[net.auto] Taking Delivery in Canada

ning@ur-univax.UUCP (06/27/85)

I am looking for a new car and have some questions about taking
delivery of a foreign car in Canada.

My first question is the amount of hassle in importing the car. 
How much modifying do the emissions controls need?  Is there
considerable amount of trouble in certifying the car for US
import, and how much does it vary with the make of the car?  What
is a typical tariff?  The cars that most interest me are the Honda
Prelude, Mazda 626, and maybe the Nissan 200SX and Volkswagen GTI.

Does anyone know why Honda doesn't promote the "Si" model of the
Prelude in the US?  I do know that the "Si" was introduced in
Japan in 1983, but was discontinued in 1984 (model year).  A
friend from Japan speculates that Honda is trying to get rid of
remaining inventory of the old fuel-injection bodies used in the
"Si."  And does anyone know if Honda plans to import the Integra--
as it is called in Japan--which is basically a hatchback Prelude.

Despite that the US dollar trades for $1.33 Canadian, cars seem
generally more expensive in Canada.  Does anyone have recent
quotes for any of the above mention cars either in the US or
Canada?  I would be most interested if you could mail me this
information.  My best quote for the 1985 Prelude is $12,200 US.  I
will post a summary if there is enough response--after I buy mine,
of course.  (:-).

One further question:  Does anyone know if Nissan plans to import
their top-of-the-line Skyline, or have a good legalizer to
recommend?


John Lam___________________________________________
..{wateng,watmath,utzoo}!allegra!..
 ..{seismo,decvax,allegra}!rochester!ur-univax!ning

	P.O. Box 30598
	River Station
	Rochester NY  14627
	+1 716 244 6944

weather@convex.UUCP (07/11/85)

>And does anyone know if Honda plans to import the Integra--
>as it is called in Japan--which is basically a hatchback Prelude.

>John Lam___________________________________________


I'm not sure about the Canadian situation, but the Integra is due
in the US this fall.  The following is quoted without permission
from the June 1985 issue of Motor Trend (p. 32):

     "...The Integra is based on the Civic/Accord-style chassis instead
of the Prelude layout.  The engine is the really sweet part - a DOHC
16-valve four of 1590 cc with fuel injection, the same basic number
now available in Japanese-market versions of the Civic and CRX.  It
will give its happy and smiling American owners in the region of 130
hp, and hooked up to a car weighing about 2100 lb will result in
impressive performance.

     "The Integra will not be sold through regular Honda dealers but
through an entirely new network, known at this time as Acura.  Current
Honda dealers can, of course, sign up, but we understand there is a
requirement for separate showrooms and so forth.  Thus, it becomes
apparent Honda is using the Integra as the initial foray into
higher-market cars, and its mission is to set up the system before the
Honda/Leyland sedan arrives sometime next year."


I just wish they'd had a 16-valve fuel-injected version of the 1.8l
engine available when I bought my Prelude!  Oh well....


			Jim Weatherford, CONVEX Computer Corporation
			{uiucdcs,allegra,ihnp4}!convex!weather