With cars being sold here in California that have been imported from Canada, I wonder how many modifications are made, if any.

I think the car still has daytime running lights and a block heater. And there may be a chip swap to change from metric on some of the readout functions.

But is there anything more?

 

all post 1996 cars in Canada have daytime running headlights

 

The pollution requirements in Canada are a little firmer than those in the USA as well so you may find a little more pollution gear on them.

I do not have a block heater in my 350Z and the readouts can be toggled from metric back to standard if I remember correctly from reading my manual. Not that I remember how though So you will likely not require a chip change.

Amusingly enough, I was required to sign a piece of paper stating that I would not sell my 350Z until June. Originally they wanted a $2500 deposit to be returned to me after 6 months but I told them to go to hell.

Apparently this was to prevent me from buying the car to sell it in the USA because they are discounted to a greater degree up here to remain competitive in Canada.

Of course once you toss on the 14.5% tax, selling it in the USA is no longer a profit making enterprise

I had no problem with signing a piece of paper since i have no intention of selling the car.

Regards,
Kevin

 

Actually the US has sightly tougher pollution standards than Canada. That is why Canada was able to get 75 real M3's with the 286 HP german engine in 1994. Those are classics and almost never come up for sale. They couldn't pass US emissions.

Those were the only 2nd gen M3's in Canada until we got the US spec ones in 1997.

 

I hear canada has more stict bumper regulations. Supposedly that is why we aren't getting the EVO.

 

Actually, you DO have a block heater. All Z's into Canada have one. Look behind your license plate in the front.

 

Is that why I was given a power cord with my Z?

 

Alright ... I cannot see it but perhaps it is there I'll go digging for it. Seems a little odd to hide it though, what use is it to me then?

I'll take a peek if I get out of work before the sun goes down tonight.

Regards,
Kevin

 

I actually noticed that the CAnadian Track version is some 20 lb lighter than the US one. I wonder what we are missing... and since the canadian Track version is fully loaded with all options with the exception of the airbag switch and the NAV (ie, all airbags, block heater, etc..), what's missing on the Canadian version that's on the US version??

 

Kakey,
Mine is tied onto the front bumper, behind the license plate, with a zip tie, but I also got an extention cord that was in one of the upper glove boxes behind the seat when I took delivery. If your dealer did not give it to you, ask them why you know other people who had it included with the car. My Dads QX4 came with the same extention cord. I have a perfomenace but maybe the Tracks do not have the block heater.

 

There is an interesting article in today's paper about a suit being brought against Nissan (and other manufacturers) for a disparity in pricing between cars sold in Canada and the United States.

Apparently, the same model can be less expensive in Canada than here in the States, which I find surprising, given the VAT.

 

Its based on what a given market will bear, but its difficult to make a one to one comparison as the packages are totally different.

For example, I believe the US has 5 trims - base, enthusiast, performance, touring and Track. I won't even get into the options with each package.

In Canada, you can choose from 3 packages: Performance, Touring and Track.

The Canadian Performance and Touring packages are equivalent to fully loaded US Touring packages (Xenon, VDC, TCS, Leather, 6-disc in dash, 18" wheels, etc). The difference in the Canadian packages is that the Performance comes with the 6-spd only and the Touring comes with the automatic only. Track is similar to the US track.

All said and done, either the Touring or the Package retails for $44900 CDN, with the track retailing at $46900.

Canadian median salaries are similar to US salaries (in terms of dollar amounts, not converted to the same currency) but our money buys less. A job that pays $100 000 CDN would pay roughly the same in the US (i.e. $100 000 US) but you can get into a Z for $30K while I have to pony up $45.

 

aaaah...purchasing power disparity...gotta love to hate it.

 

Not only that, but you need to figure the final cost of the car out the door. In Ontario, we pay 15% tax on all cars. Nissan charges $900 freight. We have gas and A/C taxes etc etc. I bet when all is said and done, Canadian cars are not much less then the lower taxed States.

 

And never mind that making more than $60 000 CDN is considered a sin in Canada, hence why the government sees fit to set our marginal rate at 50% when we make over $60K.

 

And we don't get to deduct our mortgages....

 

All this tax talk is depressing... it's all true, and there's nothing we can do about it... high taxes suck!

Moving to Alberta is a good first step I guess!

 

True, but I dont believe that we have to pay taxes on inharitence or lottery winnings. In the states they do.

 

Too bad my parents aren't rich, and I don't think I'm winning the lottery anytime soon..

 

We definately pay taxes on inheritance. If you set up your inheritance properly then you can get by paying very little in taxes but if you do not they will rape you.

Done properly we have one of the best inheritance systems in the world. The problem is that most people do not do it properly.

Regards,
Kevin