (50$) on previous model.


As far I know, there is no chance RIV is going to force you to change the cluster - period.

I wonder, how many people would by BMW (or other) instead of AUDI. How much this negative PR would actually cost AUDI.

p.s. Maybe AUDI should approach to lowering prices with the same agility as in preventing Canadians buying in US.

asalvari

oh well, it is sooner then later:

Automakers facing class-action lawsuit | Fort Frances Times Online



Automakers facing class-action lawsuit
(CP)
Thursday, September 27, 2007

TORONTO—Several automakers have been slapped with a $2-billion class action lawsuit that claims the industry conspired to artificially maintain car prices in Canada and inhibited cross-border vehicle shopping fuelled by a rising loonie.....


there, now those lawers would have something to do, not just sit tight and wait for action.

wailshark

They may void warranty however if I do buy US it will be a used car that is basically out of warranty or is about to go out of warranty.
Running lights are an easy DIY fix most of the time.

I don't know who told you that changing the cluster was mandatory but that is false. You can keep the same cluster as long as km/h are indicated even if they are secondary (smaller numbers)

asalvari

just to clarify a bit more on audi warranty.. actually they can not and will not void your warranty, since it is clearly stated in the agreement.

What they are trying to do is to PREVENT you to buy from Audi dealer a new car. And that is all they can try, and probably impose a restriction. However you have no limitations on the used cars and the warranty is still valid in Canada.


About the cluster, actually there is no chance you would have to change the cluster even in the worst case, where there is no KM markings on it. In that case RIV hands out a sticker with a conversion table and it will get slapped somewhere on the dashboard ... thats all.

senecaty

As far as I know Audi still allows this (in all states). Being in the FX business I work car dealers and their clients daily. There's a few dealers that've had the metaphorical hammer dropped on their Canadian sales. Any Audi dealer that I've talked to are still rolling!

The same thing happened 8-10 years ago when the US dollar was so strong! People from the USA were coming up here to buy cars. Now, it's the other way around and dealers are threatening to break the NAFTA agreement.

After calling AUDI in Ottawa last night I had these two rebuttles from the "Audi Specialist" @ Mark Motors. You won't have a warranty and you can't lease...

Ok....so, if I buy a car in the US for $10000 CAD less. EVEN if I have to pay $3000 in 4 years for repairs....I'm still $7000 ahead!
Even when taking border fees into consideration (you can actually hire a border broker that can have everything done, including their commission for under $1000) you're saving thousands!

I'm considering buying in the US myself. Although, for convience...I still called Ottawa.

So, it's a catch 22. There's issues going both ways....and of course. It's a matter of how much you want to work to save money.

Ty

bc5354

Hi,
Sorry it is not too late to share this. I have recently imported an CPO A3 from the states and just got my Ontario license plate last week. The paper work process is intensive but not complicated.

Bernard

A6Cerys

There are a huge number of dollars to be saved honestly. The work that needs to be done to make an American car fit for Canadian roads isn't really that big a deal and it doesn't take that long either. I wouldn't hesitate in doing it if the car I wanted was across the border.

AF Site Team

I have personally seen a difference up to $20,000 on comparative cars. I would not hesitate on importing the right car if it caught my eye.

There have been a couple s4's on ebay that really got me riled up, but they wont be legal in Canada.

Bidou

Bernard,

what kind of savings did you get if you don't mind? Were they willing to negotiate or was it a sticker deal cause you are a canuck? I am very interested in doing this but am afraid of all the taxes and charges at the border. You are the first person I've heard of that imported the same car I want - an A3.

Thanx