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This month we’re seeing the first real round of model-year 2012 sales incentives, particularly on larger cars and SUVs that have fallen off many consumers’ shopping lists. Even better bargains can be found on closeout 2011 models that sit like ticking time bombs on dealer lots racking up financing costs while current model-year rides usurp their positions on showroom floors. As an example, the richest incentive we could find this month was a $10,000 additional dealer discount on the limited production 2011 BMW Alpina B7, which is the ultimate expression of the full-size 7 Series luxury sedan at a whopping $128,900.
Normally we wouldn’t necessarily recommend choosing one of what are now last year’s models to save an extra thousand dollars or two, especially since they would be subject to an additional year’s depreciation. But residual/used-car values have skyrocketed in recent years, which flatten out the depreciation curve considerably and make these year-end closeouts better deals. According to Kelley Blue Book, given a shrinking supply of used models in recent years from slow new-car sales and other factors, the average price of a pre-owned vehicle has risen from $15,000 in 2008 to more than $23,000 in 2011, which amounts to an increase of 15.8 percent per year.
With incentives tending to be the richest on larger and more practically minded vehicles this month, and with football season in full swing, we’re focusing on models that are not only offering the deepest discounts but also happen to be best suited for tailgating. These include models featuring direct-to-consumer cash rebates, discounted financing promotions and so-called marketing-support incentives, which we call additional dealer discounts. Typically favored by luxury automakers, the latter are cash allowances given to dealers to lower the prices on select models without seeming to cheapen the brand by offering cash rebates. The only catch is that a dealer may or may not automatically pass them on without some hard-nosed negotiations.
And just to prove that you can park a suitable tailgating vehicle that’s small enough to leave enough room in the allotted slot for a table and chairs, we include the diminutive and fuel-efficient Suzuki SX4 Crossover hatchback.
Read on for the 6 new car deals that can help make even a losing season enjoyable.
The Fine Print: Additional incentives may apply, such as those often offered to recent college graduates and members of the military and/or owners or lessees trading in same-brand or competing models. Offers may vary by region and are subject to subsequent modification or termination by the manufacturer; cited financing rates are typically open only to qualified buyers with top credit ratings and may vary based on eligibility. And no matter how great a rebate deal you may be offered, keep in mind that the final transaction price is always open to negotiation. We expect dealer discounts on any of these vehicles will be substantial for hard-nosed hagglers.
2011 Dodge RAM 1500
Deal: $4,250 cash or 0.0 percent financing to 72 months. With its big and bold styling, the full-size Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck is easy to spot, even in a crowded parking lot. Offered in a choice of three cab styles, with rear- or four-wheel-drive and a choice of V6 and V8 engines, the Ram 1500 can please a wide variety of pickup aficionados. It offers a full assortment of tailgating features, including an optional “RamBox” cargo system with lockable, illuminated and drainable storage bins built into the cargo bed rails that can hold up to 10 cases of 12-ounce beverages. Crew Cab versions feature two floor-mounted storage bins with removable liners that are large enough for ten 12-ounce cans and ice. An available cargo rail system can help secure the grill, folding table and other essentials. Also on the options list is a fan-friendly rear entertainment system with hard-drive media storage for digital music, and a dealer-installed Wi-Fi system that turns the Ram 1500 into a rolling Internet hot spot for checking sports scores and highlights.
2011 BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo
Deal: $3,500 additional dealer discount and 2.9 percent financing to 36 months, 3.9 to 72 months. Essentially longer and taller versions of the BMW 5 Series sedans, the 535 and 550 Gran Turismo models sport a sleekly curved roofline and a rear hatchback for a unique combination of coupe-like stylishness and wagon-like convenience. Best of all, both retain the sedan’s adept ride and handling characteristics with a choice of a 300-horsepower six-cylinder engine or a V-8 with 400 horses and rear- or all-wheel-drive. The Gran Turismo caters to affluent technology mavens with a wealth of advanced gadgetry that includes a Night Vision with Pedestrian Detection system that uses an infrared camera to display the reflected image of the road ahead on the instrument panel’s monitor, which should at least be good for a few laughs in the stadium parking lot once the sun sets.
2011 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon
Deal: $3,000 cash or 0.0 percent financing to 60 months, 1.9 to 72 months. The station wagon rendition of the popular midsize Cadillac CTS delivers a winning combination of luxury, sportiness and practicality. It comes with rear- or all-wheel-drive, automatic or manual transmissions and offers a choice of V6 engines. The top CTS-V wagon version is costly at around $63,000, but is a true guilty pleasure with a 556-horsepower 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine that blows away every car in this list. Entertaining options include a rear seat DVD array and a navigation system with real-time traffic and weather reports, a hard-drive for digital media storage and a TiVo-like function that allows users to pause and rewind live radio broadcasts for instant replays or to put the action on hold while answering a phone call.
2011 Chrysler Town & Country/Dodge Grand Caravan
Deal: $2,500 cash or 0.0 percent financing to 72 months. Arguably among the top tailgating and road-tripping vehicles at any price, the near-twin Town & Country and Grand Caravan minivans were updated for 2011 with a higher-quality interior treatment and a new 3.6-liter V6 engine. Both come with a unique “Stow ‘n Go” arrangement that can store second and third row seats within the floor or provide large storage bins with the seats upright. Anti-stain/anti-odor upholstery is standard. Other available tailgate friendly features include a built-in AC power inverter, a dual DVD system with available Sirius Backseat TV to keep the kids occupied before the game, hard-drive media storage for digital music and a system that turns either vehicle a rolling Wi-Fi hot spot for connecting to the Internet via laptop computers, iPads and the like.
2012 Dodge Journey
Deal: Up to $1,500 cash or 0.0 percent financing to 36 months, 1.9 to 48 months, 2.9 to 60 months, 4.9 to 72 months. 2011 models: $2,500 cash or 0.0 percent financing to 72 months. Like the Chrysler/Dodge minivans, the Journey received a welcome makeover for 2011 that featured a nicely revamped cabin design and a 3.6-liter V-6 engine offering that’s both powerful and efficient. A newly optional “Uconnect Touch” infotainment system incorporates a Garmin-based navigation system and features a touch-screen video interface for the audio system and other functions. Two removable rear-seat bins in the floor can hold a dozen 12-ounce cans plus ice or can stow gear out of sight for added security. Tech-heads can connect their portable devices to the Internet via a dealer-installed Wi-Fi accessory.
2011 Suzuki SX4 Crossover
Deal: $1,000 cash or 0.0 percent financing to 48 months, 1.9 to 60 months, 2.9 to 72 months. Getting the best fuel economy of any model in our top tailgaters list at 23/30 mpg, the bargain-priced SX4 Crossover is a four-door hatchback that proves practicality need not be boring. Packing a peppy 150-horsepower four-cylinder engine, it rides on a sporty suspension that delivers entertaining handling qualities, with all-wheel-drive standard for top foul-weather traction. It’s a tight fit inside, but a 60/40-split back seat can be folded flat and tumbled forward to create maximum cargo room. Best of all the SX4 can nimbly weave its way around gargantuan RVs and SUVs toward the parking lot exits post-game to get a head start home.
Full List: Top New-Car Deals For October
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