Ohio Acura dealer cancelled sale

Q: I recently bought a new Acura MDX in Ohio and asked to have it imported into Canada.

The dealership later said this wasn't possible and refunded my money.

Why can't new or pre-owned Acuras be imported into Canada?

A: Importation is normally the buyer's responsibility, as many U.S. dealerships are restricted by automakers from selling to Canadians.

Private auto brokers, for a fee, will handle such a purchase for you, as well as modification of the vehicle to Canadian safety standards and its importation.

Consumer groups such as the Canadian Automobile Association (caasco.ca), Automobile Protection Association (apa.ca), and Car Help Canada (carhelpcanada.com) offer assistance and referrals for members wishing to buy new autos in the U.S. Annual membership rates apply.

For additional information, including a link to Transport Canada's list of vehicles admissible for import, visit the Registrar of Imported Vehicles website at www.riv.ca or call 1-888-848-8240.

For information on new-car warranty coverage by each manufacturer on imported U.S. vehicles, visit the Automobile Protection Association's website at www.apa.ca.

Q: We put close to 40,000 km a year on our all-wheel-drive 2005 Pontiac Vibe and are really pleased with the performance.

We have no difficulty getting through deep snow on hills.

But the Vibe and its clone, the Toyota Matrix, have been discontinued in AWD.

I'd like to know why.

A: Stew Low, director of communications for General Motors of Canada, replies:

For 2006, Vibe AWD and GT sales, combined, were less than 15 per cent of total U.S. sales.

As a result, Vibe AWD and GT models were temporarily suspended for the 2007 and 2008 model years because of anticipated lower sales volume in these years and in preparation for the next-generation 2009 Vibe.

Arriving early next year, the new Vibe will offer all the features of the AWD and GT models.

Q: A dealership is selling a 2007 Toyota Camry LXE, with 18,000 summer-driven km, as a demo.

They feel depreciation is virtually negligible, given Toyota's reputation, and want to add freight and other charges, as with a new car.

My view is that depreciation on this Camry should be at least 10 per cent, with no additional charges other than taxes.

I also consider 18,000 km to represent the loss of a third of the new-car warranty.

A: Nicole Grant, a Toyota Canada spokesperson, replies:

Our dealers determine the retail price of a vehicle independently.

Accordingly, we are unable to comment on the price being quoted by our dealer.

Generally, pricing is based on the vehicle's age, general condition and number of kilometres driven.

Eric Lai adds:

The dealership, as an independent business, is free to ask whatever they want for a vehicle.

Likewise, consumers are free to buy or not, or to go elsewhere – even another same-brand dealer.

Q: I lease a 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport 4x4 truck, with a 5.7 L Hemi V8 (21,700 km).

The Check Gauges light often comes on when I'm driving in hot weather.

The pickup has been to the dealer several times for this, but the computer doesn't store a trouble code, so the problem remains unknown.

Can you help?

A: Stuart Schorr, senior communications manager for Chrysler Canada, says our reader was asked to bring the Ram in for further dealership examination and that a courtesy rental vehicle was provided for his use.

The reader notes that despite repeated return visits to the dealer, including overnight "take-home" test drives by service techs, the problem has yet to be replicated or corrected.

Schorr says the dealership is still addressing Piggott's issues with his Ram 1500 and is working with him to resolve them.

Send an email of 300 or fewer words to wheels@thestar.ca.

Include year, make, model, VIN, (vehicle identification number), relevant dates and dollar amounts full name, address and telephone number.

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