Hi Ryan,
Lovely post today, nicely succinct.
The best part of owning a good old car is you can do your own brake jobs, oil changes, etc… and save thousands of dollars to stuff into a non-reg investment account. This assumes the reg accounts are topped up, of course.
The lowest mileage in our fleet of three (not including the motorcycles) has 250k kilometres on the clock and still runs fine. It is a Toyota.
Cheers, R
Cars are the biggest depreciating piece of potential junk there is, in my opinion. ya, they look nice for the first 6 months…or until the next model year comes out…one of the biggest dupe-vehicles there is…here are some reasons why:
– maintenence. You have to take time out of you life to maintain them, usually by bringing them to the dealer who’s business plan is the rake you over the coals…but at least you get a free coffee.
– style. Sorry, but after 6 months they’ve aleady lost thier appeal and are just another Gremlin…seriously…even Porsches
– leasing or trading in every 3-4 years. Absurd – The same people go to climate change rally in their RAM 1500 TRX 4×4 and have a close relationship with thier salesguy….’cause we’re special!!
– depreciation. Why would anybody by new? The smell? Biggest waste of money. Completely absurd. Duped masses. Other people are impressed for….hmmmm….couple weeks? Tops? TIP: get a haircut instead…oh, unless….THAT’s why….oh, ok, nevermind.
Advice? Buy used. Drive that thing into the ground. Or, better yet, public transit.
Og
Trouble in DeSantis Paradise?
Florida condo associations are hiking fees to meet safety standards
Following the 2021 Surfside condo collapse — which killed 98 people due to construction flaws — Florida is requiring stricter safety standards and more frequent inspections, while many condo associations are raising fees to build a larger reserve for repairs.
The Cricket Club’s condo board recently proposed a nearly $30 million special assessment for repairs, like roof replacement and facade waterproofing — coming to more than $134,000 per unit owner.
Some owners, like Ivan Rodriguez, who liquidated his 401(k) retirement account to buy a unit for $190,000 in 2019, can’t afford the extra fees, so they’re putting up their condos for sale instead.
The WSJ reported condo inventory for sale in South Florida has more than doubled since the first quarter of 2023, to more than 18,000 units today, due to either rising insurance costs or repair fees for older buildings that aren’t passing inspections
Follow up to yesterday’s Cult article…
CEOs at Trump meeting: Ex-president ‘meandering’ and ‘doesn’t know what he’s talking about’
https://www.cnbc.com/2024/06/14/ceos-at-trump-meeting-not-impressed.html
I’ve always owned.
Nothing better than making that final payment and driving it for another 10-15 years payment free.
Buying or leasing cars is a money-losing proposition. The less you spend on them, the better off you will be. That being said, they are a fantastic convenience. The cheapest car is probably the one in your driveway, so take care of it.
I would only offer that when leasing is attractive on interest rates. Overall, one area overlooked by 90% + of lease holders at expiry is to review the value of their car prior to return. For the last 5 years, which is as long as I’ve looked in both 2018 and now 2024. I have leases expiring where it’s actually worth it for dealer, off brand to buy lease out and split the difference on resale. As an example on a 2014 VW Golf in 2018 lease expired and buyout was $9k plus tax (~11k), but used price was $18k, Ford offered me $4k of trade in towards and Escape Hybrid fully loaded. Today same situation coming up, vehicle is selling for $12k above my buyout price plus tax. Not saying it’s a ton of cash, but don’t be handing keys back so easy on leases when there is equity that can be deployed on next lease.
#6 PeterfromCalgary on 06.15.24 at 11:45 am
Buying or leasing cars is a money-losing proposition. The less you spend on them, the better off you will be. That being said, they are a fantastic convenience. The cheapest car is probably the one in your driveway, so take care of it.
—————-
No such thing as a cheap car.
Own vs Lease?
3rd option is steal..simply pretend you are Gov’t.
N/C
#5 crowdedelevatorfartz on 06.15.24 at 11:36 am
I’ve always owned.
Nothing better than making that final payment and driving it for another 10-15 years payment free
————————————
Mortgage free home owers say that, too.
There is a 3rd alternative if you live in a larger city in Canada. That would be becoming a member of a car sharing service. One example is Communauto.
When Ryan points out that the average price for a used car (you can call it pre-owned but it’s still used) is $37,662 and $66,422 for new, that’s quite a chunk of change for the average/median Canadian.
I’ve used Communauto and while they aren’t always the cleanest, they do get you from point A and point B.
People complain about the cost of post secondary education. It’s not like in the US however it has gotten more pricey. And, depending on the degree you get, you may not have gotten your money’s worth based on that degree’s earning power.
The same can be said for cars. I’m always amazed at the gleaming, shiny F-150s with all the slick souped-up accessories. Not a scratch on it. Loud muffler. Expensive rims. Etc. Isn’t it supposed to be used for utilitarian and heavy duty purposes? As a result, where’s the return on equity? It doesn’t seem to be there.
Or, are all these private vehicles, especially the more expensive ones, a representation of some sort of deficiency of the owner? Prime example is the driver in the SUV the other day trying to mow Garth down. I guess Garth’s gleaming chiseled abs reflecting in the sunlight can trigger some (on the flip side: Garth, it is ok to wear a shirt sometimes so as not to make others feel so inadequate – lol).
Personally, I’d rather have all the investment accounts of my B&D filled to the brim and popping sweet hefty returns instead.
One last observation: It’s really weird to see all these high end vehicles in Toronto and find out so many of them are Ubers and Lyfts. What’s up with that? Why buy a pricey car and then become a de facto taxi? Where’s the glitz and glamour of that?
Thanks Ryan!
This post will get a lot of interest. In my biz, when designing a bridge, we know 95% of discussion, public meetings, third-party input… will involve the guards and handrails. Everyone is happy to talk about things they understand. Me included. Hence squirrels.
Cars. We buy quality vehicles new, treat them very well, and will swap out at propitious times. Our last, a 2020 4Runner, took advantage of 3-yr 0.5% APR, and currently has mileage of 37k. Peace of mind.
Dealers have a floor plan, the vehicles on the lot are not owned by the dealer, rather they are leased, part of the plan on which monthly payments must be made. You control your plan by selling inventory. Its a monthly expense that the dealers like to reduce. The sooner they sell a vehicle the faster that sale comes off the plan.
So you may not get the exact vehicle you want but find out what car has been on the lot too long and buy it. They will deal on those dogs…even if you end up with a Pontiac Aztek, eh?
For instance Tesla’s parked because of oversupply can now be seen from space. Stellantis (not dealerships but parent company) has 800+ days of Ram 2500’s in storage lots. That plus dealer inventory tells me there will be cash on the hood of those trucks soon…
I paid $25 for a single windshield wiper blade yesterday at Canadian Tire.
I thought about putting two empty 69 cent beer cans on there to do the job, but then realized I didn’t want to drive with my beer goggles on…
M49BC
A sensible analysis!
I’m a gear head but some people, when it comes to cars, act like they’re a boss when they’re really just setting money on fire.
A useful fact I learned is that new car owners will try and trade in at less than six years old to get most of the remaining value back. At ten years old, dealerships won’t even take it.
Personally, I have found the best value to be a Honda in the 7-10 year range. They’re all fuel efficient and affordable to repair.
NAPA is a godsend for parts, even the dealership goes to them when they need something pronto.
Costs (monthly) –
$200 for fuel (M-F commute)
$100 for insurance (liability only)
$30 for maintenance ($400/annum rounded down)
$170 for repairs ($2k/annum rounded down)
——————
$500/month
I really like my old British sports cars. But for every day transport the best car I have ever owned is my Hyundai Accent. Just a really basic , no frills car with a 5 speed. I bought it nearly new . Person who bought it new found it too small for their needs and traded it in on a bigger Hyundai after a few months of use . The dealer gave me a good deal on it. 300,000 K’s later it just keeps going. Normal maintenance, a few sets of tires, a couple cam belts and batteries and sets of brake pads. Very easy to work on. The last cam belt took about two 1/2 hours and I was taking my time. Original clutch, works fine. Tough little work horse. You would be amazed by how much hauling it has done over the years. I bought a 2000 Sq . Ft. commercial , glass greenhouse 5 years ago. I dismantled it over a one month span and brought 90 % of it home in the little hatchback. As it came apart it went into the car and I unloaded it each night so I would be ready for the next day. First two weeks were just removing all the glass panels. Then all the mechanism for the full length roof vents, finally all of the frame of the building. It was all stainless bolts so it came apart very nicely. Over 15 pallets of glass once I got it all home. Just one load of the long pieces needed the truck and trailer. Try that in your Tesla.
Used car prices may have come down slightly since 2022 on paper, but I’m still seeing 95% of used cars listed on kijiji selling for way more than the price given on car valuation sites I look at. The 5% of cars that come up that are listed within reason sell within hours of being listed.
In terms of tax advantages, owning allows for very similar advantages. If you have a corp you can deduct $0.70 per km for business use, and with a sole proprietorship you can deduct depreciation (30% per year declining balance). So kind of a wash there.
If you aren’t paying cash, the lease option allows you to walk or keep, at expiry.
TURBO TALK; VERY IMPORTANT KNOWLEGE.
I would not touch a used car with a turbo, for any reason. Nor would I buy any turbo car to keep long term.
A turbo is a fan spun by exhaust gas force and it spins a co-joined fan forcing air into the engine to be compressed with the gasoline, thus boosting power.
Cars with Turbo sport smaller gas sipping engines, because the turbo only goes into service and sucks extra gas when you accelerate. Most new cars including all Toyota trucks have now taken this approach.
The turbo bearings get super hot, cook your engine oil prematurely, it HAS to be synthetic oil, and the turbo will need to be replaced long before the car will, for BIG Bucks. Running burnt oil ruins the entire engine prematurely too of course.
A fool and his money think this was a boring rant?
#14 Flop… on 06.15.24 at 12:17 pm
I paid $25 for a single windshield wiper blade yesterday at Canadian Tire.
___________________________________
Coulda, shoulda, bought last week in USA for a few bucks and packed into the checked bag. A Nova Scotia tradition is to travel the high seas, and come home with a bounty.
I bought 8 oil filters and 8 air filters on RockAuto two weeks back, for 4 of my rides, 80 bucks delivered.
An electronic EGR valve last week, 90 bucks. Bargoons!
Garth’s nephew Drake just blew 200k U.S on a quasi cyber truck type of ride.
Chump change for him, I’m sure he’s got a lot more expensive ones than that, I think he once spent 2 million on a super car.
This is the main difference between Drake and I, besides bank balance.
I fly to Texas for a week at Xmas time, or Spring Break in cattle class, staying in a budget hotel, to get some sun and check out another city, and forget about work for a brief period.
Drake flies down in his private jet, buys a $15 million ranch near Houston, then buys a 200k runaround because the news helicopters have been annoying him by flying above his Toronto home…
M49BC
Eight years ago, bought a new Tacoma. The “routine maintenance” requirements in the owner’s manual led to paying $300 for oil changes plus “whole vehicle inspection” at the Toyota dealer.
Plus their creative, imaginative “that’s not covered” comments during warranty, i.e. “no, those red marks on the bumper are not RUST, they’re ‘environmental’.” Huh?
Once the warranty is up, never go back to the dealer.
My advise, grab your dream ride when it is about 6 years old as others worry about it being old and obsolete. Yet thanks to modern production and tolerances the vehicle with proper maintenance should outlast you. I have a Harley with an E head that is still 120000 miles away from a rebuild. Doubt it will see a rebuild before fossil disappears and my demise.
I’ve always bought used – well used. I’ve been the last owner of most of my vehicles. When the time came to take them off life support, the bulk of them left my driveway on a flatbed.
The lowest I’ve ever sunk was buying a ‘78 Fairmont Futura right out of the junkyard for 150.00. Did a few repairs, had it “certified”, and drove it throughout College. It was Pastel Yellow with a white and brown vinyl interior. Ugly as sin, but it did the job for the price of a good set of work boots.
What blows my mind about so many “younger” vehicle purchasers today is that they hardly consider the actual cost of what they are purchasing or leasing. Two of my younger neighbours recently were talking to me about their purchases and all they were referring to was the monthly payment .
A year or so back I sold my older well keep MB to a local man who was a sales manager at the local Range Rover dealership and he confirmed to me that even with those expensive new vehicles all most purchasers took into consideration was the monthly payment!!
I never bought a vehicle in my life that I didn’t buy outright for cash; not because I had money as I didn’t, it was just that I always took the position that unless I was buying an appreciating asset , such as real estate, I would never buy a depreciating asset on credit as the interest cost makes the loss so much more.
In any event, this has served me well over the years. My cost per year to operate a decent vehicle is extremely low compared to most .
Canada is full of very poor consumers….we need to teach basics of finance in school I guess as most are certainly not getting it at home.
#16 Dragonfly58 on 06.15.24 at 12:20 pm
I really like my old British sports cars. But for every day transport the best car I have ever owned is my Hyundai Accent.
—————
We had an Elantra years ago, it was also a tank. Rust killed it, actually had a lower control arm snap due to rusting thru, which is crazy. Mechanically though, it was indestructible. It went on the flatbed running as good as the day we bought it after 365K, and it got there on the original clutch!
My last car was brand new – but it was last year’s model. The dealership will significant lower prices on the left-overs once the new models are on the lot.
Still driving that Nissan Frontier, in great shape, with well over 200k’s, twelve years later.
#19 Wrk.dover on 06.15.24 at 12:36 pm
If you aren’t paying cash, the lease option allows you to walk or keep, at expiry.
TURBO TALK; VERY IMPORTANT KNOWLEGE.
I would not touch a used car with a turbo, for any reason. Nor would I buy any turbo car to keep long term.
———
Turbo cars are fun though! I owned a few, first thing I’d do is poke a few holes in the wastegate feed line to get a few extra lbs of boost :)
Turbos are actually pretty reliable. Just about every semi truck has one (or two), and they run those to a million miles, and that’s at 30+ lbs of boost compared to the 10-15 lbs in a car.
@#10 Ponzie’s Profit
“Mortgage free home owers say that, too”
++++
“Home owers”?
Not a lot of Mortgage free folks renegotiating these days….unless their HELOC beckons…
Everyone drives a used car. Think about it.
Not sure about the new ones built under the Chinese ownership, but older Volvos can last for a very long time and still look very expensive/ stylish if you care about that. Interiors tend to be very luxurious with leather seats (best in the industry – have you ever wondered about spending a little fortune on a Tesla and sitting for a few years before the battery dies on plastic?!) and that Scandinavian flair. Safety being built into them is a nice bonus. They will not be the most fuel efficient cars nor extremely cheap to maintain like Toyotas, but they pack in tons of utility and affordable running costs when bought used. They tend to be quite rust proof as well. Finally, I hear they are not in high demand in certain overseas markets.
@Flop
Regarding windshield wiper blades, get the silicone ones from Amazon.
Tell it what vehicle you have and poke around. I got all three for my vehicle for around $30. They need replacing somewhere between a third as often and half.
“Still driving that Nissan Frontier, in great shape, with well over 200k’s, twelve years later.”
My Nissan X Trail, recently replaced, was 17 years old, 400,000 kilometers and rust free despite being up in the far Arctic, across Canada and back mostly on secondary back roads. Innumerable trips into northern BC, like north of Smithers, north of Prince George. Up and down local logging roads all the time.
I think it was somewhere around $4,500 new, I sold it for $3,000…after 17 years of mostly trouble free.
regarding turbos: best advice I can muster is to think of them as a heat sink the moment you turn your motor off. That is what cooks bearings, seals and oil. So best use of a turbo motor is to stop, idle for a few allowing things to cool off a bit then turn motor off.
The only thing more fun than a turbocharger on an engine is two turbochargers on an engine.
Let’s not forget Mazdas alongside Volvos. Some of the most fun to drive cars available to commoners. Long time ago they had a rust problem, but that got solved. Mazdas offer great driving dynamics, style inside out, and that unbeatable value/price ratio. And if you like it new, the still awesome looking CX-5 (Made in Japan!) starts at relatively modest 32k and you can spec it with a turbo if you need that extra boost in power. You can even spend less on a new hot hatch Mazda 3 for about 25k.
“Personally, I’m a fan of buying ‘pre-owned’ cars since you still get that feeling of a new car without paying full pop.”
Me too! Never bought a new car and don’t expect I ever will. Found that a buying used vehicles under 4 years old has worked well. Plus, I make sure to maintain well with regular tune ups and rust protection – otherwise the body may crap out well before the engine does.
My existing vehicle is 10 years old that I bought 8 years ago and believe it’s good for another 3-5 years. Bonus, thieves are less likely to target older vehicles, which is a big problem these days.
Stay away from Kia, Hyundai, GM & Stellantis products. They have engine issues and are made with cheap substandard materials and will fail after the warranty ends. They are not quality products. Stay away from all EVs. They have too many problems to mention here.
Toyota, Honda, Subaru, (in that order) are the best.
#31, before the Accent wife and I both had about 15 years of second hand Volvo’s. of Volvo 240’s. She bought her wagon with very low km’s {not cheap, but a substantial discount from new price } and it got driven a further 325,000 Km’s . I had a series of much cheaper , much higher milage 240’s. We both had long, 3/4 highway commutes at the time. The Volvo’s were a bit hard on gas, but they sure ate up the miles. Actually as gas went up in price the monthly bill got to the point where the Accent made sense. But that was on a 80 K a day commute. The guy I sold the 240 to still drives it.
Currently on our 3rd lease..
Number crunching shows more advantage for us to lease than own. People seem to forget that re: ownership you make payments(unless you paid all cash) on par with lease…so effectively you are “renting” till the final payment.
We have a maintenance package and most thing are covered..(though I suspect this 3rd lease we have less quality tires ).
We have exceeded mileage and also incurred some damage , scraped paint, etc, but each time the dealer accepted return lease as- is ,no penalty, likely due to we are leasing again.
Owning older vehicles may have been a better deal due to more reliable and less “bells and whistles”….but if you purchase a newer vehicle good luck with repair and maintenance..moreso with EV’s..given the more complex they become.
You need transportation. In a city, avoid car usage unless you’re well into six figures per year. Skytrain, bus, carshare with friends and Uber will cover a lot of transportation. Shout out to Chevy for their excellent hybrid Volt which fits anywhere and with 90 km of electric only range means that outside of a road trip we’re filling the tank about every 18 months. A great choice for mostly city driving, and surprisingly comfortable on a road trip – on good roads.
True all in cost of Canadian vehicle ownership, including insurance all maintenance costs and depreciation is very high, look at the vehicle choices of good accountants. Love the stories of those who have battled the depreciation issue with some success, that’s real financial intelligence.
We’ve done the lease thing, but found the kilometer restrictions too much of a pain. So reverted to buying & driving the same vehicle until the repair costs to keep it running exceeded the vehicles current value. We don’t skimp on maintenance, just try to purchase a good quality, reliable vehicle that is good on gas & that my partner can fit in. Taller folks can relate, things may have improved since we last purchased a vehicle but a lot of North American vehicles have limited head/leg room, whereas a lot of ‘foreign’ car lines have ample space for the taller person. Since we are urban types we don’t go for the big pickup trucks. The rare occasions when a truck would be of use can be covered by renting, borrowing or having the oversized item(s) that required a truck to be delivered to the door. We’ve maybe needed the use of an actual pickup 3 or 4 times in the decades we’ve occupied our home. It is truly amazing how much one can actually fit into a hatchback:)
Buy a classic car that has started appreciating in value. Clean it on nice days while listening to music.
Sell it after driving it for a few years for more than you paid for it.
Why buy a depreciating car?
Good grief. Why did Garth allow Old Blue Eyes to open the stockade where all the car bugs dwell? There are so many interesting things happening in the world. Big stuff. Like this little excerpt from the author/link below:
‘The Deep State should have been alert five years ago when Candidate Joe Biden announced that he, if elected as president, was determined to make the Saudi rulers “pay the price, and make them in fact the pariah that they are. Today, all that is history. But unlike the Bourbons, the Saudi royals never forget or forgive. They also have infinite patience and their own concept of time and space. And last Sunday, June 9, they struck. In great royal style, last Sunday, Riyadh simply let the 50-year-old petrodollar agreement between the US and Saudi Arabia to expire.’
https://www.eurasiareview.com/15062024-death-of-petrodollar-is-a-biden-legacy-oped
Is what the author says possible? “Crucially, the petrodollar’s expiration could weaken the US dollar and, by extension, the US financial markets.” You decide. Interesting article, though I might get toasted by GT for bringing it up. Gulp.
Car bugs: Drive what you have into the ground, then get an electric bike and take public transit. You’re all just a bunch of lazy buggers with your SUV’s and you know it.
Hi Garth, Sinan, the rest of team and the steerage section. QQ about FHSA pls. Do I qualify? Ya Canadian, over 18, just sold the matrimonial home last month in divorce. Am I considered a first time home buyer? I am pretty sure no – but looking for a confirmation. Please and TY
#31 Scandinavian on 06.15.24 at 1:41 pm
Not sure about the new ones built under the Chinese ownership, but older Volvos can last for a very long time and still look very expensive/ stylish if you care about that. Interiors tend to be very luxurious with leather seats (best in the industry – have you ever wondered about spending a little fortune on a Tesla and sitting for a few years before the battery dies on plastic?!) and that Scandinavian flair. Safety being built into them is a nice bonus. They will not be the most fuel efficient cars nor extremely cheap to maintain like Toyotas, but they pack in tons of utility and affordable running costs when bought used. They tend to be quite rust proof as well. Finally, I hear they are not in high demand in certain overseas markets.
————-
I owned a second gen SAAB 900 Turbo for a few years, and it was the same. Great seats, impervious to rust, a great driver with good power. Unique styling inside and out. Solid as a rock. One of my favourite all time used car scores.
It had a lot of goofy electronic problems though. Parts hard to get, and very expensive. It eventually went on the flatbed, looking almost new.
Ah ,yes queue the ususal do your own maintenance hobbyists and drive 10 year old junkers who preach that is for everyone. It is not .
If that is your thing ,fine by me ,have at it.
I personally only bought 2 years old lease returns or new. Traded them in at 5 or 8 years old.
I always buy the extended warranty stuff (usually works out to less than 1K year) and I have peace of mind and don’t care if it rains or snows outside ; just drop the car to the dealership when they phone me for maintenace or drop it there if it has an issue.
A car is realistically a must have for most people so budgeting for the TCO as a monthly sum is really OK. Buy what you can afford.
Rarely can people buy cash upfront ,it is ince to do and we did last tome amnd will do it again when we replace our current car.
The issue is really the insane price of cars nowadays , put some uselesess tehnology I don’t need or use and it is a privacyand tracking nighmare and sell it for twice as much as they should ( 5K for a head unit , really ? ) . All that tech is distracting and can brick your car due to OTA updates you have no control over.
Otherwise ,rent or lease ,new or used, do whatever works in your budget .
25 years ago I drove a beat up LeBaron because it was the right thing to do financially , nowadays I drive what I want , nothing flashy though I could .Live quiet between the masses ,besides unless going to the track a Lambo,Porsche or Lotus are not really practical to go to Costco or Superstore (less as we are partially boycotting Loblaws aren’t we ? )
I do agree that doing the math is a must and if you buy new must keep for 7-8 years. Anything older than that becomes a hobby due to the maintenace required ,cars made in the last 10 years are not made the same as before.
2021 Corolla bought 26.8 all inc. Get this dealer wouldn’t take full payment up front. Shortest loan 36. Put 15 down. Remaining 11.8 now paid. Weird situation. Never had that before. Covid times.
If your considering Ts new V6 twin turbo better lease that one…
If you’re buying ‘new’ and know what you want, have the cash, and ‘it’s available’.
I suggest Checking with Jim at https://carsmart.ca/ for his price and availability if you looking for new car.
I recently learned some popular car models and especially hybrids have long wait times 6 plus months and even two years wait times for buying it. So if your thinking of buying new you might want to look into what you want sooner than when you are forced to because a check engine light comes and the repair is way more than it was worth in what your driving now.
My family has had good experiences with carsmart.ca , and the price is lower. The car is delivered to your home. And no hassle trying to sell you extras anything. He doesn’t have the same overhead costs. If a car color you really want isn’t available you might have to wait for then to be made.
For example my father wanted to buy from local dealership as he had done for years, even though my brother and I told him to check the price with carsmart.ca first.
My Dad gave the local dealership sales guy a deposit for what he was looking for, but wanted them to bring the car in to look at the colors inside and outside that they wanted first.
The dealership’s sales manager said No, so the sales guy had to give them back the deposit.
My father then check with Carsmart.ca and got the same car for $2,000 less. And the presales inspection was done at the very same dealership service department, who’s sales manager won’t being the car in for my parents to look at.
~8% juicy dividend alert! Anybody else gon pick up some ORAN at the open on Monday?
To be fair, I’m using this as part of my “preferreds+” allocation: juicy yield with the opportunity for some capital appreciation!
DISCLAIMER: if you lose money, it’s your own fault!
And after you buy or lease those new wheels you folks who want to leave Canada might want to take a drive through a few provinces and enjoy this beautiful country of ours. It actually may be enough to change your mind about leaving. Lunenburg is a great destination spot this time of year, it’s a little rainy here today though, maybe pack an umbrella.
I’ll just keep driving our 15-year-old Toyota SUV. The one with only 280K km on it. Still just a pup …
#21 Flop… on 06.15.24 at 12:49 pm
Garth’s nephew Drake just blew 200k U.S on a quasi cyber truck type of ride.
Chump change for him, I’m sure he’s got a lot more expensive ones than that, I think he once spent 2 million on a super car.
This is the main difference between Drake and I, besides bank balance.
I fly to Texas for a week at Xmas time, or Spring Break in cattle class, staying in a budget hotel, to get some sun and check out another city, and forget about work for a brief period.
Drake flies down in his private jet, buys a $15 million ranch near Houston, then buys a 200k runaround because the news helicopters have been annoying him by flying above his Toronto home…
M49BC
———
Kind of sad about Drake. So much money. And yet, so little privacy. Always surrounded by a posse of security. Completely unable to enjoy a quiet moment out in public. Living in a gilded cage.
#24 IHCTD9 on 06.15.24 at 1:08 pm
“I’ve always bought used – well used.”
:):):):)
Nice! here’s some of my list:
1st) Ford Topaz. Black. Standard. Cost: 0$ (was given to me). Sold it for 250$
2nd) 1985 Chrystler Reliant. Called it the Red Baron. Great for carrying friends. Cost: 0$. Again, sold it for scrap when it died.
3rd) 1985 Ford LTD. Blue, light blue. Cost: 0$. Drove across the country with two good friends in that bad boy. V6, comfy. Lots of good memories. Had a ‘secret compartment..hinty hinty…
4th) Izuzu Trooper II. Awesome ride. I’d always be DD, driving home a bunch of drunk girls…Cost: 4K. Traded in the LTD. It died in Lilloette when we were trying to follow a steep logging road to get to a survival hut….that sucked…
5th) 1964 Volvo 164. sh*t….Cost: 250$. Picked it up in Langley and stalled it on the ferry back to Vic during unloading. OMG what a show!! Too much work. Nice ride, though. Sold it for about 50$.
6th) 1975 Pontiac Parisienne Coupe. Sweeeeet ride. Cost: 0$. Given to me by a friends Grandpa. Drove from Van to San Fran and back in that bad boy….got it on near the Palace of Fine Arts…:) Easy to work on, lasted a long time. Sold it for 350$.
And then some…New cars are for the needy…
Og
#28 IHCTD9 on 06.15.24 at 1:37 pm
Turbos are actually pretty reliable. Just about every semi truck has one (or two), and they run those to a million miles, and that’s at 30+ lbs of boost compared to the 10-15 lbs in a car.
___________________________________
Comparing apples to oranges as is the usual with you; you just pointed out semi trucks go a million miles. Just like 99.9% of cars never will, I add to that.
Car parts are miniaturized and fit into a small tight place.
Your deflective argument is a complete failure!
A Ford car with a turbo will break your gas savings.
#13 Ustabe on 06.15.24 at 12:11 pm
Stellantis (not dealerships but parent company) has 800+ days of Ram 2500’s in storage lots.
______________________________________
In Lee Iacocca’s auto-bio; he pointed out that he saved Chrysler by putting an end to the policy of building then selling at sacrifice clearance sales, month after month to dealers that were on to this loop hole, with a build for filling orders at printed price list policy.
They don’t read their history, but get they get the big bucks in the C Suite yet!
Cars are a waste of money, haven’t spent more than $3000 on one since I was a young stud. Shop carefully, go for high milers with big engines and good looks. Chevy’s cause I know them. Usually get 5 years out of em then drop em off at the wrecker for full scrap value. Bought my last Impala 06 LTZ w/300K in 2016, its still going and with minimal inputs. Modern cars last if you drive them gently.
#42 the Jaguar on 06.15.24 at 2:35 pm
Is what the author says possible? “Crucially, the petrodollar’s expiration could weaken the US dollar and, by extension, the US financial markets.” You decide. Interesting article, though I might get toasted by GT for bringing it up. Gulp.
______________________________________
I’ll bet Turner Nation will pour you a double-double WT for this though!
justAnotherPoster “Hi Garth, Sinan, the rest of team and the steerage section. QQ about FHSA pls. Do I qualify? Ya Canadian, over 18, just sold the matrimonial home last month in divorce. Am I considered a first time home buyer? I am pretty sure no – but looking for a confirmation. Please and TY”
I don’t believe so since you previously owned a home with your ex. – Ryan L
I am a fan of buying new. I just traded a 2019 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid in on a 2023 in Oct. I had 45k on the car and had it for 52 months. They gave me $34600 on trade and I paid $35600 for the car 52 months earlier. I did not pay tax on the on the $34600 trade value it came right off the price of the new car. So I was able to upgrade to a new car for about 11k with $5600 in more options than the old car. Only issue is the wait time for Rav4 Hybrid was over 1 year due to chip shortage.
#33 Ustabe on 06.15.24 at 1:58 pm
regarding turbos: best advice I can muster is to think of them as a heat sink the moment you turn your motor off. That is what cooks bearings, seals and oil. So best use of a turbo motor is to stop, idle for a few allowing things to cool off a bit then turn motor off.
The only thing more fun than a turbocharger on an engine is two turbochargers on an engine.
————-
Correct. You can actually buy a device called a ”turbo timer”, where you turn off the car and walk away, but the car keeps running for a few minutes at idle to cool things off before shutting down. Alternately, you could just avoid getting things cherry red when you’re soon to pull into your driveway.
Amen to that last sentence!
Buy a used Toyota or Honda that has low km and good maintenance from an old phart that lives in an expensive subdivision. Maintain it well and drive it into the ground.
nice today Ryan – but just for the peeps out there and I know there are not many….but if you own your corporation always lease.
https://www.weissach.com/porsche-automobiles/?view=grid&mk=Porsche
If you buy any of the 2 drs on this site they should appreciate. SUVs or 4 drs? Probably not.
#53 Wrk.dover on 06.15.24 at 3:53 pm
#28 IHCTD9 on 06.15.24 at 1:37 pm
Turbos are actually pretty reliable. Just about every semi truck has one (or two), and they run those to a million miles, and that’s at 30+ lbs of boost compared to the 10-15 lbs in a car.
___________________________________
Comparing apples to oranges as is the usual with you; you just pointed out semi trucks go a million miles. Just like 99.9% of cars never will, I add to that.
Car parts are miniaturized and fit into a small tight place.
Your deflective argument is a complete failure!
A Ford car with a turbo will break your gas savings.
———-
Turbocharged engines are more ubiquitous today, than they’ve ever been. They are reliable, and they don’t destroy engines. I’ve owned several turbo cars with zero turbo or engine issues, 300K+ on every one of them (including one turbocharged Ford that got 30mpg). These were old cars, modern turbo cars have never been better.
If a turbo destroys itself and/or the engine it’s bolted to, then no semi would get a million miles right? Yes, gas engines rarely last that long – but that is true regardless if it’s turbocharged or not. I know a dude with a Jetta with 900K on the clock (and counting). Guess what’s under the hood? It ain’t a gas engine, but it does have an original OEM turbo bolted to it.
You’re missing out on a lot of fun with this thinking.
#52 ogdoad on 06.15.24 at 3:39 pm
#24 IHCTD9 on 06.15.24 at 1:08 pm
“I’ve always bought used – well used.”
:):):):)
Nice! here’s some of my list:
1st) Ford Topaz. Black. Standard. Cost: 0$ (was given to me). Sold it for 250$
2nd) 1985 Chrystler Reliant. Called it the Red Baron. Great for carrying friends. Cost: 0$. Again, sold it for scrap when it died.
3rd) 1985 Ford LTD. Blue, light blue. Cost: 0$. Drove across the country with two good friends in that bad boy. V6, comfy. Lots of good memories. Had a ‘secret compartment..hinty hinty…
4th) Izuzu Trooper II. Awesome ride. I’d always be DD, driving home a bunch of drunk girls…Cost: 4K. Traded in the LTD. It died in Lilloette when we were trying to follow a steep logging road to get to a survival hut….that sucked…
5th) 1964 Volvo 164. sh*t….Cost: 250$. Picked it up in Langley and stalled it on the ferry back to Vic during unloading. OMG what a show!! Too much work. Nice ride, though. Sold it for about 50$.
6th) 1975 Pontiac Parisienne Coupe. Sweeeeet ride. Cost: 0$. Given to me by a friends Grandpa. Drove from Van to San Fran and back in that bad boy….got it on near the Palace of Fine Arts…:) Easy to work on, lasted a long time. Sold it for 350$.
And then some…New cars are for the needy…
Og
———
Love it! Especially the Parisienne and the LTD, I have great memories of both of these!
My list of junkers:
‘77 Ford Maverick – 250.00
‘80 Ford Mustang – 3500.00
‘78 Ford Fairmont Futura – 150.00
‘85 Chev S-15 with transplanted 305, then 350, then 400 v8’s – $ still trying to forget
‘85 Ford Merkur XR4ti – 800.00
‘87 Toyota Corolla GTS (AE86) – 1700.00
3 foxbody 5.0 Mustangs – all street/strip cars – $ stupid
‘87 Bronco 2, sweet from Arizona – 1000.00
‘98 Jeep Grand Cherokee LTD 5.9. Fast and comfy – 6500.00
‘99 SAAB 900 Turbo – 1300.00
Balance not worthy of mention. Except maybe my current Sierra 2500HD 8.1 litre/Allison 1000 – which is super minty – 10K
If you live in or near Toronto, neither leasing or owning a car is a good option. Gridlock is so bad its literally faster to walk than take the car. Thanks to horrid NDP style management of the city its now got THE WORST traffic on the planet after the construction on the gardiner got underway. Prior to that it was always in the top 5 for worst commutes .
@56 Wrk.dover
Well, think whatch’ all want, but just letting that agreement expire and joining BRICS ain’t nothing.
Yikes. The rain has started here in Calgary! Got to get my buckets lined up!
@#62 Yukon Elvis
“Buy a used Toyota or Honda that has low km and good maintenance from an old phart”
++++
This old Farht won’t sell his low mileage , 10 year old Tacoma…for at least another 10 years…. :)
What I’m wondering is just what options there will be by the time we ‘have’ to replace our current vehicle. Initially thought it would be nothing but electric on offer, but seems like gas or hybrid vehicles will likely still be a viable option come the day. This supposes that any usage of petrochemical based modes of transport will still be legal or allowed. Myself, I’d love for a viable velemobile option to be available. I’ve been checking out videos, seems like anyone in decent health would be able to manage operating one, especially if they have battery assistance to negotiate heavier loads or steeper terrain. What I can’t readily find is buy in from local government where such vehicles have been proclaimed to be 1) legal to operate either on the main road system or pathway system, possibly even w/o requiring a license & 2) have infrastructure/transit options in place so one could safely ride year round even in our winter environment. Don’t get me wrong, regular bicycle traffic has been supported quite well, with plentiful pathways, some of which get plowed during winter so riders don’t have to break trail to get to their destination. Plus racks at transit stations or bike lockups at various businesses, bike lanes to separate riders from drivers etc. But actual enclosed velocycles do not seem to be part of the plan at this point in time.
#57 Ryan Lewenza on 06.15.24 at 4:22 pm
justAnotherPoster “Hi Garth, Sinan, the rest of team and the steerage section. QQ about FHSA pls. Do I qualify? Ya Canadian, over 18, just sold the matrimonial home last month in divorce. Am I considered a first time home buyer? I am pretty sure no – but looking for a confirmation. Please and TY”
I don’t believe so since you previously owned a home with your ex. – Ryan L
———
You gotta wait 4 years after your last home ownership to re-qualify as a fthb.
#32 Ustabe on 06.15.24 at 1:43 pm
@Flop
Regarding windshield wiper blades, get the silicone ones from Amazon.
Tell it what vehicle you have and poke around. I got all three for my vehicle for around $30. They need replacing somewhere between a third as often and half.
******
Thank you for that timely information. Will try and check on rock auto also. They have deals like WorkedOver stated. Fast delivery.
I was helping an older than me lady in Canadian Tire. She thought the box had two wipers in it for $25.
#60 Yukon Elvis on 06.15.24 at 4:45 pm
Buy a used Toyota or Honda that has low km and good maintenance from an old phart that lives in an expensive subdivision. Maintain it well and drive it into the ground.
*****
Yup…well maintained and barely driven.
As an automotive professional for 24 years selling thousands of cars and on the other end helping many more thousands out of their lease, in addition to this having a more than moderate level of technical knowledge, having said all that so many comments today are complete garbage. Not all but most.
(Sorry for the run off sentence).
Returned leased vehicles can be a good buy. Dealers want to get them off their lots, and often they have low mileage and still retain their warranties.
In my 81 years I/We have owned 7 cars and 2 trucks .
One car and one truck were gifts from my parents every
other vehicle was brand new and was insured for
bumper to bumper for 7 years. Also included is one small Geo metro was bought for our three children to attend university. As and orchardist we were were able to deduct depreciation and expenses on one truck and
half of one car. We believe buying new and with regular
care and regular check ups at the dealership is the best
the same with our orchard equipment. Buying used is a roll of the dice some people by pass regular check ups.
I normally run my card into the ground as well. The tough part is knowing when to call it. If the car is now worth $10k, would you do a $2k repair?
My Audi has a supercharger .
Has lots of giddy up when i mash the gas pedal.
Gets 7.3 L / 100 km @ 100 km/h too @ 1600 rpm .
I was surprised for a big heavy car with 8 speed transmission to be this efficient.
#33 Ustabe
My Nissan X Trail, recently replaced, was 17 years old, 400,000 kilometers and rust free despite being up in the far Arctic, across Canada and back mostly on secondary back roads. Innumerable trips into northern BC, like north of Smithers, north of Prince George. Up and down local logging roads all the time.
Bought a 2005 Xtrail brand new, kept it for 11 years and then passed onto my step-daughter. She kept it another 3 years and it was donated with almost 400000 kms. That car never cost much to run and repair. It was so spacious and was great taking kids and their buddies to soccer and hockey games. That suv also came in handy when kids went off to university. It moved them from one residence to another. So many happy memories. Oh and three kids passed their driver test with it :))))
Hope there is a blog post on this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-H5DFXeSCP8
Overall, if you plan to drive the car into the ground as I prefer to do, then buying a car is better than leasing as the long-term costs will be lower.
___________________________
I would be careful with that statement!
In the past, when cars were simpler, less technologically advanced, … sure, I kept my ‘83 Vee Dub for 27 years before selling it. My subsequent car, ‘10 Honda, still driving it and probably will continue to for next 5 years.
But currently, buying a modern car can turn out to be a nightmare. Here is but just one typical example. Vid:
https://youtu.be/7HyuriUhTSo?si=n2bkxkZQkrbwfolW
But above is just one very specific – demonstrative -example, … and so now just imagine a current hybrid – plugin, say a Toyota, with an intricate heat pump system for just heating and cooling to maintain just a battery temperature, … plus about close to one hundred computer other chips that control things as simple as horn, … or as complicated as engine start ‘n stop function.
… oh horror!
Anyway, … if you must buy, buy classic instead:
… otherwise, just lease!
Best,
F.S. – Calgary, AB.
What marque is the Guest Blogger’s Station-in-life wagon? And our Forum Host’s?
— —
Once again the government IS inflation.
They are punishing the Middle Class.
Middle class Died in Q1 2020 — for those paying attention.
https://storeys.com/development-fees-toronto-condos/
Toronto Condo Development Fees (Quietly) Increased On June 6
A new fee hike went into effect earlier this month as a result of Bill 185, leading development costs for a one-bedroom condo in Toronto to have grown from $37,081 in August 2023, to $44,774 in May 2024, to $52,676 in June 2024.
Erin Nicole Davis
June 14, 2024
A used Toyota is the way to go. We own a Tundra and a Highlander, both built in 2003 (both +250k). Make sure that you change the oil every 10k km (synthetic), give it some premium gas every now and then and you will not have any problems for a long time. After 20 years with the same vehicle, you kind of bond with it and are in tune with its “moods”. It helps with preventative maintenance.
So what is really going on….#AlbertaAdvantage?
Want to bet the Calgary Stampede gets cancelled over this?
All the old culture must go Comrades.
“”CTV National News for June 14: Calgary water crisis could drag on for another five weeks
CTV News 1.46M subscribers”
—
Some say Calgary’s dour and strict Rulers has pulled another Corvid type of thing here.
Permanent Water Rules to help Stop The Spread of the novel water leak.
Following the Rules keeps us all safe. Be sure and report those not following the Water Rules.
(we were trained on this?)
https://x.com/KirkLubimov/status/1801689649150366016
@KirkLubimov
Calgary water ‘misuse’ snitch line has been ringing.
Here is the map of Calgary where the most snitchers live.
Reminds of pandemic times when people would snitch on their neighbours for having family over.
— —
We have a State of Emergency (just as 2020-2022. I did say these would be permanent and rolling, back then)
https://newsroom.calgary.ca/update-june-15-city-of-calgary-declares-state-of-local-emergency/
Update June 15: City of Calgary Declares State of Local Emergency
— —
PS WAR Draft is gathering steam, as I predicted back in Q3 2020. A nautral outcome of laying off so many young people.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/house-passes-defense-bill-automatically-registering-men-draft
House passes defense bill automatically registering men 18-26 for draft
The selective service is already mandatory for male U.S. citizens aged 18 to 24
I have trouble figuring out how to open the hood let alone doing my own service. I always lease. It’s a nice feeling buying a car outright, but then its, say, 40k gone. How much would that yield invested? After 3 years the warranty is up and you are on your own. So repairs and replacement items really add up and soon you are well on the way to putting out a good portion of lease payments. Buying used, especially 7 plus years can be a minefield. Put 0 down, factor the lease cost into your monthly expenses, never face repairs due to warranty and always have a new car in a short time span. 12 k miles does me fine and I’ve never had to pay a penny returning a car. Lease from the same company and there are no end of lease payments. Life is too short to be driving some 10-15 year old car with a zillion miles on it.
I played back the VHS tape of yesterday’s one stop shopping extravaganza, to see how I went wrong by paying $25 for a wiper blade at Canadian Tire.
I started off strongly by going to Sport Chek and picking up two pairs of New Balance Extra Wide Running Shoes, the price tag said $75 each, but I used up various gift cards I had been given, so the cash stayed in the chamber of the gun.
Went next door to Mark’s Work Warehouse and picked up a pair of Helly Hanson lightweight Safety Boots, I paid $160, but will get reimbursed that money by Canada’s best mate Terry Taxpayer.
So 3 pairs of shoes, no money outlaid, by the time I got to Canadian Tire I was probably delirious, and decided to give something back to the Big Red Triangle.
If you watch the tape in slow motion, you can see I didn’t actually pay $25, because the cashier asked me if I wanted to use my points from the earlier shopping rampage, and you mightn’t understand Australians all the time, but I clearly mouth the word Yes…
M49BC
DAMN! Shania is looking and sounding good.
A true north rock n roll rural grrrl….
You know what they say….
good things grow in Ontario
but you Edmontonians really know how to throw a party.
LET’S GO OILERS!
#57 I don’t believe so since you previously owned a home with your ex. – Ryan L
The correct answer is that OP will qualify for FHSA in 5yrs time, provided he no longer owns individually or jointly during this cool-off period.
cheers, NN
oh my # 82
yes the pipe line was 50 yearish old and a lot of useless people supposed to be monitoring it over the years… and figuring it out f;ckedup. I personally feel bad for the bureaucrat’s how they screwed this one up…get your sh$t together. It will be a year before they can show their faces again without fear – in public. yes the Stampede should be cancelled – but not for those reasons….hurting and treating animals like sh%t for just plain entertainment and all that. All American “draftees” – not true by the way what your saying…anyhow they are all welcome here in Canada….just like the 1970s :) this was a blog about buying a car or leasing….you have no other hobbies? I am surprised your comments get posted.
#32 Ustabe on 06.15.24 at 1:43 pm
@Flop
Regarding windshield wiper blades, get the silicone ones from Amazon.
Tell it what vehicle you have and poke around. I got all three for my vehicle for around $30. They need replacing somewhere between a third as often and half.
/////////////////////////////
Uncle Ustabe, this would probably be a good option for someone with an Amazon account, also I don’t have a credit card, so there’s that little hurdle to clear.
Your advice will help someone out though.
I’m a Financial Neanderthal, I only started doing online banking and buying stuff for my investment accounts online during Covid, because my Nice Lad at the bank got stuck in Hong Kong, he was quarantined for a while, I think.
Also when applying my Dollarama bought Armour All to my ride this afternoon, I realized that my daily driver came off the production line not long after Drake came into this world.
My vehicle came of the production line the same year I graduated high school.
This concludes my thorough analysis that Drake and I are not the same person…
M49BC
@#72 Penny Henny
“so many comments today are complete garbage. Not all but most.”
+++
My personal experience with the vast majority of car dealerships sales personelle, the rapacious repair recommendations, the lowball trade-in valuations….from coast to coast is summed up with a comment I read here a few months ago.
“They don’t call them car stealerships for nothing…”
#87 Sean Melvin on 06.15.24 at 8:38 pm – ‘yes the Stampede should be cancelled’ ++
Like hell will the Calgary Stampede be cancelled. You obviously don’t understand the tenacity and spirit of the citizens of this city. We don’t fall apart like a cheap suit just because of a water main break! If need be we’ll pull on a sundress, go down to the Bow and Elbow rivers with a spray bottle, bar of soap and get to work on those’ lady and and gentlemen bits’ to preserve water. ‘Git er done’, the unofficial motto of Alberta. No peekin’ though, you perverts.
Do you even know how many people we would disappoint if we cancelled the Stampede? People come here from all over the world. (Especially a lot of camera hogging politicians like T2, etc ). We just welcomed more than 30,000 peeps this week for the Global Energy Show and events are booked up solid for the summer. Besides…it’s raining now and all weekend and the snow is melting in the mountains. I keep close ‘submergence survelliance’ on a small island in the Bow River to measure water levels. We’re not in spray bottle territory just yet.
3-1 right now for the Oilers. Holy mother of dogs don’t take any stupid penalties Edmonton. We should just play all the remaining games here. Ft. Lauderdale is flooding and under water, right?
Here’s an inspiring story while we await the game outcome. (between periods). Lanc returning to Goderich, Ontario. I was in that plane once. Jaguar is 5’9, so pretty claustrophobic. Got a tour and inside peek trading on my charm and good looks.
#74 cuke and tomato picker on 06.15.24 at 7:03 pm
In my 81 years I/We have owned 7 cars and 2 trucks .
One car and one truck were gifts from my parents every
other vehicle was brand new and was insured for
bumper to bumper for 7 years. Also included is one small Geo metro was bought for our three children to attend university. As and orchardist we were were able to deduct depreciation and expenses on one truck and
half of one car. We believe buying new and with regular
care and regular check ups at the dealership is the best
the same with our orchard equipment. Buying used is a roll of the dice some people by pass regular check ups.
*****
Are you selling any used cars in the next while?
#78 Millmech on 06.15.24 at 7:24 pm
Hope there is a blog post on this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-H5DFXeSCP8
———
If what was explained in the video above is accurate, that’s pretty crappy. Municipalities taking money via the Accelerator Fund and then jacking the development charges further is mind boggling. I guess there’s no oversight or accountability. Surprised that the MSM haven’t picked up on this or that dear PP hasn’t latched onto this either.
Happy I don’t own and not looking to purchase a new construction. What a nightmare.
On the flip side, watched a video from China that shows a silver lining to all the over construction of residential housing there. Renting is a truly viable option.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2lBnpPCeJw
Near the end of the video, they explain the 2 bedroom rental featured in Chengdu goes for $5000 yuan/month or about $950 Canadian/month. It is eerie how empty that shopping mall is. Will those retailers survive? There’s actually a Tim’s in that mall.
My understanding is that air pollution in Chengdu during the winter months isn’t great however people there can rent at a reasonable level and hopefully save and invest into a B&D portfolio. Maybe the allure of owning real estate in China will fade and people can focus on balance and diversification while maintaining flexibility and mobility.
@#88 Floppie
“My vehicle came of the production line the same year I graduated high school.”
+++
How is that 2022 Tesla?
:)-
In the Great Financial Crisis back in 08, there was just enough cash in my account to buy my used 2003 used Ford Taurus for $2,500.00. The jobber was located in Dundas, Ontario and it was junkyard full of possibilities. Now, the same scenario people are paying crazy like $10,000 or more. Money in this digital era has a collapsed and inflationary road.
One wonders if the Canadian PM staffers are watching this with some trepidation….
Lotsa angry voters out there in polling land.
yup #90 Jag….you could still have a fun family festival without a bull flank strap onto their rear end to piss them off even more. Just saying family fun does not need to involve abusing animals (therefor teaching your children the same) Yes!!! breeding them exactly for that festival fun :) yay!! seems like we are great people!!
Never had a car until came to Kanada.
The first thing I noticed that peoples priorities were:
What car is the best to buy, and the price of petrol.
The weather came in a distant third.
After 40 years, nothing has changed.
Oh, forgot, after 2001 the cost of houses were the main topic at parties, with the local realtor being the centre of attention.
Neil Young owned a 1984 Buick hearse in which he transported his band’s equipment.
After he sold it, he wrote this great song.
Pure genius.
Long May you run.
We’ve been through some things together
With trunks of memories still to come
We found things to do in stormy weather
Long may you run
Long may you run, long may you run
Although these changes have come
With your chrome heart shining in the sun
Long may you run
Well, it was back in Blind River in 1962
When I last saw you alive
But we missed that shift on the long decline
Long may you run
Long may you run, long may you run
Although these changes have come
With your chrome heart shining in the sun
Long may you run
Maybe the Beach Boys have got you now
With those waves singing “Caroline”
(Oh “Caroline, No”)
Rolling down that empty ocean road
Getting to the surf on time
#94
1948 Buick Hearse, of course.
Hamilton Discount Auto Parts is a great alternative to Rock Auto, lots of stores all over Ontario so more convenient and about the same price.
http://www.hdap.ca
And if you like drive your car into the ground like me, when you think she’s about to give up the ghost buy a CAA membership so your covered.
I purchase for cash unless I can get the car I want at 0 % . For super expensive cars I look for very low mileage 1-4 years old as they fall hard and the savings are usually significant
Car, minivan and pick up truck prices are affordable home prices. Soon larger numbers of people will be living in their vehicles like gypsies because real estate investors want to get rich and employers don’t want to pay enough per hour or work their employees 40hrs. per week 50 weeks a year so that the employees can live in the same country they work in and so that they can limit their wage and payroll tax expense and maximize profits. Plus they don’t see paying a proper wage as being their responsibility…. As if each employee has vast wealth to live on and is just doing his job as a hobby and can get by on 5 or 10 cents on the dollar and less than full work weeks… This will not end well. On the other hand the character Ebenezer Scrooge would be very proud of employers and the real estate market for the penny pinching and price gouging.
#66 the Jaguar on 06.15.24 at 5:56 pm
@56 Wrk.dover
Well, think whatch’ all want, but just letting that agreement expire and joining BRICS ain’t nothing.
_______________________________________
I wasn’t discounting your thing, just saying it is up there in TN territory. Top drawer, in fact! Biggest change in our lifetimes since the dropping of the gold standard it’s self.
2/3 of all USD in existence are travelling the world either sleeping under mattresses or in commodity trader vaults, but will no longer be in compulsory use/demand.
These USD’s will wind up back on the mainland diluted in value, and inflating COL. At the very least of their effect.
But look, SQUIRREL OVER THERE, (boys talking car), while the world just changed profoundly for the worse! Especially for Israel’s poodle to our south.
Dominance by hegemony is so over for USA with the USD.
#70 DON on 06.15.24 at 6:17 pm
Thank you for that timely information. Will try and check on rock auto also. They have deals like WorkedOver stated. Fast delivery.
_________________________________
Wiper blades might be stale (hard). Much of RockAuto’s inventory is old warehouse buyouts. Obama’s cash for clunkers program ($3500 trade-in for ANY car), made mountains of parts for the cars America would have driven into the ground like Cubans do, suddenly needless, as the cars got crushed.
That is how I bought a timing chain with it’s two gears included for $12USD last month!
Bottom line: learning to wrench and driving classics, makes after tax bank in the second most expensive life expense category in North American living, after RE.
(So I learned to build a house first)
Most readers here spend more on transport than food!
I usually buy 2 year old cars for around 50% of the original asking price and and sell tell for about 40% when they are 6 years old. I typically loose 1K per year. This has been the best strategy for me. You still have the manufacturer warranty if something goes wrong right after the purchase and the depreciation has mostly taken it’s toll after 2 years. The doesn’t work with every brand however.
When you do your brakes, don’t forget to clean the hubs!
#42 the Jaguar on 06.15.24 at 2:35 pm
Car bugs: Drive what you have into the ground, then get an electric bike and take public transit.
———-
Those e-bikes are really taking off locally, they’re all over the place. Being used practically too. Taking little kids to school and back, doing groceries, commuting to work etc… one guy at work in his 60’s bought one and commutes 40km round trip with it. A great development IMHO. Hopefully the government doesn’t screw it all up.
It goes to show if folks are offered a cheap, practical, headache-free option to the status quo (in this case transportation), many will buy in.
Wiper blade inserts for less than 5. Geezzz people, get it together.
If you live in the cesspool known as the GTA, the crime ridden dump infested with low-life thugs who steal cars on a daily basis, it’s better to lease.
I leased a vehicle, and it got stolen out of the TTC Finch Station in December.
I just called up Toyota and said, “Hi, how ya doing? By the way, your car got stolen. Stop my payments. Thanks, Bye.”
The insurance company dealt with Toyota finance, and I went on my merry way.
Then I leased a Subaru. So far, so good. Nobody wants those.
I like it.
#83 Greg Ellis
Life is too short to be driving some 10-15 year old car with a zillion miles on it.
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True ‘dat!
But, you gotta realize, that in the world of provincial Canadian rubes and hicks, it’s considered a badge of honour.
The main thing to be proud of.
A stellar accomplishment.
“Oh yeah – I been drivn’ ‘er for 20 years, eh? She gots 500,000 kliks on ‘er, still runs good, eh? Well, I gotta go now, time for my Timmies double double, then off to Swiss Chalet tonight to celeeebrate my 2nd anniversary wit my tird wife, eh?”
#110 Dharma Bum on 06.16.24 at 9:51 am
#83 Greg Ellis
Life is too short to be driving some 10-15 year old car with a zillion miles on it.
———————————————————————————————————–
True ‘dat!
But, you gotta realize, that in the world of provincial Canadian rubes and hicks, it’s considered a badge of honour.
The main thing to be proud of.
A stellar accomplishment.
“Oh yeah – I been drivn’ ‘er for 20 years, eh? She gots 500,000 kliks on ‘er, still runs good, eh? Well, I gotta go now, time for my Timmies double double, then off to Swiss Chalet tonight to celeeebrate my 2nd anniversary wit my tird wife, eh?”
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Okay, that’s good. Hahaha. Or as we say Jajajaja :-)
#109 Dharma Bum on 06.16.24 at 9:40 am
I just called up Toyota and said, “Hi, how ya doing? By the way, your car got stolen. Stop my payments. Thanks, Bye.”
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That’s why when renting, we buy the rental car insurance option at nose bleed prices;
“Too bad your car has a dent on it, bye”
#103 Wrk.dover on 06.16.24 at 6:44 am/ Dominance by hegemony is so over for USA with the USD. ++
Agree. Hard to know how things will evolve. Like many I would never ‘count America out’, but so many parts of the world emerging from their third world past and they are forming economic ties that make geographical and business sense. They will look after their own countries interests and care less about joining organizations like NATO, especially as they watch the G7 freeze and seize the assets of other nations. We don’t read much about stuff like the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan [CKU] railway project in our newspapers, but things are percolating in other parts of the world.
Meanwhile headlines like this from a couple of days ago are attention catching:
‘The House of Representatives passed a measure on Friday automatically registering men aged 18 to 26 for selective service.’
Wonder if Conscription is a possibility for Canada (?) Somehow I get the feeling it wouldn’t receive the same support from a much different demographic.
#108 Phylis on 06.16.24 at 9:17 am
Wiper blade inserts for less than 5. Geezzz people, get it together.
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You guys think money grows on trees? Remove, soak in vinegar solution, rub down with Vaseline, heat gently with hair dryer, vinegar again, reinstall.
One set should last the lifetime (40+ years) of the car.
Waste not, want not. Invest the savings in Tesla.
Leasing is most often only best for business, write offs are the advantage.
For personal use, people quite often don’t factor in their upfront down payment, it could add hundreds of dollars a month to the unwise average person.
For a private individual, Why would anyone pay a third party money on a car deal, it’s money blowing in the wind.
The people who least can afford it, gets led down the garden path of dandelion’s like sheep.
Vehicles, Buy used a couple years old and have the last laugh.
Quote of the day: I’m not going to take it anymore
This car fetish you curmudgeons have is unsettling.
Avoid cars with Turbo’s, sorry what? Some of the best engines ever utilize them – the ALH TDI, Cummins 12v. Both of these are 500k+ motors. I daily a cummins with 400k KM’s.
Now, new turbo applications from the German manufacturers have had huge issues since around 2008. But most issues unrelated to the turbos. These were 100k cars that can be had for 20k at 10 years old because of the risk for catastrophic failure, due to poor engineering around durability.
Wet , gray weekend. Working on the seats for my TVR. One of those cars every car guy should drive at least once in their life. Mine isn’t hugely powerful. There are lots of Ford V8 swapped ones out there , but that is unnecessary at my stage of life. Just a North American market smogger. The rest of the world could buy much hotter versions from the factory. The turbo V6 is the one to have, but prices these days will knock your socks off. The 1960’s , factory V8’s are in the stratosphere.
#59 IHCTD9 on 06.15.24 at 4:39 pm
#33 Ustabe on 06.15.24 at 1:58 pm
regarding turbos: best advice I can muster is to think of them as a heat sink the moment you turn your motor off. That is what cooks bearings, seals and oil. So best use of a turbo motor is to stop, idle for a few allowing things to cool off a bit then turn motor off.
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Correct. You can actually buy a device called a ”turbo timer”, where you turn off the car and walk away, but the car keeps running for a few minutes at idle to cool things off before shutting down
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Um Hey Fellas, you suppose there is an issue here?
My advice was don’t own a high miler turbo off warrantee, and you rake me over the coals, then PRINT OUT that there is something not addressed on typical traded in turbo cars.
GoToH, because I am right, you are wrong again!!!!
Bought just 6 vehicles over the past 45 years. Been a 2 car household for the past 35.
What I found is that too many people are buying an image rather than a vehicle that best fits their needs.
I’m on my second uncool minivan! I don’t give a crap about what other people think because of its “soccer mom” image. Why would I want to fork out a lot more for an SUV that provides much less value. What I didn’t throw away on image went into paying off the mortgage and into my investment portfolio (now isn’t that cooler!).
Had better luck buying new and with proper maintenance (oil changes at regular intervals rather than engine ruining extended oil change intervals) mostly done myself have allowed my later vehicles to last at least 20 years. Saved a ton of money buying quality parts through PartsAvatar or RockAuto.
I always considered a vehicle a depreciating asset and I get a chuckle whenever I see advertisem*nts peddling products to protect my “investment”!
Ivan,
Good points about end of lease equity.
