[Bill]

If I decide to import ?

MASERATI

That means they can charge me outrageous charges right ? Obviously they would want me to get the DLR, cluster etc. done from them !

[hammaglamma]

I'm sure they won't hold it against you for importing your own car and they shouldn't charge you more than they charge anyone else. Besides, they're Canadians and aren't all Canadians supposed to be really nice people?

[webdev]

If you ask Maserati/Ferrari dealership for conversion package, they will quote $12k-$15k but I believe someone here imported the car without going to the authorized dealer. Look for the thread about "warranties in canada".

Alternatively, you can call usautoimport.ca and find out what it will cost to import. They will import the car and bring it over and you travel to their location and buy the car from them. I was thinking of importing one but after duty, tax and green tax (if the car was manufactured AFTER march 10, 2007, you pay up to $4000 in green levy tax), I chose to look around locally.

If you plan to buy one in Canada, only buy it from a used dealership that deals with high end cars. There are few of used dealerships in GTA that have old QPs and Coupes. Went to see a QP and the guy lied about fixing all the things on the inspection sheet. He only cared about getting the car off his lot as quickly as possible.

[hammaglamma]

He lied? My image of Canadians is shattered forever.

[Saturn]

Originally Posted by Bill

If I decide to import ?

MASERATI



That means they can charge me outrageous charges right ? Obviously they would want me to get the DLR, cluster etc. done from them !

Get your recall letter before you cross the border. Thats all you need. Call Alex at Daytona Auto to get you the DRL fix. Pay about 10% when you cross the border. And then 8% at provincial licensing office.

[webdev]

Saturn, do we have get the daytime running lights before we import the car or after the car crosses the border into Canada?

[kramsay1234]

After is fine. You need the Daytime Running Lights activated in order to pass the RIV inspection you have to do at Canadian Tire. Alex at Daytona will help you with everything you need as Saturn said.

[FlyinBrian]

Originally Posted by Bill

Does this mean Maserati of Canada will rape me ?

Yes. Yes, it does.


Apparently, Transport Canada is now also calling the manufacturer to "verify" the clearance and recall letters provided are authentic, and were obtained through correct channels.

Apparently, if you didn't pay an official dealer for it and the conversion, Maserati North America will not endorse it as "authentic".

[webdev]

Originally Posted by FlyinBrian

Yes. Yes, it does.


Apparently, Transport Canada is now also calling the manufacturer to "verify" the clearance and recall letters provided are authentic, and were obtained through correct channels.

Apparently, if you didn't pay an official dealer for it and the conversion, Maserati North America will not endorse it as "authentic".

So that means unless you don't spend the $130000-$14000 for the conversion, your car will not be registered in Canada?

When did this happen? I believe so many people have imported their Maseratis without going through the dealership for the conversion.

BTW, Do you work for the dealership?

[ALEX A]

Give me a call.
Alex.
Thanks.

[FlyinBrian]

Originally Posted by webdev

So that means unless you don't spend the $130000-$14000 for the conversion, your car will not be registered in Canada?

Yes, you could end up with a car in Canada that -by the time you register it- costs substantially more than ones for sale here do.

I believe cars imported under the RIV program are still given a set period of time to conform and if the conversion is not done, they have to be exported back to the country they came from.

Originally Posted by webdev

When did this happen? I believe so many people have imported their Maseratis without going through the dealership for the conversion.

Calling the manufacturers for verification is a fairly recent addition - I've heard it started within the last year. My Coupe was imported around 5 years ago and the verification did not exist then.

The warning in the registrar of imported vehicles list -that ALL mods need to be done by an official dealer- is a VERY new addition.


For a Coupe it does not cost $13K to go through the import conversion. The big cost for this car are the recall & conformance letters themselves. I believe dealers typically charge around $2500USD for these 2. The issues with these cars, from what I recall, are the speedo & daytime running lights. I do not believe the new speedo unit & DRLs cost $10,000 to get done.


A similar situation exists with Lotus' Elise -- in fact they specify that only 1 dealership in Canada can properly "federalize" an Elise for driving on Canadian roads. I and a few other people tried to find out what is involved in the "conversion" a while back, but could not.

Originally Posted by webdev

BTW, Do you work for the dealership?

Nope- I don't work for the stealership.