Public transport is nowhere near as bad as the locals think. The transit is better than buses in much of the UK. Vancouver, I mean. Po Co is a little bit quieter ;-)
I lived there 82-16. Book a flight. Stay in a hotel 'downtown'. Take a walk in Stanley Park around the sea wall. Hire a bike, even. If its winter and you ski, there are 3 local mountains ( us ride). Hire a car and book some skiing at Whistler/Black combe. If its summer, hire a car and visit...