Used family car in Quebec: how to choose

Buying a used family car in Quebec means balancing space, safety, fuel consumption and price, all while keeping our winters and long distances in mind between the Laurentians, Montreal and the rest of the province. Whether you have two young children to buckle into car seats or a family of five hauling hockey gear, the right choice depends mostly on your daily life. Here is a practical, jargon-free guide to help you decide.

SUV, minivan or wagon: which one for your family?

The three body styles meet different needs. The right instinct is not to follow fashion, but to start from the number of people, how often you take long trips and what you regularly carry.

• The compact or midsize SUV is the most versatile: high driving position, all-wheel drive often available, good clearance for snow and a look people like. Ideal for a family of 4 to 5 people. See our used SUVs.
• The minivan remains unbeatable for 7 or 8 seats, sliding doors (a real plus in a tight parking spot) and cargo space. Perfect for 3 or more children, or for those who often travel as a family. Discover our used minivans.
• The wagon or the roomy sedan generally uses less fuel than a big SUV, drives like a car and offers a large trunk. A good compromise if you drive mostly in the city.

If all-wheel drive is a priority for slush and Laurentian country roads, also take a look at our used 4x4 and AWD models.

How many seats do you really need?

The number of seats changes everything, especially with car seats. A rear-facing baby seat takes up a lot of depth and can force the front passenger to slide their seat forward.

• 5 seats: enough for 2 or 3 children, as long as the back seat is wide enough to fit two or three car seats side by side.
• 7 seats: ideal from the 3rd child on, or for carrying grandparents and friends. Check access to the 3rd row with a car seat already in place.
• 8 seats: mainly in large minivans, for big families or carpooling.

Our advice: bring your car seats to the test drive and install them for real. It's the most revealing test, far more telling than a spec sheet.

Safety first

In a family car, safety comes before style. On a used vehicle, look first for:

• The child seat anchors (universal anchorage system) on the back seat, and ideally in the 3rd row.
• The driver assistance features often found on recent models: automatic emergency braking, blind spot alert, rearview camera (mandatory on recent new vehicles, so common among used ones).
• A good maintenance record and brakes, tires and suspension in good condition: a family won't forgive a breakdown on Highway 15 on a Friday night.

In Quebec, don't forget winter tires, mandatory from December 1 to March 15. Favour tires certified with the mountain/snowflake pictogram: with a family on board, winter road handling is not optional.

Reliability and running costs

A family vehicle drives a lot and for a long time. Beyond the purchase price, look at the total cost: fuel consumption, engine reliability and ease of maintenance. Proven, widespread engines are often the cheapest to maintain, because parts are available everywhere in Quebec. A large 7-seat SUV will logically use more fuel than a minivan or a wagon; keep that in mind if you drive a lot of kilometres.

Buying from a merchant like BonAuto also gives you a concrete advantage over a private purchase: the legal warranty under the Consumer Protection Act applies depending on the vehicle's age and mileage. To understand what is covered, read our guide to the legal warranty on a used vehicle.

Budget and financing

Once you've chosen the format, set a realistic budget that includes taxes (GST 5% + QST 9.975% at the dealership, with the value of your trade-in deducted from the taxable amount), registration and insurance. Our payment calculator quickly gives you an idea of the monthly payment based on the price, the down payment and the term.

Worried about being turned down for financing? We work with several institutions and can help you even with an imperfect credit file. See our bad credit financing options or request a no-obligation pre-approval.

Find your family car at BonAuto

Based in Saint-Joseph-du-Lac, BonAuto serves families across the North Shore and the Laurentians: Oka, Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac, Deux-Montagnes, Mirabel, Saint-Eustache, Boisbriand, Blainville, Laval, Saint-Jérôme and the surrounding area. Our inventory of used SUVs, minivans and wagons changes regularly: tell us how many seats you need and your budget, and we'll point you to the right models. Browse the inventory online or drop by for a family test drive, car seats included.