Finding an NSX in Ontario/Canada...

Joined
10 April 2009
Messages
164
Location
Somewhere north of Toronto...
Currently own a 2006 Subaru STI, very fun car, but I've gone as far with it as I want and I'm at a point where I think I can afford to purchase an earlier gen NSX albeit afford one in good nick.

I've hit the normal local sources to see what's out there, and I realize this time of year may not be ideal (maybe it is though, I'd potentially hate to sell my NSX with GOOD weather just around the corner!) and haven't seen very much out there.

The option to purchase south of the border is viable, but of course it complicates the process drastically - at least from the standpoint of getting a GOOD look at a car without flying out to see it, and I anticipate viewing more than a couple before finding mine.

With that said, are there any good resources beyond kijiji, trader.ca, craigslist to find a good copy of this rare beauty? Is there a particular Acura dealer that specializes in them up here, or perhaps a local registry beyond NSXPrime where locals would post to sell?

Any useful input appreciated.
 
I briefly looked at the White 92 that's for sale in the east but walked from a deal on it as it's got a questionable past (www.autotrader.ca).

I've bought 3 NSX's sight unseen and haven't regretted any of those purchases. If you are considering buying in the U.S. sight unseen follow these tips:

1. Lot's of detailed photos
2. Scanned copies of all service work
3. Scanned copy of title (shows whether person is the owner or if it has a lien against it)
4. Have local NSX owners from the regional forums check the car out for you
5. Carfax report to check the history of the car
6. Book the car in for an inspection at the local Acura dealer (have dealership contact you directly for results)
7. Send deposit and fly down to collect.
 
Good to know. I'd much prefer to buy a local car for my own peace of mind ease of purchase (perhaps that's narrow sighted and will change), but is there generally more NSX's available for sale in the spring time? Not sure if it's worth waiting in case selection grows.
 
This time of year is hard to buy because even the most eager seller would prefer to wait for spring to get more hits. Also, the fall/early winter weather is hit and miss and you would be hard pressed for anyone letting you drive the car on cold/potentially salted roads.

In terms of dealers with NSX for sale, I would first reach out to the pre-owned department of Erin Mills Acura or Acura of Oakville. Both dealerships have dedicated technicians for the NSX and two are even owners themselves. They would be good resources to turn to.

Import isn't always bad but the hassle you mentioned is valid. Buying local also give you a chance to fully inspect the car before pulling the trigger. If I were you, I would first join the NSX Club of Canada and attend some events. You can get to know the car and the people who drive them, and start your search there. Joining this local forum (which you have) would also put you in touch with most of the local owners, and there are always people looking to sell/upgrade and I believe buying from a responsible owner/member would be the best way to approach the process.

What $$ are you looking to spend for the car. Don't forget you have to pay HST now even buying from a private owner assuming you are located in Ontario.
 
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Importing from the US is fairly easy, finding the right car and getting all the necessary info about it is the hard part. Keep in mind that the US banking system is different than Canadian, so it can will take time for money to clear. Example, when I got mine, bank drafts, wire transfer, travellers cheques, personal cheque, etc all would have been 2-3weeks to clear. And even then no gaurentee that it will clear. So I paid in cash:biggrin: .......only to avoid waiting because I flew down to buy and drove back. But, if you have time to wait for money to clear.....then wait as it is a little safer/less stressful. Also make sure you do a lien check to ensure that once you have the funds available you don't get burned at the border i.e. not allowed to import.
 
It is quite easy to import a car into Canada from the states. I imported an NSX from the States 4 weeks ago. General steps are:

1. If NSX is 15 years or newer, do as required by RIV. If it is 16 years or older, no need for RIV.
2. Find the NSX you want - that takes lots time, even though you have more choices down south.
3. Once found the car, ask for VIN and license plate number. Phone DMV to make sure car is clean titled and no lien. You can check with carfax or carcheck too.
4. Ask the owner to fax all service records to you.
5. Book flight, buy binder insurance from your local auto insurance agent.
6. Talk to the seller to make sure bank cashier's cheque is acceptable, and beware the seller's personal banker will phone your bank's head quarter and your bank to confirm the cheque is good.
7. Get bank draft done. Talk to your personal banker to make sure she's available to talk to the seller's personal banker.
8. Have the seller fax all necessary documents and application for export to the US homeland security's custom and border protections port of export at least 3 days in advance so the car is declared for export before you pay and go down to the States.
9. flight down to meet the seller and inspect the car. Goes to the bank with the seller to clear the cashier's cheque. Get a temporary trip permit if neccessary for driving in the states. In my case, I didn't have to do that since I took the seller's license plate.
10. Drive the car up and that's it.

Fairly painless.
 
Thanks again for all the above advice. I will definitely be attending coming local NSX events if I am able to. My budget is modest, but I don't think it will be impossible to find a car in good order for below $40k in Canada. I'm going to stick to shopping in the local market for now, as the risk of buying a trouble car is too much of a turn off for me.

In fact a couple of Prime members saw this thread and already contacted me with NSX's for sale that they haven't yet put on the market. Unfortunately while both were beautiful, they were outside my budget, but still, a good start! :)

Nice to know about those two dealer references too as even buying locally I would want a very experienced eye to look the car over before pulling the trigger on it.
 
You should be able to find an excellent example for $40k in Canada. It will be an earleir model, but if well maintained and with lowish mileage you'll have yourself and excellent car. If you're looking in the $25k range then the states is your best option and you'll find rougher cars. I haven't checked the market lately, but I expect mid 30's should do the trick.

Whatever you find, be sure to have the club's tech Rob look at it for you. He'll be completely honest and may be able to give you some grounds for negotiation.
 
I believe with your $40K budget you"ll be able to find a very good NSX in Canada, as Sean said.

The Club can help with doing a Pre inspection, and we can get our Technical Director to go over the car from Top to Bottom.

The Club memberships is only $50.00 and bring lots of benefits, and if you sign-up now, it's good for 2011, and you can meet some of the members at the up coming events.


Bram
 
I am going to put my '91 up for sale next spring. Have a baby now. Drove it less than 10 times this year. Don't want to have a garage queen. It is in great shape and about 56,000 km on it. PM me for detatls. I will price it under $40K.

Ray
 
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Its a Canadian NSX LIQUIATION!!!!! :eek::eek::eek:
 
I went States side to pick up my '00 NSX-T super clean & very well maintained from New Hampshire there is way more selection in the U.S. I drove down checked it out, placed a deposit on it, and flew down 2 weeks later and drove her home. Importing is easy and for your budget around $40k you can get a lot newer car for the dollar. Also there might be other primers over where you plan on looking States side to help scout the car out before you go over to look at it yourself. There are also many companies local that can ship the car back if its to far away to drive back, fly out look at it and make the arrangements.

If the States isn't your cup of tea I'm sure the NSXCC can help assist you with your search & technical checks.
 
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You need to bid on that SoS gift certificate the club is auctioning off, so that no matter which NSX you buy, you can get the goods for it from day one.

I love threads where guys show pics of all their mod parts sitting in the living room, and it reads "now I only need an NSX to put them on".

There's a sweet US car with 8000 miles on it for sale (check out the comments on Prime). It's a 92, and a little over $40k, but worth a look for sure. Importing ain't hard.
 
I went States side to pick up my '00 NSX-T super clean & very well maintained from New Hampshire there is way more selection in the U.S. I drove down checked it out, placed a deposit on it, and flew down 2 weeks later and drove her home. Importing is easy and for your budget around $40k you can get a lot newer car for the dollar. Also there might be other primers over where you plan on looking States side to help scout the car out before you go over to look at it yourself. There are also many companies local that can ship the car back if its to far away to drive back, fly out look at it and make the arrangements.

If the States isn't your cup of tea I'm sure the NSXCC can help assist you with your search & technical checks.

From the bowels of the Canadian FAQ:
How to import a yankee X
http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97873
 
hey Kaz1116, im new to this site, and plan on getting an nsx this spring.
what colour is your interior and do you have any pics.
looking for red one..
im in London, ontario
thanks
eddy
 
Well, a quick update, I've seen quite a few NSX's locally and spoken with a few in the US. There's still a nice one up here I'm considering, but looking to the USA more and more now.

However, I went and took a look at this car:
http://www.carpages.ca/used/2003/Acura/NSX/Scarborough/Ontario/690785

because a friend was looking at picking up an S2000 from the same dealer. This car has been repainted. Poorly. With a rattlecan. It's bruuutal, the paint is all uneven and the metallic fleck in it is horrific. I didn't even bother to start poking around to see if it had been hit, but I'm assuming it had. The S2000 we looked at had been hit and had about $10k in repairs (also repainted horribly).

Quite sad to see such a late model car in that state and given such a poor going-over. I should've copied the VIN down, but forgot. Either way - avoid.
 
hey Kaz1116, im new to this site, and plan on getting an nsx this spring.
what colour is your interior and do you have any pics.
looking for red one..
im in London, ontario
thanks
eddy

interior is black
Im not on here much ... so send me a pm and I will contact you via phone.
Im not here much longer so the sooner the better
 
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