Hi guys,

My fiancee and I are hoping to be in Canada in July of next year. Our plan at the moment is to fly to Halifax NS and to stay with my Uncle for a few weeks before driving across the country to Calgary AB. To do this, we're looking to buy a vehicle in the Halifax area. Some questions...

1. My Uncle suggested that we might have issues entering the US (if we chose to do so), on temporary car plates. Is there anyone reading this that has any experience of this?
2. We're looking to buy a vehicle that's a 1-3 years old. Should I be concerned with buying a car/truck from the maritimes that's been exposed to sea salt etc?

Thanks in advance, guys!

I don't know how car licensing works in the Maritimes. Why would your plates be temporary? In Alberta you can get a temporary insurance but it only lasts something like 48 hours and it only good for pick up and drop off, not for gallivanting around, there could be other options in other Provinces though.

A car just a year or two old shouldn't really be affected by salt, especially if it has been looked after I would have thought.

Hey,

Thanks for the reply

My uncle suggested that we might be on temporary plates after buying the car. Knowing nothing about how cars are dealt with in Canada, I don't know either way!

I was thinking that a car which is only a year or two old should be okay too.

Thanks!

My car is 3.5 years old, we live right on the ocean and the salt mist is here all the time (especially at this moment ) , paid extra to have it treated with rust inhibitor ("Perma guard") and we have had no issues with rust yet.
So maybe you should look for a car that had this done.
Salt is everywhere in Canada, because they "pickle" the roads, so I don't think there is a difference as to whether you buy a car here or elsewhere inland..

Oh, 'Alberta' or 'Labrador' cars/trucks are definately marketed at a premium here on The Rock. Drier environment, salt/brine notwithstanding, means they hold up better. 'Nevada' or 'Florida' even better!

That being said, my five year old SUV isn't a pile of rust quite yet. In actually is rustier inside than out. Having the underside rust treated annually is a wise move if you are keeping a car for the longer term.

A friend just drove from Toronto to Calgary, instead of hiring a vehicle he went onto to this website that needs drivers to take cars... he was paid the cost of the petro ($250)l. Even though he had to pay accommodation, it was still a lot cheaper - and they covered the insurance too. He had to provide a scanned copy of his drivers licence (both sides) and his passport, an official copy of his drivers history/record/abstract and provide at least one reference, plus leave a deposit. The vehicles can be needed anywhere in Canada and down as far as Florida - so it offers some great opportunites for 1 way travel.

It took him 6 days and he had a blast!

It may be of interest...

http://www.hittheroad.ca/rides.html

Thanks for the replies guys - appreciated

I've been told that the quality of North American vehicles isn't up to the same standard as you'd typically find in Europe but if I bought a car that was say 18 months old and owned it for 3 years, I'd be pretty narked if it suffered rust problems during my ownership!

If that's actually true, and of a real concern to you, buy an import from the far east or Europe. N.American cars aren't the only choice.

It's true, for sure and it's an option.

If you've only been told that this is the case with no direct experience yourself, how can you state that "it is true, for sure." Sorry but I have to take issue with this.

That may or may not have been true but we no longer know if it is still true.

North American manufacturers have been forced to do a total rethink of how they do business in the last three years. Some would argue that the quality has improved immensely. But in reality we'll have to wait a few years to see if that is true or not. Certainly the initial quality out of the factory has improved, long term reliability who knows.

I did have north american built cars in the sixties and seventies that lasted well over ten years was their quality lacking? Who knows I was happy with them.

I think you misread. I said it's true that "N.American cars aren't the only choice".

I'm not sure how you'd go about registering a car here in your name with a UK driving license. You also have to provide proof of insurance before you can license it (after you've registered it). That's probably why your uncle is suggesting the "temporary permit" route.
Could you get your uncle to buy a car (you pay) register it and insure it, then "lend" it to you. I have no idea if this is feasible, or legal.

Last year I bought an 11 year old, locally grown dodge minivan for $1000.00. It had 218,000 kms. and no rust (incredibly). It now has 233,000 kms and no problems. Obviously I wouldn't risk driving anything this old across Canada though.

Point is that some North American vehicles are well proven and cheap to fix when they break. I know everyone hates the minivan, but look how many have been bought.
Cheers, Eric.

Temp plates last for 30 days in NS. unlike DVLA access nova scotia will issue your plate (only one for the rear) while you wait if you have all the paper work in place. If you are here with the right paperwork not just for a holiday. take your test here and enjoy the trip.
As for north American cars lasting only 3 years i think you are very much mistaken they will go for at least 4 years
we have an 2001 buick with 300,000km and still going strong 30+ to the gallon on the highway.

All the cars are fairly well rust-proofed nowadays...I wouldn't worry too much about that.

I don't agree. Here in BC anyway it is not normal for new vehicles to have underbody protection done by the manufacturer, instead it is offered as an option to the buyer. I cannot understand why they don't do it automatically.
So it's possible to buy a second hand vehicle that may never have had any underbody treatment.