Expert advice | The automobile in question: question of taxes

Q. Are government rebates for the purchase of electric vehicles taxable?

— Francois V.

Eric LeFrancois
special collaboration

R. Rest assured, the rebates are not taxable. This applies to both the provincial and federal governments.

DIFFICULT CHOICE

Q. My rental car is a 2019 Volkswagen Golf and my lease ends in one year. I really like my car and I only have 15,000 km on the clock. At the end of my lease, should I buy it and keep it for a few years or invest in an electric car? My fear is that if I buy it and keep it for a few more years, I might have a hard time selling it or getting a good price as electric cars become more popular. And there is the price of gasoline which will undoubtedly encourage buyers to turn to electric. I’m really undecided…

— Lynne B.

R. At first, and at the risk of attracting the wrath of certain aesthetes, the automobile is generally not an investment, but an expense. Given your current mileage, the use you seem to make of it and the low consumption of this vehicle, it is better to keep it. Your fear of the growing popularity of electric vehicles is perfectly legitimate, but there will always be a demand for an internal combustion vehicle, even after the 2035 deadline (ban on the sale of new petrol vehicles) set by the government. .

NOSTALGIA WHEN YOU HOLD US !

Q. I’m a nostalgic looking for a car from today that looks as much like a Saab 900 Turbo Coupe as possible. It was beautiful, the ideal size, powerful as hell, with handling that made us feel safe, regardless of the season. Well built with good quality materials, it had front seats that provided comfort at all times. It didn’t have the reliability of a Toyota, but the driving pleasure was there. She was original, we liked her or we didn’t like her! A pleasure that I would like to find again today, but I have looked all around, but I don’t see… Please help me in my search. I would be very grateful if you could answer me and give me a glimmer of hope.

—Paul M.

R. The Saab 900 Turbo was indeed an atypical automobile. Alas, there is no longer any equivalent to this car today. To relive these past sensations, why not treat yourself to a second-hand one? Sites like Bring a Trailer offer used Saab 900s. Since the beginning of the year, three have already ended up at auction, including a 900 SPG. This is an exciting hobby to occupy our long winters.

TO DO WHAT ?

Q. My son wants to buy a van. He hesitates between a RAM or a Sierra (GMC). Given the scarcity of used models, should he buy new? Which do you recommend? He does not plan to pull heavy loads or use the skip.

— Jean-Francois M.

R. At the risk of displeasing you, why buy a van if it does not provide the services for which it was designed? Why not then consider a Ford Maverick (ideally hybrid), or even a Hyundai Santa Cruz if the choice of a van is strictly based on a lifestyle? These two vans have interesting versatility and above all consume more fuel in their tank in moderation. That said, new vans are sometimes just as difficult to acquire as used ones. Given the very moderate use that your son will make of it, the RAM appears to be the most interesting choice because of the comfort of its suspensory elements.