We have just arrived in Windsor, Ontario. Family of 6 + dog (Myself, my wife, kids 11, 7, 7, Grandad 92, Lulu the shih-tzu) and we need to get a car ASAP. We have started looking but seem to be struggling for the budget I was expecting.
It is difficult to describe priorities exactly, all of the following are factors:
* Price : I have never paid over $4k for a car in my life but accept that a new country may require a rethink
* Reliability: doesn't have to be perfect but hopefully we could get a couple of years with just some minor work, and I am not qualified/inclined to get under the car myself.
* Time: We are living in a 100% car focused neighbourhood so until we get mobile we cannot even reach the supermarket easily. Ideally I want to be on the road in 2-3 days.
So my questions:
1) With the above family, assuming most journeys will be 1-4 people but occasionally may want to take 6 + dog, are we restricted to mini-vans or is there any other body-shape that could work? We would be prepared to consider something like a temporary seat for child 3 on the occasional full family journey as it would be short distances.
2) In the UK I would always buy private sale, is that still the best option here or should I be focusing on dealers?
3) In the UK our mini-van cost something in the region of $2500. Some locals have suggested this is a feasible budget but so far we are not having much joy at that price point. What would you say is a reasonable budget, as cheap as practical but with the caveat that we cannot take too long to find something and we are reliant on good will lifts in order to get around to see prospects.
4) Longer term we will probably have two cars so it could be an option to get a smaller car right away and then take a little longer to get a minivan that is just right - if I was looking for a compact (if that is the right term - 5 seater basically) is that going to make life a lot simpler for getting started? Or will it be just as hard to get any vehicle on a low budget?
5) The dealers we have seen seemed to lose interest as soon as they knew what sort of thing we were looking for. Is that just how they are or is it because we are too low budget? What sort of budget do you need to have before they take you seriously?
6) Is it feasible to go to a (some/all?) dealer and say "This is my family, what can you do to get me on the road, safety etc. ASAP" and expect them to actually offer me sensibly priced options? Or will they just try to sell me a $30k car on finance and lose interest when I say no?
7) Is it reasonable to expect a car to have a safety given my budget? Or should I just assume I have to do that myself? I am willing to pay a little more for safety ofc, but not if that will push me out of the budget price range completely?
8 ) Best places for used cars online? Kijiji? Others?
TIA for any answers (don't feel obliged to answer all 8, answers to any would be helpful)
Dai
It is difficult to describe priorities exactly, all of the following are factors:
* Price : I have never paid over $4k for a car in my life but accept that a new country may require a rethink
* Reliability: doesn't have to be perfect but hopefully we could get a couple of years with just some minor work, and I am not qualified/inclined to get under the car myself.
* Time: We are living in a 100% car focused neighbourhood so until we get mobile we cannot even reach the supermarket easily. Ideally I want to be on the road in 2-3 days.
So my questions:
1) With the above family, assuming most journeys will be 1-4 people but occasionally may want to take 6 + dog, are we restricted to mini-vans or is there any other body-shape that could work? We would be prepared to consider something like a temporary seat for child 3 on the occasional full family journey as it would be short distances.
2) In the UK I would always buy private sale, is that still the best option here or should I be focusing on dealers?
3) In the UK our mini-van cost something in the region of $2500. Some locals have suggested this is a feasible budget but so far we are not having much joy at that price point. What would you say is a reasonable budget, as cheap as practical but with the caveat that we cannot take too long to find something and we are reliant on good will lifts in order to get around to see prospects.
4) Longer term we will probably have two cars so it could be an option to get a smaller car right away and then take a little longer to get a minivan that is just right - if I was looking for a compact (if that is the right term - 5 seater basically) is that going to make life a lot simpler for getting started? Or will it be just as hard to get any vehicle on a low budget?
5) The dealers we have seen seemed to lose interest as soon as they knew what sort of thing we were looking for. Is that just how they are or is it because we are too low budget? What sort of budget do you need to have before they take you seriously?
6) Is it feasible to go to a (some/all?) dealer and say "This is my family, what can you do to get me on the road, safety etc. ASAP" and expect them to actually offer me sensibly priced options? Or will they just try to sell me a $30k car on finance and lose interest when I say no?
7) Is it reasonable to expect a car to have a safety given my budget? Or should I just assume I have to do that myself? I am willing to pay a little more for safety ofc, but not if that will push me out of the budget price range completely?
8 ) Best places for used cars online? Kijiji? Others?
TIA for any answers (don't feel obliged to answer all 8, answers to any would be helpful)
Dai
