Hi all

We have noticed that there are a huge number of places to buy a car in Calgary (dealerships and others).

We are looking to get a 1-2 year old Dodge Caravan (it will suit my family's needs so no disparaging comments please !! ).

Can anyone recommend any places to go/to avoid or are they all pretty much of a muchness ??

Many thanks

Have you tried the Michener Allen auction? There is a lot of stuff that comes through with manufacturers warranty still on it. Some goes dead cheap others go for more than you pay at a dealer so check your prices first! Happens once a month I believe the next is Jan 20.

Thanks - will look out for it

I've never heard of the auction that Piff Poff mentioned, but it sounds promising.

In addition to that, you should read the Alberta Motor Association's advice on buying a used vehicle.

If you check out the dealerships, go with a clipboard and a piece of paper on which you've drawn several columns for features that interest you : price, number of kilometres driven, age, automatic, front wheel drive, ABS brakes, etc. Write everything down. Don't rely on your memory, as it will become fuzzy once you've visited half a dozen dealerships (and of course you should compare half a dozen or so dealerships).

It's highly likely that the salespeople will try to confuse things by trying to sell you a bundle that includes not only the vehicle but also financing, extended warranty, a ride in a hot air balloon, etc. Needless to say, the greater the level of confusion, the less empowered you as a consumer are.

From what I understand of your financial situation, I'm guessing you'll be paying cash for the vehicle. Tell that to the salesperson up front. Make it clear you are not interested in a loan. Also tell him/her you are shopping around, and will not be making a decision on the initial visit. (And do not under any circumstances make a decision in the dealership, during an initial visit.)

If someone else is reading this post and if that other reader needs a loan to buy a vehicle, it would be a good idea to pre-arrange a loan with a bank in advance of the vehicle purchase. Then you can approach the dealership as if you are a cash buyer, and that will give you more options.

If the salesperson tries to sell you bundled features, get him/her to separate out apples and oranges. Find out the price of the vehicle without extended warranty, etc., and the price with the extended warranty (or whatever the extra feature(s) may be).

Sometimes you can get a better deal if you go outside of Calgary, e.g., Airdrie. Often the further out of Calgary you go, the better the deal you can get. But there obviously are limits. Eventually it gets to the point where the inconvenience of getting to a certain town outweighs the benefit of the better price you can get there.

You also can pick up copies of Auto Trader and Bargain Finder once you're in Calgary. You may be able to find good deals on vehicles that people are selling on their own.

If you buy a used vehicle from a private individual, and perhaps even if you buy it from a dealership, it would be highly beneficial to avail yourself of the Alberta Motor Association's third party vehicle inspection service. I know of instances in which the AMA has saved people from buying lemons.

Sorry if this sounds patronising. Some of it is very basic, and I'm sure you would have done it anyway. However, something that I said may be of assistance to someone else who reads this thread.

Once again Judy - fantastic post - many thanks

also, check out http://www.canadiandriver.com/ and look at the reviews of used cars you are interested in. They give a list of known problems with certain years of car models.

specifically, http://www.canadiandriver.com/used2.htm

As you have said a great post from Judy.

If do choose to go to an out of town dealership for a purchase if there is warranty remaining on the vehicle do remember that in most, if not all cases you don't have to have any warranty work done at the place you purchased the vehicle. It can be done at a dealership closer to your home.

If you wish to get a head start on at least looking to see what is available the Auto Trader is also online. Here is the link to the Calgary & Southern Alberta area.

The Bargain Finder is also online so you can have a peek there too.

Cheers
Steve

Perhaps do a comparison between used and new.(the prices)
If you are going to pay cash.,you may have a good
bargaining position to get a good deal with full warranty
plus free servicing , towing package , snow tires ,
or any deals that the sales person willing to throw in when bought new.
There is a book called the Lemon Aid for used cars and minivans.
For used vehicle you need to do the homework carefully, checking for
any lien, history of the vehicle and have a mechanic to do the inspection.
Anyway,good luck with your minivan search.
Yoong

Hi

Thanks for all the replies- I note that nobody has recommended or told me to steer clear of any particular dealership/sales office. Can I assume that this is because they all offer pretty much the same and are all as reliable as each other ? In other words, drive a hard bargain and see what you can get for your money - there arn't many sharks out there (insofar as selling me a complete wreck dressed up as 6 month car is concerned) ? :scared:

Thanks

If you stick with the dealers who are associated with the major manufacturers you should be reasonably safe.

The independent used cars lots I'm not sure of.

Having said that I am no expert in regards to used car purchases as I haven't bought a used car for close to 30 years. I normally buy new and keep for ten to fifteen years.

Cheers
Steve

Cheers Steve

Does anyone know if as a resident of Ontario I can buy a cheaper (no tax) car in Alberta, drive back to Ontario and register here.
Thanks

You can do that but when you register it you'll have to pay the tax as if you bought it in Ontario.

Errr, yeah. Watch out for that. Stick with known dealers who offer at least a minimal guarantee.

Check their website www.dodge.ca for the prices.
They have specials if you used their financing
and the fine prints are clearly stated.
They have the dealers listed according to your postal code.
Yoong