Buying a car in Canada 2021 - getting a deal, and the process?
 

So all being well I land in a little under 2 weeks (doesnt feel right saying that looking at the state of my UK house!!)

going to need a car within a few days of landing - extreme shortage of hire cars in the area, and will need to buy fairly sharpish anyway, so see no reason why to not just take the plunge straight off, narrowed it down to a few models - but have worked in the auto industry for long enough in the UK to know no matter what I buy ill both be happy with it, and also wish I'd bought the other choice, that's life!

Now the 2 questions:

1) Given the car shortage there seems to be and a small number of new models available, what if any discount is to be expected off a sticker price on a new car (I'm looking at Toyota highlander hybrid, or a Hyundai palisade - if that makes a difference) number of dealerships within Vancouver appear to have a couple of new models at around sticker price advertised on auto trader, is getting a discount off these a must? or a if your lucky? or don't even try?

2) how quick is the whole process - If I was to go with a foreign license, or an exchanged license to a dealership - how quick could registration, insurance (through ICBC) be sorted?? or likewise do they have an option to give you temporary cover/registration to allow me to drive the car for a few days from the off?

Did check the wiki and found very little - but might be looking in the wrong place

Re: Buying a car in Canada 2021 - getting a deal, and the process?
 

You'll be a lucky to buy a Toyota SUV Hybrid, even luckier to get it for MSRP. If you do manage to find one, do not sleep on it, buy it quick before someone else does and expect to pay above sticker price before the chips completely run out.

As you mentioned ICBC I presume you are in BC. The car purchase can take up to 3hrs depending on the time of day you go, then once the deal is made and papers signed, they call their nearest mobile ICBC agent to the showroom and they spend another 30 minutes to 1hr with you. So as long as you don't go on the weekend, you should be in and out within 4hrs.

Loads of rich uni students buy new cars on foreign licenses so there is no problem there, it's best to exchange it for a BC license sooner rather than later, but you can do that after the car purchase.

Re: Buying a car in Canada 2021 - getting a deal, and the process?
 

Have you thought about buying a reliable beater until you have settled down? we bought my Daughter a 2003 Corolla with 245,000kms on the clock for $2,800 and the thing will not die! Most Hondas or Toyotas of that vintage hold their value so you will not lose anything when you are ready to buy new.

Facebook market place is full of them.

Re: Buying a car in Canada 2021 - getting a deal, and the process?
 

Magic thanks - been monitoring the car situation for a few weeks on and off (mainly browsing autotrader.ca) and actually seeing a few more highlanders sticking around than previous, RAV4 prime you can absolutely forget right now. But thats reassuring to know that potentially rock up, hand over a pocket full of cash and drive away the same day.

I'm completely torn between palisade (luxury for a cheapish price tag) highlander (its a toyota, they are reliable. I've driven one in the UK, they are somewhat boring, but good on fuel and easy to drive) or going out there and getting a mustang mach E (driven one in the UK, really like it, think I'm scared it wont have the range I want, despite knowing 99% of my trips will be not a problem, and fast chargers arent that hard to find, then think its a bit smaller than I'd like but again the need for a big car is limtied).

I'd love to buy something second hand - but prices are astronomical at the moment, save $4000 buy buying a 12 month old car, with 1 year less warranty, 19k on the clock and half worn tires. Other half wont drive anything without android auto/apple car play (or a brilliant in built sat nav) so that puts me out of buying a 10 year old honda pilot!!

Re: Buying a car in Canada 2021 - getting a deal, and the process?
 

Yeah don't buy a new'ish used car whatever you do, you'll be paying way too much for it right now.

This Highlander has got your name all over it, when you've done the deal stop off in Kamloops for a cuppa :thumbsup:

https://www.vernontoyota.com/invento...hlander/431418

Re: Buying a car in Canada 2021 - getting a deal, and the process?
 

Make sure to get your drivers extract and letters from your insurance companies (on headed paper) for any years you hope to get no claims discount.. see the wiki for details:
https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Car_Insurance_in_BC

You may find this of use, for car buying: https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Car_Buying-Canada

When you exchange your license, keep a scanned copy of your UK one (they will take the original) https://www.icbc.com/driver-licensin...r-country.aspx

Re: Buying a car in Canada 2021 - getting a deal, and the process?
 

So all being well I land in a little under 2 weeks (doesnt feel right saying that looking at the state of my UK house!!)

going to need a car within a few days of landing - extreme shortage of hire cars in the area, and will need to buy fairly sharpish anyway, so see no reason why to not just take the plunge straight off, narrowed it down to a few models - but have worked in the auto industry for long enough in the UK to know no matter what I buy ill both be happy with it, and also wish I'd bought the other choice, that's life!

Now the 2 questions:

1) Given the car shortage there seems to be and a small number of new models available, what if any discount is to be expected off a sticker price on a new car (I'm looking at Toyota highlander hybrid, or a Hyundai palisade - if that makes a difference) number of dealerships within Vancouver appear to have a couple of new models at around sticker price advertised on auto trader, is getting a discount off these a must? or a if your lucky? or don't even try?

2) how quick is the whole process - If I was to go with a foreign license, or an exchanged license to a dealership - how quick could registration, insurance (through ICBC) be sorted?? or likewise do they have an option to give you temporary cover/registration to allow me to drive the car for a few days from the off?

Did check the wiki and found very little - but might be looking in the wrong place

1. I bought two used vehicles from a Kia and Nissan dealership respectively in March/April. I politely asked for discounts, I was able to get 700 dollars off our Kia and 1200 off our Nissan. I'm still sure of the etiquette in Canada but there is no harm in asking, like you I needed the vehicle immediately and wasn't really in strong position as there was very limited options available. You can also see if the vehicles come with winter tires or perhaps negotiate this into the deal. You probably already know that the 'sticker' price is without the 13% HST and the plate/tags fee on top of that. I think to newly register the vehicle until your birth month the following year and to get a fresh plate it was 200 dollars. If the vehicle is listed as 10,000 dollars, on the road price will be approximately 11,500.

I'm not sure what the process is regarding a foreign licence or temporary insurance coverage but exchanging licence's took about 15 minutes and you walk out with your Ontario licence, albeit a temporary paper one. We arranged insurance to start on the date we picked up the cars, approximately 5 days from each dealership for them to get it ready.

Hope this helps.

Re: Buying a car in Canada 2021 - getting a deal, and the process?
 

The OP ia going to BC, not Ontario - the process is different there, unfortunately... and base insurance is supplied by ICBC who thankfully no longer require specific documents from your previous insurer.... but do require proof of experience with your drivers extract / confirmation from issuing body.
https://www.icbc.com/driver-licensin...r-country.aspx

Re: Buying a car in Canada 2021 - getting a deal, and the process?
 

Funnily enough was discussing that one last night, intrigued to know if it is actually there or already sold - as seems true of many in dealers, there was one available last week in Burnaby but it went within a couple of days (makes a change from being gone within seconds). Going to give it a few more days and pester them if its still showing online, I've already got 2 car salesmen emailing every day about cars for when I get to Canada and thats 2 too many! (no offence to any car salesmen)

Thanks - had read that lot, just didn't know timescales or likewise the current discount situation (or lack of it!).

Other thing I found out today is if you go above $55k for a vehicle its 15% tax not 12% !!! (which I didn't know till I read into it)- so that stops me going too silly.

Re: Buying a car in Canada 2021 - getting a deal, and the process?
 

BC PST on Vehicles

For driver history you need a 'driver abstract'.

Re: Buying a car in Canada 2021 - getting a deal, and the process?
 

I have a Palisade. Generally very happy with it. 2 years into a 3 year lease. If you have any specific questions on the vehicle by all means shoot me a PM. (I am the other side of the country to where you are headed).

Re: Buying a car in Canada 2021 - getting a deal, and the process?
 

Aye thanks, think it was you on here before I asked a couple of questions about it. To be honest I've watched that many youtube reviews/read owners comments I feel like I'm as clued up as can be.

The thing is there isn't too many bad cars these days, and things like a Palisade definitely aint one of them, I guess it just depends whether the other half can park it or not!! Although fairly impressed by the new Tucson (actually scored a drive in one the other day in the UK, we get a slightly shorter version) just weighing up size and future needs vs current needs, cost etc.

Re: Buying a car in Canada 2021 - getting a deal, and the process?
 

Umm... there are lots of issues with several types of vehicles in North America - lots of recalls for things - even the potential for seat belts catching fire, airbags failing to deploy etc. etc., !
https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur...g=eng&lang=eng
https://www.consumerreports.org/car-...a-a8939843610/ / https://www.cars.com/research/ford/recalls/
https://www.cars.com/research/hyundai-palisade/recalls/
https://driving.ca/auto-news/news/hy...-park-outdoors

Re: Buying a car in Canada 2021 - getting a deal, and the process?
 

Oh yea, completely agree on the huge number of recalls, especially on a new model (happens in the UK just as much)- but still doesn't make them a bad car, they are a nice vehicle to drive till the dash explodes in your face!! Think more technology typically leads to more recalls - however still stand by the lack of a bad car these days, brand loyalty isn;t what it used to be, advertising and the internet amongst other things has meant a bad car gets a bad review quickly, and companies making bad cars are forced to turn it around or cease to exist pretty quickly.

As a result think no matter whether you get a ford escape, a chevy equinox, a hyundai tucson, kia sorrento, honda CRV or a toyota rav 4- youll likely get a car that is generally reliable, fairly pleasant to drive and pretty comfortable.

Re: Buying a car in Canada 2021 - getting a deal, and the process?
 

So to update this - I got a Tucson hybrid- over the moon with it.

Now looking at getting an F150 to accompany it - annoyed at the lack of deals and found my old thread.

Really wondering if the demand for new cars will drop off at all - looking at 7 months+ on a factory order F150 - a few new cars on lots but only there for a day or 2 and are doing over sticker, vehicles with 10-15k on them are doing sticker price.