Victoria driving, automobile, auto dealership and related news

Your Acura guy sure has a passion for cars

Yup, 20 odd years in Japan covering their motorsport circuit, he's seen and experienced some amazing cars, both street and race, and a solid background with his Grandpa and dad. We went to High School together and were petrol heads even before we could drive

Alternatively, a bidding model similar to real estate, but put it all online and make it fast and easy to put in a bid/counter offer.

There are services that do this.

CarCostCanada is one.

I got a quote via them from a mainland dealer that was $3k less than the Victoria dealer for the same specs.

I probably could have negotiated further but was so dumbfounded by the savings that I just went for it. The deal was done before I headed over, the mainland dealer offered to pick me up from the ferry. All I needed to do once I arrived was a quick test drive to ensure nothing seemed off about that particular vehicle and then I drove it home.

Believe the successful dealer pays CarCostCanada a referral fee, so the service is no charge to you.

Unhaggle is another similar service, but I have no experience with it.

^ thanks for those. Any service that does this for existing inventory of new and used cars? That would be much better...

^ thanks for those. Any service that does this for existing inventory of new and used cars? That would be much better...

Works for new vehicles. You confirm the trim that you're looking for so that the quote from each dealer is for the exact same specs.

Will they negotiate a custom order on your behalf, too?

They don't negotiate anything. They provide you dealer cost pricing, and then forward your leads to a few dealers. The dealers know that you've aware of invoice pricing, so they bid low.

You could probably submit the closest available trim to what you are looking for, speak with the dealer with the best price, and negotiate your options.

Edited by vortoozo, 05 March 2018 - 07:33 PM.

I have a friend that has been in the car business all his life, from working the lots to managing dealerships to owning his own dealership.

When we go car shopping he knows the price the car should be at, you look at it and if it is reasonably sound you offer what it should be sold for, and be prepared to walk away if they won't meet that price.

If it is at a dealership it is always 15%-20% higher than that and then they will want "documentation fees" and all that sort of stuff on top.

He never buys used from a dealer, unless it is new and then he gets the wholesale price plus $500 from the fleet manager.

I have never used CarCostCanada but I did buy from a guy who had a dealer license but just worked out of an office and bought the cars wholesale and charged you $500. That worked out for me just dandy.

There is also the option of going to the US to buy your vehicle, I saved $6000 over the best price I could get in Canada a few years back. Easy to import and about $100 for certification.

There is also the option of going to the US to buy your vehicle, I saved $6000 over the best price I could get in Canada a few years back. Easy to import and about $100 for certification.

That's if you make a cash purchase, right?

That's if you make a cash purchase, right?

Well yeah, but if you need financing just go to your bank and get a personal loan.

I remember when I bought my car I could have saved a little money buying in Vancouver, but over the years that value has been replaced by the ability to book, free of charge, a loaner car for when I drop mine off for service.  Sometimes there's a value in getting something locally.

I remember when I bought my car I could have saved a little money buying in Vancouver, but over the years that value has been replaced by the ability to book, free of charge, a loaner car for when I drop mine off for service.  Sometimes there's a value in getting something locally.

Even though I bought my vehicle off the island, I service it at the dealer here. There's more money to be made in service anyway, so why would they turn me away? They have assisted with a couple warranty issues and overall been great & treated me as if I had purchased with them. No reason not to.

^ ditto.

Not sure where to put this, but

 

Nanaimo Auto Terminal Planned for Nanaimo Assembly Wharf

Apr 10, 2018

Nanaimo Port Authority (NPA) is partnering with Western Stevedoring (Western) and their affiliate organization, the Auto Division of SSA Marine (SSA) to design, build, finance and operate a multipurpose break bulk terminal with an initial focus on European automobile import and processing at NPA’s Nanaimo Assembly Wharf (NAW).

Ewan Moir, Nanaimo Port Authority, President & CEO comments, “The project has the potential to transform Canada’s import automobile supply chain by addressing the significant existing transportation bottlenecks, vulnerabilities and congestion while providing several compelling logistical efficiencies and environmental benefits. The project will also provide sustainable economic development opportunities for Nanaimo and Vancouver Island.”

Brad Eshleman, President of Western Stevedoring states, “Western is very excited to be expanding our operations in Nanaimo with this new and highly efficient auto terminal operation. Founded in Nanaimo in 1949, Western operated the Nanaimo Assembly Wharves for several decades and we are very pleased to be bringing the Vehicle Processing Centre and Auto Terminal Operations to the Port of Nanaimo. The auto terminal operations will create jobs and economic growth for the region, benefiting the City of Nanaimo, Vancouver Island and British Columbia.”

A customer commitment and lease agreement for use of the NAW was signed, design components are expected by August 2018 with construction completed and first vessel call in January 2019. Consultations, regular announcements and Open Houses will provide project progress throughout 2018.

https://npa.ca/en/bl...assembly-wharf/

Clearly we need to start a stevedoring thread.

Had to google that...lol

 

Clearly we need to start a stevedoring thread.

You always say that.

Oh, this fits here too:

Luxury auto dealership, offices and rental apartments pitched for Douglas Street south of Bay Street

https://victoria.cit...-of-bay-street/

See $5.5M worth of luxury vehicles get crushed

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte oversaw the destruction of 68 smuggled luxury vehicles as part of his anti-smuggling and corruption campaign

 

https://www.cnn.com/...rodrigo-duterte

 

ooooooooooooooooooookkkk.

and does he know maybe he could have sold those vehicles to pay for something?

or maybe realize that there is a 99.9% chance they were stolen before they were smuggled?