Hi

Quick question. For what I'm looking for, Ontario seems cheaper than the USA. In talking to some people, some people are saying avoid cars from Ontario/Quebec due to the salt on the roads down there - there is apparantly allot more on the roads in Ontario/Quebec than here in Alberta?

Has anyone ever heard this?



Sean

 

Absolutely!
In Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes they throw a lot of salt on the roads due to "near zero" temperatures where the salt works very well.
From what I hear, in the Prairies and the West they use sand and this accounts for the "ORGIE" of broken windshields in these parts of Canada.

Also the Quebec and Ontario cars, for the most part, are driven in heavily congested traffic which take a lot off of the longevity of the car from a brakes, transmission, engine, heating, A/C and so on perspective.

It is not to say that you cannot find nice cars in those markets....

 

Told ya! LOL!!!

 

Interesting

Looking at cars I bought a CarFax membership. They have this feature where you can find cars in your postal code; in my case T2W 1E1 - Calgary.

Pile of Audis are now available in Calgary -

Lets choose a random one -

2005 AUDI A4 1.8T QUATTRO/SPEC EDIT
VIN: WAULC68E35A064393
SEDAN 4 DR 1.8L L4 FI 20V
ALL WHEEL DRIVE

Year purchased 2004
Type of owner Personal
Estimated length of ownership 3 yrs. 6 mo.
Owned in the following states/provinces Ontario
Estimated miles driven per year ---
Last reported odometer reading 46,807


Guess where this car is at?

hxxp://nitra.audidealer.com/glenmore/VehicleDetails/1037874104

Glenmore Audi in Calgary.

So even the local Audi Dealer, is hauling cars from Ontario here? Doesn't seem to be an issue for them? Interesting huh?

Engine: 1.8L 4 cyl Turbo Fuel Injected
Interior: Sand Beige Leather
Kilometers: 75,400
Stock Number: U0737
Transmission: Automatic
VIN: WAULC68E35A064393
Certified: Certified Vehicle

I am tempted to go in there, and ask where this car is from... it sure isn't worth the $27,900 they want for it in ontario - maybe $14-18


Sean

 

The winter roads in Calgary and the salt => If you drive in the winter, you must have noticed the wet roads while the temperature is -12C?

Do you think the roads are sweating?

Besides the rocks, there is an extensive program for using some type of liquid on the roads in the winter (with salt or else, who knows..)

All dealers buy majority of their cars from Toronto (the biggest auction in Canada).

Salt is bad, but so are the low temperatures and sand dust… and driver’s habits.

Every car maintained after 15k oil drain interval with Castrol Syntec has gotten potential issues.
Whatever some salt could do – just a fraction of the trouble ….

 

... on the other hand I have seen cars at auctions in Florida, 2-3 years old with significant heat damage to the paint and interior... engines which show signs of disrepair/neglect and abuse... and trhese were high-end cars...

BUYER BEWARE!!!!

 

"Washing your car during wintertime is one of the best things
you can do to maintain the value of your car. Mud, salt,
rain, sleet, and snow can damage your car's clear finish.
Mud and salt caked on the undercarriage promote rust,
especially in older vehicles, and can also affect how well
your car drives."
So look for any signs of rust,this may indicate varying
degree of engine damage so be careful in selecting cars