Hoojammyflip Posted August 6, 2020 Share Posted August 6, 2020 I am moving from UK to Canada (Halifax NS)... I know some of you guys across the pond have some interesting vehicles that we don't get over here - and with fuel being cheaper you can afford to run them? I have had a few Subarus and enjoyed a 1999 V8 Landrover Discovery. Probably looking for something AWD or 4WD to be able to run in the winter. My wife will have a 45minute commute from the house we are planning to buy over to work in Halifax. Any advice appreciated. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penguin Posted August 7, 2020 Share Posted August 7, 2020 You might want to be more specific. Money is no object? Interesting to drive, and will go in the snow...... OK. Covers a lot of choices. Do you want a car? How about some sort of bonkers 4X4 truck with a ton of power? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ammcinnis Posted August 7, 2020 Share Posted August 7, 2020 These days, every model Subaru sells in North America, except the BRZ, comes with full-time AWD standard. The Outback or Forester models would probably be better suited for the winter snows in Halifax than any of the Subaru sedans. (Nice place, Halifax. Bring your kilt.) "If you don't know where you're going, any road will take you there." ~ The Cheshire Cat (Alice in Wonderland) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcdennis Posted August 7, 2020 Share Posted August 7, 2020 I've worked with a few folks from the UK on projects here and almost all of them get a kick out of 1/2 trucks, at least for a while. Depending on what you're looking for, anything with a bit of ground clearance (outside of Halifax there tends to be deeper snow and... less urgency in getting it cleared), awd/4wd and winter tires. All nice to have. That being said, lot's of folks here with your average fwd car.... Hope you enjoy it here! If you have any questions let me know, I've been here for ~40 years now.... o.O Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehsnils Posted August 7, 2020 Share Posted August 7, 2020 I'd consider a pickup truck only if I know that I'd be hauling stuff like planks and similar, otherwise a SUV is probably better. And a smaller car as a second car. A pickup is preferred if you hunt or plan to haul seafood too or you'd risk a smelly interior. It's hard to give advise without knowing the actual needs from family and work perspective. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoojammyflip Posted August 8, 2020 Author Share Posted August 8, 2020 Thanks for the feedback guys... The brief was deliberately left vague to start to see if anyone came up with any unusual ideas 3 of us coming plus a hairy hound... But yes my wife will need something definitely reliable - probably commuting 5 days out of 10 on average - just beyond Hubbards area to Halifax. She prefers a smaller car - loves her 2010 Ford Fiesta here - but is contemplating an SUV - I thought an Outback would be a good compromise? I am up for something like a tarmac spitting, fire breathing, huge wheeled pickup - or a tweaked Mustang??? - or a newer WRX Sti - so many interesting things to choose from I think . But will probably be budget constrained once we get the family / commuter car We have budgeted up to about $50000 CAN for both cars ideally all in - taxes insurance etc etc... I know NS are punitive on taxes for everything - so we are prepared and braced to be sucked dry by the provincial government Also hoping to import my motorbike when it reaches 15 years old next April - or maybe buy a smaller bike or 2 for the trails and for my lad to learn on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoojammyflip Posted August 8, 2020 Author Share Posted August 8, 2020 I've worked with a few folks from the UK on projects here and almost all of them get a kick out of 1/2 trucks, at least for a while. Depending on what you're looking for, anything with a bit of ground clearance (outside of Halifax there tends to be deeper snow and... less urgency in getting it cleared), awd/4wd and winter tires. All nice to have. That being said, lot's of folks here with your average fwd car.... Hope you enjoy it here! If you have any questions let me know, I've been here for ~40 years now.... o.O Sounds like you might be a useful contact to have - thanks for the offer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penguin Posted August 8, 2020 Share Posted August 8, 2020 That’s a tough budget for 2 vehicles. $50,000 Canadian Dollars only around $37.5K US. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoojammyflip Posted August 8, 2020 Author Share Posted August 8, 2020 That’s a tough budget for 2 vehicles. $50,000 Canadian Dollars only around $37.5K US. Probably get a newer one for the family car - and happy with an older one for the 2nd car... There is a gentleman in Canada selling a rusty GT for under $4k on the Canadian King of threads - but he is in Vancouver - probably not looking quite that old for a second car - but don't mind working on them myself if needs be - save on the taxes too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoojammyflip Posted August 8, 2020 Author Share Posted August 8, 2020 Here our current cars are older... 2010 Fiesta (stock ) ~ £3000 and 2004 (modded ) Legacy ~ £10000 - 2006 ZX14 bike (modded also ) £5000 So less than $30000 CAN - and I was under the impression that vehicles are much cheaper in North America? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehsnils Posted August 8, 2020 Share Posted August 8, 2020 Be aware that the price you see will have some added cost on top of it in form of taxes etc. so you should check with a dealer local to where you are moving to get the proper information. At least in the US a lot of the prices are listed without the sales tax so that customers are supposed to see price differences between states on the same product. Some states like New Hampshire don't have sales tax, others have. Canada is a bit more like Europe. So better read up on the true cost before you make a decision. Also road tax is important, but that's no surprise to anyone in Europe where the road tax is a considerable part. That said - I think that an Outback 2.5i would be a decent choice for a first car, what you pick as a second car - that could be a pickup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoojammyflip Posted August 8, 2020 Author Share Posted August 8, 2020 As far as I know the Tax is not included and in NS the province charge 15% tax on a second hand vehicle - We were shocked as you don't pay any tax at all on a second hand vehicle here... but we are getting aclimatised to these things as we look into them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ammcinnis Posted August 8, 2020 Share Posted August 8, 2020 (edited) There is a gentleman in Canada selling a rusty GT for under $4k on the Canadian King of threads - but he is in Vancouver ... Coming from the U.K., it sounds like it may take a while for you to wrap your head around the vast driving distances in North America. Halifax to Vancouver is ~4500 km "as the crow flies;" add probably 30% (~1500 km) to that if driving. For comparison, that's farther than London to Cairo or about the same as London to Tehran! (At least in Canada the roads will be better, and you won't need a military escort. ) Edited August 9, 2020 by ammcinnis "If you don't know where you're going, any road will take you there." ~ The Cheshire Cat (Alice in Wonderland) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awfulwaffle Posted August 8, 2020 Share Posted August 8, 2020 Buy a turbo 4th gen, and come complain about it on that side of the forums. It's a hoot. Edit: You'd be right at home, just saw the Spec B in your cars list. You're not allowed to leave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awfulwaffle Posted August 8, 2020 Share Posted August 8, 2020 (edited) And just to be an enabler: https://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/vancouver-bc-unmodified-2006-legacy-gt-limited-wagon-283638.html?t=283638 Buy it, ship it if needed, and budget another $10k US for anything else can go wrong, and you'll still probably make your budget for both cars. This is an absurd price. Edited August 8, 2020 by awfulwaffle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penguin Posted August 8, 2020 Share Posted August 8, 2020 Well the OP should watch some Trailer Park Boys to get an idea of what life is like in Nova Scotia and what kind of cars will be best suited. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoojammyflip Posted August 9, 2020 Author Share Posted August 9, 2020 And just to be an enabler: https://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/vancouver-bc-unmodified-2006-legacy-gt-limited-wagon-283638.html?t=283638 Buy it, ship it if needed, and budget another $10k US for anything else can go wrong, and you'll still probably make your budget for both cars. This is an absurd price. I have already been considering that one - and joked about with him when he first put it up on the 'Canadian King of threads' topic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoojammyflip Posted September 5, 2020 Author Share Posted September 5, 2020 Well I have made it! Currently doing my 14 days quarantine at a lovely cottage overlooking St Margarets Bay... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcdennis Posted September 9, 2020 Share Posted September 9, 2020 Well I have made it! Currently doing my 14 days quarantine at a lovely cottage overlooking St Margarets Bay... Welcome! There's certainly worse places to "isolate" for a couple of weeks. Make sure to take the opportunity to get some of the local food and drink delivered. There's a huge range of very good beverages here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaasaiWarrior Posted September 12, 2020 Share Posted September 12, 2020 Welcome! Hopefully you're feasting on Lobster and are enjoying the east coast summer weather! If you are looking at a BC car, one major positive, lack of rust, if you buy from anywhere else in Canada expect a ton of rust and even more hidden rust. 08 Spec B, insta: @08_spec_b, 10 SH Forester insta: @shfozzy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoojammyflip Posted September 12, 2020 Author Share Posted September 12, 2020 Thanks guys... We are still waiting for things like local credit cards and SIM cards to be sorted so not much opportunity to buy anything... currently looking at a 2009 Forester XT Turbo from Truro as a starter... wife is thinking a fairly new Crosstrek for her commute. Fortunately work colleagues have been very supportive doing shopping etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoojammyflip Posted September 21, 2020 Author Share Posted September 21, 2020 Now looking at new or nearly new Crosstrek... or Maybe fully specced Forester - XT Limited or something like that... Prefer to buy from dealer to make sure all legal and MVI sorted etc as new in the country... https://www.kijijiautos.ca/cars/subaru/xv-crosstrek/#vip=15293472 or a new one???? https://www.subaru.ca/WebPage.aspx?WebSiteID=282&WebPageID=23303&Range=Crosstrek&ModelYear=2021&CarID=1269 We are thinking the Crosstrek outdoor with Eyesight... $32k Or... maybe keep costs down a bit with a 2014 Subaru Forester XT Limited? https://www.kijijiautos.ca/cars/subaru/forester/#vip=16737375 $16k OR... the upgrades on the 2017???? https://www.kijijiautos.ca/cars/subaru/forester/#vip=14723880 $20k Cheers guys - happy for any other suggestions.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcdennis Posted September 21, 2020 Share Posted September 21, 2020 Now looking at new or nearly new Crosstrek... or Maybe fully specced Forester - XT Limited or something like that... Prefer to buy from dealer to make sure all legal and MVI sorted etc as new in the country... https://www.kijijiautos.ca/cars/subaru/xv-crosstrek/#vip=15293472 or a new one???? https://www.subaru.ca/WebPage.aspx?WebSiteID=282&WebPageID=23303&Range=Crosstrek&ModelYear=2021&CarID=1269 We are thinking the Crosstrek outdoor with Eyesight... $32k Or... maybe keep costs down a bit with a 2014 Subaru Forester XT Limited? https://www.kijijiautos.ca/cars/subaru/forester/#vip=16737375 $16k OR... the upgrades on the 2017???? https://www.kijijiautos.ca/cars/subaru/forester/#vip=14723880 $20k Cheers guys - happy for any other suggestions.... Totally depends on your comfort level with filling out the paperwork etc. I can totally see where you might want to work with a dealer given you're "newly arrived". Otherwise, you could always go for something like: https://www.autotrader.ca/a/subaru/wrx/cow%20bay/nova%20scotia/19_11605299_?showcpo=ShowCpo&ncse=no&orup=1_4_4&sprx=50 Always hard to make suggestions for someone else though. Any of the vehicles you linked would be "fine" for the area and be as, or more, capable than anything else on the road. Just depends on what want.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehsnils Posted September 21, 2020 Share Posted September 21, 2020 Personally I would avoid a turbocharged vehicle to start with. At least until things are stable. An Outback with a H6 is probably more what I would look at instead of the Forester XT at this stage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DickDastardly00 Posted September 21, 2020 Share Posted September 21, 2020 Personally I would avoid a turbocharged vehicle to start with. At least until things are stable. An Outback with a H6 is probably more what I would look at instead of the Forester XT at this stage. I would go with an Outback with H6 too, good advice. I almost got one over the Sorento SX, but the Kia had more bang for the buck, 30K less miles, and was $2000 less. ♪Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery; None but ourselves can free our minds.♫ -Bob Marley, Redemption Song Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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