View Full Version : Looking at a Canadian car with a current California title - Any issues?
Sooner1
12-10-2020, 08:13 AM
I am looking at a B7 that was originally purchased in Canada (this detail is in the listing and the speedo is in KPH). The owner moved to Cali and the car has a current California title.
Any issues or red flags here?
Adam
rhfosu
12-10-2020, 08:27 AM
No. Wouldn't think so. Should be a fairly standard interstate title transfer. Check with your DMV about what's required. Some states play games, like you have to have the title notarized in the other state, etc.
I'd be more concerned about buying a 15 year old car that spent most of its life in Canada personally, lol.
Theiceman
12-10-2020, 08:41 AM
if it was in vancouver you dont have a whole lot to worry about ... i think they have similar weather to washington
11move
12-10-2020, 08:50 AM
I'd be more concerned about buying a 15 year old car that spent most of its life in Canada personally, lol.
Why? You can run a carfax just like in the US! Canada doesn't use salt on the roads in the western part so no rust. The humidity is low so again no rust compare to the US and California where the car currently is. I would buy a Canadian car in a heartbeat vs a car that spent most of its life next to salt water and a high humid environment baking in the sun.
Sooner1
12-10-2020, 08:50 AM
It has 200k miles. Two rust spots are showing in the usual wheel well locations but I am looking for a bit of a project car that is inexpensive.
Seller has provided 200+ pictures to me. For the mileage it is in excellent shape.
Seller purchased the car new and has a massive stack of service paperwork so I feel it has been taken care of. Most of the service is dealership others from an independence shop.
Seller has a name for car and refers to the car by that name during correspondence - I think that is another good sign (a little odd but good).
Timing belt has 120k miles on it so that needs to be done.
Not sure on the cam follower.
rhfosu
12-10-2020, 09:15 AM
Why? You can run a carfax just like in the US! Canada doesn't use salt on the roads in the western part so no rust. The humidity is low so again no rust compare to the US and California where the car currently is. I would buy a Canadian car in a heartbeat vs a car that spent most of its life next to salt water and a high humid environment baking in the sun.
"In the western part". That's not all of Canada. Most of Canada uses lots of salt. But that wasn't OP's question. This was just my editorial.
Jeevan
12-10-2020, 09:19 AM
I am looking at a B7 that was originally purchased in Canada (this detail is in the listing and the speedo is in KPH). The owner moved to Cali and the car has a current California title.
Any issues or red flags here?
Adam
Get ready to deal with rusty suspension bolts. I would stay away from Canadian cars and East coast US cars.
Sent from my iPhone using Audizine (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=87676)
Get ready to deal with rusty suspension bolts. I would stay away from Canadian cars and East coast US cars.
Sent from my iPhone using Audizine (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=87676)
Easier said than done when you live on the upper east coast [;)]
Jeevan
12-10-2020, 11:14 AM
Easier said than done when you live on the upper east coast [;)]
I live in dream world where cars dont need car carwashes most of the time and no rust
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Charles.waite
12-10-2020, 02:03 PM
Isn't part of the requirement to federalize a canadian car that you need to replace the Cluster with a US cluster with MPH and miles?
Either way if its already legally imported then you're probably fine. Except I'm not sure I'd bother with a rusty B7 regardless of what sort of deal it might be (considering the value of B7s these days). But if you're down for a bit of a project and the price is right then I'd say go for it. However, I wouldn't necessarily trust a 120k timing belt...
rhfosu
12-10-2020, 02:23 PM
Isn't part of the requirement to federalize a canadian car that you need to replace the Cluster with a US cluster with MPH and miles?
Either way if its already legally imported then you're probably fine. Except I'm not sure I'd bother with a rusty B7 regardless of what sort of deal it might be (considering the value of B7s these days). But if you're down for a bit of a project and the price is right then I'd say go for it. However, I wouldn't necessarily trust a 120k timing belt...
I wouldn't even start that car until I replaced the belt personally. Also, a rusty 200k mile B7 that needs the timing service better be almost free.
Sooner1
12-10-2020, 03:14 PM
I wouldn't even start that car until I replaced the belt personally. Also, a rusty 200k mile B7 that needs the timing service better be almost free.
Agreed on the timing belt although I am most likely going to drive it from the west coast to Kansas City. As previously mentioned that would be the first thing. Parts aren't much for that project. Just a little quality time in the garage.
It's pretty close to free.
- - - Updated - - -
Isn't part of the requirement to federalize a canadian car that you need to replace the Cluster with a US cluster with MPH and miles?
Either way if its already legally imported then you're probably fine. Except I'm not sure I'd bother with a rusty B7 regardless of what sort of deal it might be (considering the value of B7s these days). But if you're down for a bit of a project and the price is right then I'd say go for it. However, I wouldn't necessarily trust a 120k timing belt...
I think the work around to the speedometer issue is that the center display and be configured to show an MPH speedo but not sure about that.
Sooner1
12-10-2020, 03:19 PM
This is definitely not an investment opportunity. I have owned 3 Audis and have always regretting not getting an avant manual.
Not going to spend more than $2,500 on the purchase price.
rhfosu
12-10-2020, 03:26 PM
[QUOTE=Sooner1;14375685]Agreed on the timing belt although I am most likely going to drive it from the west coast to Kansas City. As previously mentioned that would be the first thing. Parts aren't much for that project. Just a little quality time in the garage.
It's pretty close to free. [QUOTE]
Lol, well that's a hell of a lot more than starting it. That's a long way to drive on that belt, hombre. You seem like you know what you're doing, so I trust you'll crack open that cover and check for cracks at least. If it were me, I wouldn't want to get stuck with a trashed motor somewhere between CA and MO.