Used Canadian Ram 3500 in US

[Robbie Antonosn]

Hello Gentleman:
In my search for a used 3500 that fits my desires and needs. I keep coming across used Ram
3500's from Canada. Beside the comments I have from the dealers I have talked to, Basically no warranty
on the truck, great prices, and most are fully loaded, low miles(nice the electronic odometer can do both
K, or M).
So, I wanted to see what this wonderful resource has to say. I did try searching, and looking thru the 4 gen forum(maybe there is something in older generations).
Anyhow, Good idea? Bad Idea?
Truly they seem to match what the US models have for packages. Seem to be a great value in the prices being asked for them. Anything I might be missing?
Thanks in Advance.
Robbie

 

[dieselshadow]

I don’t know about Ram, but GM doesn’t have to and won’t do any warranty or recall work in America on Canadian sold vehicles. It’s a cost saving measure that allows them to sell them for a bit less. I’d do some research and find out if that holds true for Ram as well.

 

[lpennock]

I don't know about the factory warranty but I can tell you that I had work done on my 06 back in 12 at a Canada dealer to replace a failed #4 injector line. About 6 months later it failed in OK and it was covered by the 1yr dealer parts and labor warranty. So at least the warranty on work was valid on both sides of the border.

 

[Jim W]

My younger son purchased a used 2013.5 Ram truck that was sold through a used car dealer. He understood that the truck would not have any US warranty, since it was first sold in Canada. But what was not made clear is that any recalls for safety/emission reasons needs to be handled by a Canadian dealer, as a US dealer will not honor/ nor work on a warranty claim for the truck.

So, if you do not care about any recalls than go for it!

 

[AEdelheit]

Dont forget bout the rust, personally unless It was at least 8-10k less I wouldnt do it.

 

[Ozymandias]

US Dealer did 2 safety recalls (Airbags, Steering linkage) last year without asking any question on my Canada model with license from overseas.
I guess there are just dealers out there that refuse to work on out of state vehicles - not FCA that denies it.

Edit; his computer showed clearly that it is a CA model, he even had the first owner in the system.

 

[Tuesdak]

They are cheap for a reason.

What's the warranty worth again? Blow something expensive and your savings are GONE! Blow it a second time because the dealer or mechanic missed something... This includes rather long warranty coverage of expensive emissions equipment.

As the USA EPA tightens emissions down "imported" vehicles can have trouble including future value loss. You may not be able to register it without a recall done and the recall may not apply to Canada. Buybacks like the VW scandal also puts you on the sideline, but, rare case. Trying to register a new new vehicle in the state of Commiefornia not purchased in CA is a good example of unnecessary trouble and taxes. And if it's brand new it can't be done.

 

[Wiredawg]

Hello Gentleman:
In my search for a used 3500 that fits my desires and needs. I keep coming across used Ram
3500's from Canada. Beside the comments I have from the dealers I have talked to, Basically no warranty
on the truck, great prices, and most are fully loaded, low miles(nice the electronic odometer can do both
K, or M).
So, I wanted to see what this wonderful resource has to say. I did try searching, and looking thru the 4 gen forum(maybe there is something in older generations).
Anyhow, Good idea? Bad Idea?
Truly they seem to match what the US models have for packages. Seem to be a great value in the prices being asked for them. Anything I might be missing?
Thanks in Advance.
Robbie

Robbie,

Not saying info presented here isn't correct, but if you want the answer from the proverbial horses mouth, go to your local Ram dealer and ask them the question. I know this isn't an apples to apples comparison, but several years ago Ram had free oil changes for military for three years. I was in Canada, took my 2009 Ram 4500 to a Ram dealer for one of my free oil changes, they called corporate, corporate approved it, and they performed it.

Anyway, we all have great info and experiences here, but nothing beats the official answer.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Robbie Antonosn]

Thanks for all the replies. I did call Ram extended warranty, and Ram information phone numbers. Had a couple of great conversations, but short. Bottom line, no help from them on these grey market vehicles. I called a couple of extended warranty companies. This was interesting as well. Reasonable cost for bumper to bumper warranty that with one company would cover everything(except recall work). For 3 years, 75k miles for 2800. Truck currently has 49000 miles,So warranty would expire in 2023 and expires at 125k miles. Not too bad(IMHO). Warranty will work both here and in Canada. Independent and dealer is treated the same with this warranty. Yes, a real true bumper to bumper.
Anyhow, as for any recall stuff. This truck will be passing thru Canada twice a year for the foreseeable future. I have land in Alaska, and will be spending a month each summer till I retire, then the whole summer in Ninilchik.
So, While this might not be ideal for everyone, It could just work for me if the truck is not rusty.
I am a mechanic by trade, own my own shop. Started my mechanics life as a Cummins Mechanic in Alaska. Doing Trucks, Boats, Generators, Heavy equipment in Anchorage and in the bush from 1980 to 1991 then I
got hurt. So general maintainance will be done by me. Piece of mind by the Warranty company if I get the truck.
Figure that I may use it once or twice for some thing, or who know, a whole fuel system. Injectors are not cheap.
Since I work on Land Cruiser for a living, I do not really want to do big jobs on the Truck. I currently walk to work(recent event), Truck will be used for work or pleasure a couple times a week or long weekends traveling to
see different area and we can be self contained in a nice pop up camper. No short drives.
Yes the price difference is substantial for me to think about this. I usually do research on everything I do for my self and my wife.
Anyhow, sort of long winded, and what I am thinking as I do more research. Or buy a truck.
Thanks again for all the thoughts.

 

[Ozymandias]

Two words - Take it!

 

[brucejohnson]

If the price is right and you can get a quality aftermarket warranty - jump on it. I had a 98.5 that was built in St. Louis, Mo. IIRC and shipped to/sold in Canada, then made it back down to the USA for instrument cluster change/USA spec'd. I was able to get a very reasonably priced full warranty by Zurich I believe. Paid for itself on the little things that fizzled out, like steering, suspension, water pump, air conditioning, fuel sending unit, seals, etc. for the several years and additional 175,000 miles that I put on it. Great truck overall.

 

[Tuesdak]

As long as the warranty isn't a Fidelity warranty... Look up the reviews of the warranty company you are considering. Some real time wasting Clowns for aftermarket warranty out there... Not only your time, but, the shop's time as well.

 

[terb]

Did he ever say what the great sale price was?

 

[Robbie Antonosn]

No, I did not say what the sale price was, but what I was finding was that the Canadian trucks were 5-7K less money than some of the US trucks. Still looking for my self, The deal fell thru, after I did not get them to come up on my trade.
They then raised the price a few thousand(on the truck I was looking at), added some aftermarket certified stamp to the listing, so a minor warranty.
Anyhow, still in the market for a truck. It does appear that the Ram 3500's hold value, but also they seem to be priced
pretty high(and seem to get higher as this crazy Covid-19 stuff gets more restrictive. Anyhow, the search continues for
the truck I want to have for many years ahead.

 

[Minnow101]

No, I did not say what the sale price was, but what I was finding was that the Canadian trucks were 5-7K less money than some of the US trucks. Still looking for my self, The deal fell thru, after I did not get them to come up on my trade.
They then raised the price a few thousand(on the truck I was looking at), added some aftermarket certified stamp to the listing, so a minor warranty.
Anyhow, still in the market for a truck. It does appear that the Ram 3500's hold value, but also they seem to be priced
pretty high(and seem to get higher as this crazy Covid-19 stuff gets more restrictive. Anyhow, the search continues for
the truck I want to have for many years ahead.

Typical dealer. All looks like peaches & cream from the get go, then one shows more than a passing interest and the deal is no longer a deal.

 

[NonFord]

If its clean, runs good and your happy with the smell test, why not. I just bought a Canadian Honda Accord, what a beauty!!!!