>On Mon, 16 Aug 2004 13:01:01 -0400, "Mikey" <%noospaam)mikling@eol.ca>
>waived the right to be silent and professed:
>
>>In searching for some sway bar end link bushings ( these are thick little
>>rubber washers/grommets) for an 89 Legend 4 door, the Candian dealer first
>>says that he wanted $12 CAD each. I need 8 of them for $96 CAD for all. This
>>price did not include new bolts, spacers and washers which would be an
>>additional $24 for a total of $120 CAD plus taxes.
>>
>>A similar aftermarket part for a domestic car is around $20 to $30. There is
>>not much exotic engineering that goes into these. I started thinking.
>>
>>Went online and found that a Genuine Acura Kit that has the same parts can
>>be had for around $16 US at the list price and the online price is less than
>>$12 US for the total set of parts.
>>
>>I phoned up the dealer and enquired why the discrepancy?????? He says
>>Canadian Honda just sets the prices for whatever they want and he has no
>>control.
>>
>>I also noticed in the last couple of years that parts for my car are always
>>dramatically cheaper in the USA, sometimes multiples. I think Canadian
>>owners are getting hosed in a big way.
>>
>>Makes me wonder about my next car purchase.

Also keep in mind that even though it is an American car sold in Canada, the
parts might not be the right ones. I remember when I lived in Japan and had an
American Toyota Corona. I needed some part and tried to it via a Japanese
Toyota dealer, since Toyota is is from Japan. I was politely told that I had
to order the American part from the states as the Japanese version didn't work.