eBay cars, need help importing.
 

Hey all,

So I'm new here and looking into buying a Miata. I'm from Toronto, Ontario and the prices for Miata's here are RIDICULOUS. With my price range of 3-7k, I'm finding that I can afford a 1990, 300km miata bone stock - with a small amount of rust. With 7k, I start seeing 1992-93's with 200k bone stock. When I did a quick run on eBay, I found a car for 3.5k sold, 1992 white miata, hard top with 200k on the motor, rebuilt with 90k on motor WITH a flying miata setup + all ecu's required. I found the equivalent of a 1999 turbocharged miata here for 9k firm, 200k on it.. Again, out of my range.

Anyways, I want to know if anyone has experience dealing with PRIVATE dealers on eBay and then IMPORTING them from the USA to Canada. I'm planning to drive down to NYC to pick this thing up (If I decide to bid on it) and then drive back here. I've never purchased a new car, let alone, a US car, so I'm very scared. Any tips?

I'm also perusing these forums for a nice car near me (Toronto) and will drive down to see it if It turns my cranks.

Anyways, any Canadians have input on importing a car? BTW, I'm looking at a 1990 with 200k on the chasis, 50k on the engine, no power steering, flying miata turbo (16psi) etc etc.. probably will offer 3.5k for it. How's that sound?

what about a JDM Miata? you can save a lot of cash by purchasing one of those in Canada... but it'll probably be auto

http://www.importcartocanada.info/

That should get you started as to what you need to do when importing. I looked into doing it before buying my Miata, too. As you probably know, it's not uncommon for guys to get cheaper, never-wintered Miatas from the southern states.

In the end, I decided to buy an ultra-clean, never winter-driven '99 base with 100k km on it from a local seller. Price: $9,000. Yeah, I know. But between searching for one down south, finding one I wanted, getting the appointment at the border, dealing with insurance, transport, paying taxes and putting on DRLs, I decided to just bite the bullet and pay more. It didn't help that I was in the market right in the middle of May, so wasting the short driving season wasn't something I wanted to do.

Do the research on importing. I hear that it's not a big deal once you've done it once or twice, but there's definitely a process to it.

As far as JDM stuff goes, I don't know how it is in the other provinces, but Quebec no longer allows the importation of RHD cars.

Try autotrader.com instead. That way you can go and look at it instead of having to buy it sight unseen.

...and don't forget about Craigslist! You can check various local ones and even nearby US ones if you want.

http://rochester.craigslist.org/cto/2824432801.html

And Rochester is a lot closer than NYC.

Why not import one from japan. They are cheap to get in canada and I am almost 100% positive they are easy to title up there.