Re: $3000-3500 what car?
 

In my case it required a large security deposit, but that was many years ago now.

Re: $3000-3500 what car?
 

If you're actually using the car for work (beyond commuting) there is some rationale to it. Reliability, comfort, etc, but otherwise yes it is an invitation to over-consume.

Re: $3000-3500 what car?
 

I don't see this at all. If you need a vehicle for a finite purpose, to do some set of errands that are the same every year, then I think leasing is a good approach. It provides a reliable means of getting the job done for a known cost. I'd be concerned though that with a new job there's no way of knowing what mileage might be needed, leases start at 12,500 miles a year, probably not enough.

Iaink's point about not needing to insure a car (for collision) you own is a good one if you've sufficient funds to be able to lose the value of the car in one hit but for most people, those who need the car to get to work, insurance is prudent.

I completely agree that a CRV is a bit silly for the usage imagined. There's no need for ground clearance in Markham, there's no need for four wheel drive in Markham and the CRV is, even in the eyes of happy owners, boring by the standards of a brand that sells as "dull but reliable".

Re: $3000-3500 what car?
 

Is insurance not a legal requirement?

Re: $3000-3500 what car?
 

Not for collision, no, the equivalent of collision cover is called comprehensive in the UK. Iaink is suggesting that, on an old car, one can have the equivalent of a third party only or third party, fire and theft policy. That might save 40% of the premium. A leased car must be insured for collision.

I don't know if any insurance is an absolute requirement in Ontario, it may be that there's an equivalent of the UK option to self-insure but that's a bit obscure and not relevant to most of us. I do know that about a third of the cars in Ontario are driven without insurance, it's routine for the police to bust people for speeding and add "no insurance" as a secondary offence.

Re: $3000-3500 what car?
 

Besides, its kind of a big leap to go from fronting $3 to 3.5k to buy a "beater" vehicle, to being on the hook for near $16500 after tax over 3 years to lease even a base spec 2WD CRV, after which you have nothing to show but the bill for another $800 to replace the worn tires at the end of the lease.

Especially with a 3 month probation period and the generally fickle nature of canadian employers.

I'd stick with plan A, although its hypocritical as the first thing I did when I got here was lease a Jeep. I'm older and maybe wiser now.

Re: $3000-3500 what car?
 

Well I didn't like the crv at all, ended up with a civic sedan which arrives next week. 5k deposit was all that was needed to get it leased.

Re: $3000-3500 what car?
 

A CRV is great if you:

a) have a large and frequently wet and muddy dog,
b) need to carry stuff around every now and again,
c) occassionally drive on unpaved mountain roads,
d) don't like paying repair bills,
e) don't want to drive too fast.

Re: $3000-3500 what car?
 

Civics are nice in their class imo, congrats.

Pete

Re: $3000-3500 what car?
 

Enjoy, and pay for the heated seats (its a dealer option if your trim level doesnt have them)

Just remember, on a lease you are on the hook for tire wear, chipped windscreens and any dings when it has to go back. (Unless you choose to buy it, in which case you will probably overpay for a used Civic as they jack up the residual value to make the lease payment attractive to shift product and keep you coming back to the dealer every 3 or 4 years)

They do retain their value well, which makes a relatively cheap used recent model year one hard to find. Lack of used bargains and the knowledge that age rather than miles are the enemy here due to rust are why we are buying our 2012 instead of leasing.

Re: $3000-3500 what car?
 

Sound advice!

Re: $3000-3500 what car?
 

With the deposit ,I got the touring trim (1 lower then the Si) and they chucked in free remote start :thumbsup:

Also got better when I went to do car insurance with TD. Since my relatives have max unclaimed auto insurance TD said since I live in the same house I'm entitled to the same discount(even though it's on my own separate policy). So it went from $3600 to $2300:thumbsup: (I'm 29 and couldn't get my 7 years uk no-claims approved since it was a company car)

All in all a great 24 hours.

Re: $3000-3500 what car?
 

Nice:thumbup: Shame about the auto transmission though, really kills the fun factor with the Vtec engine.

Re: $3000-3500 what car?
 

I can't adjust to Manuel, changing gears with the right hand feels wrong.

Re: $3000-3500 what car?
 

Interesting. I've driven LHD manuals for more total years than RHD manuals and driven both on the "wrong" side of the road in different countries.

Which hand is on the gear shift has never bothered me, although I bet I'd have a problem if the pedals were mirror-imaged. :)