British Columbia Shite

[Schaefft]

We are currently on holidays near Vancouver so what better thing to do than document some of the shite that's still on the road. I'm pleasantly surprised about how much you can still see considering the cold climate here!

Starting with the venerable and easily forgotten first gen Toyota Avalon, Toyota's Camry-based attempt at a North American fullsize sedan, becoming a bit of a guilty pleasure of mine. There was a JDM Avalon on marketplace not long ago

Chevy Tracker, the successor to the Geo Tracker, which obviously was an attempt at fighting back Japanese compact 4x4s, by rebadging a Suzuki.

Buick Allure, which is actually a Buick LaCrosse which GM couldn't call that way in Canada because it sounded like a swear word in French.

Econoline, even in pre-facelift variant still around. Just imagine Ford selling a 1992 Transit up until recently.

Not a K5 Blazer, but it's fancier GMC sibling, the Jimmy.

Not shite but a JDM Civic Type-R:

Also not shite yet, but a late 2000s Avalon. Genuine want, and a typical "all the car you'll ever need for the rest of your life".

Future Shite, the Explorer Sport Trac, because the Ranger and F-Series just needed another oddball pickup truck squeezed in between them.

Saturn Ion, still with dent-resistent plastic skin all around. The asymmetrical Ion Quad Coupe would have been an even better spot. Eventually replaced by the '05 Astra before GM shut it all down.

Bonus spot, a JDM Crown Athlete Hybrid. People here really like their Japanese imports!

[Schaefft]

How could I forget, an excellent contender for big Altima energy:

 

[vaughant]

I'd love an Econoline van, so cool.

[Schaefft]

7 minutes ago, vaughant said:

I'd love an Econoline van, so cool.

It's probably not all that hard to find one in the UK, there are definitely some motorhomes based on them around. Imagine driving one with the V10.

[Angrydicky]

There’s some seriously old shite out there in the more rural areas. The famous ‘Rust Valley’!

[Bren]

British Columbia is the most beautiful place I have visited. If I had my time again I would have emigrated there.

[Schaefft]

1 hour ago, Bren said:

British Columbia is the most beautiful place I have visited. If I had my time again I would have emigrated there.

We've only arrived a few days ago but I can absolutely see why. We've been to Golden Ears park yesterday as it's hardly a 30min drive and it's been beautiful. Just looking out of the window when approaching the airport tells you everything you need to know.

[Asimo]

17 hours ago, Schaefft said:

Just imagine Ford selling a 1992 Transit

Their sales would be HUGE.

A '92 Transit does do the job.

[Schaefft]

2 hours ago, Asimo said:

Their sales would be HUGE.

A '92 Transit does do the job.

I think that's exactly the thinking behind the E-Series and Chevy Express. Only legislation forced them to stop building them.

Here's another one from just now:

[Schaefft]

A few more spots directly in Vancouver today, starting with what might be an Impala convertible?

P38 shite:

E30 looking good:

As an Audi S8 enjoyer I have to post this D4 generation one:

Very rare CTS wagon:

W210 still being used as daily from the looks of it:

R109 SL:

The typical Chevy Cobalt in 2026:

928:

Saturn SL1!

One of quite a few 30+ year old F-Series trucks.

An almost 30 years old SVT Lightning!

"Should have worked harder" Toyota Echo:

Super nice C124:

Not shite at all but a rare sight in Britain, the Genesis G80 (I want one).

[PhilA]

There's plenty of old chod up out that way. I saw a Rover SD1 when I was there; however that is small buttons compared to heading up highway 1 and heading the scream of a Detroit in what looks like a logging truck from Mad Max plugging it's way up the hill at 7 mph.

Enjoy!

[Schaefft]

Plenty of old metal still on the roads, and it's not just American stuff from the 60s and 80s either (most of which I'm unfortunately not able to take a photo of while driving). Volvo 240s unsurprisingly still are not all too rare sight (exactly what I'd expect to find in Oregon or Washington State in fact).

Here are today's finds on our route to and in Whistler, which apparently was a must see despite being little more than a ski resort in mid-May...

Starting with this lovely shite base model Saturn SL1, clearly bargain basement transportation for someone. I'd love to own a proper (90s) Saturn, they had a great following in their day and were good cars.

Opposite end of the compact sedan scale, this debadged Neon. However, the owner couldn't fool me as wheels, wing and hood scoop tell us that this high-performance SRT4.

Ever so popular LX470 Overlander rig.

One of many end-of-life Corollas:

Somewhat unexpected spot, the Kia Opirus! I feel like I need to find one of these at some point, the later ones were rather good!

Shed-y ML in nice scenery.

Saab 900 convertible, still feels like it's all about the yuppie life owning one of these around here. In general that's the vibe I'm getting for much of the classic stuff around here, there's more to it than just owning a specific car for the sake of owning said car, people own it as it's part of their image/lifestyle (and therefore not just as a weekend toy).

Two of countless 4Runners.

And older F-Series trucks.

Less common spot, the Toyota Tacoma:

Once everywhere, now a rare sight, 90s Explorers!

Have some scenery impressions as well. It's very pretty around here.

 

[Schaefft]

A few spots from around Fort Langley today. With it being a sunny Saturday there's plenty of classics to see. The stuff that looks like genuinely daily driven survivors are what really get me excited though.

Volvo currently not on the road:

Neither is this E34 535i, although still loved enough to remain on the drive:

Clean second gen Pathfinder in a great looking pearl white:

E46 Convertible, just like mine! (Aside from being a 330Ci and probably not costing 400 quid)

Beige Camry, it doesn't get more American than that:

Beige C5 A6, still hanging onto life

Subaru Outback, felt right at home:

So was this E30 325i:

Chevy C10:

This made my day, trying to photograph the Buick LeSabre convertible this even more awesome '68ish Olds 98 got in front of my lens. Naturally I approve!

Immediately followed by this awesome 80s Dodge Ram Van based motorhome:

More early 90s F-Series action:

Not shite, but the very rare to see Cadillac Lyric EV. Don't they offer these in the UK now?

To continue my series of 2000s Saturn vehicles, here's a pre-fl Vue. I kinda have a thing for them. You could eventually get one with a Honda 3.5 V6 and AWD.

Here's one I immediately recognized. Can you?

Chevy Astro rotting into the ground immediately off the main road:

The previously mentioned Buick LeSabre:

JDM Hilux Surf perfection. Shame most of these get run into the ground in the UK:

Mustang fastback looking great there.

Not shite but very interesting to me nonetheless. The Acura TL basically killed the Legend. Launched around the same time as my KB1 Legend it offered most of the creature comforts as well as the same 3.5 V6 and SH-AWD, in a similarly sized package, for much less money. Really one of the reasons I feel the Legend should have been a much larger car by the mid-2000s. There was one more generation before it was killed off, the TL lived on as TLX.

Peugeot I've seen several times throughout the day:

Taco in the most 90s color:

80s GMC Vandura still putting the work in:

The evergreen GMT400:

Mazda 323 shite:

[Spottedlaurel]

That Oldsmobile 98 is fantastic! And the beige champagne Camry, of course.

[Schaefft]

A few from today, starting with another 4Runner (big hole in the sills so yearly inspections can't be that strict)

Where have all the Ford Taurus gone?

Audi Allroad (in the middle of the city)

Apparently Vinfast is actually selling a few of their cars here:

[Schaefft]

Plenty of interesting chod spotted around Chilliwack, I loved it:

Starting with the most unexpected spot, a Toyota Century with a very appropriate registration plate:

American market Focus sedan:

Last generation Lincoln Continental:

Chevy Malibu Maxx (estate thingy):

How about the car that saved Chrysler, The Dodge/Chrysler Aries? Peak K-Car:

Triumph Herold for sale:

3rd gen Camaro, not as common as you might think:

Saturn Ion Quad Coupe, the little known 4-door Coupe with a similar door layout to the RX8:

One of many Chevy Astros:

One of many Mazda B-Series pickups. Surprisingly these are almost as common as the Ford Ranger they were based on:

The quintessential Camry, a few still around:

 

 

One of the very few Aero Crown Vics I've seen (or Panther bodies in general):

The Malibu, most forgotten but in great shape here:

Strangely enough one of the most common 90s cars you can still spot on the road here, the Pontiac Sunfire:

The Canada-exclusive Acura ILX, basically a fully loaded Civic sedan. These were extremely popular here:

First generation Ford Edge in the perfect color:

The cleanest Mustang Cobra (and Foxbody Mustang in general) I've ever seen:

One of a few late 80s/early 90s Accords still to be found:

The highlight of this trip so far, an Eagle Vision in basic ES trim, the rarest of Chrysler's fullsize LH sedans. Sold in Europe as Chrysler I've come close to owning one on several occasions. I just love these, once again a car that saved Chrysler:

Chevy Cavalier Coupe, the Sunfire's oddly enough rarer sibling here in Canada:

Another surprise spot of the day, a Cadillac Allante in a rare color, and another red one that isn't as lucky:

[Schaefft]

Another Alero:

Toyota Turdcel:

Poor EF Civic:

The only other LH sedan aside from the Eagle Vision I've seen so far, this clean Dodge (Chrysler in Canada) Intrepid:

Toyota Mark II estate import:

Super clean Cutlass Supreme driven by a granny, I dropped everything to get a shot of it:

Acura RL with literal fender bender:

Here's a really strange one. To compete with the Civic VW Canada decided to import the Mk4 Golf and Jetta from Latin America and continued to sell then along the Mk5 cars from 2007 to 2010. The facelift both cars received is mind boggling but apparently they were quite good sellers in those short few years:

Coach:

Abandoned Lexus SC400. The note on the driver seat said to not tow it as it would move into the garage soon. Someone fortunately still cares!

In general this rather affluent neighborhood was a gold mine for shite spotting. Just look at this one photo a few steps down from the SC:

Then this super clean late 240 came past, driven by an older gentleman. I want one in this color now:

Not many Cybertrucks around but here's one:

I've always been a fan of the quirky 3rd gen Mercury Sable, here's the only one I've spotted so far:

Plus this Range Rover Classic in the background.

I later spotted an 80s Roller next to a Workshop. Considered how far these are from their homeland and parts supplies it's clear that some people have deep pockets here 

[vaughant]

Great spots 👍🏼👍🏼

[Schaefft]

I've visited the local shiter friendly junkyard today to search for a few parts for my '89 Riviera and '92 Caprice. Unfortunately there weren't too many cars of that era in the yard but a '90 Olds Cutlass Supreme and '90 Olds 98 donated a few valuable pieces. Needless to say there was no shortage of other very interesting chod to be found.

Also Oldsmobile Intrigue and Cybertruck!

And the new electric Dodge Charger! As poorly as it has been perceived by the Mopar crowd, if you detach your thinking from the fact that it replaced a muscle car it probably is a very good electric daily driver, especially with the discounts you can probably get right now. Saw a couple of them here in the last few days.

[Dyslexic Viking]

The cars look surprisingly rust free I would have expected BC cars to rust like cars in Ontario but apparently not. I would think BC salted the roads in the winter but doesn't look like it with the condition of the cars.

And thanks for taking the time to share the pictures, I find it very interesting.

[Schaefft]

23 hours ago, Dyslexic Viking said:

The cars look surprisingly rust free I would have expected BC cars to rust like cars in Ontario but apparently not. I would think BC salted the roads in the winter but doesn't look like it with the condition of the cars.

And thanks for taking the time to share the pictures, I find it very interesting.

It's a really odd one. A few clearly have huge rust holes while others seem pretty much rust free. I can only assume that they've been well cared for until somewhat more recently. The Sunfire above is a great example, I can only imagine it survived so long because it was driven by a granny most of its life.

More from today. Ford Taurus X being one of the many mid-2000s US models we never got any iteration of:

1955 Ford Fairlane Crown Victoria in the Museum of Vancouver:

Abandoned Econoline Clubvan. Spoke to a guy changing the sparkplugs in his Golf 4 there, apparently there's a guy who's been living 50 years in the apartment block this carpark belonged to. Wouldn't be surprised if he wasn't the only one.

In the same carpark, an E350 with 4WD!

Toyota Tercel, that and the Toyota Echo really are still very common sights. Bargain basement cockroach motoring.

Opposite end of the Toyota lineup, the Lexus SC400:

Or how about this Landcruiser:

Forbidden fruit, the 400Z, badged Fairlady Z despite being lhd for some reason.

One of many older Volvos still around:

Corolla estate?

Best spot of today, Olds 88 Royale. Guy owning a boat there asked me whether I'm taking a photo of the car. I mentioned we don't have many Oldsmobiles in Europe and he understood ha.

More Volvo action, possibly the most popular classic here.

The first time I've seen another Mirai, in this case a first generation one.

Grand Cherokee Laredo was the perfect street furniture in front of an old school fishing gear store:

Insane 17k km Datsun/Nissan Sentra. It was basically brand new.

Rad F150 and the Maxima we never got. Our Maxima QX was a premium Infiniti in North America.

[Metal Guru]

On 14/05/2026 at 07:38, Dyslexic Viking said:

The cars look surprisingly rust free I would have expected BC cars to rust like cars in Ontario but apparently not. I would think BC salted the roads in the winter but doesn't look like it with the condition of the cars.

And thanks for taking the time to share the pictures, I find it very interesting.

I don’t know whether they use salt or not, but I don’t think it freezes much down at sea level but once you get into the mountains they have massive snowfall so salt won’t do anything. 

[Schaefft]

Some fantastic spots on Vancouver Island and Victoria specifically today. I can only imagine how much chod would have still been in regular use only 5 or 10 years ago.

STS:

Mazda MPV:

JDM Delica:

Weird facelifted Bora/Mk4 Jetta, this time from the front:

One of today's highlights, a pretty basic 2nd gen Taurus Wagon survivor. What's not to love?

One of many old-school camper vans you can see everywhere:

Another Tercel:

Awesome hardcover:

Beige Avalon, at church naturally:

I loved seeing this street parked 1990ish Ford Tempo. It just doesn't get more shite than this:

Very late 928 S4 in the perfect spec:

Lexus ES:

Crown Vic Taxi used for shooting a TV show clearly set in New York. I was banned from taking further photos after this one lol:

Black Chevy Cavalier Coupe that's actually looking rather sleek:

Very clear EF Civic:

My personal favorite, this 2nd gen Saturn SC2. Burgundy, plastic body skin, asymmetrical door setup aka Veloster (2 on the driver side, 1 long one on the passenger side).

I still want one.

Another fantastic spot right next to the seat of government, a Pontiac Firefly (Geo Metro/Suzuki Swift) Convertible! How did this survive for so long?!

EG Civic:

[Spottedlaurel]

Some amazing stuff there, particularly that B11 Sentra. A pre-facelift one too.

What sort of prices do used cars command? Do they have sufficient value to make it worthwhile owners keeping them going for longer than here?

[Jim Bell]

That Oldsmobile 88 royale is the absobest

[hairnet]

Toyota echo oof

More taurus please

If you see a blobby 98 one please arrange import - i will pay

Is your suitcase gonna be full of aurora parts

[hairnet]

Ironically you mentioned chilliwack

Currently listening to this guy

Whose father was posted there

[Schaefft]

7 hours ago, Spottedlaurel said:

Some amazing stuff there, particularly that B11 Sentra. A pre-facelift one too.

What sort of prices do used cars command? Do they have sufficient value to make it worthwhile owners keeping them going for longer than here?

One of the most surprising things I've learned on this trip is that the usual used cars I'm looking at cost almost exactly what you'd see them for sale at in the UK. I'm not sure if the exchange rate is just very favorable right now or the downturn in the property market in Vancouver specifically is to blame but that really is cheap. I think people just hold onto their cars for longer because they actually have the garage/driveway space to do so. How often is that really the case in the UK with those ridiculously small standard garages...

In general I'm very surprised about the cost of living. When a meal at a nice restaurant in one of the most touristy/popular places hardly costs more than in your local pub and fuel is still significantly cheaper than anywhere in the UK you know what's going on back home. Granted you are probably expected to tip more here but I haven't seen prices for food this reasonable for many years outside of a Wetherspoons. Considering how popular BC is you'd expect exactly the opposite. Supermarket prices meanwhile are about the same.

7 hours ago, hairnet said:

Toyota echo oof

More taurus please

If you see a blobby 98 one please arrange import - i will pay

Is your suitcase gonna be full of aurora parts

Many Echos around here but I've only seen a single 3rd generation Taurus so far. I guess they never sold all that well here.

Not Aurora parts (haven't seen one) but my Riviera might wear Oldsmobile wire wheel trims soon (for 3 quid per trim how could I not😂)

8 hours ago, Jim Bell said:

That Oldsmobile 88 royale is the absobest

For your viewing pleasure:

[martc]

Is road salt used in British Columbia? A quick search and.... yes it is used.

 

[AnthonyG]

I love that your holiday includes a visit to a car breakers!

The ‘Impala’  (first pic from 8th May) is a 1963 Ford Galaxie by the way. 

Is the car under the grey cover from the May 10th pics a circa 1983 Lincoln Continental? This was a short lived reposte to the second generation ‘bustleback’ Cadillac Seville.