[vikespurple]

Does anyone know if it is worthwhile purchasing a Odyssey out of Canada? It seems the warranty is void and the dealers need a Canadian address to sell it to me. I live in MN and I could drive and pick one up. The price difference is around $3340. Taxes are paid in the US. I tried to contact a warranty company but they would only sell to dealerships. Anyone have any ideas here? Would be nice to save some $ and get a 2002 quickly.

Thanks!

------------------
Eric Nelson

 

[Kuruma Hayai]

Vikespurple:
Welcome to the ODYCLUB board. The first question you have to ask yourself is "Can I live without any warranty at all?" Even American Honda will not cover the standard 1 year manufacturer's warranty if you buy your ODY here in Canada. If your answer is "Yes", then the second question that you have to ask yourself is "After paying taxes in Canada which is 15% of the cap cost, are you still liable to pay taxes in the United States?" You will definitely pay customs duties when you bring it accross tha border.

After all these, do you think you still have that savings you were talking about? And this is not inlcuding any breakdowns you might have that should have been covered by warranty. You may end up paying more in the end. I guess my suggestion is to verify first what is involved in importing a vehicle to the US of A. Calculate all possible costs involved and compare it to your savings.

I realize you can save a lot by buying it here because of exchange. Even if you added our taxes here, which is 15%, you are still ahead of the game. Plus you get more standard options like heated side mirrors, ABS (not sure if this is optional or standard equipment), etc., not that it matters to you but it's nice to have without paying extra. But consider your options. Like I said your savings might be eaten up by costs which does not include your time/effort.

Or you can buy the warranty here and everytime there's something wrong with the van, drive up and have it fixed here (impractical unless you visit relatives here every month).

 

[bjk2001]

vikespurple:

There is some thread at edmund about buying Canada Odyssey. People imports it and sell even at ebay site. Besides warranty issue,
one thing I like to point is Odometer swapped out. Kilometer vs Miles. You don't want to have a mileage "unknown stated" on your brandnew Ody, once you replace your Odometer. Maybe you could get around to have it certified. To me its more hassle.
Good luck.

------------------
'01 GG EX
Mud Guard, Wheel Lock, Cargo Tray, Weathertech Mats
leather steerling wheel cover, Pioneer 1655 speakers,
Lojack

 

[johnkalajian]

Here is link to Edmunds info on Canadian Odyssey. See post #1459. Good luck.

http://townhall-talk2.edmunds.com/[email protected]^[email protected]/1577

 

[vikespurple]

What does everyone feel about this guy's post on Edmunds?

#1459 of 1508 A different view on purchase of Canadian Odyssey by gpalm Jul 07, 2001 (08:38 pm)
In this post I will:


1)Disagree with AC SMITH - post 1456
2)Provide process to purchase Canadian Odyssey


Number 1 - All of the issues set forth are correct, but note that all except the first are created by Honda Corp. Also, note that NAFTA was put in place between our countries to promote free trade, which improves our standard of living. Honda Corp. is working against both the US and Canadian governments by putting back a tariff that they worked hard to eliminate.


Having purchased a Canadian Odyssey while being a US resident, I found the process simple and legally supported by every US and Canadian governmental agency (note the references below to forms and process on both sides of the border). Honda is the only impediment here. All in all, the issues do not outweigh the benefits - and I would (will?) do it all over again for the $5KUS in saving for my 1999 EX.


Number 2 - A couple of things you need to know if you are going to execute this. First, the easiest way for the Canadian dealer (and yourself) is if you have a Canadian drivers license. Though this may seem unreasonable - for many of us, the Canadian border is only a short distance away. A CND DL negates all of the barriers Honda has put in place (for now). Before you go to pick up the car, you need to follow the instructions on the NHTSA and EPA web sites to get letters from the manufacturers. This is a no big deal thing. One e-mail to the manufacturer (using contacts on the web sites) and this was done. You will need this when you come across the border on the US side. The only other thing you need is insurance for the vehicle before entering the US. This is also a no big deal thing. You only need the VIN number to make this happen with your local agent. Your insurance agent should also give you a temporary Canadian insurance card - shows that the car is insured even though it is in Canada.


Once you get to the border you need to stop on the Canadian side and get a Certificate of Destruction/Exportation. This will be used in getting back GST/PST. Pick up the GST and PST rebate forms while you are there. Next you move to the US side and inform the agent that you are bringing back a car and need to go inside to get a Customs Form 368 (collection receipt or informal entry). This is used to prove to your state registrar that you brought the car into the US. At this point you are running on Canadian plates and registration. At some point in the future, you need to get your car registered in your state. With form 368 this is no big deal. The only variable is how much the car cost in US $ so they can compute the state sales tax due (at least this is how it works in NY). Now you are running US plates, registration, insurance et al. Nothing else to do but enjoy your Honda.


As far as the mileage thing goes - I guess I will cross that bridge when selling....which isn't for a while.


By the way - the driving lights get me a discount on my car insurance and the heated mirrors are the nuts.



------------------
Eric Nelson

 

[bjk2001]

A couple more things come to my mind. How are you going to pay for the car? Are you going to purchase it with Cash? Do you have to pay Canada registration first then pay for US again?

Odometer is a major thing but he didn't talk about it. Car may depreciate more if you don't get a clean car record.

If you add the forms, tax, insurance, odometer, warranty, and the whole 9 yards or whole 9 meters. LOL.. How much do you really save? MMM?



------------------
'01 GG EX
Mud Guard, Wheel Lock, Cargo Tray, Weathertech Mats
leather steerling wheel cover, Pioneer 1655 speakers,
Lojack

 

[bjk2001]

One more thing what if 1 in a million the Canada Ody you purchase is a LEMON? Will Honda buy it back? Will you hire US or Canada lawyer to go after US or Canada Honda?

------------------
'01 GG EX
Mud Guard, Wheel Lock, Cargo Tray, Weathertech Mats
leather steerling wheel cover, Pioneer 1655 speakers,
Lojack

 

[Canodyssey]

I'm not so sure that it is that easy buying a Canadian Odyssey anymore. When I bought my 2001 LX in July I had to sign a form from Honda saying that I won't try to sell it in the states.

Tim

------------------
Edmonton, Alberta
2001 Fern LX

 

[vikespurple]

Tim:

What were the ramifications in that contract if you did sell it in the states? I know it is "your word" but would be interesting to identify how the contract reads.

Eric


------------------
Eric Nelson

 

[bjk2001]

Here is a link to auction off Canada Odyssey in US.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cgi/ebayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=593942650&r=0&t=0


------------------
'01 GG EX
Mud Guard, Wheel Lock, Cargo Tray, Weathertech Mats
leather steerling wheel cover, Pioneer 1655 speakers,
Lojack

 

[vikespurple]

This auction is a little odd. Interesting that this is happening. However, this price does not make it worthwhile at all. Also, sounds like they are fibbing on the warranty unless there is something we do not know there. Doubt it though since Honda America is not going to fudge on that.
Thanks for the post.

------------------
Eric Nelson

 

[vikespurple]

Here is what the dealer told me

Mr. Nelson,
If you have servicing done outside of Canada, your warranty will be void.
If you purchase warranty from an American third party, then you will have
coverage.
As far as eligibility, I've already informed you of what is required. You
must register the vehicle in your name, to a Canadian address (also in your
name) for six months prior to registering it in the U.S. Also, should you
purchase from us, you will be required to sign a release form stating that
you are not purchasing the vehicle for export and that it is in fact being
purchased for yourself. These are the regulations that are set and you
must follow them if you plan on purchasing from Honda Canada.
We do get a lot of inquiries from American citizens wanting Odysseys.
Unfortunately, most do not qualify to purchase them. It is unfortunate
that we cannot sell them to everyone who wants one. However, our supply is
limited as it is and I doubt we could keep up with the demand from the U.S.
even if the regulations were not in place.


------------------
Eric Nelson

 

[vikespurple]

Regarding the price difference:

I went on an configure the base LX model with 6 CD changer, keyless entry, and interior bike anchor. Nothing fancy. The US price is $25,733 vs the Canadian of $22,378. So this is a difference of $3,355. My question is- Are Canadian dealers going below MSRP? I saw a few posts from fellow Canadians that they got another $1,000 off MSRP but hard to believe. Is this true? So depending on the warranty- if even available, this additional cost could eat up the price advantage- not to mention the hassle of the transaction. Comments on this?


------------------
Eric Nelson

 

[Kuruma Hayai]

vikespurple:
Your questions: (Sorry guys. Don't know how to post quotes.)
Are Cdn dealers going below MSRP? YES!
Can you get $1000 below MSRP? IS this true?
Answer to both ques. YES & NO. (Depends on dealership. You have to shop around. Get the best deal from a dealer then walk away. Use this info as your ammo for the next dealer.) Within a 50 mile radius, you have about 15 dealers. So you can hop around and see who gives you the best deal.

I can tell you with all certainty that up here (as I have talked to 2 dealers) they are willing to sell me a 2001 Ody at $1,000 below Cdn MSRP. One even said Cdn$1500 below. It really depends on how anxious the sales guy is to make his commission. I'm not sure what the MSRP is in the States. Here, the 2001s are Cdn$31,300 for the LX & Cdn$34,300 for the EX.

Like I've said before, it is dealership profits that drives this MSRP thing. My experience with the dealer when I bought my Civic (Si in the US), my friends were saying you can't buy that car for less than MSRP because they were in high demand. Well, I did my research, told them about hold backs (since the car was on order), told them that the other dealer was giving me Cdn$1500 less (BS), etc. I was able to get it at Cdn$1,200 below MSRP considering that only 400 units ended up in Toronto (according to a friend of mine. Do not hold me on this.)

PS. Hey vikes, didn't know you were Canadian.

 

[DP]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by vikespurple:
Are Canadian dealers going below MSRP? I saw a few posts from fellow Canadians that they got another $1,000 off MSRP but hard to believe. Is this true?
</font>

Yes this is absolutely true.
I have already shared my not so positive experience with the dealer in the corresponding section of this forum, but other than that, my experience was very good (and with the help from experts here I was able to deflect some dealer's pre-delivery attacks easily

To the point. The MSRP for EX in Canada is $34,300 (all figures in Canadian dollars). Unfortunately, we have no access to invoice information for free, so I bought a three-vehicle invoice price package for $29.95, and got invoice price for EX - $31,385.
I bought my EX in mid-July for $32,250 ($2,050 below MSRP or $865 above invoice).
The negotiations were completed in 5 minutes (no exaggeration!). Well, I also spend an hour or so the day before with another dealer, who was not as co-operative


[This message has been edited by DP (edited 08-10-2001).]

 

[vikespurple]

How may warranty issues have any of you had in the first 1-2 yrs? Were they small $ or large $? I spoke with warrantygold that does extended warranties and they said that if you call Honda at 310-783-3260 they will transfer the Canada Warranty to the US. Warrantygold claims other Honday users have done this.... Any opinions?

------------------
Eric Nelson

 

[Canodyssey]

Vikespurple:

The contract was basic. You just sign a statement that you are not buying this vehicle to sell at a profit in the U.S.

But it does show that Honda sees this as growing problem.

 

[mdlewi]

Canada Odyssey purchase for US

There are several independent (non-Honda) Canadian dealers who will sell Odysseys to US buyers. IMHO, you get the best deals on the older models. However, even newer models are at dealer trade-in prices. Speedometer is usually swapped out with a US one. Your warranty is only good for Canada. However, you can always add a third party warranty to cover you up to 133,000 miles for around $1200-$1500 I've seen an aftermarket warranty cover 36months/unlimited miles for somewhere around $1200.

Here is a sample of prices that I have received:

2002 ODYSSEY EX, REDROCK ON GREY, 19,000 MILES, BRAND NEW! $22,500

2001 ODYSSEY EX, GOLD ON TAN, 20,000 MILES, NEW CONDITION! $19,900

2001 ODYSSEY EX, WHITE ON GREY,19,000 MILES, NEW AND VERY RARE! $20,000

2001 ODYSSEY EX, WHITE ON GREY, 31,000 MILES, NEW CONDITION, $18,900!!

1999 ODYSSEY LX, GOLD ON TAN, GREAT CONDITION, 77,000 MILES ONLY $12,000!! WITH STARTER/KEYLESS ENTRY AND ALARM!

1999 ODYSSEY LX, GREY ON GREY, PERFECT, 63,000 MILES, STARTER/ALARM $12,900!

Let me know if you are interested in the dealer.

Mike