So you’re shopping for a used car and you’ve found a few models that interest you. Are they the right ones for you? One way to find out is to research how much they’ll cost to own and operate. No matter which car you buy, there’s more to consider than just the purchase price, so it’s important to have a good idea of the car’s total operating costs so you can make sure that vehicle will fit into your budget.
Vehicle-related expenses can differ by province, where registration fees and weather can all play a factor. For example, your maintenance costs may be less in Victoria, B.C. where you probably won’t worry much about snow and salt, while they may be higher in Yellowknife, N.W.T. where your car will work harder to run in the cold winter. Also, every vehicle make and model is different in terms of insurance costs, depreciation, fuel efficiency etc. and wrapping your head around calculating what each of these will cost you can be confusing.
That’s why our friends at CAA have created the Driving Costs Calculator, to give you a good idea of what the specific make and model you’re considering will cost to own and operate in the province where you live, based on your specific driving habits.
This handy tool is free of charge! Give it a try to get a better idea of which cars are a good fit for you so you can move on to the next stages and find the make and model you want from a buyer you can trust.
These are just a few tips to help you find a used car that’ll be a great fit for you and your family. For more tips to help you make an informed decision while shopping for a used car, check out our Used Car Buying Guide available in our Resource Centre.