Import Q5 from US
 

Hi all, new here, and first post! I'm excited with the Q5 after a test drive - what a dream! I'm trying to find a used one here but that's seemingly impossible. But, there are a few in the states.

So, anybody tried importing one of these?

Any major changes that have to be done, like different bumpers or something crazy like that to bring em across the boarder?

Forgive me if this has been posted before, but I did a search and couldn't find anyting on the q5. I think I've got a decent handle on the requirements to cross the boarder, i.e. riv.ca but I'm curious about actual changes to the vehicle to meet canadian standards. Any help would be appreciated and thanks in advance! I hope to be an audi member this year :)

Re: Import Q5 from US
 

I tried to purchase one in Phoenix as we have a home there. It was virtually impossible. I would have had to register it there for 6 months in order to be able to brig it to Canada. Then the warranty from Audi was much lower on a US Q5 in Canada. Worth checking with Audi about the warranty.

Just jump in and order a new one!

Re: Import Q5 from US
 

Thanks for the info. I think in general the vehicles have to be 6 mos old before you can bring them. What do you mean the warrantee was much lower in the us? It cost less?

Re: Import Q5 from US
 

I can't recall all the details but I was told by the dealer in Canada that the warranty periods are dropped to 2 years instead of 4 if you have a US Q5 in Canada. That's why I suggest talking to Audi directly and not just a dealer. For me it was too much risk to take, to run into not having a warranty on my Q.

We ran into the same situation with mercedes and had to take our vehicle back to Phoenix to get warranty work done on it when the main computer went 6 months into having the brand new vehicle. After months of fighting with Mercedes, we can now get the vehicle warrantied here in Calgary. Although we always get grumbling from the dealer about us not buying the vehicle in Canada.

To save any hassle, stick with Canada...IMHO...

Re: Import Q5 from US
 

Because they are manufactured in Germany there is a 6.1 % duty on them at the border--not worth it.

Re: Import Q5 from US
 

With the dollar at near even , I to am considering buying a new 2010 Q5 in the states. The warranty part is not a concern, it is transferable see here: xxx.apa.ca/template.asp?DocID=253

I found a dealer in Florida who will sell me one but only if i can provide a U.S address. I told him i have a sister inlaw in Florida and he thats O.K.

I have two issues that i have to figure out. One, would i have to pay the state tax and two since i would have that U.S address on title will that give me any trouble regeristing the Q5 in Canada.

Re: Import Q5 from US
 

Thanks for that link! In general, when I've bought items on ebay, I pay the tax in the area that the shipping address is on, so my guess (only a guess) is that you'd pay that state tax. I wonder if you get your sister to buy it then have her sell it to you thus changing the address of the owner.

Also, I phoned that number on the link you provided and to verify if any recalls / mods need to be done, and you need to get a recall clearance letter which can only be done by the registered owner. This letter will specify any changes that need to be done before you bring it across the boarder. Maybe you knew this already, but for me it's good to know. BAsically, you have to own the vehicle before you can get the letter :P

He also told me that the remaining new vehicle limited warantee (i.e. 4 years, 50000miles) is tranferable, but the local dealer here in Canada has the last say. The dealer here DOES NOT have to honour the warrantee. Which is insane, so basically, we'll have to talk to the dealer up front to garantee his participation otherwise we're out of luck. And since the dealers will soon be sour by the par dollar, I'm thinking good luck on getting coverage since they want to sell their cars - but who knows maybe they're decent folk :D

I did a final check on RIV and the Q5's seem to have an all clear to come to Canada.

Re: Import Q5 from US
 

I was also told you have to pay the GST 5% and also 6.1% duty as it is not made in the US and therefore, not part of the free trade agreement. Sounds like too much hassle to me...IMO.

Re: Import Q5 from US
 

it seems like a lot of work for sure. It looks like a used almost loaded is about 40k US with exchange rate and cost to convert to US that would be about 41.2k CDN then 5 and 6% goes to 45.3k plus say 2k for miscl so about 47k cdn all in. Compare this to a used loaded here, oh wait, I can't find a used q5 here - never mind :P

The warantee is what bothers me, because any savings could be lost in a couple of incidents.

Re: Import Q5 from US
 

Warantee should not be a problem if you can take the time to go across the border to a dealer in the states. The warantee would be honoured there.

Now if an American would come here and brake down (it happens on Audi's), he wouldnt be able to get his car fixed here under warantee ?

Re: Import Q5 from US
 

Hey ifreedom,

Dealer here has the last say? I can't believe that, I thought the warranty work is were they make all the money not on the sale of the car.

I called a few audi dealers near the boarder in Detroit and got a few different answers from them. One dealer told me that if he sold me the Q5 his next allotment would be one less for next year. HUH what a lame excuse. I will be calling some more dealers tomorrow and will try to find one that is willing to sell. I'll report back !!!

Re: Import Q5 from US
 

Do you mean that they will check to see that your vehicle has been in the States for 6 months before they will let you import it? Or it has to be registered in the States for that duration before they will honor the warranty? How does that work?

Re: Import Q5 from US
 

It's not worth it.

Re: Import Q5 from US
 

I believe it only has to be 6 mo old. After that you can bring it any time.

Re: Import Q5 from US
 

iFreedom, thanks. I am curious about this, because I actually may be going to Calgary on a Work Permit as a US resident working there at the end of this year. The Work Permit will be good for about 3 years. I was going to get an Audi Q5 here in the US around now anyway. Then I saw this 6 month requirement that you mentioned here.... so I am just curious.

How would they be able to tell that the car is 6 months old anyway? Who will be checking?

I have called the Audi dealerships in Calgary and they told me that they would honor the warranty from the US. I don't think that there will be any modifications required.

I also heard that Calgary is a hot market so that one cannot get any discount on the Q5 at all, so they are sold at MSRP. Is that true?

Sorry about all these questions! :-) Thanks.

Re: Import Q5 from US
 

Just wanted to pass along some info. I have a contact at Audi Henderson Las Vegas and they have a used 2010, quartz grey with black interior. Asking $43,599.

Here's the details:
-2010 preowned Audi Q5, quartz grey with black interior, premium plus package and navigation.
-43599.00 (would work out to be less than $50K by the time you add GST, import tax, etc.)
-The car was driven by the General Managers wife and has 12800 miles.

For those who don't want to wait for one in Canada... call Audi Henderson, ask for Joe Sirna and tell him you heard about the car from Erin in Calgary.

Joe: 702-982-4600 x4606

Cheers