Jason Teller

I have my S4 ordered from Laurel in Chicago. I'm rearin' to go. Problem is that I'm a U.S. citizen living and working in Canada on an employment authorization.

I have to lease this car because I cannot afford to buy it outright (how's that for sharing my personal finances??) But Audi Financial Services will not let me take a leased car out of the country with me. It's that little thing to do with collateral. So I'm screwed. I'm trying to pull strings, but that hasn't gotten me anywhere yet. I've also searched rather fruitlessly for a leasing company that can help me with my problem. I have a U.S. permanent address. I work for a U.S. company. I just happen to live in Canada right now.

Anybody have any suggestions? Anybody able to offer some concrete help?

Thanks
Jason

LCP

I don't know what the typical lease provides for, but looking at my car note, I found that it reads that I will not remove the car from the U.S. for more than 30 days. This can be interpreted two ways: 1) 30 days during the life of the loan, or 2) 30 days at a time without bringing it back. If I were you, I would argue that it means the second choice. Also, remember that your car company is never going to check and see where your car is spending the nights (although a Canadian employer could be a red flag) unless you're not paying the payments (insurance coverage in Canada could be an issue as well). Consider this and try to find a loan. Terms on these loans are often available for 72 months (lease payments really work out to loan payments for about an 84 month loan, so they will not be much higher); I think the financing site sponsored on Edmund's website sponsors these.

robfox

I, too, ordered from Laurel--who is your salesperson? They are willing to work with me on the balloon financing--typically not much more expensive than a lease, but you own your own car.

-rob

Jon Shafer

nt

Chris L.

Jason,
Here's a suggestion - call U.S. dealers located close to the Canadian border (Schmitt in Buffalo, John Holtz in Rochester, others in Mich, Minn, VT) and ask to speak to their salesmanager or financing specialist. Tell them your situation (I wouldn't necessarily tell them about the order you have in Chicago) and let them tell you if there is a solution. My experience (having been a U.S. expat in TO), is that these dealers have a lot of experience in cross-border issues (sales, warranties, conversions, etc) and will be responsive especially if it may help land a sale.

Good Luck,
Chris L.

ALSO - HEY AoA, WHERE ARE YOU ON THIS ONE? HERE WE HAVE ONE OF THE MOST DEDICATED AUDI ENTHUSIAST WHO HAS SURELY HELPED SWAY HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE TO YOUR PRODUCTS - AND YOU CAN'T HELP HIM?!?!?

IN MY OPINION, YOU SHOULD GIVE HIM AN S4 FOR WHAT HE'S DONE FOR AUDI AND US (I.E., LOYAL AUDI OWNERS). BMW PROBABLY WISHES THAT THEY HAD GUYS LIKE JASON ON THEIR SIDE!

SORRY TO YELL - BUT I WANT YOU TO HEAR....

markbradford

Jason,
I leased my last car (a '97 Civic Ex) in Chicagoland, and drove it for the entire lease term in Canada. I simply said that I would be in Canada often and asked whether the warranty coverage was provided there. They said yes, and I left it at that - don't ask, don't tell as far as permanency goes. At this time I was even a Canadian citizen. living in Canada!!!!! I brought the car back in April, 40,000 miles on the odometer. Only twice the distance to the Canadian border's worth of miles were put on in the US.

In April I bought my 99.5 1.8TQMS from Art at Laurel and am once again using it in Canada. This time, I didn't have to worry about Audi because it was an outright sale. HOWEVER, this time Canada Customs stopped me and asked me to pay some 8 grand in duties. Canadian residents (citizenship not relevant) may not drive US vehicles in Canada w/o paying duties. They let me into Canada, after making me sign a document guaranteeing that the car would be out of the country within a month. Within the month, I went down to Chicago again, got my green card, and went back up and had them rip up the document. Now I can drive the car anywhere.

So I guess the combined lesson here is: With your permanent US residency, there shouldn't be a problem with customs - if Laurel Audi refuses to lease to you, go somewhere else and conveniently leave out your Canadian address. VOILA, vroom vroom.

Have fun in your S4,
Mark
*jealous*
99.5 VB 1.8tqms

Jason Teller

I don't think that Laurel is the problem. I have no problem using my Colorado address, either.

But I'm wondering what you've done for registration, license plates and insurance??? Can you tell me exactly how you worked all of that out?

Jason

loreon

You may have already told them more than they needed to know. It's an incidious little arrangement they have - you pay for the car and they reserve the right to tell you where you can or cannot drive it. Somebody should remind them that they are a CAR DEALER not the INS.

Just tell them what they need to hear and drive away happy.

The insurance company is who you have to worry about. They may not like hearing that they are covering you in another country (even if it's just Canada). As long as you've got your insurance behind you, you should have no worries about the dealership and their nit-wit policies. What are they going to do if they find out? Take the car back? Report you to the police? Tell your parents? How rediculous.....

Jason Teller

I'll look into the baloon payment -- why didn't I think of that???

loreon

...I am somewhat familiar with this.

Since you are a US citizen, with a US permanent address, and working for a US company with offices in Canada, you should have no problem at the border.

License/Register the car in the US. Upon entry into Canada, state your purpose very simply - Business Trip. Expected length of stay - However long you will be there until you return home to the us. If you go for a month at a time then say - One month. No need to say that you will be returning every month.

Your only concern should be finding an insurance company that will allow you to be in Canada for extended periods of time. That may take some research.

Good luck.