debbie2801

Hi All, we have just moved to Halifax from Kent and are just starting to get ourselves sorted but need a car asap. Can anyone recommend a car dealership that is trustworthy and also what make of car please? There are just the two of us but we're unsure whether we need 4WD or not as do plan on snow tyres. And has anyone used Johnson for insurance as understand that they do recognise NCD from Uk insurers. Thanks, all replies, so gratefully received!

spaceace

We just bought a Ford Escape from Denise Josey @ Fairley & Stevens on Windmill Road...I would recommend them.

We've got the Ford and I've got a Saab 95...I run the Saab on performance tires and the Escape on winters in the winter and we'll be swapping them to all seasons soon.

4x4 not really, but winter tires are recommended if you're not confident in the snow as it can get quite hairy on the highways, especially if you get caught in the initial snow fall where it can get quite slippery.

Johnsons really is the only choice for UK NCD recogonition.

Sue

Hi debbie2801,

I'm not in Canada but wanted to pop by and welcome you to the forum. I hope you are settling in ok.

Danny B

Get something German or Japanese if you want it to last. A used Subaru wagon with a set of winter tyres will do you fine for many years.

jericho

Word of warning. Dont take ANYONE'S word about car salesmen being "trustworthy", as they're all as bad as each other. Remember, it's their job to sell you a car for as much as they can. My advice would be to do your research with regards to prices otherwise you can very easily get ripped off.

I would recommend Johnsons, as they tend to be the cheapest and provide decent service. You also get a lot of extras through them that you dont get from anyone else. PS- it's not the NCD that they recognise, it's the number of claims free years.

jericho

Sorry, I forgot to add... Welcome to Halifax

Howefamily

yes welcome to Nova Scotia.
Be careful, I wanted a TDi and was told there arent any. Given that we had so much to buy I stupidly did not question that. We have a Pontiac G6 which I do like a lot but is crippling us in gas and now I need to change to a TDi as actually there are loads here.

The reason I say be careful is really think about how much driving you will be doing and be as cautious on that front as you may have been in England. We bought in haste and are repenting at leisure....

Howefamily

and in my opinion you do need winter tires, I dont think that studded ones are essential but def winter tires.

Apparently this guy is great, hes been hugely recommended by loads:
http://vehicles.wheels.ca/dealer-pro...otivesalesinc/

as honest and trustworthy

Flogger

I don't understand. Was it that you wanted a TDI because you thought it was the most economical but ended up with a pontiac G6, as it was the next best thing? Its unfortunate, as you would have thought even in this pioneer country there maybe some middle ground.

AmyDavid

How juicy is it? I thought they were quite economical gas wise, but maybe that is just my perception of it, as it is a car rather than a van?

engineer80

We bought a Honda Civic recently from the Honda dealer in Bible Hill just outside Truro. Perhaps a little far out for if you are in Halifax but they were fantastic. We wanted something big enough for our family of 3 and economical at the same time because my husband will be travelling to and from Pictou for work and so far so good!

Howefamily

It was one of those rash decisions as we were fed up of trying to decide and it looked nice and still looks nice and was lovely to drive. Its more economical than our van but its costing me double the price to get to work and back than a TDi would according to my spreadsheet calcs.

I recall saying but it has a 3.5L engine! and being met with - so??? I was laughed at when I mentioned I had had a 1.4L Citroen in the UK, and with everything else at the time and two children who had had enough, we thought sod it.

That was one of the stoopidist sod it decisions ever made.

Atlantic Xpat

I've not done the detailled calculations, but TDI (I'm assuming you are talking about a VW). Does the premium you'll pay for a TDI, plus the premium you pay for diesel over gas really offset the additional mileage? And if it does for a Pontiac G6v6, would it do so compared to a more economical gas engined vehicle such as a Honda Civic?

Howefamily

thanks, that is making me really look into this now. But diesel is currently 10c less than gas and a good diesel as I know it just goes on and on. We had a good diesel car in the UK and tbh I miss it.

el_richo

The Audi Q7 has a nice TDI