🤝 Meet Dan Park. He’s the CEO and co-founder of Clutch, Canada’s largest online used car retailer. We sat down with Dan to talk about why second-hand vehicles can get so expensive, what to consider when you’re buying one, and what he would fill his dream garage with.
What is a specific car trend you expect to see more of in Canada in the new year?
One trend I expect to grow meaningfully is the shift toward practical electrification, specifically, hybrids. Canadians want better fuel efficiency and lower operating costs, but many still face gaps in charging infrastructure or live in condos where installing home chargers isn’t realistic. Hybrids offer a no-compromise way to cut fuel use without changing daily habits, and that combination is increasingly appealing across the country.
We’ll also see more consumers move their entire car-buying journey online. Over the past few years, people have become extremely comfortable transacting digitally for big life decisions, and the expectation for transparency and convenience has risen accordingly. As online automotive platforms continue to mature, the gap between traditional dealership buying and e-commerce will only widen.
Do you have a car collection yourself?
I do, but it's probably the most practical, unglamorous “car collection” you'll ever hear about. Our main day-to-day vehicle is a Volvo XC60. It’s a great safety-first choice for school pickups, drop-offs, and the constant rotation of kids’ activities. It’s comfortable, reliable, and gives us peace of mind when we’re running around the city. Then there’s the Mini Cooper S, which is the complete opposite. That’s my go-to for navigating Toronto traffic and squeezing into downtown parking spots that most SUVs wouldn’t even attempt. It makes city driving fun, which is something I appreciate more and more.
We also have a Chevy Traverse which is our big-capacity option for ski trips, hockey gear, golf clubs, and the general chaos of family outings. It may not be a traditional “collection,” but each one plays a role in making our lives run a bit more smoothly.
Some second-hand vehicles (like newer Rav4 models) are almost as expensive as buying new — why does that happen?
It’s a perfect storm of supply constraints and strong consumer demand. Over the last few years, new-car production was disrupted by global supply-chain issues, and inventory simply didn’t return to normal as quickly as people expected. When buyers can’t get the new model they want, they shift to the used market, which pushes prices up on the most popular vehicles.
The RAV4 is a textbook example of that dynamic. It’s a reliable, fuel-efficient, all-purpose SUV with a great reputation. Because depreciation on models like the RAV4 is already low, the moment supply tightens, used prices float right up toward new-car territory. Until the new-car pipeline fully stabilizes, we’ll continue to see this kind of price compression on high-demand models.
What factors do people often not consider when they're choosing a car to buy that they should be?
Many people focus almost entirely on the sticker price when they buy a car, but the total all-in cost of the transaction is what really matters. That includes the cost of financing, which can change the real price of a vehicle by thousands of dollars over the term of the loan. Insurance is another major factor, and buyers should understand not just the price but the coverage they are actually getting. Two policies with similar premiums can offer very different levels of protection.
Warranty coverage, the value of a trade-in and even the price of tires and routine maintenance can vary a lot between models. A strong trade-in offer alone can shift the economics of a purchase more than people expect. When you look at all of these pieces together, the true cost of ownership often looks very different from the initial number on the windshield. Taking the time to evaluate the full financial picture usually leads to a better decision and fewer surprises down the road.
Another piece people underestimate is how quickly their needs can evolve. Families grow, hobbies change, commutes shift, and life rarely stays static for long. Choosing a vehicle that fits today’s lifestyle and tomorrow’s possibilities can prevent a lot of frustration. And in Canada specifically, it’s worth being honest about whether a vehicle can handle winter reliably because that’s the real annual stress test.
What is the biggest challenge of operating a platform like Clutch?
The hardest part is delivering a seamless online experience for something as complex and high-stakes as buying a car. From inspections to reconditioning to financing to home delivery, there are a lot of moving pieces behind the scenes. Customers expect speed, clarity, and trust and meeting that bar consistently requires a huge amount of operational coordination and discipline.
At the same time, trust is the foundation of our entire model. A vehicle is one of the largest purchases people make, and the experience has to feel transparent and fair from start to finish. Balancing innovation, pushing the industry forward, with a rock-solid customer experience is an ongoing challenge, but it’s also what makes building Clutch so rewarding.
What's the most popular car to buy second-hand right now?
Compact SUVs are still the clear leaders in the Canadian used market. Vehicles like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 consistently rise to the top because they hit the perfect balance of reliability, fuel efficiency, cargo space, and winter performance. They’re practical for families and cost-conscious for commuters, which makes them strong candidates at almost every life stage.
We’re also seeing growing interest in fuel-efficient sedans and hybrids as consumers look for affordability amid higher fuel prices. The common theme is value. Canadians want vehicles that will hold up well over time and won’t surprise them with big operating costs down the line.
What would be your dream car (if you don’t already have it)?
If I had more parking in Toronto and got through the practical, dad phase of my life, the two cars I would go after are a 1968 Ford Mustang Shelby and a 1958 Porsche 356 Speedster. The 1968 Shelby is known for its big-block V8 and straightforward, performance-focused design. It is one of the most recognizable muscle cars of its time. The 1958 Porsche 356 Speedster is almost the opposite. It is very lightweight, has a simple interior and delivers precise handling for a car of that era. Both models are iconic and represent very different but equally interesting approaches to engineering and design.