You can trade a US model in Canada but the US model must be registered here. This involves paying duty, GST, air conditioning tax and a $180 charge for the customs official to inspect the VIN # and the manufacturer's sticker detaling where and according to what specifications it was manufactured (usually found on the left side passenger door.) You must then report the importing of the car to the US customs officials and have the car inspected in Canada. Lots of money involved.

As far as repairs - I'm at 35,000 miles and I've replaced spark plugs, the tailgate lock, the electronic throttle module, so many headlights I've lost count, had a leak in the power steering hose, had several realignments, rotors sanded due to brake vibration, battery cables which grounded themselves on the frame of the car and caused the dash lights to go out, poor transmission function which required software downloads. This is aside from the routine maintenance which never costs less than several hundred dollars. I spent $1000 (Cdn.) on winter tires (without which you cannot drive here in the winter) - there are few to choose from because of the size of the tire on the V70 - and will be replacing two all-weather tires shortly (when I can afford to take the winter tires off.) I know there are other repairs which escape me at the moment - it seems as if I'm out at least $100 every time the car goes in for anything.

I had a 1998 V70 before this - same thing. But, then I could afford to pay for the repairs - different story now. Sold that one to my brother when it was 3 1/2 years - the very next day, he got in it to drive away and the battery was dead.

Think I'm going Japanese.