Exchange rate sucks at the moment, but if you do go, Discount Tire Direct in Bellingham for a local place is usually pretty good.

Tirerack (web based) has probably the bigger selection and they'll ship to an installer if you want them mounted and balanced.

In the end, with DTD (which charge WA tax)+tax or Tirerack price (no tax)+shipping cost, I've found for the most part it ends up being the same price.

Maybe go find a DTD in OR (they're called America's tire or something like that) to avoid the WA tax and save a little bit if you plan to head that way anyway.

So I am guessing its better to have tires installed in states and drive back rather then just bringing back to tires? I was planning on bringing back 2 tires at a time in 2 trips to avoid getting taxed but im not sure if that would be the best idea.

Unless you have someone who can mount and balance for free or super cheap, or have some custom wheels that require special handling, you might as well just have the shop do it. It's just less hassle. Unless you live close to the border, it seems like a lot of work to take 2 trips down to the US to pick up tires and them drive it out somewhere else to have them mounted.

Also keep in mind that with the exchange rate so terrible, Canadian border guards are more strict on collecting tax, as they use the exchange rate to calculate taxes to pay.

So factor in taxes to your total price; chances are even if you make 4 trips they'll send you in.

I got new tires from Sorat about 4 months ago and it was cheaper locally than in the US.

DO you declare your tires? even after installing when coming back to canada? I always noticed CDN border guards looking at the tires as i roll up.

Brand new tires are very noticeable - they'll have markings on sidewalls, little markers, etc.

It's up to you whether you declare them or not - but I did, because the possible repercussions of getting caught wasn't worth the ~$100 I would potentially pay.

Just know that border guards aren't idiots. Some people may have gotten through without declaring/paying for various reasons, but unless you plan to stay within Canada for the rest of your life, CBSA can make your future trips very, very inconvenient.

Has anyone driven their car over the Tacoma Narrows bridge since they now allow "pay by mail" for bridge tolls if you bypass the cash lanes?
Are they able to look up your info with the Canadian registration?

I haven't driven over the Tacoma Narrows but I've driven over the floating bridge on Rt 520 which is also a toll road and never been charged the toll so my guess is no.

I'd doubt they would have the ability (or would it be financially viable) for them to request our information each time someone crosses a WA toll bridge. Just like how we probably don't toll WA drivers on the Port Mann.

For what it is worth, I think Treo is sending invoices to out of province cars when they take the Port Mann. However, they just don't bother with enforcing the payment / collection if the vehicle owner doesn't pay. But the majority of the out-of-province drivers pay the bridge toll though.

Off topic slightly, but the Port Mann does toll WA drivers.

My friend took the Port Mann thinking he wouldn't and a few long months, he got a letter in the mail asking for $.

I just drove the 520 last weekend, and before that I tried googling and only old threads came up

I emailed WSDOT and they replied with...

Thank you for your email to the Washington State Department of Transportation inquiring about incurring tolls in Washington while driving in a vehicle registered in Canada.



We do not have reciprocity agreements with Canada or any provinces to share registration data. Therefore, vehicles with Canadian plates do not get charged tolls on tolling facilities with photo enforcement equipment in Washington state. Using our facilities with British Columbian or other provincial plates is not a moving violation.


Now if I can only figure out those new toll lanes for I405

Not much happening at the borders, but as of last Monday, the new Aldergrove crossing is now open. It's pretty nice. And, it has a Nexus lane (10:00 am to 8:00 pm). Including the Nexus lane, a total of five lanes. Trucks cross over at separate lanes. Still 8:00 am to Midnight.

Even with our shitty dollar there are still pretty good deals to be had. If any of you are looking for LED bulbs, Costco has a 4 pack of 60 W dimmable LED bulbs for $6.99. 3 pack of 40W for $3.99. LED shop lights with dual bulbs, pull chain and plug for $24.99. The closest one that's available here in Canada is like $49.99!!! AND, it's a freaking single type.

Gas was 1.86 / gal for top tier premium and $1.66 for regular grade at Costco.

So many things you cannot get up here. Trader Joes, need I say more?

Borders being quiet makes it that much better.

Going to Seattle for the weekend just as a little thing to do with the gf. Any recommendations on to dos or places to eat?

If you happen on a good day, go to Pike Market.

^ Even if it's a shitty day, Pike Place Chowder... :sweetjesus:

Daniels Broiler in Bellevue, pretty epic steak IMO.

Space Needle, Chihuly Garden, EMP are all in the same area. I'd probably skip the Space Needle if the weather is crap. I was pleasantly surprised by Chihuly Garden and Glass - was much better than I thought. EMP is good if you guys have an interest in music and pop culture.

Kerry Park (basically a lookout that has great views of the Seattle city skyline) is pretty cool to see, especially if the weather is good, and it's around sunset time. Not too far out of the city and it's free.

The Underground City tour is interesting - gives you a bit of the history of Seattle and it's fairly short.

Future of Flight/Boeing Tour - Might not be on the list of GF things to do so I guess only go here if you want to geek it out and see airplanes being built. It's also out in Lynnwood so it's not really Seattle.

Skillet in Capitol Hill is probably the only restaurant that sticks in my mind as being good. Din Tai Fung is supposed to have good XLB, but you can get good XLB here anyways so I probably wouldn't make a point of going there unless you're craving it. I'm sure there's more great restaurants out there but I'm a sucker for Cheesecake Factory when I'm in the States so that's where I usually go.

cheesecake factory

call me basic, but I love that place.

if you're craving something saucy - paseo carribean roast sandwich

DTF in Bellevue was alright. Nothing to write home about - considering Richmond is better and only a 10 min drive over a bridge away.

Same.

I wasn't really a fan of the DTF in Bellevue. The one I went to in Taipei was MUCH MUCH better :high:

Another +1 for Cheesecake Factory! Love that place :D

Are there any shipping places in point roberts or blaine that will do pallets like a long block or a transmission?

5dpackages.

if anyones heading over soon let me know if you can help me grab some stuff from Trader Joes :)

http://www.buzzfeed.com/maitlandquit...nOj#.csAWNDWZo

I was in Bellingham this afternoon. Exchange is getting better, but lineups are still less than 5 minutes both ways. I like it this way. Had a peanut butter blast ice cream at Edaleen Dairy. Did the casino thing and went to Trader Joes, Winco, Costco, Fred Meyers, etc.


WTF? Stuff made in Canada is half the price of what we buy them for in our own fricken country!

If it weren't for shitty ketchup, I'd like move to the US, LOL. Not.

Do Americans know how shitty their high fructose corn syrup products are? Can't live in a country that doesn't have Hawkin's Cheezies or Kinder Surprise.