Buying a used vehicle in another province: Advice wanted

[davidy]

Just wondering if it is worthwhile to fly to another province, buy and register a used truck there (eg. Alberta), drive it back and then re-register it in my home province (BC). I already know that I will need to have the truck inspected and pay PST in order to register it in BC.

The seller is a Toyota dealer in southern Alberta. The truck is a $1K cheaper than a "local" truck and has less than 30,000 km. A similar truck with less than 60,000 km from a BC dealer that is about 100 km away. Both are the same model year and have similar features. Is this out of province truck worth the hassle? I would likely have to fly there and drive the truck back (about 1000 km one way).

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Dave

[inco]

Go for it and enjoy the drive. IIRC Alberta gives you a temporary permit to let you drive it to BC and then you get it tested there.

[kardood69]

The $1k alone is probably not really worth it, but half the mileage probably is...  Check out VMR Canada and see what 30,000 km is worth.  Might be like $3K ?  So really the truck is $4k cheaper apples to apples.    The $300 flight + gas + food + time might be worth it..   Not sure what other costs you might incur..
 
Problem is if you get there and don't like how the deal smells, and don't buy it then it's an expensive tire kick...  But its a Toyota dealer selling it and it's a newish vehicle....

[ovr50]

IMO for $1k it's not worth the hassle of the trip - airfare, meals, gas back, probable one overnight, etc. I'd have to save more than that to do it in AB.

YMMV.

[Giant Dwarf]

IMO for $1k it's not worth the hassle of the trip - airfare, meals, gas back, probable one overnight, etc. I'd have to save more than that to do it in AB.

YMMV.

Perhaps... but not everyone is a high-falootin' high-roller zippin' around in an M3 either.   

That said, the time investment certainly needs to be added in to the equation.  If you lose a few days of productivity to zig-zag the country getting it, it'd better be a good deal (or rare car). 

Why I'd happily fly to Kelowna to pick up a lightly used, white e90 M3 for a slightly better deal, just to have the enjoyment of driving it all the way home.   

[ovr50]

Stand in line, there is a list forming.....

High rolling, bah. Just look at the math, price of airline ticket one way, gas, meals, stay over, incidentals, etc and one could soon be at or close to $1000. Then there is the hassle factor, and road conditions this time of year. Lose a windshield to a stone on the Roger's Pass - $200 gone. Just don't see it for one thousand. Maybe if the saving was $2000 +.

[tortoise]

What about $1000 and 30,000 less km?

[dash]

Given that it is a Toyota dealer, one would assume the truck must be in good shape, but that is assuming, I think there is more risk than the 1k plus mileage savings.

[articsteve]

Given that it is a Toyota dealer, one would assume the truck must be in good shape, but that is assuming

aSSumption of the week I would say.

What kind of vehicle is this?  What model?  What price?  Out with it. 

[davidy]

AB: 2007 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 Supercab $16K 24,000 km has auto, power pkg and tilt/cruise

BC: 2007 Ford Ranger Sport 4x4 Supercab $17K 57,000 km has auto and power pkg

Plus there is a 2008 Ford Ranger Sport 4x4 Supercab $18K 44,000 km has auto and power pkg. This is in the lower mainland (about 500 miles away).

Dave

[articsteve]

The Toyota dealer in AB will not have any relevant knowledge about the actual condition of the vehicle or it's prior usage.  I certainly would not be making a trip to AB to buy that vehicle.

Are there no private sale Rangers in BC?  Are you only interested in a ranger?

[davidy]

Are there no private sale Rangers in BC?  Are you only interested in a ranger?

There have only been a few around....autotrader, buy and sell and car pages. A Mazda B-series is also considered. A small compact 4x4 is a must....need it for work on gravel and mud laden roads in all types of weather (winter seems to last six months of the year). In the past, I have been involved with project management on construction projects. A Nissan X-Trail is also another option....will have to test drive one to determine it's suitability. All the local X-Trails are way overpriced (all are in the low $20K range for 2005 non-LE model).

[articsteve]

All the local X-Trails are way overpriced (all are in the low $20K range for 2005 non-LE model).

WOW. 

Any 2003 and up Toyota 4 Runners available?

[PJungnitsch]

X-trails seem relatively cheap in Alberta, I've been considering them, ie:

Date Listed    13-Oct-09
Price   $16,999.00
Address   Medicine Hat, AB, T1B 3Y5, Canada
View map
For Sale By   Owner
Make   Nissan
Model   X-trail
Year   2006
Kilometers   57000
Colour   Silver
Fuel Type   Gasoline
   
2006 Nissan X-Trail FOR SALE by Owner.
 
EXCELLENT CONDITION, WELL MAINTAINED!
2 years of Extended warranty remains on this vehicle.
 
Features HUGE sunroof, heated seats, temperature controlled cup holders, lots of "glove boxes" and a 6-Disc CD changer.  Lots of extras include: command start, roof racks, rubber floor mats (original carpet AND carpet floor mats untouched), bug deflector, wind deflector (for sunroof).
 
Excellent vehicle... we'd love to keep it but will soon have more kids than seatbelts.
 
Call 403.580.2926 or 403.928.0155 to view.


And Calgary seems to have loads of them at that price and cheaper.