Not just Canada, it's similar in the UK - used cars are holding value much better than before. I'm pretty sure it's the same in the US but maybe just for some brands (imported cars are more affected from what I heard).
For now. For the next year or so while manufacturing and supply chains are in disarray. But sooner or later, that will end. A car is an awful investment. They are literally designed to keep you poor, and it really is unfortunate that countries like the US and Canada build their entire urban infrastructure based on a dependence on cars. No matter what happens to the economy, cars will always be a depreciating asset. And the value depreciation is always higher the newer the car is. There is literally no reason to buy a new vehicle because used ones are holding value *right now*. That's pretty short sighted imo.
Used car prices shot up during covid yes, but are down 15-20% since January. I think this is US data, but I'd wager Canada and UK are similar. Buying a used vehicle and driving it to the ground is the best you can hope for in terms of getting value out of it.
The rise in car prices was mostly driven by a shortage in inventory, in part becasue of the chip shortage. All of that stuff, while not fully reversed, has stabilized substantially. Buying a new vehicle is naive at best and reckless at worst, unless you're already loaded and don't know what to do with all that extra money you have lying around.
Edit 2: The guy wants to buy a new car, that's absolutely his choice. I'm not trying to start another forum war lol.
Edit:
Some quotes:
"
Younger used vehicles (2020 - 2022) reported the most significant price declines, with 2021 models declining over 14%.
Older used vehicles (2010 - 2018) held their value, declining 5% to 9% since July 2022. "
"The full-year Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index forecast is now expected to finish the year down nearly 14% year over year. This change from the second quarter’s revised forecast of a 6% decline was made in recognition of the third quarter’s seeing the largest declines of 2022 and further decreases are forecast for November and December. "
Sources:
https://joinyaa.com/guides/used-car-price-trends-for-2022/
https://www.axios.com/2022/11/08/used-car-prices-dropping
https://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2022/10/used-car-prices-dropping-expect-it-to-continue/
https://investors.cargurus.com/news...mber-2022-intelligence-report-finds-used-cars
More detailed sources in these articles.