Canadians say a reliable car trumps a reliable government: Auto poll

But Survey by Kijiji reveals that being sensible doesn't necessarily mean being satisfied

TORONTO, May 13, 2014 /CNW/ - What's more important to you: a reliable car or a reliable government?  For two-thirds of Canadians (65 per cent), the answer is sitting in their driveway, according to a recent survey for Kijiji – Canada's largest classifieds site and autos site.

However, while we may be a nation that leans more on our cars than our elected officials, it doesn't mean we're satisfied with our current ride.  According to the survey, only one in four Canadians (27 per cent) say they love the car they currently drive, meaning roughly 75 per cent of Canadian motorists are dispassionate commuters. Despite this, the survey reveals that when it comes to cars we might one day own, we're not big dreamers – barely half of Canadians (53 per cent) believe they will eventually own their dream car.  Among those who don't feel they'll be driving the car of their dreams in the future, the runaway reason was budget/cost (67 per cent).

"Canadians are highly pragmatic when it comes to making a car purchase, as they hold quality, value and reliability high on their car-buying checklist, and they're extremely budget-conscious," says Chris Harris, Head of Autos, Kijiji Canada. "But just like dating, the more choice you have, the better chance you have of falling in love.  As Canada's largest autos site, with more than 350,000 cars listed on Kijiji at any given moment, we connect users with the largest inventory of nearly new reliable, yet dream-worthy cars from both private sellers and dealers right in their neighbourhood."

Our sensible slant even extends to the cars we covet.  When asked which celebrity ride they'd most like to own, only 13 per cent of respondents would pull away with rapper Drake's bling Bugatti, whereas  one in five Canadian drivers would choose hockey superstar Sidney Crosby's functional  Range Rover. When asked which vehicle most resembles their own personality, the survey reveals that nearly half of Canadians (46 per cent) relate to a "sensible and sleek sedan," with far fewer seeing themselves as a "sexy sports car" or "cool convertible."

"Canadian drivers in the market for their next vehicle don't have to settle for boring, basic or bargain basement," says Harris. "With an unmatched access to inventory, Kijiji drives car buyers to a wide selection of high quality, low mileage vehicles — whether they're looking for sleek, sexy or sensible."

TIPS ON BUYING A CAR THROUGH ONLINE CLASSIFIEDS

Some two-thirds of Canadians (67 per cent) don't feel that making a car purchase is an easy decision, and four out of 10 (41 per cent) admit to car buyer's regrets.

To help Canadians find their sensible dream ride, here are Kijiji's top tips for buying a vehicle through an online classifieds site:

• Set Search Parameters – With hundreds of thousands of cars to choose from on Kijiji, before you search, set a budget and determine your car needs versus wants. Then, only search for cars that fit within those parameters.
• Choose Your Features – Then narrow the search based on features that will really add to your enjoyment, such as a sunroof, colour, etc.
• Know the History – Always ask the seller for a car's Used Vehicle Information Package (UVIP), CarProof Vehicle History Report, mileage, and repair history.
• Inspect – Have a professional inspection done by a licensed technician.
• Take a Test Drive – Don't buy a car before taking it for a thorough test drive, preferably when the engine is cold.  Try various speeds, different types of roads, parking and idling.

Survey Methodology

The Kijiji Car-Buying Survey was conducted by Leger among a sample of 1748 Canadian motorists between April 1 and April 5, 2014 using Leger's online panel, LegerWeb. A probability sample of the same size would yield a margin of error of +/- 2.3% 19 times out of 20.

About Kijiji Canada
Kijiji, which means "village" in Swahili, is the number one classifieds website in Canada, with the largest automotive classifieds section in the country and an unmatched access to inventory.  Kijiji offers Canadians a free, easy and local way to buy, sell and trade goods and services in their community. With local sites for more than 100 cities and towns across the country, connecting eleven million buyers and sellers each month, Kijiji makes it easy for Canadians to find exactly what they're looking for in their own community.

Note to editors:  Regional and gender polling data are available.

SOURCE: Kijiji Canada

For more information or to set up an interview with Chris Harris of Kijiji Autos, please contact: Kyla Kryski, Environics Communications, 416-969-2729, [email protected]