Which kind of vehicle is best suited to drive in edmonton?

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junebug

brain22: You are "putting the cart before the horse" here. Because India does not have a Recipional Licensing Agreement with Alberta. To get your driver's license you will must complete and pass the following:
o Knowledge test
o Vision screening
o Advanced Road Test

Therefore is would be advisable for you take some driving lessons from a reputable driving school to get used to our rules, roads and regulations.

Once you've passed the requirements and you have your Alberta driver's license then it's time to look for a car. You should know by the time you arrive here in April there likely isn't going to be any snow. It will be quite nice weather already.

Unless you have cash to pay for a car you may find it difficult to purchase a new car as you won't have accumulated a credit history. You may find a car dealership who will grant you credit based on your employment. This is a step you will have to cross when you're actually living here.

As for the type of vehicle - it will mostly depend on what you can afford or are willing to pay. When the time comes to actually purchase a vehicle you need to talk a reputable dealership and find a sales person you have a good repoire with. As you will be working in the city there is really no reason for you to have 4WD. AWD drive is optional depending on your price range. When car shopping you may want to look at Hybrids which a kinder on the environment and pocketbook.

When you first move here you will likely be using taxi cabs or buses as it will take at least 10 days for your old license to interpreted if it's not in English. Spend the time asking co-workers for their suggestions on a car.

I again remind you that much of this you would already know had you taken the time to read through the Driving and Public Transportation section of the website: www.movetoedmonton.com
The site has a section called Tips on Winter Driving even.

You will have many months of good weather before winter arrives again and brings snow. It will give you plenty of time to research vehicles and winter tire use. What you may think you need before even arriving here may not be what you actually need when you finally arrive here.

There is no need to try and anticipate everything before even arriving - things will fall into place gradually once you're actually here. I would encourage you to familiarize yourself with Edmonton by taking a looks at a map. First circle where you'll be working - then figure out a way to get there using public transportation from Millwoods Towne Centre - it's kind of the centre of Millwoods - (where you'll be doing most of your shopping) located at 23 Ave and 66 St. Research the area as it's in and around where you'll be living likely by the sounds of it.

If you're interested in finding out what types of vehicles are available and some prices use this website:

http://www.canadatrader.com/home/edmontonalberta/?fsa=Z9Z&ref=autotrader

Brain22, as I've said to you previously several times - You will be OK. Yes, things are going to be new and seem a little strange at the beginning but you have done lots of research already. Everything will fall into place. I understand your need to know as much as possible before moving and have everything in place but it's just not possible to do everything before hand.

Good Luck

Jim B

FIRST......... Alberta, along with the rest of Canada has SPRING SUMMER and FALL for about 7 months in a row, so lets get that straight right now.

Canada does NOT have winter all year round. . Got that ?

So with that in mind, this is what you need to know.

For about 80 percent of your yearly driving, you will be on CLEAR and DRY roads. About 3 or 4 times a winter , you may need to be care full and drive slowly, due to ice or snow on the roads. You do NOT need a car with either 4 wd, or awd. What you do need is to LEARN how to drive in winter conditions, by taking a professional winter driving course, taught be a certified driving instructor.

I'm 62, and I have been driving in Canada for 45 years, with out ANY accidents, in over 2 million miles of driving, EVERY winter

.I have never owned or wanted a 4 wd or awd car.

I do recommend that you get a set of 4 WINTER tires and have them on your car from November to April, then remove them and put on 4 summer tires, and put the winter tires into storage, for the next winter season.

Once more let me stress that Canada has HOT summers, with temps above 30 C in July and August. Weeks and weeks of blue skies and clear sunny days.

Jim b. Toronto.

Plugnut

Okay I disagree with some of the answers here. First thing Edmonton tends to have a long winter. Sometimes from October to April, but for the most part November through to about March. It's really unpredictable. The temperature can drop to -40 and have a windchill. But there isn't snow all year round. haha

What I have found is that the roads really vary in different parts of edmonton. The well used ones tend to be more clear but the less traveled ones are slick. I would recommend a smaller SUV or crossover such as a Nissan X - Trail. These have the ability to switch from 2 wheel to all wheel drive. The same with Jeeps. The all wheel can give you a little more peace of mind when driving in such weather as in Alberta. Although a smaller car with traction control will do you just fine.

As well you'll want to invest in winter tires and summer tires. All seasons won't do the job as well as honest to goodness winter tires. Yokohama's are generally pretty good for winter driving but check with a tire place such as Tire Craft. Hopefully this helps!

bryans83

Edmonton has only about 3-4 months of snow (sometimes we get 5) leaving like 8-9 months of no snow, and temperatures in Edmonton get as hot as almost 40Â°C (100Â°F) sometimes - but usually averages at about 25Â°C during summer.

You don't need an AWD or 4WD vehicle unless you're deciding on driving a truck or SUV and want a little bit more push. What you'll want to make sure you have All Season Tires OR at least winter tires to ensure you have control in the winter time.

jordynnesnana

To begin with we have 4 seasons not snow all year round. Though I think we only have 2 seasons winter and construction(joke). I drive a small compact with good all season radials and front wheel drive have never had a problem and have been driving here in Alberta for over 27 years.

sheloves_dablues

Edmonton DOES NOT have low temperatures and snow all year. You need to do a bit better research.

Most Edmontonians drive front-wheel drive vehicles with all season tires.

santobugito

Really, the best thing to drive through Edmonton is a smaller car. There is a lot of traffic and you will find yourself needing to quickly get into lanes, around construction etc.
I have been in Edmonton in 40 degree weather, and in -40.
There was no snow on the ground for either.
There is a point where it is too cold to snow, and this happens often.
When it does snow, the city is quick to clear it off the roads.
FYI Edmonton is really pretty in the summer.

LÃºta

Hahaha that's awesome. So you're saying that in Edmonton there is snow year round... so if you drive outside of Edmonton during the season called summer (maybe you've heard of it) there would or wouldn't be snow? If Calgary is about 3-4 hours away from Edmonton, does it have snow year round? They should move their theme park inside then.... Rodeos would suck with all the snow. Yup.. too bad we don't have spring, summer, or fall.

Other than your lack of knowledge about Canada..... you can have any vehicle you want. The vehicle won't make you a better driver.

John W

You appear to be somewhat confused about Edmonton's weather. It is Edmonton, not the North Pole. There isn't snow year round but there could be snow from October to March. The roads are well prepared in the winter months but a 4 wheel drive vehicle would be a good idea. I have constant all wheel drive and have never had a problem with the snow. On the other hand 4 x 4 pickup trucks are light in the back end and can get themselves into fixes.

newfie272

ski doo or just ski around town

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