Driving a car back up from the states...

[ClayMan]

Through Michigan... Which port do you go through?

I'm trying to map out a route back to Toronto... Both google and mapquest tell me to go all the way up to Sault. Ste. Marie/Port Huron/Sarnia and cross the border there, but on the map it seems like it would make more sense to cut east earlier and cross the border at Detroit/Windsor.

Anyone with experience? I also need to somehow contact the US customs at that border, and fax them the title docs... Where would I find their contact information?

 

[Oyagi]

I went to school in Chicago and always drove home to TO thru Michigan via the Detroit/Windsor crossing. Its themost direct IMHO (and toll-free).

 

[95EagleAWD]

www.riv.ca is your friend.

I'm doing the same thing on Tuesday.

 

[GSRMOJO]

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to NSXPRIME.COM. I live in the Greater Toronto area. I've been avidly reading NSXPRIME for a few months now and have been following along in the Canadian NSX owners forum.

I currently own a 95 Integra GSR (All upgraded with Type R parts) with NSX front brake calipers. I am planning on purchasing a 91 NSX from the US and I've been reading on the forum about how to go about purchasing and importing and NSX into Canada.

Has there been many people here that have done this yet? What has your experience been?

Thanks,

 

[NSX2398]

Has there been many people here that have done this yet? What has your experience been? Thanks,

Yes .. 5 years ago .. didn't have any problems at all ...just read the stuff on the RIV site ... also make sure you get a recall letter in advance as per other advice

 

[BioBanker]

I currently own a 95 Integra GSR (All upgraded with Type R parts) with NSX front brake calipers. I am planning on purchasing a 91 NSX from the US and I've been reading on the forum about how to go about purchasing and importing and NSX into Canada.

Welcome. Ive got very fond memories of my 95 GSR. Fun car that never dissapointed me. I moved to an S2000 after it and then of course to my NSX.

While I understand why you want an NSX, Id consider S2000s also

 

[ClayMan]

I went to school in Chicago and always drove home to TO thru Michigan via the Detroit/Windsor crossing. Its themost direct IMHO (and toll-free).

Yeah, that's what it seemed like to me too. Detroit/Windsor it is! I guess google maps isn't perfect.

Do you remember any specific routes or areas to avoid? (Bad areas, tolled routes, bad roads... anything)

 

[Red]

Through Michigan... Which port do you go through?

I'm trying to map out a route back to Toronto... Both google and mapquest tell me to go all the way up to Sault. Ste. Marie/Port Huron/Sarnia and cross the border there, but on the map it seems like it would make more sense to cut east earlier and cross the border at Detroit/Windsor.

Anyone with experience? I also need to somehow contact the US customs at that border, and fax them the title docs... Where would I find their contact information?

You are limited to which US crossings will clear the car, you also need to fax them the Title 3 full days before you cross (and phone to verify that they got it)

Since it looks like I'm the most recent importer I volunteer to answer your questions if you call me at the office I have all the phone #'s etc.

Stuart - 416 391-1100 (Direct)

 

[GSRMOJO]

Hi thanks for the welcome!

Yeh, I absolutely love my GSR!

It IS just such a fun car.:biggrin: And, your right the S2s are very sweet as well, howevery, if I were to go two seater, I'm more inclined for the NSX. It's more of a cheaper super car of sorts. And after all it is an Acura, and when you see one on the street it's just sooo much eye candy that my draw drops everytime I see one!

I've noticed guys like Hishi and the whole widebody bit, and seen video's like HOT Version American Touge 1 with Comptech's Supercharged NSX! That thing is amazing!

Anyway, I'd love to come out at the next meet sometime, perhaps not this track day but another time.

I've been doing my research on the RIV web site very intently to get this procedure down right. The reason I'm going south is because the price of NSX's down there are so much cheaper!

I'm pretty clear on how RIV and importing the NSX works, however, who would be faxing all the info to US Customs 3 days before, the buyer or the seller? Also, how did you guys arrange the sale, title transfer and faxing to all parties, sales billing, etc for the pick up and drive back? And then their driving the NSX. What about insurance when driving it back in the US, and then when you cross the border? I'm planning on storing it for a few months before I get it on the road, so not to sure, I know that the Ministry can sell you a temporary permit that includes insurance for a period of time.

Geees, sorry guys, I'm rambling on.:redface: I have so many questions.

Thanks

Welcome. Ive got very fond memories of my 95 GSR. Fun car that never dissapointed me. I moved to an S2000 after it and then of course to my NSX.

While I understand why you want an NSX, Id consider S2000s also

 

[GSRMOJO]

This sounds pretty good. I was afraid that it would be a long and complicated process. Plus the drive back from the US must be awsome! You were never afraid of getting stranded at any point. I mean, here you are, you purchased a used car either from remote over the phone or via the internet without ever having driven it before, then to drive it back a gazilion kilometers never thinking once, what if the car breaks down?

 

[Red]

who would be faxing all the info to US Customs 3 days before, the buyer or the seller?

You should fax it, then phone to verify receipt - you know you'll do it, and they don't care who sends it in buyer or seller

Also, how did you guys arrange the sale, title transfer and faxing to all parties, sales billing, etc for the pick up and drive back?

Title transfer is unnecessary since its going to Canada, you just need the vendor's title and a bill of sale from them (I recommend paying a bank draft and keeping the receipt portion to prove payment)

What about insurance when driving it back in the US, and then when you cross the border?

In Ontario you cannot insure a car that isn't titled in Ontario (Ontario Ownership) I don't know the story for Alberta - but check! You may need to drive the car back using a Dealer Plate since it covers any car it sits on (My Insurance for our D-Plates covers anywhere in NA)

I know that the Ministry can sell you a temporary permit that includes insurance for a period of time.

Unless this is a thing that I don't know about Trip Permits don't carry insurance and I'd worry that they wouldn't be "honoured" in the USA. Better phone State Police in the States you're driving through to ensure that they won't impound your car for driving without plates - its not like you're going to be obvious driving an NSX at high speeds with a busty blonde hitch hiker in the passenger seat!:wink:

 

[GSRMOJO]

Thanks for the reply.

Ok, so I can fax in the info to US Customs 3 Days in advance (After I get all the info from the vendor right?).

Still little confused about the insurance bit though?
How would you take care of insurance on a car you'd be driving back from the US? (figure you'd have to pre-insure before you acquire the vehicle?) And what if you plan on storing it with no insurance?

 

[GSRMOJO]

Another question, how'd someone go about doing the financing for a 91 NSX from the bank or another lending institution.

Last time I checked most banks don't loan out 30-40 Gs for a used car?

Appreciate the help!

 

[Red]

Ok, so I can fax in the info to US Customs 3 Days in advance (After I get all the info from the vendor right?).

You can ask the Vendor to fax you a copy of the Title and you can then fax it on in advance, they'll need to original at the boarder, which you will get at time of sale (be sure to!)

Still little confused about the insurance bit though?
How would you take care of insurance on a car you'd be driving back from the US? (figure you'd have to pre-insure before you acquire the vehicle?) And what if you plan on storing it with no insurance?

Thats the bitch - you can use an auto transport company who has their own insurance or you can run a dealer plate if you know a Dealer or Mechanic who will lend you one - short of that you gots a problem, since its hard for a canadian without a US address to insure a car that is in the USA and when the guy sell you the car he can't continue to insure it.

I may know a mechanic who will "lend" (=$$$) you a plate if your stuck.

Feel free to phone me with any questions

 

[Red]

Another question, how'd someone go about doing the financing for a 91 NSX from the bank or another lending institution.

Last time I checked most banks don't loan out 30-40 Gs for a used car?

Appreciate the help!

Seperate issue: Banks use a 7-8 Year rule which means the life of the loan plus age of car is not greater than 7 or 8 years old, i.e. a 2000 car can have a 2 year loan max.

The best way may be to get a line of credit and buy the car on it - you may be able to secure the line wiht the car and get a lower rate.

If you're truly f-ked I may lend you the money, but my interest rates aren't that low (14.9%!)

On another note: I need to start a thread for appraised value insurance. If your 1991 NSX is written off you may get black book value for it which would be about $10k max. You should get an appraisal and file it with your insurance company - as should everyone who's done work on your car - otherwise you're in line to lose lots of $$$!

 

[GSRMOJO]

Hey RED, thanks for the info. Insurance and banking, two things that sucks! (no offence).

So I'll most likely have to get insurance if I plan to drive it back. On the other hand, your point about using an autotrasport company is good. Wonder what's the cost and how they'd bring it over the border?

BTW: Loan at 14.9% wow, what kind of organization do you work for? ;-)

 

[Red]

Hey RED, thanks for the info. Insurance and banking, two things that sucks! (no offence).

No offence taken, I'm not in Insurance anymore and not really in Banking now!

So I'll most likely have to get insurance if I plan to drive it back. On the other hand, your point about using an autotrasport company is good. Wonder what's the cost and how they'd bring it over the border?

Its about $2000 USD depending on from where to where.

BTW: Loan at 14.9% wow, what kind of organization do you work for? ;-)

The kind that will break your legs if you keep jibing us like that - we're f#cking sensitive you know!:wink:

 

[GSRMOJO]

OK, once again, thanks for the info. Phew. That's enough for now. It's looking like my dream of owning an NSX will have to hold off for now till I save more doe.

he he, funny guy about the breaking of legs and stuff! (You were kidding right?!!?!?? lol!!!).

Cheers!

 

[Red]

OK]
he he, funny guy about the breaking of legs and stuff! (You were kidding right?!!?!?? lol!!!).

"Keedding"? Russians no keedding!

 

[NSX2398]

I live in Saskatchewan where we have a slightly different system so YMMV but the provincial licenser sold me a permit so that I could drive without plates. I sort of viewed this as 'permission' to drive the vehicle in my home province once I crossed the border. I then went to a company that sells auto package policies and after a fair bit of confusion (they'd never done it before) they eventually sold me a weeks worth of insurance coverage at a rate that was about 1/52 of what a year's coverage would have been...which I think is a reasonable approach.

I also bought a permit in Arizona (where I bought the car) and assumed that it would be good for transit through the US. In advance, I did try to contact all of the states (about 6 if I recall) that I was planning to drive through to see if they'd honour the Arizona permit. Only about half answered me and they all said yes.

So, with no plates on the car, I was expecting to be stopped about once an hour on the way back .. but was never stopped once in 40 hours of driving. I even had a cop pass me and he never even slowed down. I also accidentally wound up getting caught up in a mandatory vehicle check in a small town on a Friday night and after looking at my paperwork, they let me continue.

As far as the border was concerned, I faxed them (US side) when I was about 24 hours away. I also pulled in to the US border crossing office to make sure they had rec'd the fax and did they want to look at the car .. and they could have cared less .. never even looked at it. So, I continued on to the Canadian side and after about 20 mins of completing forms and making payment for GST and Duty, I was on my way.

In terms of handling the exchange of money, although I didn't use one, I've heard that eBay and others offer links to third party organizations (escrow?)that will release funds to the seller once the deal has completed. In my case, the seller wanted a down payment to prove I was serious and had money and his bank agreed to hold onto my down payment bank draft until I had ok'd the deal... but they could also tell him the draft had arrived and was in their possession. I took the remainder with me as a bank draft.

No doubt about it .. this is the type of transaction that will have people checking your sanity. In my case, I spent a significant amount of money to buy a 10 year old car with 90k miles on it, sight unseen, 2000 miles away, from a guy I didn't know in another country. For me, the deal was made slightly easier because I had an independent 3rd party "surrogate" who had worked on the car and who I trusted. Don't trust pictures .. you can easily hide flaws with lighting and the right camera angle .. even with an expensive digital SLR camera. In my case, I didn't really care because I was putting most of the emphasis on mechanical not cosmetic condition. Before I left for the trip home, I did pull into a garage for a quick inspection on a hoist to make sure I hadn't missed anything .. wound up replacing two tires that I wasn't comfortable with.

Good luck.