Hi All

Could anyone offer an opinion as to what would make a good runaround car for the school run/shopping. We'll have an SUV (I think) for the main car, but need something small and efficient for day to day stuff. Also, if about 2 - 4 years old, how much do you think we'd need to pay? We'll be buying it in Victoria, BC so can anyone recommend a dealership that they've had good experiences of?

Final question - Is it acceptable to make an offer below the windshield price? We don't want to offend anyone, but on the other hand don't want to pay top dollar.

Thanks

Conal

Honda Civic.

Not easy to find bargains though

Mazda 3, almost as good, easier to find. Probably looking at $12-15k for one off lease.

Make an offer, its expected.

PT Cruiser.

We have used both Metro Lexus Toyota for my Corolla and also the Camden Nissan dealership for hubbies minivan.

When we first arrived we used the services of Autofinders who for a flat fee will do a lot of the legwork and price negotiating which we were extremely happy with as we weren't exactly sure which model of vehicle we would need and how much to offer for what we wanted.

Thanks for the reply. I'll look into it.

I'm currently looking at new cars, which will just be city runarounds. I'm liking the 2011 Fiesta that Ford have released over here, which starts at around 15k.

But defiantely offer below windshield. And make sure that when you agree on a price, pay that price. I've heard no end of stories about deals adding rubbish 'taxes' or 'payments' onto vehicle prices. I've struggled to find a definateive source of data, but I believe that the normal tax, plus a $100 Air Conditioning Levy (if car is bought under Windshield Price) and Delivery and Freight (usually just over $1000 from what I've seen).

Basically, you want to be looking for at least 5% off of the factory windshield price - if it is a dealership specific price, still haggle the heck out of it....they'll usually be able to budge on the price...just make sure that you don't give them an easy ride. Just make sure they don't tack the discount back on for 'administration fees' or whatever rubbish they may try to impose on you.

Most of the School run moms I see are in infinity QX56's ......

you are not going to offend anyone banging a low offer in, the worst the dealers can say is no! its their job to sell you a car

It is very much a haggling atmosphere in car dealerships. Even with the supposed 'employee pricing events' going on at the moment - don't buy the advertisements, and if you don't get the price you want, walk away.

Hi


I will make my usual suggestion if you are going to buy a new car, spend the 29.95 at Car Cost Canada, which gives you 5 different price guides.
Their guides shows the manufacturers list, the dealers cost and any incentives being offered. Depending on the market, which is slow right now, you probably can get a new vehicle at about %3 above dealer cost.

If you buy from a dealership you will pay tax on top of the price.
You can definitely haggle and get a deal below the listed price either with a dealer or through a private sale.
Used cars hold their price and sometimes its shocking what you see them advertised for!
Its also worth looking on Used Victoria and Craigslist as that is where people advertise privately here. Then no tax!

There is tax on used vehicles in BC, private or otherwise. Used to be PST at 7%, now it is the 12% TDP. A high price for a used vehicle can only be a good thing, vehicle owners lose less in depreciation, bringing down the cost of ownership.

Buggers even charge tax on used aeroplanes now!

Yes a good thing for us selling, but when we moved over I sold my little Saxo for £700 and paif $3000 for a car of the same quality/age

Don't know where I read this, but I thought you still pay tax for private 2nd hand car sale, you just hand it over to ICBC when you register the vehicle instead of at the point of sale?

Maybe in post #11?

Ah, yep. My English comprehension skills are really shining through...