What is the Best Way to Buy a Car?
- Thread starter shack
- Start date
I would look at the APA or Car Help Canada. These are non profits and they ensure you do not get scammed.
They have negotiated prices for you with dealers. They know the dealer cost.
I have not used them because I am a maintenance fanatic and still have an old car my uncle gave me but I used to watch their shows on TV.
www.apa.ca
www.carhelpcanada.com
They have negotiated prices for you with dealers. They know the dealer cost.
I have not used them because I am a maintenance fanatic and still have an old car my uncle gave me but I used to watch their shows on TV.
New Vehicle Buying Service - Automobile Protection Association
Assistance with new vehicle purchases in major regions of Montreal and Toronto
www.apa.ca
Car Help Canada | Find The Best Deals On New & Used Cars
www.carhelpcanada.com
Last edited:
IMHO, the APA or Car Help Canada will not get you the most amazing prices. They have to deal with these people and they can not afford to piss them off. Use logic, you will not get 20% off. Low ball them, and then get their price. Go from dealer to dealer and get prices, then work with the lowest price. If no one can beat their price they may be low balling you only to tack on extras before you sign. Never accept any add ons. Always tell them you are taking financing from them, even if you are not. You can change your mind at the last minute. Get them to throw in winter rims or even winter tires if you are negotiating in the fall. Do not accept any add ons already on the vehicle, like window and car part anti theft markings, rust proofing, or ceramic car coating.
FYI - Spray on ceramic wax works fine for me. The dirt just slides off with rain and snow. A $12 can of Rust Check sprayed into the door weep holes is just as good as a $200 rust treatment
Finance or lease?
Finance you can go anywhere with the car.
Lease you are only allowed a certain amount of KM per year. After that you pay for it. Maintenance is almost free.
My co-worker has leased for the past 20 years and every 4-5 years he switches cars. The guy has never traveled anywhere not even TO.
He is a prisoner.
He is better off taking the train or city bus.
Finance you can go anywhere with the car.
Lease you are only allowed a certain amount of KM per year. After that you pay for it. Maintenance is almost free.
My co-worker has leased for the past 20 years and every 4-5 years he switches cars. The guy has never traveled anywhere not even TO.
He is a prisoner.
He is better off taking the train or city bus.
It is true that add ons are where they make money. Margins are pretty slim on compacts in particular, which most Canadians buy.
The very best prices(talking about new cars) may not be with APA or Car Help, but I would imagine that you will not get ripped off. For people who do not like haggling, it is probably ok.
I am still grandfathered into $ 99.00 a year at Krown Rust. But they are now asking for tips.
Last edited:
It is a pain. But you just have call and submit offers all the dealership around you for the car of interest
Or
Buy tesla online
Or
Buy tesla online
Never let Sneaky the Bastard add anything to your contract, Price + taxes all in or you walk. Too many times I have had the last minute extras pulled on me. If you get a rude bastard, milk him for information and go elsewhere.
I had one Jackass slap one hand on the table and stick his palm out and demanded my credit card even before he gave me a price.
I had one Jackass slap one hand on the table and stick his palm out and demanded my credit card even before he gave me a price.
Yes, it has. Supply is increasing GM. Ford and Stellates vehicles are in good supply. Especially the pick up trucks. Toyota and Honda cars are selling close to retail but no longer above sticker.
It should have. I feel that this supply chain issue is being dragged out for far too long.
There is also Unhaggle. I do not know much about it but assume it is not non profit.
Yes, it is a depreciating asset. But, it can last quite a while if people do a lot of maintenance. The car company is only concerned about the maintenance to get you through the warranty period.
Well, buying a new car every five years is fine I guess if you are loaded.
Used car is the way to go. 3 - 4 year olds, 60,000 km
Decide which car you want. Say Acura RDX - one of the best vehicles for value out there
Then google used Acura RDX
Autotrader.ca and cargurus.ca will give you tons of options - mileage and price
Buy dealer option. Certified. Never private
This is the best answer out of all of the replies you've received to your question. When you go this route, you might even find lower mileage cars depending on who has driven it. Certified CPO will also protect you.
My advice is to first determine the car you want, with the options you want. Write everything down on a piece of paper and stick to it no matter what.
That way while shopping you can compare 'apples'-to-apples' easily. Once the comparison becomes 'apples-to-oranges' you lose any advantage you have. If buying via a dealership they will try to get you off your 'apples-to-apples' comparison so that they can get an advantage, i.e. "We don't have that car with those options on the lot, but we do have this other car with these other options which is a great value..."
That way while shopping you can compare 'apples'-to-apples' easily. Once the comparison becomes 'apples-to-oranges' you lose any advantage you have. If buying via a dealership they will try to get you off your 'apples-to-apples' comparison so that they can get an advantage, i.e. "We don't have that car with those options on the lot, but we do have this other car with these other options which is a great value..."
I never buy new. A car is a depreciating asset that loses so much value as soon as you drive it off the lot new. It makes no sense to me personally.
I use auto traders for dealerships with a car I may want. Then I research the dealership. Then I take a test drive of course.
For negotiating, I request to see the work done on the car when it came to the dealership. I ask how long it has been on the lot and I bring, if I can, print outs of other cars that may be a lower price point. The last car I bought was on the lot for 3 months. They were actually losing money on it but it was priced right so I took it at their request amount.
Oh and if you can, pay cash. Makes it easier and gives you some room on negotiations as well.
