CarCostCanada

What To Look For When Purchasing A New Vehicle?

2018 is veering its end and many are already looking forward to purchasing a brand new 2019 vehicle. In the past decade alone, we have seen an immense amount of new technology and features being rolled out every year. From infotainment systems to vehicles that drive themselves, it’s no surprise that many anticipate the next year of vehicles and the features they will have to offer. Aside from new, futuristic features and aesthetic upgrades, the price is another proponent a plethora of individuals take into consideration when purchasing a new vehicle. Our dealer invoice reports can help provide you with the best possible deal so you can get behind the wheel of your much-deserved new vehicle.

Many allocate a budget for their new vehicle and have a general idea of what they are looking for (i.e., infotainment system, drive-type, heated seats, etc.). When looking for a new vehicle, there are many factors to keep into consideration. Whether you are looking to drive the car for a year or for the next 10, there are key aspects that you should look at.

 

Affordability

It’s no surprise, a new vehicle is a large purchase. Our report can help you save a good amount on your new vehicle to help alleviate some of the stress associated with parting with a large amount of your hard earned money. Veering away from the initial cost of the vehicle, there are monthly costs associated with any and every one. Insurance, fuel economy, and maintenance of long-term costs you must consider prior to purchasing a new vehicle. The vehicle may cost less upfront, but could potentially possess higher insurance rates or a higher frequency for maintenance. Certain vehicles (mainly luxury and sports vehicles) require a higher octane when it comes to gas. The difference may seem minuscule at the pump, however, the cost can add up. Ensure you are fully aware of, not only the initial cost of the vehicle but the long-term costs associated with it as well.

 

Reliability

When you are making such a large purchase, the last thing you want is for everything to come crashing down. Prior to purchasing your new vehicle, do some research and see what existing owners of the vehicle are saying. Reliability is a huge factor and essentially, it is what determines how long your car will last and it’s ability to get you from point A to point B. If owners of the vehicle you are looking to purchase and discussing the barrage of issues they are facing, it may be worth investing your hard-earned money in a more reliable vehicle.

 

Safety

Safety is a critical factor when it comes to purchasing a new vehicle. Whether you drive solo or you are carrying precious cargo daily, safety is extremely important. Safety in vehicles has certainly come a long way in the past decade alone which vehicles boasting features such as blind spot detection, lane departure warning, rear-view cameras, and many more. Prior to rolling out, all vehicles must pass standardized safety tests which will determine whether or not they are safe for the roads and for the consumers. Since all cars that are on the road have passed these tests, they are all deemed safe. Do consider, however, the technology associated with safety. Many new vehicles come equipt with a vast amount of safety technology and it is imperative to familiarize yourself with it in the event you require it.

 

Functionality

Many Canadians spend a good amount of time in their vehicles. From long drives to simply sitting in traffic during rush hours, cars tend to become a second home. If you are someone who does copious amounts of driving, whether by yourself or with others, you want to ensure your new vehicle is functional and provides comfort (just not TOO much, you don’t want to fall asleep behind the wheel!). Infotainment systems, heated seats/steering, vast interior space, and interactive technology are some components that relate to vehicles overall functionality.

 

Drive-type

Many sacrifice drive-type if the vehicle they are looking to purchase possesses all of the components outlined above, however, this does not mean it should be disregarded. A vehicles drive-type correlates substantially to its ability to perform in various road conditions. For example, a rear-wheel drive vehicle exudes high power and speed, however, they are not ideal for winter conditions. On the other hand, 4-wheel drive vehicles perform exceptionally well in poor conditions, however, they tend to cost more. Determining the best drive type for you depends on where you live, the typical climate, when you do the most driving, and your budget.

Looking for a new vehicle takes time and research and for good reason, it is one of the largest purchases you will make. With new 2019 models rolling out, it’s important to ensure the vehicle you want has all the components necessary to keep you satisfied.

Can’t wait to get behind the wheel of a new 2019 vehicle? You don’t have to! Contact us today and we will help you get that new ride AND save you money!

CarCostCanada

Ice Removal Tips to Ensure Winter Doesn’t Get the Best of your Vehicle

You just got your brand new car and leveraged your car cost report to save you money on your new purchase – you couldn’t be happier! Summer has come and gone and now you’re wondering how well your brand new car is going to handle this winter. Snow on the ground, freezing cold weather, and salt everywhere. We know how it goes, every morning is a struggle to get rid of the ice that had just built up overnight.

The biggest nuisance of owning a car in the tough winters of Canada is dealing with the ice that seems to build up anywhere on your car that it can. Your windshield, headlights, and mirrors seem to build a coat of ice, right after you’ve taken the last coat off. If you are parking outdoors for long periods of time, the accumulation of ice can be daunting to take off. Aside from the laborious task of chipping away at all that ice, getting a workout just to make sure your vehicle is safe to drive, it can also be very time-consuming. Check out our ice-free car tips to help you save time and energy this winter!

 

Morning Ice Removal

 

The first and most practical tip is simple: always keep a reliable windshield scraper in your car. Windshield scrapers are equipped with two sides, one for cracking and shaving ice off of the glass and another that acts as a brush to clean off any excess snow or ice off your vehicle. It’s well worth investing in one of these brushes as it is a major contributor to getting rid of ice and snow that builds up on your vehicle.

An extremely simple but effective way of melting off snow and ice off of your car is by making a DIY spray. Mixing 3 parts vinegar and 1 part warm water creates a solution that is perfect for melting and preventing ice from building up on your vehicle. Simply pour and watch the ice melt away!

If you’ve got more time on your hands, you can always blast the heater using the windshield feature, the ice on your windshield will melt off slowly but surely. This method takes a lot longer but is effortless on your end. This method typically works best if you have a remote start, which many new vehicles can allow for; this allows for your car to defrost without you having to physically wait for it to do so.

 

Overnight Ice Removal 

 

An effective ice removal hack is to place a large plastic sheet or any waterproof cover across your windshield overnight. This simple hack helps you to reduce the amount of time it takes to get the snow off of your windshield. Just pull the sheet off of your windshield and you’re good to go!

If placing the sheet over your windshield isn’t right for you, we suggest you park your car facing east at night. By doing this we leverage mother nature’s strengths, the sun rises in the east so your windshield will naturally be getting a sun shower. On cloudy and dark days this won’t work but we suggest doing it anyway and hoping for some sun to shine through.

 

Frozen car door or handles

 

We’ve all been there, you’re running late and can’t spare any more time. You hurry out to your car and try to get in but your door is frozen shut. The best way to combat this common Canadian problem is to spray some cooking spray or WD-40 the night before. Spraying either of the two on the rubber seals that outline your door will ensure that you’re able to get into your car tomorrow morning, worry-free.  

If you find that it is not only your door but your car handle is frozen as well, simply use some hand sanitizer to defrost your handles! It even works if your keyhole is frozen as well, put some sanitizer onto your key and it’ll slide right in!

 

Our tips and tricks will help ensure a safe ride for you and your family! Your brand new car should be treated well and used to get you around town safely and secure.

 

Contact us today to find more ways to save money on your brand new ride!

 

CarCostCanada

Rear-Wheel-Drive and Winter Weather: How to Safely Get Through the Harsh Elements of the Season

The winter weather has already covered some places in Canada and for those who haven’t been visited by slush and snow yet, it is just around the corner. The transition from fall to winter is one of the most critical transitions for your car. There is a lot of preparation required in order to ensure optimal safety in the harshest season. For many, winter means bringing out that economical SUV and storing away that beast of a sports car. For some, however, they prefer to drive their fast ride all-year-round. A lot of sports vehicles are equipt with RWD (Rear-Wheel-Drive). Although RWD boasts incredible performance in the summer, it’s not ideal in winter conditions. Rear wheel drive vehicles are typically cheaper when compared to AWD (all-wheel-drive), FWD (front-wheel-drive), and 4WD (four-wheel-drive) and typically provide the most power. For these reasons, RWD vehicles are still widely considered and purchased across Canada when one is looking for a powerful new vehicle for a good deal.

Most sports and performance vehicles are equipt with rear-wheel-drive. With a RWD vehicle, the power is transferred from the back two wheels, providing substantial power. Whilst they offer speed, performance, and a smooth drive, they are not the ideal drive type in the winter. RWD vehicles tend to fishtail which can lead to spinouts on the road. However, it’s important to keep in mind that RWD vehicles aren’t useless in the harsh winter weather. As a matter of fact, all vehicles were once rear-wheel-drive, prior to the days of high-end, great traction tires. A majority of cabs and law enforcement vehicles still use rear-wheel-drive in today’s day and age. Although not ideal, RWD vehicles can still perform in the winter; they simply require a little more care when facing the brutal winter elements.

 

Winter tires are essential

Winter tires provide significantly more traction than all-season or summer tires and while it’s important to put them on any vehicle, it’s especially important when it comes to a RWD vehicle. Rear-wheel-drive vehicles tend to lose traction quite easily, ergo, having tires with increased traction can help reduce the chances of fishtailing. Typically, winter tires should be put on when temperatures reach 0 and ideally before any snowfall hits. In Canada (with the exception of Quebec), it is not illegal to not have winter tires on your vehicle throughout the season, however, it is highly recommended as a safety precaution.

 

Have extra weight in the back of your vehicle

Fishtailing is the main downfall of RWD vehicles in less than ideal weather and while it cannot always be prevented, it can be minimized. Often times, those who drive their RWD vehicles all year-round find that adding extra weight to the back of their vehicle can minimize the effect of fishtailing. Adding extra weight to the back of your vehicle can help evenly distribute weight throughout the entire car. Cinder blocks and bags of sand are efficient in providing a good amount of weight to distribute throughout your vehicle. Although you may have to sacrifice some trunk space or your back seats for a few months, it really does help when it comes to reducing the effects of the dreaded fishtail.

 

Slow it down

Rear-wheel-drive vehicles are typically known for their performance. Many sports and racing vehicles are equipt with RWD because it offers the most power in correlation to speed and performance when compared to other types of drivetrains. In the warmer months when the roads are free from slush, snow, and ice, RWD exude powerful performance, however, in the winter months, it’s important to slow down. When driving a high-performance sports vehicle, it’s tempting to utilize all its power, however, this can be especially dangerous in the winter. High rates of speed can cause the tires to spin out and if traction is broken, skidding is inevitable. Take your time, ease off the gas, and avoid high rates of speed. No matter what vehicle you drive, taking it slow is essential, especially in winter!

 

Understand your vehicle

You just purchased your new RWD vehicle. You scored a great deal using our dealer invoice reports and you are elated. You cannot wait to get your new vehicle on the road, but before you do, it’s best to fully understand how it works. Before you get in your new RWD vehicle and hit the highway for an hour-long commute in the dead of winter, take your vehicle for a short spin around the block or to an empty parking lot. Provided you are in a controlled area where you cannot hurt yourself or others (i.e., an empty parking lot), practice skidding, accelerating, and braking. Knowing how your vehicle moves in these instances and what to can vastly improve your confidence and safety on the road as the driver of a RWD vehicle. It takes time to fully understand how your new vehicle works, so don’t be discouraged if you aren’t getting the hang of it just yet. Understanding how to maneuver a RWD takes research and practice, but once you get into the swing of things, the differences will start to seem minimal.

 

Although RWD vehicles are not known as “winter-made vehicles”, you can still safely commute in them provided you follow the steps outlined above. Choosing a RWD vehicle and doing so with our dealer invoice report can save you a significant amount of money and come the warmer months, you won’t want to drive anything else!

 

Looking for a car that boasts power and performance? We can help you find the right fit your for. Contact us today and save on your new vehicle purchase!