Hello expat members - this is my first post so please be kind!

My husband has just confirmed an internal transfer with his company to Calgary so we will be coming over on TWVisa as soon as they can be arranged (I reckon 2-3 months), and will be applying for PR when we arrive. So, a lot to sort out in a very short space of time! This site has been really useful so far in understanding what we need to account for when relocating.

One question I have is around the cost of cars in Calgary and what the purchase options are. We currently run 2 cars in the UK which we have to sell, but unfortunately still owe a lot on finance so won't be in any profit we'll just break even. I have read that a car is pretty essential in Calgary, especially given that we are pretty active in the UK and are very much looking forward to getting out exploring, snowboarding, mountain biking etc. We'd probably want some kind of truck where we could throw the bikes in the back and go.

Does anyone have any guidance around what cost to expect? Also, is getting finance even an option for new arrivals into Canada (I'm guessing not)? We're thinking of borrowing some money from family to fund buying a car/truck but trying to get a gauge as to how much we would need. Any sites you can point me towards or any help is much appreciated.

Search the threads for buying car against leasing

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...+car+in+Canada
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...+car+in+Canada
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...+car+in+Canada

Hi, and welcome to BE.

Absolutely no advice re: car leasing, but thought this Wiki article may be useful if your husband is heading over on an intra-company transfer TWP. http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Intra-...ransfer-Canada

No need for it to take 2-3 months either (unless you want to delay it until then), he could leave tomorrow and get his TWP at the airport.

Good luck.

Thanks both, will look into the threads. Sounds like insurance could be quite pricey, another thing to consider!

Insurance is the main reason to forget about buying / leasing a new vehicle. More cost effective to get something old and pay for minimal insurance during those early years.

Its not much fun though, and is advice offered with the benefit of hind site, rather than what I actually did...


Check out both Trader.ca and the local calgary.kijiji.ca ads for Calgary for an idea of used vehicle costs (pre negotiation)

Check the $4500 titled thread in this section although that applies to the GTA area
BTW Alberta is also private insurance as well so dont fall off your chair when getting quotes

Car insurance would be cheaper for everyone if it was all private everywhere. Government monopolies are always more expensive for most people.

Im sure some would agree but others will disagree. The Govt run ones have limitations on claims and injury compensation so get blasted for their coverage but the actual rates paid by drivers are cheaper than some private insurers. Ive used both and never made a claim in 35 years of driving apart from broken windshields in Canada.
I cant say which is better or the merits of one over the other I know its the law to have it and where you live dictates the type you get and pay for.
Ive heard horrendous stories from both types when trying to make a claim.

Premiums in Canada do not appear to support your argument

Government monopolies are not required to turn a profit for their shareholders, and dont have to spend millions on advertising to maintain market share. If they do run at a surplus (like the LCBO), then its of benefit to most anyway as that extra revenue goes into the provincial coffers and is not required to be raised from the general tax base in other ways.

Of course an inefficient and wasteful government monopoly wont be good for consumers, but its hard to imagine that after 30 years (at least) of people banging on about costs in the public sector that things are not run fairly well, and without a profit to be added on or marketing costs to pay for, its probably close to even. Argument for and against just end up returning to political/economic ideology.

The people that disagree would be wrong. Car insurance is cheaper in the US and the UK because it is all private.

The prices that are considered "normal" in Canada would be reserved for people that have had major accidents whilst drunk in countries without ridiculous government monopolies.

Anyway, if you like state control of things so much why don't you move to North Korea

Any argument supported by reference to the LCBO is a desperate one.

That bolded bit is hopelessly naive.

You a wrong - premiums in other countries prove my point completely. Monopolies are never good.

Check out stories on MPIC in Manitoba they certainly made a profit? and gave motorists back a good rebate last year. It is strange how my vehicle is now another year older and keeping the same coverage my rate is now $14 higher than last years. Go figure

Or I could always move to another part of Canada, move back to the UK or try to get a Green Card

You think there is no pressure to reduce costs in the public sector? Now who is being hopelessly naive?

Comparisons to other countries where legislation and driving conditions are different make comparison irrelevant.

Oranges to Oranges, across Canada some provinces have traditional commercial insurance providers, others have provincial monopolies. The government controlled provinces are nearly universally cheaper based on anecdotal evidence here.

But none of this has anything to do with the OPs questions, which were Calgary specific.