Started by subscribing to Prime and reading/learning about my dream car.
Reading posts about good/bad buying experiences, the importance of deciding what you want, and getting a really good idea of pricing.
I actually offered to buy from a fellow in Missisauga, but he didn't take my offer, I thought it was rediculously high, so I offered him $5 G less ,,,was still overpriced,...he did not accept, so I backed off....I looked at a couple in the states, that initially met all my criteria, making trips to view, but when I got there, they were NOT in the pristine condition said to be over the phone or emails/pictures.
Through the course of being on Prime, another newer member from Calgary was also shopping, so we started comparing new listings when they came up on Prime, Ebay, Auto Trader, etc...we each wanted different cars (he Red on Tan, me Silver)..so were not competing with each other, but helping each other.
Anyway, one day he emails me with a link and says he just saw an NSX for sale on some kind of exotic car site ...it met all criteria I had set out for myself...so I contacted the guy, and immediately sent him a deposit by way of bank wire. This was to buy some time for me. I agreed to his price which was reasonable, on the basis of passing inspections and he agreed to not sell it to anyone unless I backed out. He had just done the timing belt at Acura, and gotten a full PPI from them in preparation to sell, so I knew mechanically it was fine..so I posted a "help, inspection needed" on prime and had great response from members in the North Califfornia area willing to help. Two of them went and looked at it, drove it, and sent me a tonne of pics....I couldn't get away from work to fly down, so I took their opinions, which were great and wired him the rest of money...he then sent me the title via FED EX and I made arrangements for shipping. It was shipped to just south of the border to where I am. I met the truck and drove it back over the border home. OF course, I did all my pre-paperwork in advance with RIV , etc. I was less than 5 mins on the US side of the border exporting, and less than 10 mins at the Canadian side importing....smooth as silk from start to finish.
I still took it in to my local Acura here for another full inspection, all fluid changes, etc. in which they gave it a complete 100% clean bill of health.
my criteria from day 1 of looking:
Silver
2001 or less (wanted flip up headlights)
less than 50,000 miles
wanted 6 spd - T roof
wanted one owner, with all maint. records
insanely great condition overall
minimal/if any mods (mine came with Enkei wheels, I could live with)
and of course within my pre-determined budget for the above.
Took a couple of years for sure, and lots of patience, but I am so glad I didn't settle for something outside my criteria. Now I am 100% happy.
The reason I looked in the states....Canadian selection was very limited and very overpriced relative to US. (even when duty, taxes, taken into consideration)
Price - I feel I got far more value in buying in the states than using the same overall total dollars and shopping in Canada.
No regrets - although paying all that duty and tax does hurt a bit...
To be honest, if a Canadian car was available in my criteria and even priced significantly above my budget, I would have considered it, but one never came available, not even close to meeting all my terms.
Good luck!
