Purchasing a car in Canada

I am an Australian with two daughters living in Canada.
We (my wife and I) are planning a trip to Canada, arriving in Vancouver
during August. We wish to travel to Smithers and then drive to Hamilton, On.
We hope to be in Canada for about 3 months.
Now my question: renting a car for the whole period is very expensive so we
were thinking of purchasing an old car in Vancouver and selling it later in
Hamilton. Question - as a foreigner can I legally buy a car and what are the
rules for licensing, insurance etc?

Thanks

Gerrit

On Feb 19, 4:15 am, "gerrit" wrote:
I am an Australian with two daughters living in Canada.
We (my wife and I) are planning a trip to Canada, arriving in Vancouver
during August. We wish to travel to Smithers and then drive to Hamilton, On.
We hope to be in Canada for about 3 months.
Now my question: renting a car for the whole period is very expensive so we
were thinking of purchasing an old car in Vancouver and selling it later in
Hamilton. Question - as a foreigner can I legally buy a car and what are the
rules for licensing, insurance etc?

Of course you can buy a car. Its a free country. However the
simplest thing to do would be to have one of your daughters buy the
car. Will make the paperwork simpler.

You can buy a car with no problem
But insurance is a problem you must have a residence so you will have to
use your daughters address
also cars in the west are more expensive than here
most car dealers here in Hamilton are on line so check prices expect to
loose 25% on resale less mileage used but better off than renting

Have fun driving across the contry

SP Cook wrote:
On Feb 19, 4:15 am, "gerrit" wrote:
I am an Australian with two daughters living in Canada.
We (my wife and I) are planning a trip to Canada, arriving in Vancouver
during August. We wish to travel to Smithers and then drive to Hamilton, On.
We hope to be in Canada for about 3 months.
Now my question: renting a car for the whole period is very expensive so we
were thinking of purchasing an old car in Vancouver and selling it later in
Hamilton. Question - as a foreigner can I legally buy a car and what are the
rules for licensing, insurance etc?

Of course you can buy a car. Its a free country. However the
simplest thing to do would be to have one of your daughters buy the
car. Will make the paperwork simpler.

Have your daughters talk to their car insurance agent to get advice on
the legal requirements.

My guess is that you can buy the car but wouldn't be able to get
insurance since you aren't legal residents, and therefore it might be
necessary for your daughters to buy and insure the car, and then loan
it to you. But you should get professional advice.

Keep in mind that if the insurance is in their name, it could affect
their insurance rates in the future if you are in an accident.

wrote in message
oups.com...
Have your daughters talk to their car insurance agent to get advice on
the legal requirements.

My guess is that you can buy the car but wouldn't be able to get
insurance since you aren't legal residents, and therefore it might be
necessary for your daughters to buy and insure the car, and then loan
it to you. But you should get professional advice.

Keep in mind that if the insurance is in their name, it could affect
their insurance rates in the future if you are in an accident.


Thanks everyone for that!
One further question.
If the vehicle is registered in the name of my daughter in Smithers can I
easily sell it in Ontario, or would I need to register it in the name of the
daughter in Hamilton?

Gerrit