I was told by a MB Sales Manager this morning that he has 20+ C32s on waiting list. The waiting time in Canada has increased from 3 mths to 12 mths. Allocation is only 2 cars per month for the whole city!

 

The C32 is a smokin' good deal in Canada compared to the USA. It'a something like $10,000 CDN cheaper up here. So the long waiting list is no surprise to me.

 

Well I am from Vancouver myself... if you take into account the average income and the tax in Canada too... it's not that much cheaper... I couldn't find a job that I would want in Vancouver... That's why I am here...

The only reason it's cheaper in Canada now, it's because of the exchange rate... (and fellow Canadians, you don't want the Americans to go up there and further extend the waiting list of the C32 eh?) so hush hush

 

I don't think the exchange rate is the reason it's cheaper here - a Euro is a Euro, whether it's translated into any currency. Rather, I think the Canadian cars are just priced more keenly than the US ones, taking account of our nation's lower ability to pay due to our higher taxes and universal medicare . So far as I know, the standard equipment between the US and Canadian versions is similar...or at least the CDN C32 comes with everything I'd want as standard, and then some. Hey, even on my discounted salary, I could -almost- afford one...

 

what are the rules of buying a car in canada and bringing it over to the US? just wondering.....

 

Anyone can buy a car in Canada, its just you cannot ship the car OUT of Canada 1.5yr after delivery. But this rule mainly applies to those hard to find cars such as AMGs.
However, if you buy a car in Canada but move to US within that period, this will not apply to you.

 

Can a US resident purchase a car in Canada and bring it into the US right away?

 

NO! Mercedes-Benz Canada makes all of thier customers sign an export agreement for this sole purpose. The agreement states that you can NEVER export the car out of the country for any reason. And this agreement doesn't just apply to AMG's or rare MB's, it's for all MB cars. I had to sign one when I bought my 240.

 

Maybe you're right. But thats not what I was told by my Sales Manager. But again, 90% of the sales dont know what they are saying anyways!

 

I signed the same paper (USA). Wasn't sure about Canada.

We can, however, purchase parts in Canada- correct?

 

I'm sure you probably could. But after you pay shipping, duty, and brokerage fees it will cost you the same $$$ as buying from your local dealer.

 

Actually I'd take a long weekend and make the trip up there myself.

 

Oh OK. You're in New Hamphshire. So the drive to Canada isn't a big deal. And it gives you the chance to take your car for a nice long drive.

 

I had to sign an Agreement not to export or sell my vehicle for 18 months. Having said that you are able to have your car serviced at any authorized MB service center in North America (this also includes road side assistance), so this would not prevent anybody from buying services or goods for their Mbenz in Canada, US or Mexico. The export restriction however, is for every benz sold by MB authorized dealers. Another distinction b/w Canada and US dealers is that all authorized dealerships in Canada are owned and operated by Mercedes Benz Canada Inc. In the US, espeacially in smaller markets, dealerships are or can be privately owned. This last point is significant in that these dealerships don't necessarily sell Mbs exclussively. The dealership in my brothers hometown, in Kentucky, sells MBs alongside BMWs and more recently VWs.

Goggles

 

I believe that this is not correct. Although there are several Canadian M-B dealers owned by M-B Canada Ltd/Ltée, some are not. For example, Three Point Motors in Victoria and Nanaimo BC are definitely independently owned and operated. Plus they've won the national service award for several years.

There are many other privately-owned Canadian dealers. Having written that, M-B Canada does keep a pretty wet blanket on the used car markets where it has "factory" dealers, though this is proving more difficult as Benzes sell more and more.