Wilder

Firstly, it's a mistake to ask the opinion of people in the US about the pricing of cars, especially 993s, in Canada. This is the reason why I posted a "feeler" on my car with no price. No offense to our US friends but they are two very different markets.

Secondly, +1 on what Danny said (except the part about $69k being overpriced ) and elaborating on his point:

I've imported three of the four 993s I've owned in the past from the US including my current C4S and I think people have some gross misconceptions about what it costs to import a car into Canada. Just because you can find a low mile C2S in the US for ~$55k and the dollar is trading near par does not mean you can have that car landed in Canada for ~$55k CAD. A gross rule of thumb is that you're currently looking at between $5k to $7k in exchange, duty, transport, inspections etc. (not including PST or GST) to have that car landed here and you're still buying a car sight unseen, for which the ~$5k premium you pay on a local car over a US car landed in Canada is well worth the money. If you don't understand or agree, go read Matt's recent post again about his experience buying from the US.

The primary benefit of buying from the US is greater selection and availability, especially if you're looking for a car that has been sorted as most 993s in Canada, or at least in Vancouver, tend to be low-mile, unmolested garage queens. Case in point, when I was looking for my first 993, I wanted a blk/blk cab and couldn't find one in Canada for three months but found a few in the US and bought one within a month after I started my search there. Same scenario when I bought my other cars. BTW, import costs run $5k to $7k now but I paid well over $10k for each car I've imported since I bought when the USD was much stronger against the CAD.

If you think $69k CAD is too high for a ~50k km (30k mi) C2S, here are some recent transactions in Vancouver as a reference:

cabrio993

For $69K I can get me a nice Turbo instead of just a C2S. Yes, it is overpriced.

DC from Cape Cod

Not everyone wants a turbo.....especially a turbo a few levels below in quality and a few level of mileage higher than a similar C2S.

I stand by my quote that the #1 993 requested by a customer to a high end broker is not a turbo but a C2S.

cabrio993

So, are you saying that the C2S is more valuable than a Turbo?

Black993

May be a bit expensive but that is a damn fine looking car from the outside

DC from Cape Cod

No...but I said that a pristine low mileage C2S costs more than a lesser condition higher mileage turbo AND that the C2S has probably held a higher percentage of its purchase price. It is also requested in greater numbers when clients shop at specialty brokers like Dave Maynard, RPM, etc.

Don't take my word for it - ask Alfie to chime in...he sees these cars daily.

matt777

I'm guessing Cdn cars are more expensive because they started out that way. We're used to getting hosed like this. Importing can be expensive. I lucked out because my travel costs were minimal and I drove the car back. Intercity wanted $3200 to ship the car including brokerage. However, if you're shopping in Canada you're likely to travel to find a car anyway. Other than that you have 6.1% duty and 5% GST plus a $205 RIV fee and $250 out of province inspection plus $200 for the DRL conversion.

mr_fizz

Canadian pricing = US price + total cost to import into Canada. It is as simple as that.

matt777

Just saw a '97 Carrera for sale privately at $41,900 Cdn. Black/black, lowered, tinted side glass, twists, 98K kms, sport seats. Not bad at all.

H.H.Chinn

It's just a demonstration that the seller isn't in a hurry to sell or out fishing for a "whale".

soltino

Were U.S. Ss only made in 97,98?

tino

matt777

Not an "S".

niche

+1

doberdog

I never though my car would end up being a Rennlist post.
Canadian cars do fetch a premium in the Canadian market as a US car is worth more in the US than a Mexican car or other area. Many of the 993's that sell in Vancouver have low miles. Mine has 48000km or about 30,000 miles plus they don't get beaten up by the sun and no salt damage.

BTW-I've decided to keep it, don't know what I was thinking!!

Wilder

Zack, I'm glad to hear you'll be keeping the car. A car like yours is not easy to replace.

mr_fizz: IIRC, you imported a 993 C4S some time ago. If that's the case, and should you ever decide to sell, please make sure to post on the Canada forum as I'm sure many here would love to buy your car at US value plus import costs as opposed to Canadian market value.

matt777: That C2 is priced well but I venture to guess that at least some people would rather pay an extra $7,800 and get this car.




One more reference point that listed yesterday: 97 Carrera S with 60k km for $57k. Fantastic deal...if you're willing to live with a tip.