This is more of a rant post, but I have a valid question at the end.
I've officially given up on modding my ST. I'm Canadian and bought an ST as I've always wanted the awesome, performance oriented, European versions of the Focus. I've always loved them and always will. Finally it came to North America and I dove right in, knowing there wasn't much of a mod culture for it yet, but hoping it would grow. I was right and now we're finally in an area where we're seeing engine internals, big turbos, water/meth, etc. There are some crazy things people are doing with their cars after only 2 years of production.
I've tried jumping into the deep waters of the car mod world but have found it incredibly cost prohibitive. Not from a pure cost of the parts perspective, but from shipping. For example, a $20 USD part from a reputable parts dealer, priced out around $75 USD to bring into Canada, leaving currency conversion out of it. For a large order, I've been noticing 50% jumps in cost just adding shipping. We're really not that far away and, while crossing the border they add tax and tariffs onto things, I don't particularly think something needs to cost over 3 times more for small items, and 50% more for lots of items, to move them another few hours north. I understand the famous saying of "you gotta pay to play", but I'm really tired of being gouged just because of where I happen to live.
It's for this reason that I've given up on my car ever being more than it is.
So my question: Have any other Canadians noticed the huge cost of shipping in comparison to the free shipping deals in the US? Has anyone else admitted defeat?