first time car buyer in canada
#1
Banned
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 233
first time car buyer in canada
hey folks ! yes I know there's a few threads here on car buying but what were your first wheels here in minus temperature land ?
I'm seeing as we're entering the fall in TO then winter it's probably a good idea to go 4x4 or maybe something german (m5/ Merc m class/cayenne).? I've noticed that reliably is a huge a factor here so what is a good vehicle to commute on a first time Canadian buy ? used or new
I'm seeing as we're entering the fall in TO then winter it's probably a good idea to go 4x4 or maybe something german (m5/ Merc m class/cayenne).? I've noticed that reliably is a huge a factor here so what is a good vehicle to commute on a first time Canadian buy ? used or new
#2
Re: first time car buyer in canada
hey folks ! yes I know there's a few threads here on car buying but what were your first wheels here in minus temperature land ?
I'm seeing as we're entering the fall in TO then winter it's probably a good idea to go 4x4 or maybe something german (m5/ Merc m class/cayenne).? I've noticed that reliably is a huge a factor here so what is a good vehicle to commute on a first time Canadian buy ? used or new
I'm seeing as we're entering the fall in TO then winter it's probably a good idea to go 4x4 or maybe something german (m5/ Merc m class/cayenne).? I've noticed that reliably is a huge a factor here so what is a good vehicle to commute on a first time Canadian buy ? used or new
If they're out of reach budget wise, i'd recommend a 1990's British racing Green John Cooper Special Mini.
#3
Re: first time car buyer in canada
There was an ad on TV back in the 70's that showed how the snow plow guy got to work in a VW Beetle .... go figure
I'm seeing as we're entering the fall in TO then winter it's probably a good idea to go 4x4 or maybe something german (m5/ Merc m class/cayenne).?
I've noticed that reliably is a huge a factor here so what is a good vehicle to commute on a first time Canadian buy ? used or new
I've noticed that reliably is a huge a factor here so what is a good vehicle to commute on a first time Canadian buy ? used or new
Do you really have $100k to spend on a new (on the road tax in) vehicle, or lease for not less than $1000/mth?
You are in Toronto, as such any vehicle with winter tires will do - based on what you can afford. Used not more than $8k max
#4
Banned
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 233
Re: first time car buyer in canada
A 1965 used VW Beetle with an air cooled engine that the heater never worked. In the 70's it was a Dodge Dart, rear wheel drive with snow tires
There was an ad on TV back in the 70's that showed how the snow plow guy got to work in a VW Beetle .... go figure
This is a joke, it has to be ....
Do you really have $100k to spend on a new (on the road tax in) vehicle, or lease for not less than $1000/mth?
You are in Toronto, as such any vehicle with winter tires will do - based on what you can afford. Used not more than $8k max
There was an ad on TV back in the 70's that showed how the snow plow guy got to work in a VW Beetle .... go figure
This is a joke, it has to be ....
Do you really have $100k to spend on a new (on the road tax in) vehicle, or lease for not less than $1000/mth?
You are in Toronto, as such any vehicle with winter tires will do - based on what you can afford. Used not more than $8k max
#5
Re: first time car buyer in canada
AWD or 4wd can be useful but not essential. Buy what takes your fancy and put decent winter tires on it.
In my experience here, Mercedes are reliable (never had issues with an M Class or GLK), Fords have been constant headaches, Subarus blow up at 10,000kms, and the VW GTi I owned was blemish free.
Last edited by R I C H; Sep 29th 2015 at 12:50 am.
#6
Banned
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 233
Re: first time car buyer in canada
winter tyres is legal requirement right ? cops can ticket you for not having them ?or is that only that for the sat nav taxi drivers ?
#7
Re: first time car buyer in canada
I drive a 13 year old Ford Escape XLT which presently has just over 258,000KM on it with all season tires. It works in the burbs of the GTA. Insurance is 3rd party only, costing me $650/yr. I bought it 2 years ago certified with emissions tax & registration on the road price for $2800. (twenty eight hundred dollars Cdn)
#8
Re: first time car buyer in canada
exactly, I cannot afford [would not] be stupid enough to buy a $100k vehicle, even if I won the lottery.
I drive a 13 year old Ford Escape XLT which presently has just over 258,000KM on it with all season tires. It works in the burbs of the GTA. Insurance is 3rd party only, costing me $650/yr. I bought it 2 years ago certified with emissions tax & registration on the road price for $2800. (twenty eight hundred dollars Cdn)
I drive a 13 year old Ford Escape XLT which presently has just over 258,000KM on it with all season tires. It works in the burbs of the GTA. Insurance is 3rd party only, costing me $650/yr. I bought it 2 years ago certified with emissions tax & registration on the road price for $2800. (twenty eight hundred dollars Cdn)
We've also got the fancy stuff, but they don't see snow unless they don't squeeze themselves in the garage.
#9
Re: first time car buyer in canada
exactly, I cannot afford [would not] be stupid enough to buy a $100k vehicle, even if I won the lottery.
I drive a 13 year old Ford Escape XLT which presently has just over 258,000KM on it with all season tires. It works in the burbs of the GTA. Insurance is 3rd party only, costing me $650/yr. I bought it 2 years ago certified with emissions tax & registration on the road price for $2800. (twenty eight hundred dollars Cdn)
I drive a 13 year old Ford Escape XLT which presently has just over 258,000KM on it with all season tires. It works in the burbs of the GTA. Insurance is 3rd party only, costing me $650/yr. I bought it 2 years ago certified with emissions tax & registration on the road price for $2800. (twenty eight hundred dollars Cdn)
#10
Re: first time car buyer in canada
hey folks ! yes I know there's a few threads here on car buying but what were your first wheels here in minus temperature land ?
I'm seeing as we're entering the fall in TO then winter it's probably a good idea to go 4x4 or maybe something german (m5/ Merc m class/cayenne).? I've noticed that reliably is a huge a factor here so what is a good vehicle to commute on a first time Canadian buy ? used or new
I'm seeing as we're entering the fall in TO then winter it's probably a good idea to go 4x4 or maybe something german (m5/ Merc m class/cayenne).? I've noticed that reliably is a huge a factor here so what is a good vehicle to commute on a first time Canadian buy ? used or new
#11
Re: first time car buyer in canada
I suggest something with heated seats and a convertible top due to the weather being cold in winter and hot in summer. I wouldn't bother with winter tyres nor a specific drive train arrangement in and around Toronto. If you drive in the country a lot then, yes, winter tyres and FWD are prudent. I found a 2007 VW Beetle convertible to be ideal for rural Ontario.
#12
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2012
Location: Qc, Canada
Posts: 3,787
Re: first time car buyer in canada
I'd not be too bothered about needing a 4x4 in a city or the 'burbs.
For rural winter driving, I haven't found anything (yet) that beats used, already beat-up, Subarus. With good winter tyres, & depending on just *how* rural, studded tyres.
(Although the winter where I had a Dodge Ram & Toyota Tundra provided by my job made for fun driving).
YMMV.
For rural winter driving, I haven't found anything (yet) that beats used, already beat-up, Subarus. With good winter tyres, & depending on just *how* rural, studded tyres.
(Although the winter where I had a Dodge Ram & Toyota Tundra provided by my job made for fun driving).
YMMV.
#13
Re: first time car buyer in canada
A chap I worked with who lives in Uxbridge Ontario has a 2006 Diesel Smartcar that he has had for year & half.
He commutes, uses it every single day & drives back & forth to work 32km away in Newmarket, which is a cross country run. Through the winter with zero issues.
Says the thing gets 400km on $15 gas
.
He commutes, uses it every single day & drives back & forth to work 32km away in Newmarket, which is a cross country run. Through the winter with zero issues.
Says the thing gets 400km on $15 gas
.
Last edited by not2old; Sep 29th 2015 at 2:54 pm. Reason: edited
#14
Re: first time car buyer in canada
dont buy a diesel lol
I just traded my VW off for a new Jeep Sahara, pick it up tomorrow.
Be ready for higher insurance, service, warranty costs if you go german or any "Imported" vehicle ! Thats why this time around i've gone with a north american vehicle.
I just traded my VW off for a new Jeep Sahara, pick it up tomorrow.
Be ready for higher insurance, service, warranty costs if you go german or any "Imported" vehicle ! Thats why this time around i've gone with a north american vehicle.
#15
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2014
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 835
Re: first time car buyer in canada
A chap I worked with who lives in Uxbridge Ontario has a 2006 Diesel Smartcar that he has had for year & half.
He commutes, uses it every single day & drives back & forth to work 32km away in Newmarket, which is a cross country run. Through the winter with zero issues.
Says the thing gets 400km on $15 gas
.
He commutes, uses it every single day & drives back & forth to work 32km away in Newmarket, which is a cross country run. Through the winter with zero issues.
Says the thing gets 400km on $15 gas
.