Carmaker
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Car Deal
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Expires
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| BMW |
$1,500 to $2,500 "holiday finance credit" available on most models |
1/5/10 |
Buick, GMC,
Cadillac,Chevrolet,
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0% APR financing available on many models
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11/30/09 |
| Ford, Lincoln, Mercury |
"Year End Sales Event" offer 0% APR financing or $1,000 cash back on most models. |
1/4/10 |
| Honda |
1.9% APR financing for up to 36 months on selected models |
1/4/010 |
| Mercedes-Benz |
2.9% APR financing for 36 months on selected models |
1/4/10 |
| Toyota |
Toyota deals vary regionally, but 2.9% APR financing is available on most models in most regions. Cash back offers of up to $2,000 are available on a limited selection of models. |
1/4/10 |
Your best opportunity to buy a new car at a great price may slip away soon.
Tracking the best deals in the auto market, we've grown accustomed to writing about cash-back rebates that knock 15 percent or more off a vehicle's price, and interest-free financing on everything from economy hatchbacks to luxury sports cars. But the experts tell us that those deals are going away.
Automakers built more cars for the 2009 model year than Americans were in a position to buy. When the final figures for the year come in, some analysts say, we may find that Americans bought as much as 40 percent fewer cars in 2009 than we did just two years before. Automakers couldn't scale back production fast enough to avoid having too many cars to sell. For most of the year, supply ran well ahead of demand.
But, thanks to nearly a year of heavy incentives and an assist from Uncle Sam with the Cash for Clunkers program, they've almost eliminated the bottleneck. Supplies are smaller. And, as signs point toward an economic recovery, demand may pick up.
Put another way: If you wanted to buy a Ford Fusion just a few months back, you were one of a small number of buyers picking from a huge number of unsold Fusions. It was easy to swing a deal with a dealer who hadn't sold many cars that month. If you want to buy the same Ford Fusion in a few months, the dealership might not even have the one you want -- and you might have competition for it from other interested buyers.
There are still some impressive discounts available this month. Below, we run through some of the best discounts we've seen on cars that do well in our rankings. The list is still heavy on 2009 models -- but keep in mind that, in many cases, they aren't much different than the more expensive 2010 editions dealers are likely to try to nudge you toward. It's still easier to get a great deal on an SUV this month than anything else, but we found a few impressive offers in every segment of the market.
Still, we can't help but notice that the number of great deals we have to choose from is definitely shrinking, and as dealerships sell off the last 2009 models and bring in smaller numbers of 2010s, we expect to see those discounts shrink further. Bottom line: If you're in the market for a new car, don't wait.
If you're looking for a car that's a great deal over the long haul, check out the 2009 U.S. News Best Cars for the Money Award winners.
The Best Deals we found this month are listed below:
Small Cars
MSRP: $13,695 - $18,695
Avg. Paid: $14,197 - $19,449
MPG: 25 (Est) City / 34 (Est) Hwy
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2010 Kia Forte: 0% APR Financing for 36 Months
If we asked you to name the companies that make the best cars, would upstart Kia make your list? Maybe not now. But before long, it probably will. The Forte is a major part of the reason why. An attractive, compact car that's stuffed with features, it now sits near the top of our affordable small car ranking list because it’s been a huge critical success. It offers a long list of standard equipment, a low starting price, and taut handling that makes it fun to drive for a car that fits into most budgets. It’s been on sale just a few months, but already it’s available interest-free, making November a great time to grab one before most people have even heard of it.
Also Worth a Look:
The sporty, all-new 2010 Mazda3 is a bit more expensive, but also has interest-free financing this month. |
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| Get free, competing Kia Forte Price Quotes using our new dealer quote tool. |
Affordable Midsize Cars
MSRP: $18,450 - $28,390
Avg. Paid: $17,811 - $27,250
MPG: 20 City / 29 Hwy
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2009 Mazda6: O% APR financing for 36 months plus $1,500 cash back
The Mazda6 is the sleeper of the affordable midsize car class. It’s gorgeous, fun to drive, and loaded with features. Even its base four-cylinder engine has a lot of pickup for a family sedan. Yet, for some reason, it doesn’t sell as well as some of its more well-known competitors. Mazda has a lot of 2009s left, and a lot of 2010s competing for floor space in dealerships. In an effort to move the ‘09’s out, they’re offering an interest-free financing deal combined with a rebate this month. With many automakers cutting back on incentives, we don’t see many combined offers anymore – especially not on a car that’s this easy to enjoy.
Also Worth a Look:
The sharp-looking Volkswagen CC is available interest-free for 60 months. |
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| Get free, competing Mazda6 Price Quotes using our new dealer quote tool. |
Large Cars
MSRP: $25,170 - $33,020
Avg. Paid: $25,167 - $32,781
MPG: 18 City / 28 Hwy
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2010 Ford Taurus: 0% APR financing for 36 months, plus $1,000 cash back
The all-new Ford Taurus has been one of the best-reviewed cars of the year. It has fought its way to the top of our Affordable Large Car ranking list with handsome styling, a balanced ride, and a cabin so upscale that some reviewers have wondered if it will pull buyers away from its more expensive Lincoln MKS cousin. But Ford's timing with this car is terrible. The Taurus has obvious appeal, and is one of the best large sedans available. But Ford has introduced the new car at the tail end of a recession, when few people are buying large cars. This month, Ford is looking to spur sales with a combination offer -- interest-free financing PLUS $1,000 cash back. There are far less desirable cars carrying less enticing incentives this month.
Also Worth a Look:
General Motors is running out of 2009 Pontiac G8s. It's the best big car GM has built in years, but as the company winds down the Pontiac brand for closure next month, there are fewer than 600 left natiowide. If you can find one, they're available with an astonishing 0% APR financing for 72 months.
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| Get free, competing Pontiac G8 Price Quotes using our new dealer quote tool. |
Small SUVs
MSRP: $23,280 - $30,935
Avg. Paid: $21,982 - $29,439
MPG: 19 City / 26 Hwy
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2009 Saturn Vue: 0% APR financing for 72 months
The Saturn Vue is another impressive vehicle about to get the axe from GM. The entire Saturn brand will be closed by the end of 2009, but the Vue may be the most regrettable loss. It sits near the top of our affordable small SUVs ranking list thanks to a comfortable, well-designed interior, a stylish exterior, a smooth ride and sharp handling. This month, it’s available with an incredible six years of interest-free financing. With Saturn dealers just 60 days from closure, it should be easy to negotiate a decent price on the Vue.
Also Worth a Look:
The well-rounded Ford Escape is available with 0% APR financing for up to 60 months, or $2,00 cash back this month. |
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| Get free, competing Saturn Vue Price Quotes using our new dealer quote tool. |
Large SUVs
MSRP: $37,705 - $55,935
Avg. Paid: $36,746 - $53,337
MPG: 14 City / 19 Hwy
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2009 GMC Yukon: 0% APR financing for 72 months or up to $6,000 cash back
Until the recession hit, General Motors had a great deal of success selling large SUVs. They were some of the company’s most important products, so GM put a lot of effort into designing the best big ‘utes in the business, and built a lot of them. Now, the company is left with a huge backlog of big SUVs that, though it may not be popular to say so at the moment, are some of the best-made vehicles on the road. The Yukon is a prime example. Comfortable, powerful and easy to drive despite its huge size, it’s been near the top of our affordable large SUV ranking list all year. Yet, this month, GM has to discount the Yukon heavily in an attempt to move unsold Yukons off of dealership lots.
Also worth a Look:
The Yukon’s Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe cousins carry the same 0% APR offer this month – though not the same rebate. |
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| Get free, competing GMC Yukon Price Quotes using our new dealer quote tool |
Pickups
MSRP: $20,850 - $41,775
Avg. Paid: $20,868 - $40,366
MPG: 15 City / 20 Hwy
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2009 Chevy Silverado: 0% APR financing for 60 months plus $500 cash back
GM advertised October as "Truck Month," but ironically, the company’s best truck is even cheaper in November. The Silverado offers a comfortable ride, nimble handling for a large truck, and a reputation for reliable performance even in tough conditions. More than 30 possible configurations of trim level, bed and cab size make it easy to find a Silverado to complete any job and fit any budget. This month, the truck is offered with a combination of interest-free financing and a cash-back rebate. Still not convinced? If you’re not satisfied within the first 60 days, GM will even let you return the truck.Also Worth a Look:
Also Worth a Look:
The often-overlooked Toyota Tundra is available with a $2,000 rebate this month. |
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| Get free, competing Chevy Silverado Price Quotes using our new dealer quote tool. |
Dream Car
MSRP: $48,565 - $53,220
Avg. Paid: $46,511 - $50,727
MPG: 16 City / 26 Hwy
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2009 Chevrolet Corvette: 0% APR financing for 60 months
Can any car in the world match the mystique of the Corvette? It has a fifty-year racing heritage, an iconic profile instantly recognizable around the world – it even has its own museum. The current edition can keep up with Italian exotics costing four times its price tag, but offers every-day driving comfort. It even manages 26 mpg on the highway, something that's unheard of for a car that rockets from a standstill to sixty miles per hour in less than four and a half seconds. This month, both Coupe and Convertible ‘Vettes are available with five years worth of interest-free financing.
Also Worth a Look:
The Mazda RX-8 outcorners most sports cars, has room for four people, and this month, carries a $5,000 cash-back rebate. |
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| Get free, competing Chevrolet Corvette Price Quotes using our new dealer quote tool. |
Looking for a used Car? Check out this months Best Used Car Deals.
