Bringing car from lower 48 to Alaska

I will be moving to Alaska in August to start grad school (F-1 status, 3 year program). I am planning to buy a car before I move, and I am considering buying it in Montana or some other state in the lower 48.

Obviously I don't want to have to import it to Canada and then import it to the US again a few weeks later. What can I expect at each border in this situation, with a car that is just "passing through" Canada? Would it help to get my F-1 status done in advance (when go down to buy the car, rather than when I enter Alaska)?

Yes, I think so, otherwise it looks as though you're importing it into Canada if you have no status in the US. Not quite sure how you're going to register it in this situation though, because you've yet to establish residency in Alaska.

Wouldn't it be simpler just to buy it in Alaska or get it shipped there after you move?