Another response from an MLA
So, I had a meeting with MPI this September. It was good, I learned a few things, and got across the frustration that us RHDers have in Manitoba.
This week, I got another response, this time directly from the of Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation.
Dear Mr. Guderian:
On behalf of the Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation, I am responding to your September 12, 2011 e-mail regarding grey imports. Your e-mail indicates that you are concerned about the inspection of right-hand-drive vehicles under Manitoba's Private Vehicle Inspection Program (PVIP).
The Minister responsible for Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) has requested MPI to review this matter and to contact you upon completion of their review. It is my understanding that subsequent to your e-mail of September 12, 2011 MPI has met with you and is giving consideration to your concerns and requests regarding right-hand-drive vehicles and other grey imports.
MPI administers The Drivers and Vehicles Act (DVA) on behalf of the Government of Manitoba. Regulations under the DVA govern the PVIP. MPI has the technical expertise regarding vehicle equipment standards that is required to meaningfully address your concerns. As I trust you appreciate, the PVIP is intended to ensure that vehicles operating on our highways meet a minimum of safety-related standards. To this end, MPI is reviewing the implications of Manitoba's equipment standards and safety inspection programs on grey imports.
Should you wish to discuss this matter further with MPI, please contact Mr. Ward Keith, Registrar of Motor Vehicles, at (204) --------. Mr. Keith oversees MPI's Vehicle Standards and Technologies. I hope you find this information helpful.
Sincerely,
So, yeah. Interesting.
I guess, my first reaction was, "Wow, this took 2 months to be sent".
My second reaction was disappointment. Though I'd be willing to work with MPI to solve this problem, the legislature MAKES the laws, MPI just FOLLOWS the laws that the legislature makes for them. If we want to solve this problem we need to go to the top, speak truth to power.
So, I'm between a rock and a hard spot. I want to reply and say that I want to make a meeting with them, but they'd just talk to MPI too. So, should I arrange a meeting with both them and MPI... have all the players in the room?
What do you all think? Comment or fire me an email at robg@righthanddrive.ca.
My Import Story, Part 3
We left off with a successful bid on a car! Congratulations! You now own a car that's on a different continent!
Photo of Rex at the auction
And the big reveal! I personally bid on and won a 1994 Subaru Impreza WRX! Meet Rex!
So, you own a car, and probably want to get it checked out. There's a few ways to do this. Some auction agents (J-cars, for instance) encourage you to get the car checked out before bidding on it (and charge for each car you get checked out). Not a bad idea. The problem is that some of the cars are super parked in, and can not be driven, so there are potential transmission problems. Auction agents that do the 'check out your car before purchase' often send the car straight to the ship... good and bad.
Mark's photo of the car
Mark at Brave Auto, on the other hand just doesn't let you bid on crap. Once you win, he brings your car into his shop and give it a very good once over, sending you about 100 photos of your new car. These photos are a little more representative of what you'll be receiving. He'll point out any knicks, dings and dents, and document them with photos. These are for your peace of mind, and for insurance purposes. Here's all the photos I got from Mark. Incredible completeness.
From here, you need to pay the rest of your money. I forgot to mention how to send money at the deposit phase. The best way, bar none, is Ken at Payline FX. He's courteous, and gets the best rates. If you're a credit union member (I am...) you can transfer money via Credit Union Direct, your CU's web interface. Super simple. There's a few hoops to jump through, you need to fill out a bunch of paperwork to prove you're you... but it's worth it.
That's it for this post. Next week, shipping and receiving!