We had the same argument that software is software and flashing the ECM/ECU with a US package should be the same process as using a Canadian one. All to no avail.

Regarding the website provided – it shows Suzuki models are covered under warranty. The catch is – Suzuki will only warrant the components of the model that are the same between Canada and US – not the whole model. This is the situation we’re in.

Anyways, as always, buyer beware.

That’s only partly true. It varies manufacturer-by-manufacturer. Toyota for instance, will honour the warranty of a car made in the US here in Canada (the warranty will be slightly shorter than the equivalent for a bought-in-Canada car since they round the conversion to km up, but that’s a pretty minor difference). Of course, they still try to put up artificial trade barriers by telling their US dealers not to sell to Canadians. Other manufacturers may require the Canadian car owner to pay for a warranty repair out of pocket, and then get reimbursed by the American arm of the company.

For a list of which manufacturers do and do not honour cross-border warranties, see:
http://www.apa.ca/template.asp?DocID=253

For your specific case with the Suzuki XL7, have you tried another nearby Canadian dealer? The XL7 is sold in Canada so there should be the ability to repair the ECU. Of course, that might be one of the few parts that differs between markets, since the American one may do calculations in miles rather than km, etc… but even then, it might just be a matter of having Suzuki send the American software (the training shouldn’t be any different).

Also, as inflation picks up, those companies that are able to keep raising thier prices will see incomes grow quite well… Ie, if 10% inflation hit and they are able to keep everything in check and raise thier prices, they may see a 10% increase in income… That will make the stock value go higher even though the company hasn’t earned any more true wealth than it did the year before. It makes the economy look all rosey – when there has been no gain at all (no loss either though).

I think many countries try and show an inflation of around 4% when it is in fact much higher (6 to 10%) and then anything above 4% is considered a ‘gain’ while the country may actually be goign down hill be 1 or 2% each year. I’m just talking through my ass with no true hard facts but a theory with principals COULD be correct. (doesn’t mean they are) Think about the CPI and how some of the items in the CPI are kept artifially low (milk, sugar, etc, etc) to try and show a lower inflation number than what truly exists. Who knows?

USA has (they aren’t alone, as many Western Nations have this problem) several key issues. Baby boomers will go from the most productive demographic in the USA to the biggest drain (medicare, medicaid, etc). Inflation will continue to get worse (with printing money like that and USD losing value!). Even Bernake said he will use inflation to try and prevent a recession… but if inflation hits it could be really bad.

USD will continue to lose value as many countries switch from using it for Petro Trading to using Euro’s or a basket of currencies. The switch alone could flood the market with USD.

It’s not that I think the US economy will crash and burn forever (though a recession is possible), but the USD may crash and burn if it continues on this collision course… and they don’t have the only fiat currency in the world with problems – but their problems are severe. Fiat Currency is inherently flawed and doomed to failure when abused.

The boomers that retire on thier savings won’t do too well if massive inflation occurs… inflation hurts those on fixed (or small) incomes.

Yes I remember when the CRTC deregulated the long distance market. But I also remember paying 34 cents a minute in long distance to Bell Canada and not having any other choice. Now even with Bell we pay 6 to 8 cents a minute. There are some services that will even give you 3 cents a minute.

So yes “Je me souviens”. The question is: Does thickenmywallet remember?

The USA deficit levels are certainly high, it looks like they have lowered them to around 1-2% of GDP per year now. Which is apparently…”well below the 2.3 percent that’s been the norm since 1970″

Better tell that to 90% of the world’s nations I guess…and everyone who has a mortgage.

Go figure 9 trillion dollars passed onto a smaller population that doesn’t generate as much GDP per person would cause bankruptcy. It’s not the proper way to discuss debt levels.

Case in point: My father purchased a US-model 2006 Suzuki XL7 from a Canadian dealer (Suzuki Canada in Calgary, AB). The dealer went out of the way to point out that it was a “US Warranty”, but they would do what they could to help him.

Sure enough, a minor glitch has developed that requires the ECM be re-flashed (recalibrating the ABS, etc.) Suzuki Canada has neither the training, nor software to perform the service. For liability reasons, they are unwilling to even attempt it.

The nearest Suzuki dealer that can service the vehicle is in Spokane Washington – over 8 hours drive one way.

Sure, the 20-minute service will be covered under warranty, but there’s significant cost in transporting the vehicle to get to the service. (Likely an overnight stay). All of which comes out of my father’s pocket.

Can you imagine the hassle if the vehicle was un-drivable? You’d have to tow it across the border.

Anyways, the warning is this – unless a US dealer that can service your US vehicle is a convenient distance away from where you live, take care when purchasing a vehicle with a “US Warranty”. That $5-$10K you save may come back to haunt you.