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| HOME | CANADA | BUYING GUIDES |

Canada Buying Guides

Want advice on how to buy a car? Check out these resources.

Some buying guides include data - such as reviews and safety test results - on older cars (not just this year's models). Bolded text saying "This buying guide includes information on both new and older cars" in a review indicates that the buying guide on the site contains information on both new and older cars.

If you find that the Canadian car research tools listed on this page are not adequate for your needs you can use the tools on the American page (simply click on the "See this page for: the US" link in the lower left hand corner of the page). Keep in mind that there are some subtle differences between cars for sale in Canada and in the US.

The major differences between US and Canadian regulations mean that cars for sale in Canada must have bilingual labels, kilometers instead of miles, child seat anchors, daytime running lights and more stringent bumpers. Obviously prices shown on US sites are in US dollars and you should keep that in mind when looking at any pricing data.

Sympatico / MSN Autos
http://en.autos.sympatico.msn.ca/td/article.aspx?cp-documentid=6523447

As an overall buying guide the MSN Autos Canada site is quite good. The window shopping section allows you to get an overview of what's out there either by manufacturer or by category (luxury car, SUV). The reviews section has at least a hundred test drives which are quite in-depth and informative. Unfortunately the process to find a review is very poor. Click on the Reviews link and then look at the reviews available under each of the reviewers listed. Not very helpful at all.

Once you are looking at a specific car you can get quick facts on it, compare it to other cars, see competitors to this model line and look at interior and exterior shots (although no 360 degree views). The site has been revamped to offer more of the functionality available on the US site. Thank you Microsoft!

CanadianDriver's New Car Buyer's Guide 2006 & 2005
http://www.canadiandriver.com/overviews/index.php

This truly Canadian resource is a good one with a few significant deficiencies. Firstly there is a good section on reviews (called Test Drives) but it needs to be searchable (rather than just presenting everything in a long list). There is no car comparison tool nor is there a 'help me choose' type tool. However, there is a lot of information on this site from articles to columns and even site reviews of other automotive related websites.

The overall search function is good for finding information on your car or issue of choice (although it is not Boolean and a search for 'Volvo wagon' will display all things Volvo and all things wagon). There is a weekly e-newsletter and a consistent Canadian focus (which is sorely needed). All in all a very good site that with a few enhancements could be an EXCELLENT site.

This buying guide includes reviews of specific models from selected manufacturers back to 1989. To see these reviews select the Used Car Reviews link from the left hand side of the page. Then locate the car you are interested in from those shown on the main page or the list in the right hand column.

CanadianAutoReview (Articles available in Chinese as well as English)
http://www.canadianautoreview.com/

This site proclaims itself as 'The One & Only English/Chinese Professional Automotive Website in North America.' A quick look around the net with Google seems to indicate that this claim is true. There are plenty of resources for English speakers as well - reviews, news, road tests and a price guide.

But obviously the major reason for visiting this site would be if you wished to look at automotive resources in Chinese and I am vastly unqualified to comment on that aspect of the site. I welcome comments from any of you that can read Chinese as to the quality of the articles on this site - please contact us at info@where-can-i-buy-a-car-online.com.

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