Acheter ou louer une voiture neuve — comparez, comprenez le prix réel, négociez.
1. New or used: the right choice for you
A new car costs more and loses value fast in its first years. Its real advantages:
- Full warranty from the manufacturer
- No unknown history: no hidden accident, no debt
- Reliability and recent technology
For a first vehicle on arrival, many newcomers choose used. New makes sense if you plan to keep the car for many years.
2. Buy or lease?
Two ways to get a new car:
- Buy (often on credit): you become the owner, payments end, you keep the car
- Lease a car: lower monthly payments, but you do not own the car
A lease imposes an annual mileage cap, often around 20,000 km; every kilometre over is billed. Wear judged excessive is also billed on return. Leasing costs less per month but, over the long term, buying and keeping the car after the loan is usually cheaper.
3. Understanding the real price
The advertised price is not the price paid. On top of the MSRP come:
- Freight and preparation fees: usually $1,500 to $2,500
- GST (5%) and QST (9.975%) — about 15% more
- Registration duties and fees from the SAAQ
The car's price is negotiable almost always; the taxes, never. If you give your old car as a trade-in, its value reduces the amount on which taxes are calculated. Always ask for the « all-in, taxes and fees included » price, not just the monthly payment: a low monthly payment can hide a longer, more expensive contract.
4. Financing
Three financing sources:
- The dealer — often through the manufacturer, sometimes at a promotional rate (0% on some models)
- Your bank or caisse — compare their rate
- Paying cash — no interest, no debt
5. The warranty
A new car is covered by the manufacturer's warranty. Its length varies by maker — typically:
- Basic warranty: about 3 years / 60,000 km
- Powertrain: about 5 years / 100,000 km
On top, the legal warranty applies under Quebec's consumer protection law.
6. Electric vehicles
An electric vehicle costs more to buy but is cheaper to use (energy, maintenance).
Government incentives have existed to lower the purchase price. But these programs, their amounts and their availability change frequently and can be reduced or paused. Never assume a rebate: check the program's current status on the official sites before signing.
7. Your action list
Follow these steps to buy a new car without bad surprises. Check each box as you go — your progress is saved if you're signed in.
- Set your total budget (price + fees + taxes + insurance + maintenance)
- Decide between buying and leasing
- Compare models and prices at several dealers
- Compare the financing rate from your bank and from the dealer
- Negotiate the « all-in, taxes and fees included » price
- Read the entire contract before signing
- Decline unwanted add-on products
- Get car insurance before taking the car
8. Frequently asked questions
The most common questions on buying a new car: negotiating the price, choosing between buying and leasing, financing without Canadian credit, and the cooling-off period.
Is the price of a new car really negotiable?
Yes. The PDSF (manufacturer's suggested retail price) is a starting point, not a fixed price. The vehicle price, and sometimes the financing rate, are negotiable. The taxes (GST and QST), are not.
The freight and preparation fees are rarely negotiable but must be disclosed to you.
Get written quotes from two or three dealers for the same model and compare the « all-in » price — not the monthly payment, which can hide a longer contract.
Is it better to buy or to lease?
It depends on your use.
- Leasing suits those who want a lower monthly payment, change cars every few years, and drive modest, predictable distances
- Buying suits those who keep a car for years: once the loan ends, you own the vehicle and have no more payment
Over a long period, buying is usually cheaper overall. Watch the lease mileage cap (often ~20,000 km/year): exceeding it, or returning the car with excess wear, brings extra charges.
Can I finance a new car without Canadian credit?
Yes, but expect a higher rate, a larger down payment, or a request for a co-signer already established in Canada. Your foreign credit history does not transfer.
Three strategies help:
- Make a larger down payment to reduce the amount financed
- Build your Canadian credit for several months before applying
- Compare the manufacturer's promotional rate with your bank's
Avoid signing a punishing rate just to drive away today.
Can I cancel the purchase after signing?
No. In Quebec, there is no general cooling-off period for buying a car. Once the contract is signed at the dealer, you are legally committed: unlike door-to-door sales, a vehicle purchase has no automatic right to cancel.
That's why you must never sign under pressure. If a salesperson rushes you, that's a reason to leave, not to sign. Take the contract home, read every line, and come back to sign only when you are certain.
9. Official sources
10. See also
These related guides may help:
- Buying a used car in Quebec — if you're still weighing new versus used.
- Car insurance in Quebec — mandatory before driving.
- Building your Canadian credit in Quebec — to get a better financing rate.
Author's Note: a new car is reassuring, but it's one of the purchases where you lose the most money in the first years. Compare, calculate the total cost and not the monthly payment, and never sign the same day. The best decision is made back home, calmly.
