« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: First own car in Canada  (Read 2837 times)

Offline lyko

  • Learner's Permit
  • *
  • Posts: 2
  • Carma: +0/-0
  • member
    • View Profile
  • Cars: none
First own car in Canada
« on: April 24, 2014, 01:55:43 pm »
Hello,

I have recently moved from Europe to Canada. Unfortunately I don't have the slightest knowledge about cars. I'm looking for a used car in the $10'000 range.
It should be kinda like an allrounder. It will be used mostly on weekends only as I commute to work. I do go camping often and should have enough space for 2 adults and 2 kids.
Of course we want to keep the consumption as low as possible but at the same time wan't as much power as possible. Something inbetween would be nice.

We were looking at Dodge, Chevy, Ford, Chrysler. Reason behind this is that we think maintenance on these models would be cheaper than on imports.

To sum it up:

- ~$10'000 used
- big enough for camping and kids
- good power/consumption ratio
- relatively low maintenance costs

What would you recommend?

Thanks a lot!
Logged

Offline Brig

  • Brig
  • *****
  • Posts: 17243
  • Carma: +396/-1400
  • Gender: Female
  • Class Clown, Moderatrix and Resident Hag
    • View Profile
  • Cars: 2016 Mazda CX-3 GS AWD
Re: First own car in Canada
« Reply #1 on: April 24, 2014, 03:04:45 pm »
Welcome, Lyko!

I'm moving your thread to the "Buying, Selling and Leasing" section.  It is the more popular area for these types of questions.  Good luck!   :)
Logged

Offline mrthompson

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Posts: 9830
  • Carma: +70/-42
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Cars: 2008 Honda CR-V (The Green Machine)
Re: First own car in Canada
« Reply #2 on: April 24, 2014, 03:39:32 pm »
$10k before or after taxes?

Don't limit yourself to Dodge, Ford, GM.  Maintenance on these isn't really any cheaper than that for a Hyundai, Nissan, Mazda, Toyota or Honda.

My suggestion:  Honda CR-V.  Not powerful but maintenance and fuel costs will be easy to handle.  Also enough space for 2 adults + 2 kids when camping.
Logged

Offline Noto

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Posts: 13563
  • Carma: +774/-2131
  • This forum is making me almost as bitter as SirO
    • View Profile
  • Cars: '23 Mazda CX-50 Turbo; '11 Fozzie XT
Re: First own car in Canada
« Reply #3 on: April 24, 2014, 04:11:30 pm »
A more reliable vehicle will not have to be repaired as often, even if the parts cost marginally more.

I highly recommend a Subaru Forester.  It's kind of the go-to for a camping car.

If you do want a domestic, I hear a Dodge Journey makes a good buy, as does the Chevy Equinox.

...or get a minivan - lots of space!

OR!!!  Volkswagen Golf Wagon diesel - as a European, you've got to love diesels.  Do it! Do it! Do it!  :( Oh, right, $10,000.

Yeah, don't buy a used domestic.  The CR-V was a good suggestion, as would a Rav4 or a Forester.
Logged

Offline Niklasky

  • Drunk on Fuel
  • ****
  • Posts: 1137
  • Carma: +18/-22
  • member
    • View Profile
  • Cars: 2019 Honda Pilot Touring, 2015 Kia Rondo EX Luxury
Re: First own car in Canada
« Reply #4 on: April 24, 2014, 04:21:49 pm »
I should tell you, as I am also a European, that when we come to North America, we don't want to hear about diesels, we want V6 and V8 engines which we could not have back home.
Logged

Offline Brig

  • Brig
  • *****
  • Posts: 17243
  • Carma: +396/-1400
  • Gender: Female
  • Class Clown, Moderatrix and Resident Hag
    • View Profile
  • Cars: 2016 Mazda CX-3 GS AWD
Re: First own car in Canada
« Reply #5 on: April 24, 2014, 05:13:35 pm »
Quote from: NoTo on April 24, 2014, 04:11:30 pm
The CR-V was a good suggestion, as would a Rav4 or a Forester.

Two adults and two kids going camping often?  CRV and RAV4 will not cut it.  Very little cargo room for the gear they'll need.  We should be looking at a Forester, or Santa Fe - something of that size.
Logged

Offline dkaz

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Posts: 13899
  • Carma: +289/-388
  • Gender: Male
  • Flip flop
    • View Profile
  • Cars: 12 Mazda 5 GT 6MT
Re: First own car in Canada
« Reply #6 on: April 24, 2014, 08:28:45 pm »
Dodge Magnum R/T with the 5.7L HEMI.

YOLO.
Logged

Offline rrocket

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Posts: 75728
  • Carma: +1253/-7197
    • View Profile
Re: First own car in Canada
« Reply #7 on: April 24, 2014, 08:34:29 pm »
Lexus RX
Logged
How fast is my 911?  Supras sh*t on on me all the time...in reverse..with blown turbos  :( ...

Offline dkaz

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Posts: 13899
  • Carma: +289/-388
  • Gender: Male
  • Flip flop
    • View Profile
  • Cars: 12 Mazda 5 GT 6MT
Re: First own car in Canada
« Reply #8 on: April 24, 2014, 08:43:06 pm »
Lexus LX. The finest 18L/100km money can buy.

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/pml/ctd/4433396632.html
Logged

Offline lyko

  • Learner's Permit
  • *
  • Posts: 2
  • Carma: +0/-0
  • member
    • View Profile
  • Cars: none
Re: First own car in Canada
« Reply #9 on: April 28, 2014, 12:13:09 am »
Thank you for all the advice.

We're probably going with the Dodge Journey because that one already was on our list and you kinda confirmed that it is a good fit for our needs.

Follow up question...

For what do we have to look when test driving the Dodge Journey? Any known issues or parts that could get expensive when overlooked?

Thanks!
Logged

Offline mrthompson

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Posts: 9830
  • Carma: +70/-42
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Cars: 2008 Honda CR-V (The Green Machine)
Re: First own car in Canada
« Reply #10 on: April 28, 2014, 11:36:52 am »
Logged

Offline rrocket

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Posts: 75728
  • Carma: +1253/-7197
    • View Profile
Re: First own car in Canada
« Reply #11 on: April 28, 2014, 08:04:39 pm »
Dodge Journey? I'd rather walk than drive one of those....
Logged

Offline sszoomzoom

  • Auto Obsessed
  • ***
  • Posts: 825
  • Carma: +24/-10
  • Gender: Male
  • member
    • View Profile
  • Cars: 2023 Mazda CX5 Signature - Soul Red Crystal Metallic
Re: First own car in Canada
« Reply #12 on: April 28, 2014, 08:25:58 pm »
did you look at Mazda5? They are not a minivan and they come with a STICK.. with two kids and two adults all you need is fold the 3rd row and you have plenty of room. We use my wife's on holidays and we have the same amount of family and we also throw a box on top and we even have room for the dog and the 2.3 engine is strong enough for our needs and handles beautifully, 4 years and not one single issues with the car. You have them in Europe so you should be familiar with them. The only reason my wife want it is because came with the stick and she did not want a minivan. Now lots will argue that is a minivan but is not.
Walk away from dodge.
Logged

Offline ArticSteve

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Posts: 27803
  • Carma: +310/-6811
    • View Profile
  • Cars: Hobby Car: 15 Mustang Vert, V6, manual, 3.55 lsd; 2024 MDX Aspec; 2022 F150 TREMOR lifted
Re: First own car in Canada
« Reply #13 on: April 28, 2014, 10:12:45 pm »
We're probably going with the Dodge Journey because that one already was on our list and you kinda confirmed that it is a good fit for our needs.


Good one Lyko.   Cherish the experience.
Logged

Offline wing

  • Big Wig
  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Posts: 26910
  • Carma: +279/-320
  • Gender: Male
  • If you ain't first ... you're last!
    • View Profile
    • Drivesideways
  • Cars: 2009 Lexus ISF, 2009 Lexus LX570,2011 Audi A5 Touring Car
Re: First own car in Canada
« Reply #14 on: April 28, 2014, 10:46:15 pm »
Quote from: rrocket on April 28, 2014, 08:04:39 pm
Dodge Journey? I'd rather walk than drive one of those....

Seriously
Logged
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »