Best Car Deals: February 2010

Small Car

MSRP: $15,295 - $22,800

Avg. Paid: $15,196 - $22,297

MPG: 25 (Est) City / 33 (Est) Hwy

2010 Mazda3: 0% APR financing for 60 months, plus $500 cash back, plus no payments for 90 days

We listed the Mazda3 in this space last month, and we’re keeping it here this month because the company has put an even sweeter offer on the table. The Mazda3 is fun. It offers agile handling, a choice of two speedy four-cylinder engines, and strong brakes for an economy car. Together, they give it a sporty feel that’s rare in a car you can buy for about $15,000. Reviewers praise its new, improved cabin materials and comfortable front seats as well.  This month, Mazda’s throwing everything it has at Mazda3 buyers. You can buy a 3 with no interest for 60 months (not the usual 36), and no payments for 90 days, plus Mazda will give you $500 to put toward the down-payment. There aren’t many good offers on small cars in February, but this is one of the best we’ve seen in a long time.

Midsize Car

MSRP: $19,620 - $28,030  

Avg. Paid: $19,570 - $27,854

MPG: 22 City / 31 Hwy

2010 Ford Fusion: 0% APR financing for 36 months, or up to $2,500

Two years ago, imports dominated our list of the best Affordable Midsize Cars. Today, four of the top five are American cars. The Ford Fusion may be the best example of the resurgence of great American cars. As spacious as the Camry or Accord, it hauls a family and all of its gear as well as the foreign midsize cars that led this class for so long. But it does it with more style. It handles like it was designed by someone who loves cars, and its available SYNC infotainment system gives it a high-tech edge no competitor can match. It will even connect to your mp3 player and allow you to play it through the car’s speakers with voice commands. The Fusion has style, too, with a bold grille that carries as much chrome as the great American sedans of the 1950’s, but does it with contemporary flair. This month, Fusion buyers can choose interest-free financing, or knock $2,500 off the cost with a rebate.

Large Car

MSRP: $25,170 - $33,620

Avg. Paid: $24,890 - $33,062

MPG: 18 (Est) City / 28 (Est) Hwy

2010 Ford Taurus: 0% APR financing for up to 36 months plus $1,000 cash back rebate

At the recent Los Angeles Auto Show, the 2010 Ford Taurus was named International Car of the Year. The jury of automotive writers that awards the prize praised the Taurus for the way it “fosters an emotional connection” with its driver. How many big family sedans has anyone ever said that about? When it comes to the all-new Taurus, however, we get it. The car has rakish good looks, at once both powerful and refined (one critic called it “a linebacker in a tailored suit”). It boasts one of the most stylish interiors in its class, and available All-Wheel-Drive -- something few rivals can claim. The high-performance, twin-turbo Taurus SHO version is even stealing some sales from luxury sedans. Those who lived through the late ‘80’s may not think of a Taurus as a rival to an Audi or a BMW, but trust us: drive one and it starts to make sense. This month, Ford won’t make you choose between low-rate financing and cash back. They’re offering both.

Small SUV

MSRP: $20,840 - $29,250

Avg. Paid: $20,472 - $28,490

MPG: 20 City / 25 Hwy

2010 Mitsubishi Outlander: 0% APR financing for 36 months or $1,000 cash back rebate, plus $500 bonus on trade-in vehicles

Surprised to see a Mitsubishi here?  The Japanese automaker may not be the first thing that leaps to mind when you think of small SUVS, but its latest design is out to change that. The 2010 Outlander has a bold, aggressive look, unusually crisp handling, and seating for seven despite its compact size. In winter, you’ll be thankful for its road-gripping all-wheel-drive system. It carries one of the longest warranties in its class -- good for five years or 60000 miles, plus ten years or 100,000 miles on the powertrain.  There aren’t many discounts available on small SUVs this month, but shoppers should take a close look at what Mitsubishi has on the table.

Midsize SUV

MSRP: $35,165 - $43,695

Avg. Paid: $34,666 - $42,881

MPG: 17 City / 24 Hwy

2010 Buick Enclave: 1.9% APR financing for 60  months plus $1,000 cash back, or  $2,500 cash back

The Buick Enclave sits on top of our list of the best Affordable Midsize SUVs, thanks to its smooth ride, and responsive steering. Reviewers love its upscale interior, where designers clearly put thought into little details. Rear-seat passengers aren’t an afterthought, thanks to standard three-zone climate control and easily-accessible seating for eight. General Motors, however, has overbuilt the Enclave. The automaker is offering heavy discounts on models in inventory as of February 2. It may take a few phone calls to dealers to find an Enclave, equipped the way you want it, that qualifies for the discounts -- but it’s worth it.

Large SUV

MSRP: $37,280 - $53,615

Avg. Paid: $36,379 - $52,048

MPG: 14 (2009) City / 20 (2009) Hwy

2009 Chevrolet Tahoe: 0% APR financing for up to 60 months plus $1,000 cash back

There are very few 2009 models of most cars left on dealership lots. Chevrolet, however, has a problem with its Tahoe SUV. The 2010 Tahoe has been on dealership lots for nearly six months, yet dealers still leftover 2009 Tahoes remaining. The automaker simply overestimated America’s demand for big sport ‘utes in a recession, and made too many last year. Those who need a large SUV will be hard-pressed to  find a better one. The Tahoe is supremely comfortable, handles like a smaller vehicle, but tows like the full-size truck it is. It’s also surprisingly fuel-efficient for such a large vehicle. Buyers should be careful not to let dealers talk them into a 2010 model, however -- there is virtually no difference between ’09 and ’10 Tahoes, except for the price; only the 2009s are heavily discounted.

Pickup

MSRP: $21,380 - $45,835

Avg. Paid: $20,772 - $43,721

MPG: 15 (Est) City / 19 (Est) Hwy

The Ford F-150 has been the best-selling vehicle in America for 28 straight years, and it’s easy to see why. The versatile F-150 has a comfortable ride on the road and a lot of capability off of it. Those who need it as a work truck will appreciate options like an RFID tagging system to inventory tools on the job site, and available in-cab Wi-Fi with a built-in printer. Those who need it for a daily driver will be thankful for the available SYNC infotainment system, an excellent Sony stereo and comfortable captain’s chairs up front. This month, it’s available with a hefty cash-back rebate or a low-rate financing offer with a little cash back thrown in.

Dream Car

MSRP: $88,755 - $89,505

Avg. Paid: $83,219 - $84,065

MPG: 13 City / 22 Hwy

2009 Dodge Viper: 0% APR financing for 48 months

The Dodge Viper will slip into history soon. When Fiat took over Chrysler’s three brands, it announced a five-year plan to remake the company -- and the Viper wasn’t part of it. Production will end in July. But the car will go into the pantheon of legendary sports cars. It’s an elemental beast. An 8.4-liter V10 (yeah, you read that right) sends 600 horsepower to the rear wheels through an old-fashioned six-speed manual with a real stick (no fancy paddle shifters here). That’s most of what the car is. If you want a navigation system, an exotic stereo and heated seats, go buy something European. The Viper is little more than a lawn chair strapped to a V10 -- but that’s the beauty of it. It’s a brutal race car that happens to be, just barely, street legal. Right now, though, Dodge is struggling to get rid of the last Vipers. January sales were down 80 percent from just one year ago. So they’ve slapped interest-free financing on their supercar -- and dealers are willing to listen to any offer.