BristolUK

Aren't they smart enough to avoid crashes?

not2old

Awe come on, everyone knows they have the same protection [safety cell construction] as a formula one racing car

Smart car gets highest score in crash tests - Business - Autos | NBC News

2014 Smart fortwo Safety Review and Crash Test Ratings - The Car Connection

A good used 2010 for around $5k

not2old

Have you seen any of those Smart cars in Moncton, or in an around the province, or on the road in the treacherous winters you get out there, which according to someone who posted 'winter snowfall is twice as bad as anything in the GTA'?

Oink

What about a used BMW X5? You probably could get a decent one in the low 20ks.

BristolUK

Good heavens.

I had no idea what a smart car looked like so I googled.
One of these?



I've seen quite a few. "Oh look, there's another of those funny looking cars" has been a common saying when we've been out and about.

Now I can show off to the others and tell them knowingly "it's just a smart car"

Juggernaut1064

Have some Brit friends in Moncton, The depth of the snow in some of their pictures on facebook was crazy !
two thirds of the way up their patio doors lol and that wasn't a "drift" it was that depth across their garden or snow field as everyone started calling it lol
Not sure about a 4WD out there, a snowmobile might be better !!

not2old

Those may work for the OP as would something such as a Ford F150 FX4 for under $10k for an 8 year old model . Search kijji or autotrader

not2old

As smart as it gets Bristol, by comparison, take the old design Austin/BMC/Leyland/Rover mini (say a year 2000 model or vintage) how it would work or survive in the GTA or Moncton winters - there are a few around my area

When I came to Canada in the 60's there were all kinds of British cars here, slip sliding around in the winter snow, from MG midgets, Mini's, Vauxhaull (envoy), frog eye sprites, Jags, Triumph, Austin 1100's, some old Austin's such as the A40's and everywhere you'd see a 50's & 60's models of the old German VW Beetle,... they were everywhere.

How times change

MarkG

Forester winter driving: get in car, turn on X-Mode (4WD lock), reverse out of garage through a foot of snow, X-Mode turns off if/when I get over 40km/h on the main road.

Civic winter driving: open the garage door, spend twenty minutes shovelling the snow out of the way, get in car, reverse out without hitting the snow piles, bump and slide along the ruts in the alley. Ask neighbours for help if you get stuck. Try not to slide around the corner to the main road.

Smart car: yeah, right.

not2old

prize post Mark

BritCanadaNewbie

Hey Folks thanks for the great info and tips. Just the info i needed !

cbrown89

If you are new to Canada you should maybe think about the AMA driving course, it makes it as if you had three years driving experience in Canada. It may not work with all insurers but it does with intact.

Shirtback

BTDT in the Back-of-Nowhere, QC. Probably overkill in the GTA

JamesM

Just remember that you have to pay tax on top of the price of the car sadly. You don't get anything back when you sell it.

Also as DBD said you don't really need winter tyres in Toronto. I usually go with decent high end all weather tyres for year round.

Toronto is like London. People don't drive Chelsea Tractors for the terrain they drive them for their children. Bit like moving here.

JamesM

No it's not a legal requirement, however there is discussion of giving people who use winter tyres a discount on insurance.