I live just south of Buffalo NY. I have been checking the classifieds and it seems like there are more nice used Honda cars in Southern Ontario than there are here in Western NY.
What can anyone tell me about how to buy a car in Canada for personal use here in the US? I would like to hear about if I need to pay sales tax in Canada or in NY? if there are inspection fees related to emissions and safety compliance to get it imported, and perhaps experiences of people that have done this before, and if dealers in Ontario are open to doing this or if it is too much of a pain.

 

I think you will run into a few problems, I know I have seen a few cars for sale that people bought with that intention and then weren't able to register it when they got it here. Maybe some of it depends on the car, like a regular old Honda is probably easier than say a Nissan Skyline that isn't legal in our country.

I would definitely be sure you can get it registered and all that before buying, but you already know that.

 

In Canada the vehicles are sold using kilometers and not so miles for odometer and speed. This might be a problem for you driving those cars in the US.

 

I had a nice e-mail conversation with the manager of Can-Am Auto Importers in Kenmore, NY. They handle all the paperwork.
Registered Import Fee per Vehicle:
Value $0-10,000.00 $450.00
Ace Manifest: $ 75.00

Duty: If the VIN Number begins with a 1,4,5 the duty will be free.
Any other Number or Letter 2.8464% of the value.

So an Accord with a VIN that starts with 1HGxx would be duty free, but a J VIN would be subject to duty.
All recalls must be up to date.
The car must have a label stating CAN safety and emissions compliance, (all Hondas manufactured after 1986 are in compliance)
Must have a speedometer that is in MPH, which they do.
The only thing I don't know is about the Ontario Sales Tax (HST), which is 13%, if I needed to add the 8.75% I pay in NY.
Paying 21.75% Sales Tax total would $*cK.