I can't find another relevant forum so I'll try to solicit some feedback here - since our van is an '08.
I received an incredibly inflammatory letter from AHFC that was attached to a bill from the 407ETR toll way from Toronto.
The letter stated that it was a violation of our lease that we took the vehicle outside of the 48 contiguous United States and that we are to contact AHFC in the future if we should go to Canada again to seek their permission.
I then called their line and spoke with two reps who both gave me the standard corporate line that it's their policy.
I have leased cars from various manufacturers and one non manufacturer finance company and have NEVER had a problem with this - including having had traffic tickets while in Canada for parking and one speeding in Quebec.
Since my wife's family are in Canada and we have many friends there, we visit 2-3 times a year. And according to the call center reps I spoke with, I have to call to tell them when and for how long I will be in Canada for and they will fax me a permission letter.
Then they gave me some BS about my protection because customs officials will ask to see ownership when I cross the border to/from Canada - which has NEVER happened in all these years we've traveled across the U.S./Canada border.
I am incensed because not even the U.S. or Canadian authorities would ask me to pre-declare my intention to travel to/from Canada and for the dates and length of my stay for their permission - AHFC is crossing some very sensitive lines with this policy.
Is this common? I will check my MB Financial contract when I have a chance, but as mentioned, I've never had a problem with the border crossings when I've had other citations before.
Needless to say, given their response and the threat to 'terminate the lease at their discretion', I wish they would just take the car back so I can get my wife something else. We are going to Toronto for Christmas this year and the requirement for me to tell AHFC when and how long we're gone for so that we can have their permission letter is, IMHO, something that is akin to a violation of personal liberties.
If this is a unique policy to AHFC or if they are uniquely idiotic in enforcing this clause given the common sense approach and reasoning, this will be the last Honda we'll be leasing...
I received an incredibly inflammatory letter from AHFC that was attached to a bill from the 407ETR toll way from Toronto.
The letter stated that it was a violation of our lease that we took the vehicle outside of the 48 contiguous United States and that we are to contact AHFC in the future if we should go to Canada again to seek their permission.
I then called their line and spoke with two reps who both gave me the standard corporate line that it's their policy.
I have leased cars from various manufacturers and one non manufacturer finance company and have NEVER had a problem with this - including having had traffic tickets while in Canada for parking and one speeding in Quebec.
Since my wife's family are in Canada and we have many friends there, we visit 2-3 times a year. And according to the call center reps I spoke with, I have to call to tell them when and for how long I will be in Canada for and they will fax me a permission letter.
Then they gave me some BS about my protection because customs officials will ask to see ownership when I cross the border to/from Canada - which has NEVER happened in all these years we've traveled across the U.S./Canada border.
I am incensed because not even the U.S. or Canadian authorities would ask me to pre-declare my intention to travel to/from Canada and for the dates and length of my stay for their permission - AHFC is crossing some very sensitive lines with this policy.
Is this common? I will check my MB Financial contract when I have a chance, but as mentioned, I've never had a problem with the border crossings when I've had other citations before.
Needless to say, given their response and the threat to 'terminate the lease at their discretion', I wish they would just take the car back so I can get my wife something else. We are going to Toronto for Christmas this year and the requirement for me to tell AHFC when and how long we're gone for so that we can have their permission letter is, IMHO, something that is akin to a violation of personal liberties.
If this is a unique policy to AHFC or if they are uniquely idiotic in enforcing this clause given the common sense approach and reasoning, this will be the last Honda we'll be leasing...