How is the public transit system in Ottawa. Do you need a car to get around?

If I needed to buy a used car, are there websites (like carfax in the US) for used car histories ? Or will carfax work for Canada too.

Is there a good website similar to Kelley's Blue Book or Edmunds to get used car values.


Thank you.

Well I guess this site on used car info is good:
http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/vehicle/used.htm

Any additional information will be appreciated.

Thank you.

How is the public transit system in Ottawa. Do you need a car to get around?

Ans: Public transit is extremely good in Ottawa. I did not have a car when I used to live there.

If I needed to buy a used car, are there websites (like carfax in the US) for used car histories ? Or will carfax work for Canada too.

Ans: Not that I know of..

Is there a good website similar to Kelley's Blue Book or Edmunds to get used car values.

Ans: Not for Canada.

Thanks CDN dude

I am in Ottawa for past 6 months. Public transport is good, but depends on where you would live and where you want to travel in the city. I find that public transport uses the Hub system like air travel. You need to transfer at various hubs depending on where you are travelling. This can be time consuming. Frequency on weekends is horrible. You are restricted to only few shopping places because of this. I finally got a car and it saves a hell lot of time. In winter, public transport can be a big pain. If your travel needs are limited and straight forward, public transport can be excellent.

Sites for used car: http://www.autotrader.ca and http://ottawa.kijiji.ca/
I found my car from the second website. I did see a few cars from autotrader. There is something called Canadian red book value http://www.usedcarsontario.com/redbook.php You might need to order it and I don't know how it works. I used Kelly blue book value as a reference. You pay a little bit more for used cars in Canada compared to USA. Honda and Toyota command higher market price for used cars.

When you like a vehicle and if you are buying from a private sale, the seller must give you a Used Vehicle Information Package (UVIP). UVIP is available from the Ministry of Transport and this has a suggested wholesale and retail price and they collect the tax based on this value. They suggest that you must pay the price somewhere in between the whole sale and retail price. Exceptions depends on condition of the vehicle. UVIP also tell you if there is any Lein on the vehicle or if it was salvaged. If you buy from a dealer, UVIP is not necessary as they have access to these information from a different source. For the price however, you can buy UVIP with the VIN no. for your own reference and it costs $ 20.

Hope this helps

dil_2006

DONOT WORRY about Ottawa

I think it is one of the best city to live in. Everything is close. Definitely you will like the city and its culture. People are friendly.
TRy to get apartment near down town.(RIVERSIDE) It is 5 mintue bus drive to downtown form Riverside buildings.
You are most weelcome in Ottawa

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daisyfromottawa

dil_2006 & daisyfromottawa, thank you for your very informative posts.