Car buying,help needed.
May 25th 2008 | 12:17 pm
#1
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 124
From: Calgary, Alberta
Car buying,help needed.
"We are looking for a Toyota RAV 4 or a Toyota Camry Hybrid. Given that we only drove for 3 wks this Jan/Feb in Ft Macmurray(Alberta) last winter, would that be a wise choice, esp.from a winter driving perspective? We want to restrict ourselves to Toyota owing to the Noral Toyota dealer in town. Should we be considering a Toyota Prius (Hybrid) also?
Don't expect to be driving down to Edmonton too often (1/month in summer, 1/6 months during winter, if at all). Just husband, wife and 1 son (in Univ in U of A), but may have 2-3 visitors at times staying with us. Do plan to drive to Baanf, Jasper. Our priorities when chosing the vehicle are (in order or importance):
1.Safety
2.Reliability
3.Fuel Efficiency (minimum 20 mpg)
4.Cost
Appreciate your thoughts.
Don't expect to be driving down to Edmonton too often (1/month in summer, 1/6 months during winter, if at all). Just husband, wife and 1 son (in Univ in U of A), but may have 2-3 visitors at times staying with us. Do plan to drive to Baanf, Jasper. Our priorities when chosing the vehicle are (in order or importance):
1.Safety
2.Reliability
3.Fuel Efficiency (minimum 20 mpg)
4.Cost
Appreciate your thoughts.
May 26th 2008 | 12:23 pm
#2
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 124
From: Calgary, Alberta
Re: Car buying,help needed.
"We are looking for a Toyota RAV 4 or a Toyota Camry Hybrid. Given that we only drove for 3 wks this Jan/Feb in Ft Macmurray(Alberta) last winter, would that be a wise choice, esp.from a winter driving perspective? We want to restrict ourselves to Toyota owing to the Noral Toyota dealer in town. Should we be considering a Toyota Prius (Hybrid) also?
Don't expect to be driving down to Edmonton too often (1/month in summer, 1/6 months during winter, if at all). Just husband, wife and 1 son (in Univ in U of A), but may have 2-3 visitors at times staying with us. Do plan to drive to Baanf, Jasper. Our priorities when chosing the vehicle are (in order or importance):
1.Safety
2.Reliability
3.Fuel Efficiency (minimum 20 mpg)
4.Cost
Appreciate your thoughts.
Don't expect to be driving down to Edmonton too often (1/month in summer, 1/6 months during winter, if at all). Just husband, wife and 1 son (in Univ in U of A), but may have 2-3 visitors at times staying with us. Do plan to drive to Baanf, Jasper. Our priorities when chosing the vehicle are (in order or importance):
1.Safety
2.Reliability
3.Fuel Efficiency (minimum 20 mpg)
4.Cost
Appreciate your thoughts.
No replies???? [pls help.
May 26th 2008 | 12:30 pm
#3
Pea Brain
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 6,005
From: TBD
Re: Car buying,help needed.
"We are looking for a Toyota RAV 4 or a Toyota Camry Hybrid. Given that we only drove for 3 wks this Jan/Feb in Ft Macmurray(Alberta) last winter, would that be a wise choice, esp.from a winter driving perspective? We want to restrict ourselves to Toyota owing to the Noral Toyota dealer in town. Should we be considering a Toyota Prius (Hybrid) also?
Don't expect to be driving down to Edmonton too often (1/month in summer, 1/6 months during winter, if at all). Just husband, wife and 1 son (in Univ in U of A), but may have 2-3 visitors at times staying with us. Do plan to drive to Baanf, Jasper. Our priorities when chosing the vehicle are (in order or importance):
1.Safety
2.Reliability
3.Fuel Efficiency (minimum 20 mpg)
4.Cost
Appreciate your thoughts.
Don't expect to be driving down to Edmonton too often (1/month in summer, 1/6 months during winter, if at all). Just husband, wife and 1 son (in Univ in U of A), but may have 2-3 visitors at times staying with us. Do plan to drive to Baanf, Jasper. Our priorities when chosing the vehicle are (in order or importance):
1.Safety
2.Reliability
3.Fuel Efficiency (minimum 20 mpg)
4.Cost
Appreciate your thoughts.
All the above to some degree or another meet your 4 criteria.
If you're limiting your choice to one manufacturer, I'm not sure what input you need - take them out for a test drive and see what you prefer.
They'll all cope in the winter with decent tires and chains if necessary. Personally I think many hybrids are over-hyped and from what I've read (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle3958376.ece) often don't come anywhere near the manufacturers claims for emissions/fuel consumption, but buying a car's a very personal and often emotive decision, so go try a few.
Last edited by R I C H; May 26th 2008 at 12:35 pm.
May 26th 2008 | 1:08 pm
#4
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 124
From: Calgary, Alberta
Re: Car buying,help needed.
All the above to some degree or another meet your 4 criteria.
If you're limiting your choice to one manufacturer, I'm not sure what input you need - take them out for a test drive and see what you prefer.
They'll all cope in the winter with decent tires and chains if necessary. Personally I think many hybrids are over-hyped and from what I've read (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle3958376.ece) often don't come anywhere near the manufacturers claims for emissions/fuel consumption, but buying a car's a very personal and often emotive decision, so go try a few.
If you're limiting your choice to one manufacturer, I'm not sure what input you need - take them out for a test drive and see what you prefer.
They'll all cope in the winter with decent tires and chains if necessary. Personally I think many hybrids are over-hyped and from what I've read (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle3958376.ece) often don't come anywhere near the manufacturers claims for emissions/fuel consumption, but buying a car's a very personal and often emotive decision, so go try a few.
May 26th 2008 | 1:37 pm
#5
Small fish in a big pond
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 68
From: Alberta
Re: Car buying,help needed.
We moved here (Alberta) last year and went for 4x4s.
Having never driving in more than an inch of snow and knowing what we would be driving in, I thought that would be the safest option. And I'm glad we did!
I pulled five cars out of "not very deep" snow in one day with my truck. My wife has a Jeep Liberty and she feels very safe too.
That said, my neighbour drives a Toyota (not sure what, but it's a very small front wheel drive) and gets along perfectly well. He has lived here 60 odd years though and is probably a very experienced snow driver.
Personal preference I guess. Like RICH says, take a few out, but just be aware of the weather extremes.
Good luck.
Having never driving in more than an inch of snow and knowing what we would be driving in, I thought that would be the safest option. And I'm glad we did!
I pulled five cars out of "not very deep" snow in one day with my truck. My wife has a Jeep Liberty and she feels very safe too.
That said, my neighbour drives a Toyota (not sure what, but it's a very small front wheel drive) and gets along perfectly well. He has lived here 60 odd years though and is probably a very experienced snow driver.
Personal preference I guess. Like RICH says, take a few out, but just be aware of the weather extremes.
Good luck.
