If you’ve ever turned on a TV — and chances are you have — you were probably inundated with commercials for shiny new cars for only a single paycheck per month! When your family is in the market for a new car, a used cars service could offer you something just as beautiful as what you see in on the new lot. That’s not the only benefit, either.

Used Cars Are Cheap

It might seem obvious, but used cars are cheaper, and it goes beyond a simple price tag. Perhaps you prefer luxury cars, but could never afford one right off the lot. For what you’d spend on a brand new Toyota, you might be able to find the luxury car of your dreams. Even if you prefer something family-friendly over a sports car, you could save up to 50 percent by purchasing something used.

It Might Be Safer

It seems like a different car recall is in the news every day. Purchasing a new car leaves you vulnerable to undiscovered mechanical issues. If you opt to buy one that is a few years old instead, it’s more likely that any problems were already discovered and fixed, leaving you with peace of mind.

You Don’t Have to Skip the Warranty

Many people worry they’ll end up purchasing a used car that doesn’t run for long, but most dealerships offer certified pre-owned cars. Certified used cars are usually slightly more expensive than traditional used cars, but the certification means the car was professionally inspected and, if it had any problems, was professionally repaired. Certified used cars come with a warranty that ensures you can drive the car for a set amount of years, at least.

If you’ve been trying to decide between purchasing a brand new vehicle or buying a used one, our used cars service could be just what you’re looking for. Whether you need something for the whole family or something to impress your friends on the weekends, we provide a range of vehicles for a wide variety of budgets.

As many of us know, a car is an important but highly expensive purchase. When you add up the cost of the car, its insurance and its fuel, the final sum is quite impressive. This is why many people decide to buy used cars. The benefits in this situation often outweighs the potential disadvantages. Owning a truck can make a lot of things in life easier. It enables you to handle larger loads. Much like other used cars, used trucks can be highly reliable.

The most obvious benefit is the lower cost, but even this feature goes further than you might expect. Used trucks depreciate less, allowing you to get more money if you ever decide to sell it in the future. It has thoroughly been tested by the previous owner, so you know that it has some reliability to offer. You don’t have to go through the break in period, and used trucks are less likely to develop new mechanical or electrical problems. In the long run, this saves even more money on repairs. You can even go through a certification program to be sure that the truck you are buying has been tested for quality, and all those with problems have been weeded out. Many used vehicles also come with a manufacturer’s warranty. This is something else that is available through a certification program, and it protects you in case something goes wrong with the truck further down the line.

Trucks are known for being some of the most sturdy, reliable types of vehicles out there. This is no less true for used trucks. Buying used is an excellent way to save money and still be sure that you are getting a quality car. There are many advantages that any customer is sure to appreciate. Now you can get out on the road feeling good about your choices with the transportation and hauling power you need.

People want to save money on products they buy, and this is most true of products that cost more. Cars are one key example. People certainly are inclined to make any effort to save money on car loans when the overall price can represent such a large sum. Car dealers have access and industry insight that can save people money in the long run. Working with one can potentially save anyone looking for a car a reasonable amount of money.

Preferred Lenders

Dealerships often negotiate car loans through a bank. Because these companies have so much business, they often qualify for special rates at a number of financial institutions. This can be advantageous for many customers looking for a good deal. The connections a dealer has can lead to a better price for consumers. It is important to check with a dealership to find out what sort of options it can provide.

Less Down

People looking for car loans through a dealership could also qualify for less down on competitive rates. It could benefit a person looking for such loan to pay less in the beginning and enjoy good rates such as those that a dealership can provide. Even if the dealership cannot guarantee better rates for less down, it still can offer competitive rates for a potentially smaller amount of money. Working with a dealership can be important for anyone who wants more personalization with his or her car loan.

More Options

Another opportunity a dealership can provide is more options. Dealerships have been selling cars for years, and they can leverage their industry knowledge to create a better end result. A person in such a situation should consider reaching out to the professional service with particular requests.

Anyone looking for car loans should explore his or her options and see how a dealership might be an essential part of owning a new car.

People often view the search for a good, quality used car as a hassle. They spend hours at various dealerships looking for their ideal used car. However, it doesn’t have to be a challenge. By utilizing these several tips you can jumpstart your search for used cars.

Create a Budget

One of the first things you should do is set aside time to create a budget. This can help you decide what you are willing to spend on a car. It may also help you narrow down the list of used cars you are interested in.

Determine What Model You Want

While you may have an idea of what brand you are interested in looking at, you should also have a general idea of what model you would like. This can save you from looking at a bunch of cars.

Check the Vehicle History

If you already have a specific car brand and model in mind, then you should consider looking up the vehicle history. You want to make sure the car is in good condition before you decide to purchase it.

Take a Test Drive

If you’ve found a vehicle that you like, then you might want to take it for a test drive. This can be a good way to see if you like the way the car handles the road. When you go on the test drive, try to pick a route that lets you experience different types of roads such as bumpy or curvy sections. After you go on a test drive, you may realize that the car you initially liked from the outside isn’t as comfortable on the inside or as practical on the road.

As you can see, looking for used cars doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Try using these four simple tips as you go about your car search. Just remember to take your time when you are looking for a used car since it is a big investment.

TORONTO — The balance of power in the used car market is shifting towards shoppers as improved data and online offerings create more opportunities to push for the best price.

A fast-evolving online marketplace is providing more intelligence on the fair value of cars, said Cliff Banks, a Detroit-based auto retail expert.

“I don’t know that it can be any more transparent…they all provide intelligence on the pricing and the deal of the vehicle, whether it’s a good deal, a fair deal.”

Kijiji Canada recently announced it will add a standalone auto sales site that will roll out later this year to keep up with shifting expectations. The site will add reviews of dealers as well as market pricing information from Carproof.

“The key feature for us, and one of the biggest, the biggest win for us is what’s called price transparency or price analysis,” said Matt McKenzie, general manager at Kijiji Canada.

The online classified company, owned by eBay, already boasts of being the largest player in the Canadian market with about 500,000 vehicle listings. Autotrader, owned by Etobicoke-based Trader Corp., lists about 444,000 vehicles on its site while there are many other offerings on the market as well.

Listing companies are boosting their online presence as the used vehicle market is set for significant growth, said Dennis DesRosiers, president of DesRosiers Automotive Consultants.

“There’s tremendous opportunity, and that brings in all the different retail players and their approach of, how do I get a piece of that?”

While new vehicle sales are expected to be largely flat at about two million this year, the used vehicle market is set to add half a million more in sales in the next three to five years, on top of the three million that changed hands last year, said DesRosiers.

The rise in the used vehicle market comes as improved quality in the past decade means cars and trucks are lasting much longer, allowing for a potential lifespan of four to six owners from the two or three expected not long ago.

“It takes 23 years to remove the vehicles from the road now, a decade ago it only took about 12, so it’s essentially doubled,” said DesRosiers.

Used vehicles also offer margins that are two to three times higher than for new cars, adding to their appeal, he said.

The quality and information improvements have significantly changed the overall used retail market, said DesRosiers.

“It’s not that far long ago, call it 15 years ago or maybe 10 years ago, where the used car market was largely a culture of deceit…even if the online capacity was there, there was just so much riffraff in the used car market that it was very dangerous. A lot of that has changed.”

The improved access to data means used-car retailers have to be more transparent and competitive about their pricing, said Jamie Tekela, director of pre-owned operations at Pfaff Automotive Partners.

“You need to really justify what you’re asking, why you’re asking it, and you can’t go asking $500 more for the same Honda Civic with the same mileage. It just it doesn’t work any more.”

“It’s night and day, to be perfectly honest. It’s gotten a lot more customer friendly,” he said.

The improved information on crash reports, comparable sales, and other metrics hasn’t done away with potential negotiations but does give more justification, said Jamie.

“There’s always going to be negotiations when trying to buy and sell vehicles, but with so much information available to each and every one of us, it’s a lot easier to explain our rhyme and reason why we’re asking what for a car.”

Changing your car is something you will inevitably do multiple times during your life. The fact that you live in Canada, the second biggest country in the world and that Canadian cities tend to spread more horizontally than growing vertically, makes the point of having a car literally a “must.” So, you will ask yourself a lot of times: When is the best time to buy a car?

Changing your car is something you will inevitably do multiple times during your life. The fact that you live in Canada, the second biggest country in the world and that Canadian cities tend to spread more horizontally than growing vertically, makes the point of having a car literally a “must.” So, you will ask yourself a lot of times: When is the best time to buy a car?

And here is my fast response: it depends on your needs and your rush. That is why in the following article I’ve split the analysis in three: If you want to know the ideal month for new cars, the perfect moment for used cars and the third and last one: if you are in a rush.

Best Time to Buy a Car: September to December for New Cars

If your primary concern is price and you are looking for a new car, the best time span of the year is between September and December. And more precisely, the best moment is November.

The fact that new models are being delivered and parking lots need space, makes manufacturers offer incentives for previous year’s models with the intention of attracting customers to drive these away. Sometimes, you can find a few thousand on MSRP savings with incentives that are really worth.

Additionally, during February and March, usually a low sales season, new car prices also go down a little bit but never compared with the levels reached during the last quarter of the year.

Nissan Canada sometimes offers the Rogue during October-November with 4,000CAD savings incentives.

Anytime for Used Cars

A new car is the same anywhere: you go to dealer X, Y, and Z and they all have the 0 Km same vehicle. Wherever dealer you go, you will get the same exact “clone.” But used cars are different. Buying a used car is more a matter of opportunity than timing. Any time in the year you can find different used car offers as these aren’t globally managed by a massive market flow.

Looking for a Used Car: Don’t Rush If Possible

While I’ve talked about it on other articles, you need to remember that even with the same exact kilometers, same precise date of maintenance and being in similar weather conditions, vehicles depreciate in different.  Cars are used differently: bumps, driving habits, breaking hard, breaking slow, high speeds, low speeds… there are multiple factors that affect the actual condition of a vehicle. And all this can result in the fact that both “brother” cars have different costs.

If you are looking for a used car, don’t rush. The ideal time span you should use for exploring alternatives is 3 – 4 weeks of 10 hours a week of search. The fact that you have found a desirable offer doesn’t directly means that you should go with it. We have all been there and that “opportunity feeling” influences a lot on making a decision.

Propose Yourself at Least 10 Options on a Spreadsheet

One thing that helps a lot not to rush and be happy with whatever decision you make at the end is to put as many options as possible on the table. Yes, an actual “data table” or spreadsheet. If you propose yourself to get up to, let’s say, ten choices, then you can be sure that you will make an excellent final decision.

Take your time, don’t rush, and do a table with all available options before saying “Deal!”.

Urgency? Yes, sometimes it is urgent…

If your current car is broken, you have the “urgent need” of having a car, or you just some eventuality is rushing you, then I suggest you analyze the following before jumping into any decision. 

• If your urgency is because of work, consider evaluating the monthly costs of a lease for a new car.
• If it is because you need more space because of a new family member, work reasons or just upgrading for space, consider SUVs available under 500CAD/month.
• If you are considering used vehicles, take at least two weeks of intensive search. The more time you take and the more options you see, the better decision you’ll make.
• If your car is broken and you urgently need one, consider renting another one for a few days while you decide. 

The best choice will always depend on how clear your judgment was at the moment of closing your next car deal. Good luck!

About the author

Jorge Diaz is a passionate car lover, winter driver & Software Engineer. For the last 10 years, he has built Online Solutions used by more than 5,000 companies across the globe. He founded LeaseCosts in 2016 with the purpose of simplifying and helping people to better understand the complex market of new vehicles in Québec and Canada. You can connect with Jorge in LinkedIn or send him a direct message.

Article reference: 
https://www.leasecosts.ca/en/articles/best-time-buy-car-canada

When you are checking out used cars, one of the biggest advantages is the cost. These will almost always be less than the same make and model that is new. When you are paying less for a vehicle, you can pay it off faster. However, there are a few tips to make it easier to get the loan paid off so that you can eliminate your monthly payments.

Put More Money Down

Even if you put an extra $500 to $1,000 down, this is less money you have to pay back with interest. This allows you to pay your vehicle off faster and it can also save you money overall. Consider your timeline for paying off the vehicle and do the math to determine the down payment amount that fits into your plans.

Pay More With Every Payment

Add to your payment every month to make each payment larger. You can choose any amount that you can afford during that given month. For example, add an extra $50 to your payment in August and September, but when the holidays come up and money is tight, plan to pay an extra $25. Every dollar counts and works to get the loan satisfied faster.

Make an Extra Payment Every Four Months

This is relatively easy and most people are able to afford this. This cuts off three months of payment per year. If you have a two-year loan, you will pay your vehicle off in 18 months instead of the full 24. Simply divide your monthly payment by four, put this much aside and once four months is up, make the extra payment.

You can use all of these tips together so that your loan is paid off before you know it. Just talk to the dealership and see if they have any rules about paying off a loan before it is set to be complete.

With the variety of vehicles manufactured, it can be difficult to decide which car is best for you. It can be even more trying when you’re looking at used cars that already have significant mileage on them. When you’re shopping around the used car lot, there are quite a few things to consider. Here are three that you should definitely give some thought to.

1. Excessive Use

This is something you’ll check almost immediately, but the number of kilometers isn’t the only thing that’s important. When a newer car has already done a lot of traveling, that means it was driven far and frequently right after being purchased. On the other hand, an older car with the same odometer reading might not have been pressed as hard by its previous owner. All of this should factor in to the questions you ask the dealer regarding the vehicle’s past use and what repairs have since been done.

2. Recurring Problems

When you get a history report of a car’s maintenance, some of the information will shed light on issues the vehicle had in the past. Some people turn in their used cars because they keep having the same problems and continually have to pay for repairs. That could signify an issue with the car, but it might have more to do with the previous driver. Make sure to clarify these points.

3. Safety Standards

Depending on the year a car was made, it might not have the same safety measures that you’re used to. Most cars won’t be so old as to be unsafe, but it’s worth asking the car dealer for his or her thoughts on safety issues. Used cars still require owners to make a big investment, so it’s important that you take everything into account before making a purchase. As long as you know what to look for and which questions to ask, you should end up with a good vehicle.