01-07-23

Buying Your First Electric Vehicle – Is Tesla A Good Choice?

As more and more people become environmentally conscious, the electric car market continues to grow. Tesla is one of the most well-known and innovative companies in this space, and their vehicles have garnered a loyal following. If you're considering purchasing your first electric car, a Tesla might be the perfect choice for you.

First and foremost, it's important to consider range when it comes to electric cars. Tesla's vehicles have some of the longest ranges on the market, with their long range models able to go over 6000km on a single charge. This means you'll have the freedom to take longer trips without the need to stop and charge up.

One of the main benefits of driving a Tesla is the reduced cost of ownership. Electric vehicles are cheaper to maintain than gas-powered cars because they have fewer moving parts and do not require oil changes. Additionally, the cost of electricity is typically lower than the cost of gasoline, which means you'll save money on fuel costs as well.

In terms of charging, Tesla has a vast network of Supercharger stations located throughout the country. These allow you to charge your car up quickly and easily, making it convenient to keep your car powered on longer trips. Tesla also offers home charging options, so you can charge your car overnight while it's parked in your garage. In some instances, it can take as little as 20 minutes to fully charge a Tesla battery, from empty to full, using one of the many supercharger stations across Canada.

One of the biggest draws of Tesla cars is their impressive performance. Many of their models, such as the Model S and Model 3, are able to go from 0 to 100km/h in just a few seconds, making for a thrilling driving experience. These cars also handle well and have a sleek, modern design that turns heads.

Another perk of Tesla ownership is the company's commitment to sustainability. Tesla's manufacturing processes and supply chain are designed to be as eco-friendly as possible, and the company is constantly working on ways to reduce their environmental impact.

Overall, Tesla is a top choice for those in the market for their first electric car. With long range, convenient charging options, impressive performance, and a commitment to sustainability, it's no wonder Tesla has such a devoted following. So, if you're ready to make the switch to electric, a Tesla might be the perfect fit for you.

Check Out Our Tesla Lineup!

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11-30-22

Six Car Buying Myths Debunked!

There's a lot of common myths in the automotive industry that simply aren't true. When it comes to buying a car, we've all herd stories about how to get the best deals at a used car dealership. But are the myths true?

Myth: Paying With Cash Will Get You Discounts

We've all heard the phrase "Cash is King" before. But is it actually true? Believe it or not, paying for a vehicle with cash will not get you any discounts. The truth is that credit is power! By having a good credit score, you gain leverage on your vehicle purchase and open up so many more buying options you wouldn't be able to afford by just paying cash. There's often a lot more wiggle-room when it comes to getting a good deal when you're financing a vehicle.

Myth: Only Buy A Car With Low Mileage

We’ve been taught that higher milage cars should be avoided at all cost, but that simply isn't true. When buying a car, you'll want to make sure you have a look at the Carfax report to learn about the vehicle's history. A higher milage vehicle that has been well-cared for and regularly maintained will last you longer and give you way less of a headache than a low mileage vehicle with no available history. Finding out the history of a car is far more valuable than just relying on its odometer reading.

To learn the history of a used car in Alberta, all you need to do is ask your sales representative for the Carproof report, which is included with each vehicle for sale at House of Cars. If the car lot or private seller you’re working with doesn’t make a CARFAX report available to you, you should walk away from the deal. You may be in for a bug headache.

Myth: Never Finance A Car Through A Car Dealership

Some people believe that seeking their own financing from their bank or credit union will get them a better deal. But if you have good credit, financing at the dealer can often make better sense than a private bank or credit union. Even if you have bad credit, why would you seek out a single lending option for your vehicle purchase when House of Cars has access to over 30 lenders? We can shop around for you and find you the best interest rate and lowest payment, which is something you won't be able to find by financing through your bank!

Myth: Buying A Car From A Private Seller Is Cheaper & Less Complicated

Some people think that buying a car from a used car dealership will result in them being taken advantage of and getting a worse deal than buying privately. Though it's true that private sellers don't have as much paperwork to complete, and the process is usually quicker, you as the buyer are not protected at all. House of Cars is required to sell vehicles that comply with AMVIC's standards. If you buy a car from a private seller and it breaks down tomorrow, you have absolutely zero recourse. A private seller also has no obligation to show you the vehicle's history report and can often hide the vehicle's issues, which you'll only figure out once a few days after you've taken the car home. Any car purchased from House of Cars comes backed with a Carproof report and has undergone a rigorous mechanical inspection prior to being listed for sale. Purchasing from House of Cars also gives you access to aftermarket warranties, just in-case something happens, which a private seller cannot offer you.

Myth: Buying A Car At The End Of The Day, Or End Of The Month, Will Get You A Better Deal

The idea is that the sales staff will be desperate to get home, so they'll be more willing to meet you at a more favorable price. That's an entirely reasonable human assumption, but it's perfectly ordinary for a salesperson to work well past closing time to make a deal. Some people believe that if they buy a car at the end of the month, a salesperson might be willing to give them more of a deal because they are eager to meet their sales quota. This is simply not true. Purchasing a car in the final days of the month will not garner you a better deal. The best way to get a good deal on the vehicle is to build up your credit score. This gives you access to so many more financing options and lower interest rates. Plus you can get better deals at any time of the month!

Myth: The Lower Your Payment, The Cheaper It Is

If you're a bit tight on cash, it makes sense to keep an eye on what you can actually afford each month. A $200 per month payment for 7 years is not cheaper than a $250 per month payment for 5 years. You'll actually be paying more money on that "lower payment" because of interest. Worse still, because most loans are front-loaded on interest payments, it's easier to end up "upside down" (owing more on the car than it's worth) with longer-term loans. The bottom line: be sure you know how much that lower monthly payment is costing you in the long run.

Start Your Search For A New Vehicle Now!

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11-09-22

Featured Vehicle: 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X Final Edition

Featured Vehicle: 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X Final Edition

 

Lancer Evo X

Low production vehicles can be worth a pretty penny, especially when they commemorate the last year of production for a certain vehicle. The 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X is no exception! When it was announced that the Evo X was retiring in 2015, one dealer in Canada marked their brand new vehicle up to $148,000. It was common for the beloved Evo X Final Edition to be sold for over MSRP, but thankfully, in 2022, you can buy a 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X Final Edition for a very fair price. It just so happens that we have one for sale at one of our Calgary dealership (and it's under $40,000)!

Meet our blue Final Edition Evo X, number 240/350 for the Canadian market (yes, it has a number plaque showing its designation.) This makes the Final Edition extremely rare and collectable.

Seeing as this car is a Final Edition, it features a few differences over the regular Lancer Evolution, such as a black painted roof, “Final Edition” badging on the trunk and a set of Final Edition BBS wheels.

Lancer Evo X

The turbocharged 2.0-liter four cylinder engine is rated at 303 horsepower from the factory, delivers impressive mid-range torque, and sounds as impressive as it drives. To put it frankly, being behind the wheel will make your cheeks hurt from smiling so much! Each of the five forward gears engages with precision, and the overdrive fifth gear doesn’t slow the engine down much for freeway driving thanks to the super short final-drive ratio. Steering the car is incredibly engaging and will make any car enthusiast smile. When you're powering this sedan around corners, you're super in-tune with the car and hyper-aware of where you're piloting this unassuming Rocketship due to the engaging steering setup! This is a full-immersion automobile and it feels amazing to drive!

Based on the current Evolution X GSR, the hood, front fenders, and roof are aluminum. The only transmission available on the car is the quaint five-speed. The front seats are Recaros, which says a lot about what the car was built for. The suspension features Eibach springs and Bilstein shocks, and those are indeed big Brembo brakes behind each 18-inch BBS wheel.

Check out our listing for the Mitsubishi Evolution X Final Edition (if it hasn't been sold already)!

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09-23-22

Does Canada’s Luxury Tax Affect House of Cars Customers?

There has been a lot of discussion surrounding Canada's new luxury tax, which was implemented on September 1, 2022. We get a lot of questions from people asking if any of our inventory is affected by the luxury tax. In short, no.

All vehicles priced under $100,000 CAD are not subject to Canada's luxury tax. This makes up about 98% of our inventory.

We do, however, have a selection of inventory priced over $100,000 CAD, so what about those? Will those be subject to the luxury tax?

According to the Government of Canada, all new vehicles priced over $100,000 CAD are subject to a 20% tax for any amount the sale price exceeds $100,000. But that's only if the vehicle is built after 2018 AND has never been registered in Canada.

What that means is: If a brand new vehicle has never been sold before, it has also never been registered at a Canadian registry. If a car is pre-owned, it has therefore previously been registered in Canada. This means all of our inventory is NOT subject to the luxury tax! Weather you're looking for a Honda or a Lamborghini, when you shop at House of Cars, you don't need to be concerned about the luxury tax.

The only scenario where a car in our inventory would be subject to this tax would be if it was imported from another country, like the United States, and has a list price of $100,000 CAD or more.

Browse our entire inventory here.

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