Buying a Vehicle
Owning a vehicle may be the most convenient transportation option, but vehicles are also a major investment. Above the cost of purchase, registering and insuring your vehicle, you will also need to pay for gas and vehicle maintenance.
Buying new
There are hundreds of new car dealerships in Alberta. The largest concentrations of dealerships are in Edmonton or Calgary, but there are also dozens of options throughout rural Alberta. To purchase a new car, you will need to select the car companies you are interested in buying from and locate the dealer nearest you.
New vehicle prices range from $12,000 Canadian dollars and up. The majority of vehicles fall within the $20,000 - $40,000 Canadian dollar range.
You may purchase a new vehicle for cash, but many choose to finance. Financing allows you to spread the cost of your vehicle over a set amount of time, with a percentage of interest applied. Interest rates vary based on the term of financing, as well as special financing promotions.
Buying used
Used vehicles are available through both car dealerships and private sellers. Some dealerships sell used cars exclusively, while others sell both new and used vehicles. Private sellers sell their vehicles through local publications like those below.
Auto Trader allows you to search for used vehicles available through both dealerships and private sellers. You can specify the make and model you're searching for, as well as the year, price and kilometres on the vehicle.
Classified advertisements in local newspapers also list used vehicles for sale by both private sellers and dealerships.
Leasing
Leasing allows you to get a new vehicle without ever actually owning it. It is a short-term commitment in which you essentially pay to borrow a vehicle for a determined amount of time usually three years. The cost of borrowing is based on the expected depreciation of the vehicle.
When your lease expires, you have the option of purchasing the vehicle, starting a new lease or simply returning the vehicle to the leasing agency. Most car dealerships offer leasing options.
Registration and insurance
Learn about registering, insuring and driving your vehicle in Alberta.