# Should I keep & ship my car or buy a new one? NEED ANSWER FASTish **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 28, 2014, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-keep-ship-my-car-or-buy-a-new-one-need-answer-fastish/682533 "2014-02-28T19:06:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![buddha\_david](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@buddha\_david](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddha_david)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2014, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-keep-ship-my-car-or-buy-a-new-one-need-answer-fastish/682533/21 "2014-03-01T19:11:06Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > You MIGHT be able to find someone on Craigslist to drive the car one-way. Small fee for the driver would be nice. At the very least, the OP should cover expenses (esp. gasoline & lodging) as well as a reasonable fee to guarantee the service. (Otherwise, y’know, free car.) There’s always likely to be someone looking to travel cross-country, such as someone attending college, who doesn’t want to deal with the hassle & expense of take a plane, train, or (god forbid) a Greyhound bus. Pity that it’s currently mid-winter – I keep forgetting, you non-L.A. people actually have that thing called winter. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2014, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-keep-ship-my-car-or-buy-a-new-one-need-answer-fastish/682533/22 "2014-03-01T19:31:38Z")
I think you need to nail down better both the costs of a new vehicle and how much you can get for the old one. 1. Cost of the new one: don’t they have online car buying services in Canada like they do in the United States? If so get quotes. Don’t the new car dealers in the places you are going list their inventory in sites like Autotrader does in the U.S.? 2. How much can you get for the current vehicle. I assume the local auto dealers buy cars–get an offer from them. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2014, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-keep-ship-my-car-or-buy-a-new-one-need-answer-fastish/682533/23 "2014-03-01T19:45:23Z")
> [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](#): > > 1. It’s Canada, and it’s the full distance, from Newfoundland to BC. Assuming we pick up the car in Vancouver, that’s close on 7000 km. Incidentally, google maps doesn’t seem to believe in the ferry to Nova Scotia. > > 2. I’m looking into other shipping options. I shipped my cars from central CA to Boston. The single that went open-transport was $1100; the two that went closed-transport were $2300. That’s US, of course, and three years ago, but I shipped one of the latter from NJ to California a year or two earlier for $1300, closed-transport, special handling. I think you can find transport, even across Canada, at far less than C$3300. At maybe C$1500, allowing for longer distance, slightly more difficult haul and inflation, you should be able to consider keeping it a much better option, especially if the NS market is depressed, as you say. ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2014, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-keep-ship-my-car-or-buy-a-new-one-need-answer-fastish/682533/24 "2014-03-01T20:52:22Z")
> [@Nawth\_Chucka](#): > > Sounds like _someone_’s volunteering… Well, be serious, I’m a middle aged professional with a job and a family, who is currently checking out the the Trans-Canada over the Rockies and wondering if the OP can wait until May … ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2014, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-keep-ship-my-car-or-buy-a-new-one-need-answer-fastish/682533/25 "2014-03-03T01:27:46Z")
> [@j666](#): > > Well, be serious, I’m a middle aged professional with a job and a family, who is currently checking out the the Trans-Canada over the Rockies and wondering if the OP can wait until May … Oh my. I’m pretty sure \*\*TubaDiva \*\*would get peeved if I got another doper stuck in the Rockies in my tiny li’l car. Why don’t you just come up an visit. Vancouver’s nice, we can have a dopefest. ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2014, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-keep-ship-my-car-or-buy-a-new-one-need-answer-fastish/682533/26 "2014-03-03T01:28:46Z")
Ok, I’ve gotten 2 more quotes, of roughly C$ 3000 and C$ 4000. Oy. ---
**Author:** ![Habeed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a587f6/32.png) [@Habeed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Habeed)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2014, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-keep-ship-my-car-or-buy-a-new-one-need-answer-fastish/682533/27 "2014-03-03T01:34:14Z")
> [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](#): > > Ok, I’ve gotten 2 more quotes, of roughly C$ 3000 and C$ 4000. Oy. Well well well. I hear you are in the market for a new automobile… ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2014, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-keep-ship-my-car-or-buy-a-new-one-need-answer-fastish/682533/28 "2014-03-03T01:49:10Z")
> [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](#): > > Oh my. I’m pretty sure \*\*TubaDiva \*\*would get peeved if I got another doper stuck in the Rockies in my tiny li’l car. Why don’t you just come up an visit. Vancouver’s nice, we can have a dopefest. Thank you, that’s very nice of you. I crossed the U.S. twice in a little 4-cylinder manual transmission; I loved it. Except from Kingman to Oatman, and that final strip of Interstate 10 with the semis barreling up behind me… Okay, another idea - drive to Banff and have it shipped from there. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2014, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-keep-ship-my-car-or-buy-a-new-one-need-answer-fastish/682533/29 "2014-03-03T02:43:29Z")
I can’t see any point in shipping the car. It’s already March. Driving the car(s) across country will be a simple option in 60 more days. Team up, wife drives one and the OP drives the other one. You can easily cover 600 miles a day (10 hour drive). Some people will drive 14 hours a day, but that’s too much for me. I much rather stop after 10 hours, eat a leisurely dinner and rest in the motel. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2014, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-keep-ship-my-car-or-buy-a-new-one-need-answer-fastish/682533/30 "2014-03-03T02:47:56Z")
> [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](#): > > Ok, I’ve gotten 2 more quotes, of roughly C$ 3000 and C$ 4000. Oy. No vey. Ouch. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2014, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-keep-ship-my-car-or-buy-a-new-one-need-answer-fastish/682533/31 "2014-03-03T02:51:22Z")
Can the OP wait 60 days for Spring weather? If not, do you have friends that would let you park the car at their house for 60 days? Spring is just around the corner. It would be a shame to spend $3000 for shipping. ---
**Author:** ![GreasyJack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df705f/32.png) [@GreasyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreasyJack)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2014, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-keep-ship-my-car-or-buy-a-new-one-need-answer-fastish/682533/32 "2014-03-03T03:00:44Z")
The problem with the “sell it” option is that in this price range, most of your potential buyers are going to want to finance it. Doing a private party sale with financing is do-able, but it’s usually a somewhat lengthy process that can sometimes be hassle for the seller too. You could certainly try listing it priced to sell and see if you luck out and get a cash buyer or someone with the financing already all lined up, but that probably won’t be a great option for someone trying to get out of town soon. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2014, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-keep-ship-my-car-or-buy-a-new-one-need-answer-fastish/682533/33 "2014-03-03T03:04:29Z")
1800 miles at 20mpg would be 90 gallons of gas. About $300 dollars at $3.35 a gallon. Plus 2 nights at a motel, food etc. You could get it there for $500 to $600. ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2014, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-keep-ship-my-car-or-buy-a-new-one-need-answer-fastish/682533/34 "2014-03-03T03:08:03Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > 1800 miles at 20mpg would be 90 gallons of gas. About $300 dollars at $3.35 a gallon. Plus 2 nights at a motel, food etc. You could get it there for $500 to $600. But they will have to not have a car in Vancouver for 60 days, and then fly back to drive the car back. I wonder if you could trade it in at a dealer there and pick up a new one at a dealer in the new place? That wouldn’t be cost efficient, but it would be easy, and that counts for something. ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2014, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-keep-ship-my-car-or-buy-a-new-one-need-answer-fastish/682533/35 "2014-03-03T04:08:57Z")
> [@MandaJo](#): > > But they will have to not have a car in Vancouver for 60 days, and then fly back to drive the car back. > > I wonder if you could trade it in at a dealer there and pick up a new one at a dealer in the new place? That wouldn’t be cost efficient, but it would be easy, and that counts for something. Don’t know how it works in Canada, but here in the states unless the dealerships are owned by the same company two dealers of the exact same make and model vehicles still have to sell them to each other. They don’t like to do that, too many fingers in the commission pie. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2014, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-keep-ship-my-car-or-buy-a-new-one-need-answer-fastish/682533/36 "2014-03-03T05:37:25Z")
Moving across Canada? I may be misremembering, but I thought there was a thread several years ago about a Doper bringing a car from one province to another, and finding it a HUGE PITA to get it registered in the new province. I dunno, maybe it was getting bank accounts set up in the new location (and balances transferred) that was so difficult… ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2014, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-keep-ship-my-car-or-buy-a-new-one-need-answer-fastish/682533/37 "2014-03-03T05:46:52Z")
At a $3k + hit to transport the car, buying brand new seems like a no brainer to me. More so if you can get a near new (read one or two years old) 4WD vehicle upon arrival…the difference will be even less. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2014, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-keep-ship-my-car-or-buy-a-new-one-need-answer-fastish/682533/38 "2014-03-03T06:21:27Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > You can easily cover 600 miles a day (10 hour drive). Some people will drive 14 hours a day, but that’s too much for me. I much rather stop after 10 hours, eat a leisurely dinner and rest in the motel. Not in Canada. I say that as one who has driven coast-to-coast in Canada a few times. Roads are generally good, but we have no Interstates. If I remember the Maritimes, it’s two-lane blacktop; and if the OP is coming from Newfoundland, an eight-to-fourteen-hour ferry trip (depending on the Argentia route or the Port-aux-Basques route) must be taken into consideration. So must their schedules; I well remember getting to the docks in Port aux Basques, Newfoundland, and finding I had to wait eight hours for the next ferry to Nova Scotia. Then, there was the crossing time of eight hours. Total “as the crow flies” distance between Port aux Basques and North Sydney NS was 113 miles; total time I took to cover that distance was 16 hours. Double-tracked Interstate-standard highways exist in southern Ontario and Quebec, but in northern Ontario (where the OP would have to go), the only road is two-lane blacktop at 55 mph, and goes through the middle of towns and cities, rather than bypassing them as Interstates do. The Prairies are double-tracked all the way, usually at 70 mph, but again, the road goes through towns and cities where slowing down is necessary, and there are level road and rail crossings. Then there are the Rockies: two-lane blacktop again, and lower speed limits in the mountain parks. Six hundred miles a day can be done (and I’ve done it), but especially in Ontario, it’s closer to a 14-hour drive than a 10-hour one. > [@kaylasdad99](#): > > I may be misremembering, but I thought there was a thread several years ago about a Doper bringing a car from one province to another, and finding it a HUGE PITA to get it registered in the new province. It’s generally not a problem. The authorities do not look kindly on somebody buying a new car in another province in order to avoid their home province’s sales taxes, but if you have owned your car for a reasonable period of time, it can be registered and plated usually without a problem in the new province. In my case, coming from Ontario, my three-year old truck, and four year old car just needed an inspection by an Alberta mechanic (which they passed without a problem), and having passed the inspection, they were fine for registration and plating. I should add, that we could drive these vehicles in Alberta for three months before we had to have the inspection, registration, and plating, done. So we were not without wheels after moving, and there was no time crunch. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2014, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-keep-ship-my-car-or-buy-a-new-one-need-answer-fastish/682533/39 "2014-03-03T06:35:50Z")
I didn’t realize roads in Canada were that tough. I’ve been spoiled by Interstate 40. Which bisects the US at 70mph. I-40 will almost get you from the East Coast to the West Coast. Set the cruise control and turn up the stereo. Ignorance fought. 😉 I learned something tonight. I can see why they want the OP to pay $3000 to ship a car in Canada. ---
**Author:** ![Kenm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bc79bd/32.png) [@Kenm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kenm)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2014, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-keep-ship-my-car-or-buy-a-new-one-need-answer-fastish/682533/40 "2014-03-03T07:00:18Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I didn’t realize roads in Canada were that tough. As I recall, (it was years ago) the Trans-Canada in Ontario was two-lane with very many passing lanes and a 90 km/h speed limit from about Owen Sound to Manitoba. At the Manitoba border the highway is four-lane to Vancouver via the Coquihalla Highway, which occasionally is wider than that for semi-trailers slowly climbing mountains. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-keep-ship-my-car-or-buy-a-new-one-need-answer-fastish/682533.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-keep-ship-my-car-or-buy-a-new-one-need-answer-fastish/682533.md?page=3)