{"id":248821,"date":"2023-12-18T07:23:16","date_gmt":"2023-12-18T07:23:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/automotobuzz.com\/?p=248821"},"modified":"2023-12-18T07:23:16","modified_gmt":"2023-12-18T07:23:16","slug":"how-i-started-my-car-sharing-venture-in-toronto-journey-challenges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/automotobuzz.com\/news-features\/how-i-started-my-car-sharing-venture-in-toronto-journey-challenges\/","title":{"rendered":"How I started my car sharing venture in Toronto: Journey & challenges"},"content":{"rendered":"

Given the peak of winter, there were almost no bookings until February 2019, when we received our first booking amidst a snowstorm.<\/h2>\n

BHPian zubin245<\/strong> recently shared this with other enthusiasts.<\/p>\n

Hello everyone! As promised, I’m here to share my early experiences (2018-19) with the Turo car-sharing business.<\/p>\n

Let me start off by saying the Canadian Dream is basically the American Dream with free Healthcare.<\/p>\n

Ontario’s tax situation is worth noting\u2014pretty much everything gets hit with a 13% tax, although I won’t be factoring that in when discussing vehicle prices.<\/p>\n

Anyways, when I came to the North Pole to fulfill my Canadian Dream, I had to leave a lot of baggage behind in Delhi and move here. Apart from the obvious, friends and family, I had to leave my Family’s fleet behind. Those vehicles weren’t technically mine; my parents had worked hard for them. But I had the privilege of driving them. Our garage back in 2016 included:<\/p>\n

2010 Ford Endeavour 4×2 2.5 MT<\/p>\n

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\u00a02009 Scorpio Getaway 4×2 MT<\/p>\n

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2010 Toyota Corolla Altis G Petrol MT<\/p>\n

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1999 Mitsubishi Lancer GLX Diesel (SOLD in 2012, while I was in my first year at college in Jaipur. Its loss hit me the most since I learnt to drive in that car and had hoped to take it with me)<\/p>\n

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Moving forward, I bid a heartfelt farewell to these cherished vehicles, marking the beginning of a new chapter in 2016. I sought after my Master’s Degree at the esteemed University of Toronto while juggling part-time jobs to cover expenses.<\/p>\n

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Most of the friends I made through these jobs, took the (less-than-wise) route of financing their first vehicles with $0 down, locking into unreasonable finance rates (especially for Canada) with lengthy terms like 7-8 years. Some even financed brand new cars under these terms.<\/p>\n

Having done my research, I understood the tactics used by these dealers to profit and sought out the most suitable financing package for my situation. I had a few vehicles in mind and aimed for a car that qualified to be used for Uber. (It’s important to note that I came from humble beginnings and was solely focused on making ends meet.)<\/p>\n

In 2018, after completing my graduation, while searching for a stable job, I narrowed down my car options specifically for Uber use, until I secured a more permanent opportunity.<\/p>\n