canaussie.com

Hey Movendi,

If you haven't already, be worth taking a quick squiz at the conversation in this thread here http://canaussie.com/component/option,c … ask,topic/

It's amazing how good Craigslist is to purchase stuff over here - it really is the best spot to find a vehicle as everyone puts their vehicles on it. Dealers included. Everyone from Aus who I try and tell this doesn't believe me! It think there are a few other prettier sites out there, but you'll find the same vehicles and more on CL.

I'd suggest an Astro van or something like that, particularly as those came with AWD, which you can get for about $3k like this one here http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/rds/c … 54255.html

I also wouldn't bother leasing a car - I looked into it briefly when we got here, but you'll be like me, no credit history means you'll get raped with the interest costs, they're difficult to get rid of and you'll lose a bunch of money on the new car. Best off getting something cheap and common that they know how to fix over here. I usually say steer away from north american vehicles, but something like one of the vans above should be okay as it was built to take heavy duty stuff.

I'm never going to buy from a  dealer again either. You'll get the same price as you would privately, plus you'll have to pay tax on top of that (7% or so at the moment, but it may go up to 15% sometime soon I think... someone else may be able to correct this), plus theres usually a few other BS fees and they'll try and talk you into getting an extended warranty which won't be worth the paper its written on. I may be jaded as this happened to me with the first car I bought across here - 96 Ford Taurus Wagon. Sticker price of $1800 and it ended up costing me close to $3k at the end of the day... bah humbug. Twas a shit car too...

I found a car that I think might be perfect for my road trip but there's a few things I'm not sure about & need a male to help me out & make sure that its going to be road worthy and a good buy!  The owner/seller seems like an honest person and like you say buying privately is the way to go.  Any mechanically minded men out there that wouldn't mind helping me out with my big purchase would be really appreciated!

The ad # on Craigslist is 1676058630.  Its a 1994 Chevy Astro Van.  Looks perfect for my roadtrip!    The owner/seller has emailed me back with some info about it.

Yeah it looks perfect.  Just would need someone to probably do the breaks and change the oil I think.  Then the owner was saying something about the windscreen wipers and central locking system playing up a little so maybe a trip to the auto electricians.  I want the bigger car cause even though there is just 2 of us embarking on this Canadian Road Trip so far I would like to recruit another 1 or 2 people to join in the fun so this way it will be big enough to fit us comfortably plus all our gear, camping equipment and food supplies etc.  Thanks for the tips.  Might have to take it for a test drive, still waiting to hear back from them again and maybe they can meet me half way or something cause like you I live downtown and obviously don't have a car! 

Awesome well the plan is to leave VanKong late June, we want to be in Calgary for the Stampede first weekend in July so that's the only real main time frame at this point.  My email addy is skie77@hotmail.com if you want to write me there!  )  Plan at this stage is to do Canada entirely from West to East coasts heading through all the provinces (even the uneventful prairies I'm sure will provide their own experiences!) and then I'm possibly going to look at settling somewhere on the East Coast afterwards (thinking either Hallifax or Montreal at this stage) but if we do the full road trip first (probably July & August) and then that way everyone can head off to do their own thing after if they like.

Susan )

Hah, yep i need one now in a hurry. I held off too long and i have to move out next week, so i gotta get one and have it ready camperized for a road trip down along the west coast to cali, then phoenix, then up along the rockies coming up to the canadian rockies. I now have 3 people interested in road tripping with me so i gotta act quick.

Options are limited and still not sure to take l300 or l400. I actually was considering a vw bus which looked badass and had everything ready for roadtrip/camping but got sold the day before i called

The l400 from motor max looked alrite but is not ready for camping. One thing i like about the l400 is that the seats swing up to the side, making room for a mattress at the end of the day.

Then there is this guy https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2& … gpcgurkovy who wrote "this delica is perfect ...all checked out ,leave number will call you after work,thanks" which looks too dodgy when i asked about any potential problems, servicing etc.

Wheraes this l300 ive been eyeing for $9.3k looks to be alrite, has small roofrack, ac power, and been serviced recently


So i need a people mover in the day, and something for me to sleep in at night. hmmm.. what do you think?

BTW do you know anything to the equivalent of RACV inspections on used vehicles, and shows a thorough report on what's wrong and needs repairing?

Hi Susan,

Yea i plan on telling that once i get vehicle to confirm that i'll be going ahead with this trip. And if it does i'll be doing america in May, mexico til the 16th of June, and then make my way up to the canadian rockies around late june? So maybe i could meet you guys there? How'd the astro van work out?

Yeah well I plan on being in Calgary for the Stampede in the first weekend in July so could meet there I guess.  I haven't had time to go look at the Astro and I really want a guy to come along with me too just for a mechanical opinion and also for a impartial second opinion.  I still have 2 months to sort out a vehicle though unlike yourself but would rather sort it sooner than later so I don't have to worry as it's a big part of the trip & I don't want to rush into anything.

Are you going to the ANZAC thing on Saturday?

Hey MB,

I got insurance here originally with my Australian license in BC without a problem. From your other question in the licensing thread, sounds like you're in Quebec though?

J