How to Comparison Shop for Cars in Canada

Comparison shopping is one method you can use to ensure that you get the most for your money when buying a new or used car, or save money if your transportation budget is limited. It also helps you become a better-informed consumer and minimizes the risk of making a bad buy.



Canada's relatively small automotive market results in fewer makes and models, and fewer options. Fortunately, this makes comparison shopping easier.

Instructions

1

Write down the year, make, model and options of the cars you're considering. Limit your search to no more than two or three candidates. What kind of car are you looking for? What options are 'must-have', and what can you live without? How much are you willing to pay? Compare the features and benefits of each.

2

Review the classified ads section of your local newspaper to get a general indication of the kinds of cars people are selling. If you find cars of the type you're looking for, make note of them and any important details, including price.

Go online to find reviews of the cars you're interested in buying. Are the reviews positive, negative or in between? Compare different models of the same car and similar cars from other manufacturers. Make note of any important details you find. Several Canadian car comparison tools can be found online, such as Globe Auto Compare, eWheels, and Sympatico.

3

Visit your local library and review car shopping books and magazines that provide detailed reviews of various cars. In Canada, many public libraries have extensive holdings of consumer-oriented car magazines, guides and books.

Particularly noteworthy are shopping guides from the Canadian Automobile Association and Phil Edmonston's Lemon-Aid guides.

4

Consult online and library resources that provide average wholesale and retail prices for the cars you're considering. This information will help you establish a reasonable price for a given car. It will help you make effective comparisons and determine if a seller is asking too much.

5

Test-drive the cars you are thinking about buying. Make note of the pros and cons of each car. Your notes should help you choose the car that fits you best.