Piff Poff

I know we will always go for something with something with more ground clearance. We have helped dig people with cars out of our road after heavy snow, but we were ok with the SUV.

Atlantic Xpat

We have an SUV & have always had one since moving to Canada. Aside from liking SUV's we have one because a) I tow a trailer to trail my ATV around on, and b) in the winter when it gets really bad and they haven't plowed the roads, the extra ground clearance and 4WD is useful. Assuming you have snow tires. If you don't then it's useless.

In a snow storm, the offramps to the highway are the problem. They plow the highway but not the ramps. I've almost been caught out on a number of occasions. Of course, in a really bad snowstorm you don't have to go out. On normal plowed roads, the Mrs's front wheel drive Kia Soul is as good as the SUV. (A Suzuki XL7).

Steve_P

WTF

Plonk

el_richo

Oooh you're in for in now, Steve

Steve_

Seeing as the OP is going to Alberta, I'll chip in:

If you're moving to Alberta, really helps to have 4WD and a vehicle that is high up off the road, as you'll discover during the winter. Plus there are lots of gravel roads here. Even cars that you consider to be good for winter weather in the UK (like an XC70) can struggle in Alberta. I used to think pick-up trucks in cities were for posers until I moved here. In rural areas you'll see people driving pick-up trucks with snow plough attachments.

I went to a car wash here that is run by idiots, idiots because they take too long to wash your car but I've never gotten my windshield so clean and although it had some pretty serious gouges in it from being hit by gravel, once it was super clean and I could see it under the light it looked like it had been hit by a massive shotgun blast.

Contrary to popular belief you don't need a block heater in Calgary but you might once you get up to Edmonton, depends on whether you've got a garage.

Another point: if you want a decent price on a car you usually have to buy it in Montana or Salt Lake and import it. You'll get hit with GST and duty and it's a bit of a fag because you have to take it to Canadian Tire (or the local dealer if there is one) to get the daytime running lights sorted out but you can save serious $$$. More info at www.riv.ca I'm definitely not buying my next car here, I was an idiot to do that. The differences between the prices here and what I could have gotten in Great Falls are staggering.

One of the things people do (like Rich above) is compare retail prices, however the reality is that you can almost always negotiate or get a better price on most things in the US even if the MSRP is the same as it here, especially at the moment. Plus Montana has no sales tax, so you don't have to worry about that, only the import fees.

One other thing, I think luxury brands in Alberta are largely pointless. If your car is going to get destroyed by gravel and ice, best to buy something reasonably priced. I agree that Subaru is a good choice (which is what I got). Decent quality, but not a luxury brand.

R I C H

The sticker price is just the starting point - not what you'd hope to pay. I was responding to the point that imported brands are costlier to buy here than in their place of origin, which isn't necessarily true.

I paid $8k less than sticker for my vehicle - the time/cost/hassle of going to the US to buy it couldn't be justified.

2008orbust

atlantic_expat

"We have an SUV & have always had one since moving to Canada. Aside from liking SUV's we have one because a) I tow a trailer to trail my ATV around on, and b) in the winter when it gets really bad and they haven't plowed the roads, the extra ground clearance and 4WD is useful. Assuming you have snow tires. If you don't then it's useless"

good info - thanks

thinking a towing point would be handy over there for towing in general
rather than just a caravanners thing as we have over in the UK

Piff Poff

That's one reason we will never buy new here - would rather buy an older luxery model that hasn't seen a gravel road rather than a newer bog standard vehicle.

Steve_P

It would appear that it would be you that needs to learn a lesson or two.

Don't bother responding because as of this moment you are on my ignore list.

iaink

Ah, but then you know a man who can fix them for free. The rest of us would die a long slow horrible financial death by a thousand pinpricks to keep it on the road, and parts for luxury vehicles tend to be a lot more expensive too.

Piff Poff

Not necessarily - the older Expeditions we have had only ever needed brakes/tyres (all older cars need tyres and brakes, apparently Albertans don't think these are necessary safety features, the Navigator we had I think needed a windshield and the above. The Liberty we have at the mo' needed a windshield. Yes OH does switch other things out as is his want, he switched hail damaged trim on the Navigator, seats on the Liberty and such like. All the above cost less than $10k. I suppose the thing is having a guy that knows what they are buying in the first place

iaink

Oh, you meant domestic luxury, not real luxury

airbornesapper

I luv my SUV...........

Piff Poff

Well, not everyone can have a Rolls - the parts are fairly hard to come by, so I thought I'd just mention the bog standard ones.

blue monday

I feel sorry for the OP, the thread has been hijacked and OP didn't get her answer.