Would you buy it? US 2004 Pilot in Canada

[karjar]

I have a chance to pick up a Honda Pilot EX-L 2004, low mileage. Here is the kicker. This is a US model, that was traded here in Canada at a dealer, after the couple moved here. I checked the VIN on Honda.com and there are no outstanding recalls, so they must have looked after the transmission recalls that were out on that year Pilot.
Being US model (built in Canada though :) ) Handa Canada will not honor warranty, but dealer is providing a 2 year 48k warranty (aftermarket extended I assume).

So future recalls if there were any might be a problem, Maybe the odd part might need a US part? (not sure why a Canadian part would not fit).

And of course odometer is in miles and speedometer show miles in large number on outer ring with smaller kilometers on inner ring.

Not sure if odometer can be changed via an ODB type port like on a VW or Audi, where miles or kilometers can be selected.

Also not sure what this might mean to future resale. Dealer is pricing this about the same market value as Canadian, but I think thye can move on it.

thanks for any insights you might have or suggestions.

[brettingsworth]

From an insurance standpoint, a lot of companies won't cover cars that have US VIN #'s. Check that out first.

[karjar]

Thanks, I was thinking about that the other day, but of course thinking, "surely the dealer would tell me" ...probably not.

Anybody else? other issues? or just don't do it?

[roots750]

Since the dealer is offering a warranty I might consider it, but only after I had determined this vehicle was far far away from the area flooded by huricane Katrina in August of 2005. I suspect that a lot of Canadian, as well as US dealers, have picked up flooded vehicles from insurance companies in the the New Orleans area cleaned them up and are selling them at a good profit. The vehicle may look good and perform well now, but once the electronics pack it in because of corrosion and this could take a couple of more years, there will be plenty of problems.
Just my two cents worth.

[karjar]

Good point, and good to know.
I believe the vehicle was bought in Montana. the couple moved here, and traded this and his wifes VW Beetle for a new Accura RDX.
I just wonder what the resale might be like as well down the road. The current dealer price wise, treats it the same as a CDN model.

[bill_03948]

My g/f and I recently went through the transfer process to have a vechile registration transfered from one country to another.

We have found you need two recall lists. one from the USA and one from Canada as they may be different. You are required to have two safeties done on teh vechile. The best of all... If we wish to sell the vechile, We did not have to go through all this process. All we needed for a legal sale of the vechile was to have an up to date ownership showing no liens. We sold the vechile because it was going to cost us close to $3,000 by the time we changed the bumper, added daytime running lights and some minor work.

We sold the vehicle to a used car dealership as a trade in who said "let the new owners worry about that when the government comes after them. Although we gave full disclosure to the used car dealship they were going to resell the car and play stupid.

I'd just be carefull when purchasing an automobile with an origin from Quebec or United States.

The USA has different emmission test than Canada and you might be in trouble later as it may not meet Canadian standards. I understand cars under 3 years old are not required to have an emmision test done. It's between 3 and 20 years. I might be wrong but this vehicle is a 2004 so it's at the 3 year stage.

Another member made a valid point. The car could be from an area ravished by floods and has been cleaned up.

I wouldn't walk away from it. I'd RUN!!!

[karjar]

Thanks for the great information. the dealership that has it, I Do kinda trust. But I too, have come to the conclusion that there are too many unknowns, present and future, to pay that much money for.

As it turns out, I can get the new Hyundai Santa Fe for $3000 more, fully loaded, with 5 yr warranty. I must say I was really impressed with the 2007 version. Very nice. Hyundai just may become the new Honda/Toyota.