This is touted as fact here quite often, and I don't think the statement stands up to much scrutiny.

Here are some examples of list prices (imports and domestic, with BC HST included) for a variety of models sold here and in the UK. Green for cheaper in Canada, blue for cheaper in UK):

Mercedes ML350
Canada = $64,288 UK = £40,910 @x1.6 conversion rate = $65,456

Subaru WRX Sti
Canada = $46,614 UK = £28,000 @x1.6 conversion rate = $44,800

Ford Fiesta
Canada = $16,070 UK = £11,545 @x1.6 conversion rate = $18,632

Audi A3 TDi
Canada = $39,536 UK = £21,085 @x1.6 conversion rate = $33,736

Volvo XC70
Canada = $34,714 UK = £21,405 @x1.6 conversion rate = $34,248

Toyota Prius
Canada = $22,237 UK = £27,800 @x1.6 conversion rate = $44,480

BMW X5 xDrive50i
Canada = $83,216 UK = £55,080 @x1.6 conversion rate = $88,128

So, from that small sample it's apparent imports sometimes actually cost less here. On the current exchange rate, Volvo prices are almost identical, whereas Toyota's are much less expensive in Canada.

Take into account often far longer servicing intervals (my ML only requires a service every 15,000kms, whereas my Ford truck is every 6,000kms), then running costs can be less expensive too.

I was using Audi as my basis and my own experience. and the fact service periods are shorter in Canada as against the uk..My Audi in the uk was every 20,000 miles = 32,000 kms and the cost was cheaper per service..so alot more servicing in Canada and cost per service more expensive.

I believe the general shop rates are just over $100 per hour in Red Deer now. One reason My OH has preferred us having Fords apart from being a Ford mechanic is the parts were always cheaper than other brands particularly imports. He has been complaining lately about the price of Ford parts going up, so they are more in line with the competition, which is unfortunate.

Nope - this is the full size XJ8 Vanden Plas (x350 series) - the big cat, with the 4.2 v8. The mondeo thingy looks quite small next to it.

ah, a proper one then

After digesting some good and some not so good comments here, we basically come down to 2 vehicles.

Mitsubushi Outlander (2010)
Hyundai Santa Fe (2010)

Santa Fe has more gadgets, however there is not a lot between them to drive and the Mitsubushi may be smoother with the CVT.

The Hyudai dealer I have had most of the dialouge with and has tried to rip me off a few times - but the internet site can get you a price close enough to fire bullets back.

So what I am asking now, while waiting for the bank (line of credit) are there any owners who have either and what do you think of either.

Thanks

JET

I'm getting an Xterra, but of the two choices you have had I have borrowed the father in laws Sante Fe for road trips, he has the big engine, I found it pleasurable to drive and gutsy enough to overtake on the highway.

BM...actually you do, certainly the case in NB:

http://www.gnb.ca/0162/tax/pvttppt-e.asp

"Purchase and/or Acquisition from a Private Individual - Motor Vehicles (Provincial Vehicle Tax - PVT):

All motor vehicles purchased and/or acquired privately (from a non-registrant) are subject to a 13% Provincial Vehicle Tax (PVT). This Provincial Vehicle Tax is administered by the Revenue & Taxation Division of the Department of Finance. This tax is paid upon registration of the vehicle at a Service New Brunswick Centre. Any inquiries on the Provincial Vehicle Tax should be made to the Revenue & Taxation Division, Department of Finance (506-453-2404)."

IN NB, the tax is based on the bill of sale, they get you to sign an affidavit attesting to that fact that you paid x amount which becomes the tax assessed value.

In NS they use a book value, so if the bill of sale you present is lower, you will pay the lowest book value.

So yes, the taxman still wants his cut.....

Steve_P

the man who has to have the last word on mpg . . .

is there a weight issue with suv v car or is most of the suv just light superstrucutre ?

dont you have a problem with the car lower to the ground with heavy snow and slush ? - thought a higher up vehicle would be an advantage but you are the man on the ground

I'm not him but do have extensive experience with heavy snow and slush. In my driveway I have a 2007 Beetle convertible (pastel blue) and a 1987 Land Cruiser. When there has been heavy snow, say better than a foot in one fall, the LC is essential, for driving across the fields. On the road the Beetle is more than adequate in ground clearance and, thanks to the front wheel drive, equal to any traction problems one is likely to experience.

The one time the unploughed driveway proved impassable in the Beetle, (spring, two feet of new wet snow), it also defeated the LC. I launched effectively but got stuck in the windrow. At that point I needed the John Deere with chains, that's good in snow but not efficient for commuting.

Again, I don't hate SUVs but they're not better for driving on roads in Canada than a minivan or, indeed, a little faggy thing.

On edit: the features that make the LC effective in fields of snow are:

- lots of ground clearance

- locking hubs

- manual gearbox

- no traction control

If wanting an SUV is about driving in difficult conditions, which of course it isn't, all of these are essential. In 2WD high, driven gently with hubs unlocked, the LC can return 14mpg.

so is that Santa Fe or Outlander ?

we always seem to sidetrack from what the purpose is and I am none the wiser.

JET

They're both a bit silly so pick whichever one looks prettier to you.

Of course SUVs weigh more

Ground clearance has not been an issue for me here, ever, and I drive a Honda Civic most of the time. A subaru with snow tires on is largely impervious to the winter, as long as you can actually see where you are going. I used to own a Jeep, the high seating position is nice sometimes, but the rest of the experience not that great, and expensive to run. On the other hand the height also means inherently poorer stearing response due to higher center of gravity... I choose closer to the ground having tried both.

Unless you tow something, you really dont need an SUV. Having said that I was towing a borrowed trailer behind a borrowed SantaFe this weekend past, and it was OK, but it was an older one and it showed... check engine, brake and ABS lights on, tailgate wouldnt open...at 240k km.

The VW also has lots of lights permanently on and the boot lid works when it feels like it, at a similar mileage, that's just what happens after a couple of years.

Wasnt a feature of my elderly ex mazda, and the ABS and check light were only intermittent on the old Subaru...

Most of the time these things dont signify much anyway

If the window part of the tailgate didnt open it would have been a bit more inconvenient...