By Chris Chase Welcome to the latest in our series of “old versus new” used vehicle reviews, in which we compare the reliability of older and newer versions of popular vehicles. This time around, we’re looking at a trio of German models: BMW’s X1 subcompact luxury SUV, the Volkswagen Jetta economy car, and the Audi
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Vincentric Best CPO Value
Buying a used car can feel a bit like wandering through the Wild West. How do you know whether the seller you’re dealing with is being honest about the vehicle you’re buying? Still, the used marketplace is tempting with its lower prices compared to new vehicles, especially if you’re looking for a car or truck
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Discontinued in 2020
Every new auto industry model year is a reminder that just because a vehicle is popular doesn’t mean it will stick around forever. The end of 2020 will see several well-known cars vanish from Canada’s marketplace, including a few mainstream favourites. Unsurprisingly, most of the cars disappearing from showrooms this year are sedans and hatchbacks,
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Used Performance SUVs
By Chris Chase When SUVs and crossovers first became popular as vehicles for daily driving, they were aimed mostly at buyers seeking off-road or all-weather traction and the general utility that comes with a larger, boxier vehicle. But as utility vehicle sales began to outpace those of cars, automakers realized there was an appetite for
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2020 Models Least Likely to Cause Buyers Remorse
By Chris Chase J.D. Power has named Porsche and Dodge the industry’s top brands in the 2020 version of its annual Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) study. The APEAL survey measures which vehicles are most likely to make their owners feel good about their purchase. It’s a less tangible thing than the organization’s initial
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Taking Advantage of Depreciation for Used Cars
by Chris Chase Depreciation is a term you’ll see mentioned frequently at OntarioCars.ca, given our focus on the used vehicle market. It’s the rate at which a car or truck loses value after it’s purchased new. Where depreciation is concerned, all vehicles are not created equal. A vehicle’s rate of depreciation depends on a number
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JD Power 2020 Initial Quality Servey
by Chris Chase Last month, J.D. Power released its 2020 initial quality study (IQS), the auto industry research firm’s annual snapshot of how happy new-vehicle buyers are with their purchases. Kia repeated its 2019 top-spot finish among mainstream brands, but this time in a tie with Dodge. While we’re not surprised to see Kia top
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How Long Will it Take to Charge an Electric Vehicle?
by Chris Chase If you’ve got questions about battery-powered cars, you’re not alone. Every time I review an electric vehicle (EV), I can count on at least one stranger asking about some aspect of the ownership experience. The most common question after “How far will it go on a charge?” is “How long does it
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Most Fuel Efficient 5 Year Old V8 SUVs
by Chris Chase Eight-cylinder engines are out of fashion in many vehicle segments, thanks to modern technology that allows six-cylinder motors — and even some four-cylinders — to make as much power as V8s used to be known for. Still, a V8 remains one of the most straightforward ways to generate the power needed for
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ALG 2020 Canadian Residual Value Awards
By Chris Chase Automotive Lease Guide (ALG) published its 2020 Canadian vehicle residual value awards in January, naming Toyota and Porsche its top brands for this model year. These annual awards recognize the vehicles that ALG’s industry watchers predict will hold their value best as they age; the company calculates residual value (also known as
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