russellg

I'm looking for a secondhand car, but the dealers I have looked at in St Catharines don't fill me with much confidence! Can anyone recommend a dealer (preferably close to St Catharines or Niagara Falls but I don't mind travelling up to Toronto as long as it isn't to look at rusty skips!). I would prefer to spend around $10k (I could spend more but as I said I haven't seen anything I would be prepared to spend serious cash on).

MikeUK

melita autos

http://www.melitaauto.com/index.htm

but its not close

colchar

Keep in mind that all new car dealers also have used car departments.

Maybe the 401/Dixie Auto Mall might be a good place to try because there are so many dealerships in a small area.

russellg

They do, but many only have a few cars on their lots. I'm not going to spend a lot on a car if there is no service history, as I may need money to put right any problems. Given the cars I've seen that's inevitable! I've seen some sheds for sale in the UK but some of the cars I've seen for sale round St Catharines are deathtraps. If they can clear the safety inspection it doesn't say much about it!

MikeUK

I use autotrader to track down what i think i want
and then start shopping

http://wwwb.autotrader.ca/

dbd33

I was recently interested in a vehicle on this dealer's lot:

http://www.knillsmotors.com/en/index.spy

nothing came of that but I did check out the dealer with informed locals and heard only very good things.

colchar

Most of the ones I see in the GTA have pretty extensive used car departments.




It is highly unlikely that you will get a service history from a dealership. But don't worry about having to put money towards potential problems as the majority of used cars bought from dealerships come with warranties.

I never buy new cars, I always buy used, and I always get a warranty but have never had to use it.


Once again, buy from a dealership as they will be higher quality cars (ones that are traded in, have come off leases, etc.), than the smaller used car places.

Piff Poff

Dealerships also buy cars from auctions to fill their lots with, don't be fooled that used cars in dealerships are mainly trade ins and end of leases.

Dashie

We're further southwest, most dealers seem much of a muchness to me. Your choices at $10k aren't going to be great, you might be better off going private for that price, although you wouldn't get any warranty. I also wouldn't expect a service history here at all. It's assumed that you get an oil change etc. when needed.

Atlantic Xpat

Of late, We've chosen to lease. Lower payments, no depreciation to worry about and a new vehicle every 2-4 years. Of course, perhaps less of an option for the newly arrived immigrant with no credit history.

magnumpi

Why are you looking for a certain car dealer? You fancy a meal out with him or guna buy a car?

It's the car you should be more concerned with.

Get a good mechanic, decide exactly what car you need and price (SUV, sedan, Japanese or US ect) then get looking. When you find what you want, look at the car, not the dealers chiseled chin or ability to breed. :@)

Start here

http://m.autotrader.ca/

Edit: I have bought 2 cars this last 12 months, both replacing the two gas guzzling minivans we owned. Found both vehicles on the link above after long searches and looking at several vehicles. We now own a 2004 Mazda 3 and a 2005 Pontiac Vibe, both have been awesome vehicles and total for both was less than $8,000 and both from Toronto dealers, part ex vehicles (yes haggle all you want)