Import a 9-5 from the US to Canada

[900t]

As I said before just put it on your existing policy. Then you should be able to drive around (as long as it's registered as well, a temporary OR plate or a temporary BC plate would do) normally.

The 45 day issue is more important than it seems - BC might want you to be done with provincial inspection and such before the end of the period.

The RIV ****ed me over recently because they didn't mail me my papers for the fed inspection. I waited like a month and then I called, they said their internal fax "wasn't legible" and didn't ask for it to be resent!!!!!!!!!!! You have to watch these guys.... Then Quebec wouldn't give me a temporary registration to drive to the inspector because it was past the 45 days (but the RIV "extended" the period because of their incompetence).

[woywitka]

Originally Posted by 900t

As I said before just put it on your existing policy. Then you should be able to drive around (as long as it's registered as well, a temporary OR plate or a temporary BC plate would do) normally.

The 45 day issue is more important than it seems - BC might want you to be done with provincial inspection and such before the end of the period.

The RIV ****ed me over recently because they didn't mail me my papers for the fed inspection. I waited like a month and then I called, they said their internal fax "wasn't legible" and didn't ask for it to be resent!!!!!!!!!!! You have to watch these guys.... Then Quebec wouldn't give me a temporary registration to drive to the inspector because it was past the 45 days (but the RIV "extended" the period because of their incompetence).

So I can flip it on to my exsisting policy for my lets say my Convertible for the 45 days ok? I will get the inspection performed ASAP and call RIV to keep on top of the papers!

If not...

Temproary insurance in BC is $32 a day! I would not want to be dooing this for more than a few days. I would lose my economic advantage easily this way. Stupid ICBC!

I understand RIV can be a BUGGER, so I will call and harass them. It was like BC medical services plan...I kept telling them I was a student and they wouldn't stop the collection notices! I ended up calling them up and threatening to call the police on them for thier harassment. I have not recieved a notice since. Students uder $20k a year don't pay, but they still sent the buggers!

(edit) From the 9-5 workshop the only modification I should need to do would be to activate the DRLs, it looks like it is just a fuse. I don' think there is anything else. Just get the stupid printoff for the recalls, and go intot he dealer and see what free services (if any) I can get out of SaabUSA.

[900t]

You should be able to just get it put on the policy like a regular car and then never have to worry about it. But then again BC is weird

edit

Like for me, I call my insurance agent and give him the VIN and say "give me insurance" and then he faxes me the copy of the card (and mails me one) and then it's done. The import process doesn't affect it at all. Oh yeah, he also mails me a GIANT BLOODY BILL too.

[SaabKen]

Yeah cuz Woy lives here

Originally Posted by 900t

But then again BC is weird

[woywitka]

Originally Posted by SaabKen

Yeah cuz Woy lives here

hey hey Ken, it was weird long before I poped out here!

[woywitka]

ok.


SO lots of homework later I think I have it more or less worked out.

ICBC (our crown insurance corporation) will give me transit insurance for 1 day to bring the car from Oregon/Washigton to my house.

I have to send off the papers for the car to the US border at least 4 days before I bring it across (thanks 900t)

Once the car comes to the border I pay the stupid RIV fee of $195, 6.1 duty(cars made outside N. America), 6%GST (thanks Trudeau), and then at time of registration provincial tax of 7%

A/C excise tax is $150 for S/W and only $100 for regular cars

I need to get a vehicle inspection for the BC gov at $100

Then I need the fed inspection...free! You can get them both done at Canadian Tire to make them easy. I may go to a Saab service shop for the tougher provincial one, they might be a little more soft given that Saabs are oil wheeping machines by nature.

AirCare inspection ($43?)

So I think form here, around $9,500 once imported. Still at least $3-$4k cheaper than buying in the states.

I'm sure the GOV here will have a field day when they see what I paid and audit me. I pay the tax on the OREGON value/price I paid...and not blue book ($15,000)

So far so good.

Missing anything?

I will do a full writeup once completed so people can do the same thing If they wish and avoid costly mistakes. I'm will produce a writeup with FULL amounts including transit gas and lunch!

Thanks again guys!

PS- 9-5 workshop indicated that the US sepc 9-5 comes with daytime running lights! SO I should not need to make any modifications at all!

Stupid car needs new tyres tho! Look like at least a $1,000 ordeal! Tirerack ships to Canada for horrible rates and then the damm duty!

Which I could ship to the states then get them put on south of the border.

[TheRedBaron]

Plus, then you'll have a speedometer that tells you how fast your going in numbers that are actually intelligible!

[woywitka]

Originally Posted by TheRedBaron

Plus, then you'll have a speedometer that tells you how fast your going in numbers that are actually intelligible!

But Canadian spec cars have long had the intelligent measurement. Since the late 70s.

[SaabKen]

Hey WW will you have it for our club meet/drive ?

As for new tires, why not just pick up a new set on your way up (ie: Bellingham) and ditch the old set ?

Originally Posted by woywitka

ok.


SO lots of homework later I think I have it more or less worked out.

ICBC (our crown insurance corporation) will give me transit insurance for 1 day to bring the car from Oregon/Washigton to my house.

I have to send off the papers for the car to the US border at least 4 days before I bring it across (thanks 900t)

Once the car comes to the border I pay the stupid RIV fee of $195, 6.1 duty(cars made outside N. America), 6%GST (thanks Trudeau), and then at time of registration provincial tax of 7%

A/C excise tax is $150 for S/W and only $100 for regular cars

I need to get a vehicle inspection for the BC gov at $100

Then I need the fed inspection...free! You can get them both done at Canadian Tire to make them easy. I may go to a Saab service shop for the tougher provincial one, they might be a little more soft given that Saabs are oil wheeping machines by nature.

AirCare inspection ($43?)

So I think form here, around $9,500 once imported. Still at least $3-$4k cheaper than buying in the states.

I'm sure the GOV here will have a field day when they see what I paid and audit me. I pay the tax on the OREGON value/price I paid...and not blue book ($15,000)

So far so good.

Missing anything?

I will do a full writeup once completed so people can do the same thing If they wish and avoid costly mistakes. I'm will produce a writeup with FULL amounts including transit gas and lunch!

Thanks again guys!

PS- 9-5 workshop indicated that the US sepc 9-5 comes with daytime running lights! SO I should not need to make any modifications at all!

Stupid car needs new tyres tho! Look like at least a $1,000 ordeal! Tirerack ships to Canada for horrible rates and then the damm duty!

Which I could ship to the states then get them put on south of the border.

[SaabKen]

Perfect excuse for driving in stateside. "Um officer, my speedo only has ONE set of numbers and I can't do US<->metric conversions on the fly !" I got this line all prepared if I ever get pulled over. And if they don't buy it, I'll challenge them on the spot: "Oh yeah, quick, what's 96.5 kph in mph ??? Wha .... you don't know ??? BEEP, you're off the island !"

Just kidding of course.

Originally Posted by TheRedBaron

Plus, then you'll have a speedometer that tells you how fast your going in numbers that are actually intelligible!

[woywitka]

Originally Posted by SaabKen

Perfect excuse for driving in stateside. "Um officer, my speedo only has ONE set of numbers and I can't do US<->metric conversions on the fly !" I got this line all prepared if I ever get pulled over. And if they don't buy it, I'll challenge them on the spot: "Oh yeah, quick, what's 96.5 kph in mph ??? Wha .... you don't know ??? BEEP, you're off the island !"

Just kidding of course.

Ken, I got off on this excuse with an Oregon State trooper. 900s only have KMS/hr in canada. lol

I was going 85 in a 45mph zone, so around 150km/hr.

I said "oh, sorry officer, is my tailight out?"

officer: "yes, can you step out of the vehicle"

me: "yup!"

officer: "do you have any idea how fast you were going?"

me: not really, my car only has kms/hr

officer: "oh really!"

me: "do you know the conversion?"

officer: "no"

[900t]

85 is 137

[woywitka]

Originally Posted by SaabKen

Hey WW will you have it for our club meet/drive ?

As for new tires, why not just pick up a new set on your way up (ie: Bellingham) and ditch the old set ?

Ken,

That is a great idea; however, I sure hope that the border does not look at the tyres when I drive the car thru! New tyres are fairly obvious.

The 225/45/17 tyres for this car are FRIGGEN EXPENSIVE! The same tyres for my vert are like 40%+ cheaper

I doubt I will have the car for the meet. The government will be taking its time to get me my forms. I hope by my birthday : nov 12, she will be insured and in Action

Looks like the vert will make it to the meet! Plus it is the cooler Saab by far!

[woywitka]

Originally Posted by 900t

85 is 137

no!

136.792424km/hr

GEEEZEEE!

[Matthew]

Tom - it's an auto! Are you nuts?

Wagon too... old man's car.

When I was looking for a 9-5, it had to be an Aero, post-facelift, black or metallic burgundy, black or dark grey leather interior, saloon and manual. Most of the cars advertised for sale seemed to be silver, wagons and automatic!

My vote: keep looking. Don't buy the first decent car you find just 'cos it's difficult to find them.

[SaabKen]

Woy driving along on I-5 on way home in new-to-him 9-5.

Woy looks out the side somewhere near Burlington/Mt. Vernon. "Hey, what's this side dirt road lead to ... let's check it out."

Car gets muddy. Tires get muddy.

Woy gets back onto I-5. Gets to border crossing. Gets paperwork processed for car purchase. Customs agent asks if those tires are new.

"Yeah, previous owner had them put on just weeks ago", pointing to chunks of mud still stuck in tread grooves.

Agent: "Oh. OK."

Originally Posted by woywitka

That is a great idea; however, I sure hope that the border does not look at the tyres when I drive the car thru! New tyres are fairly obvious.

[SaabKen]

Yeah, but do you have that specific readout on your speedo ??

Nah I didn't think so

Originally Posted by woywitka

no!

136.792424km/hr

GEEEZEEE!

[woywitka]

Originally Posted by Matthew

Tom - it's an auto! Are you nuts?

Wagon too... old man's car.

When I was looking for a 9-5, it had to be an Aero, post-facelift, black or metallic burgundy, black or dark grey leather interior, saloon and manual. Most of the cars advertised for sale seemed to be silver, wagons and automatic!

My vote: keep looking. Don't buy the first decent car you find just 'cos it's difficult to find them.

Matthew, In my year of watching the 9-5 market this is the best thing to come along.

I want a wagon, hands down. They are SOOOOO much cooler PLus all 9-5 are old man cars! The wagon is just less so

White is good for me, don't you own a white c900! hehe

No seriously, the automagic appears to be much more robust! I hear of syncro troubles with the older 9-5s and I like the idea of sitting in traffic in a 9-5 auto more.

The car will be more of A to B and less of "C". I still have the vert for my "fun"

I still think that a 9-5 Aero in Auto form will be quite fun!

a 2002+ in Canada is an $18,000+ car, GBP 8,500+...way out of my price range. THis car is about GPB 3,500. I'm saving about GBP 2,000 by going down to the states thru this massive experience.

BURGANDY! ICK! lol Black shows the imperfections, therefore white is perfection

Matthew, I appreciate the tips, but this car I'm really happy about so far. Current owner is a "Saaber" and had it well serviced. Aero wagon looks SWEET!

See your 9-5 will be inferior, you can't take a coffin in a 9-5 saloon! PLus when you come to Canada one day, the wagon will be needed to go skiing! Plus my bike can go right in the back

[TurboBlix]

Originally Posted by woywitka

Matthew, In my year of watching the 9-5 market this is the best thing to come along.

I want a wagon, hands down. They are SOOOOO much cooler PLus all 9-5 are old man cars! The wagon is just less so

White is good for me, don't you own a white c900! hehe

No seriously, the automagic appears to be much more robust! I hear of syncro troubles with the older 9-5s and I like the idea of sitting in traffic in a 9-5 auto more.

The car will be more of A to B and less of "C". I still have the vert for my "fun"

I still think that a 9-5 Aero in Auto form will be quite fun!

a 2002+ in Canada is an $18,000+ car, GBP 8,500+...way out of my price range. THis car is about GPB 3,500. I'm saving about GBP 2,000 by going down to the states thru this massive experience.

BURGANDY! ICK! lol Black shows the imperfections, therefore white is perfection

Matthew, I appreciate the tips, but this car I'm really happy about so far. Current owner is a "Saaber" and had it well serviced. Aero wagon looks SWEET!

See your 9-5 will be inferior, you can't take a coffin in a 9-5 saloon! PLus when you come to Canada one day, the wagon will be needed to go skiing! Plus my bike can go right in the back

fyi methinks the more often you call the 9-5 an old man car, the less likely you're going to get any help when you need it from the 9-5 forums.

[900t]

They aren't going to hassle you at the border for tires. Even if you say bought a set of mags and tires and put them in the back in plain sight this wouldn't be a problem.