xcel
12-03-2006, 03:22 PM
Hard work, patience can result in lots of value for the money. (http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/16155489.htm)
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/toyota_prius.jpgBob Cox - Star Telegram - Dec. 3, 2006
"We actually have Priuses in stock"
If a new car is on the family's Christmas wish list, or last week's ice storm left you in possession of crumpled sheet metal rather than an automobile, the good news is that 'tis the season for good deals on new wheels.
With stiff competition among manufacturers, new models on the way and some lots packed with unsold cars, analysts and dealers say good buys are abundantly available in the next few weeks for discerning and tightfisted buyers.
"There are a lot of very good deals; it just depends on what you're looking for," said Jesse Toprak, executive director of industry analysis for Edmunds.com, a consumer automotive Web site.
As is often the case at this time of the year, dealers and manufacturers are trying to move out as many of the current model-year vehicles as they can. Lots of 2006 models are carrying fat consumer rebates and low-rate financing deals, sometimes in combination.
"The best part is, shoppers who are flexible can get the best deals," said Patrick Olsen, managing editor of the Cars.com auto shopping and advice Web site. (Cars.com is owned in part by major newspaper companies, including McClatchy, which owns the Star-Telegram).
"If you can live without some of the fancier features, you can get some really good deals," Olsen said.
Toprak said it's a particularly good time to buy a full-size pickup or any sport utility vehicle. With General Motors recently rolling out its 2007 Chevy and GMC pickups, and Toyota doing the same in late January, competition for pickup sales is intense.
Toyota and GM have big incentives on their old models, while Ford and Dodge are competing hard to hang onto market share. Rebates of $2,000 to $4,000 and higher have been common lately. GM also recently sweetened the deals on the relatively new 2007 Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon SUVs with big cash rebates.
In some cases, Toprak said, the combination of dealer discounts and factory incentives can take $10,000 or more off sticker prices of large SUVs, making them more attractive to buyers worried about high gasoline prices.
The question becomes, "How much gas can you buy for $10,000?" Toprak said.
In recent years, the Big Three U.S. automakers -- General Motors, Chrysler and Ford -- have typically led the way with the heaviest incentives. But even the popular foreign manufacturers and luxury brands want to move metal at this time of year.
Acura, the premium line produced by Honda, is offering a $3,000 rebate to dealers on the popular 2006 MDX crossover utility vehicle and $2,000 on the 2006 TL sedan, according to Edmunds.com. The dealer can use that money to discount those models.
Even Toyota "offers the biggest incentives of the year in December," said John Easley, general manager of Toyota of Fort Worth.
And the larger Toyota dealerships have received extra shipments of popular models like the Camry and Corolla sedans as well as the hot-selling Yaris.
"We actually have Priuses [the popular hybrid] in stock," Easley said.
Chrysler, which industry sources say has large inventories of unsold vehicles, has been aggressively discounting and offering incentives on its products.
"Chrysler really needs the business," said Jim Hardick, general manager of the Moritz Chevrolet and Chrysler/Jeep dealerships in west Fort Worth.
With a $6,000 rebate from the manufacturer, Hardick says he can sell a 2006 Jeep Commander, a swank SUV, for as much as $10,000 below the $39,100 manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Not all of the deals are on old models. GM has given its dealers extra cash incentives they can use to offer better deals on vehicles they choose, in addition to rebates or other incentives.
"Rather than just try to move some '06s that I'd like to sell, I've chosen to put that money on models I'd like to sell in volume," said Darren Lancaster, managing partner of Classic Buick-GMC-Pontiac in Arlington. Lancaster said he has chosen to sweeten deals on 2007 Pontiac G6s, a strong-selling GM model, and the smaller G5.
The Internet-savvy consumer can go shopping for a new vehicle well-armed with information to negotiate deals. Web sites like Cars.com, Edmunds and Kelley Blue Book have detailed specifications on each car or truck, manufacturers' list and invoice prices, consumer and dealer rebates and shopping advice.
Many dealers now say that's a good thing, because consumers have a more realistic view when it comes to negotiating a deal.
"If you know your product, they know you're dealing fair with them," Hardick said.
Edmunds and Kelley both have ways to compare specifications, pricing and incentives of similar models by different manufacturers side by side.
The manufacturers change their incentives frequently, often not telling their dealers until the first of the month. So consumers have to recheck the Web sites and watch for newspaper ads before heading out to shop.
Check out the deals.
Edmunds.com, the online consumer auto-buying research site, picks the top deals on new cars and trucks that it says represent outstanding value. Factors used in the selections include average selling price (true market value or TMV), available incentives and overall vehicle quality and value. These are Edmunds' top five picks and summaries of the site's remarks:
Trucks/SUVs/Minivans
2006 Mazda B-Series Truck B3000: The B-Series is worth considering for people who need a small truck and price tag. Incentives make it an even better value.
2006 Honda Element LX: Washable interior and four-cylinder engine. TMV prices are very attractive.
2006 Mercury Monterey Luxury: Eye-catching looks, ample room and long list of safety features. Rich incentives make it worth a second look.
2006 Ford Freestar Limited: Great crash-test scores, abundant safety features and upscale good looks. Huge incentives.
2006 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon: Classic styling and go-anywhere capability. Rich incentives.
Cars
2006 Toyota Corolla S: Extremely reliable and refined, but often pricey compared with the competition. Current low TMV prices make the sedan a great value.
2006 Honda Accord Value Package: Very reliable. Smooth ride and sharp interior. TMV prices are low this month.
2006 Ford Mustang V6 Deluxe: Good retro look and strong performance. Generous incentives make it a steal this month.
2006 Chrysler Pacifica: Large enough to ferry a midsize family with sedanlike handling and upscale furnishings. Healthy incentives add to its appeal.
2006 Subaru Forester 2.5 XT Limited: All-weather drivability and upscale features. Low TMV prices make it a real bargain this month.
SOURCE: Edmunds.com Top 10 lists
New car buying tips for consumers
Know the language:
MSRP: Manufacturer's suggested retail price. Few vehicles actually sell for this price.
Invoice: Factory invoice price. The amount charged by the manufacturer to the dealer for the vehicle, but may not reflect actual cost to the dealer. The manufacturer might offer unadvertised rebates or other incentives that lower dealers' cost, allowing dealers to offer greater discounts.
Holdback: A fee, usually 2 percent or 3 percent of MSRP, that is repaid to the dealer by the manufacturer when a vehicle is sold.
Incentives: Cash rebates paid to the consumer or deducted from the sales price. Manufacturers also often offer low interest rate financing or special lease deals to stimulate sales.
To get detailed buying advice, research new vehicles, determine sticker (MSRP) and invoice prices, check consumer and dealer rebates, and low interest rate financing incentives:
Cars.com - www.cars.com
Edmunds.com - www.edmunds.com
Kelley Blue Book - www.kbb.com/
Consumer Reports sells customized pricing reports for specific vehicles for $14. Call 800-348-1659.
Big trucks, big discounts
2006 Chevy Silverado/GMC Sierra -- Consumer rebates range from $2,500 to $4,500
2006 Lincoln Mark LT -- $4,000 consumer rebate
2006 Chevy Tahoe/GMC Yukon -- $6,000 consumer rebate
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/toyota_prius.jpgBob Cox - Star Telegram - Dec. 3, 2006
"We actually have Priuses in stock"
If a new car is on the family's Christmas wish list, or last week's ice storm left you in possession of crumpled sheet metal rather than an automobile, the good news is that 'tis the season for good deals on new wheels.
With stiff competition among manufacturers, new models on the way and some lots packed with unsold cars, analysts and dealers say good buys are abundantly available in the next few weeks for discerning and tightfisted buyers.
"There are a lot of very good deals; it just depends on what you're looking for," said Jesse Toprak, executive director of industry analysis for Edmunds.com, a consumer automotive Web site.
As is often the case at this time of the year, dealers and manufacturers are trying to move out as many of the current model-year vehicles as they can. Lots of 2006 models are carrying fat consumer rebates and low-rate financing deals, sometimes in combination.
"The best part is, shoppers who are flexible can get the best deals," said Patrick Olsen, managing editor of the Cars.com auto shopping and advice Web site. (Cars.com is owned in part by major newspaper companies, including McClatchy, which owns the Star-Telegram).
"If you can live without some of the fancier features, you can get some really good deals," Olsen said.
Toprak said it's a particularly good time to buy a full-size pickup or any sport utility vehicle. With General Motors recently rolling out its 2007 Chevy and GMC pickups, and Toyota doing the same in late January, competition for pickup sales is intense.
Toyota and GM have big incentives on their old models, while Ford and Dodge are competing hard to hang onto market share. Rebates of $2,000 to $4,000 and higher have been common lately. GM also recently sweetened the deals on the relatively new 2007 Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon SUVs with big cash rebates.
In some cases, Toprak said, the combination of dealer discounts and factory incentives can take $10,000 or more off sticker prices of large SUVs, making them more attractive to buyers worried about high gasoline prices.
The question becomes, "How much gas can you buy for $10,000?" Toprak said.
In recent years, the Big Three U.S. automakers -- General Motors, Chrysler and Ford -- have typically led the way with the heaviest incentives. But even the popular foreign manufacturers and luxury brands want to move metal at this time of year.
Acura, the premium line produced by Honda, is offering a $3,000 rebate to dealers on the popular 2006 MDX crossover utility vehicle and $2,000 on the 2006 TL sedan, according to Edmunds.com. The dealer can use that money to discount those models.
Even Toyota "offers the biggest incentives of the year in December," said John Easley, general manager of Toyota of Fort Worth.
And the larger Toyota dealerships have received extra shipments of popular models like the Camry and Corolla sedans as well as the hot-selling Yaris.
"We actually have Priuses [the popular hybrid] in stock," Easley said.
Chrysler, which industry sources say has large inventories of unsold vehicles, has been aggressively discounting and offering incentives on its products.
"Chrysler really needs the business," said Jim Hardick, general manager of the Moritz Chevrolet and Chrysler/Jeep dealerships in west Fort Worth.
With a $6,000 rebate from the manufacturer, Hardick says he can sell a 2006 Jeep Commander, a swank SUV, for as much as $10,000 below the $39,100 manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Not all of the deals are on old models. GM has given its dealers extra cash incentives they can use to offer better deals on vehicles they choose, in addition to rebates or other incentives.
"Rather than just try to move some '06s that I'd like to sell, I've chosen to put that money on models I'd like to sell in volume," said Darren Lancaster, managing partner of Classic Buick-GMC-Pontiac in Arlington. Lancaster said he has chosen to sweeten deals on 2007 Pontiac G6s, a strong-selling GM model, and the smaller G5.
The Internet-savvy consumer can go shopping for a new vehicle well-armed with information to negotiate deals. Web sites like Cars.com, Edmunds and Kelley Blue Book have detailed specifications on each car or truck, manufacturers' list and invoice prices, consumer and dealer rebates and shopping advice.
Many dealers now say that's a good thing, because consumers have a more realistic view when it comes to negotiating a deal.
"If you know your product, they know you're dealing fair with them," Hardick said.
Edmunds and Kelley both have ways to compare specifications, pricing and incentives of similar models by different manufacturers side by side.
The manufacturers change their incentives frequently, often not telling their dealers until the first of the month. So consumers have to recheck the Web sites and watch for newspaper ads before heading out to shop.
Check out the deals.
Edmunds.com, the online consumer auto-buying research site, picks the top deals on new cars and trucks that it says represent outstanding value. Factors used in the selections include average selling price (true market value or TMV), available incentives and overall vehicle quality and value. These are Edmunds' top five picks and summaries of the site's remarks:
Trucks/SUVs/Minivans
2006 Mazda B-Series Truck B3000: The B-Series is worth considering for people who need a small truck and price tag. Incentives make it an even better value.
2006 Honda Element LX: Washable interior and four-cylinder engine. TMV prices are very attractive.
2006 Mercury Monterey Luxury: Eye-catching looks, ample room and long list of safety features. Rich incentives make it worth a second look.
2006 Ford Freestar Limited: Great crash-test scores, abundant safety features and upscale good looks. Huge incentives.
2006 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon: Classic styling and go-anywhere capability. Rich incentives.
Cars
2006 Toyota Corolla S: Extremely reliable and refined, but often pricey compared with the competition. Current low TMV prices make the sedan a great value.
2006 Honda Accord Value Package: Very reliable. Smooth ride and sharp interior. TMV prices are low this month.
2006 Ford Mustang V6 Deluxe: Good retro look and strong performance. Generous incentives make it a steal this month.
2006 Chrysler Pacifica: Large enough to ferry a midsize family with sedanlike handling and upscale furnishings. Healthy incentives add to its appeal.
2006 Subaru Forester 2.5 XT Limited: All-weather drivability and upscale features. Low TMV prices make it a real bargain this month.
SOURCE: Edmunds.com Top 10 lists
New car buying tips for consumers
Know the language:
MSRP: Manufacturer's suggested retail price. Few vehicles actually sell for this price.
Invoice: Factory invoice price. The amount charged by the manufacturer to the dealer for the vehicle, but may not reflect actual cost to the dealer. The manufacturer might offer unadvertised rebates or other incentives that lower dealers' cost, allowing dealers to offer greater discounts.
Holdback: A fee, usually 2 percent or 3 percent of MSRP, that is repaid to the dealer by the manufacturer when a vehicle is sold.
Incentives: Cash rebates paid to the consumer or deducted from the sales price. Manufacturers also often offer low interest rate financing or special lease deals to stimulate sales.
To get detailed buying advice, research new vehicles, determine sticker (MSRP) and invoice prices, check consumer and dealer rebates, and low interest rate financing incentives:
Cars.com - www.cars.com
Edmunds.com - www.edmunds.com
Kelley Blue Book - www.kbb.com/
Consumer Reports sells customized pricing reports for specific vehicles for $14. Call 800-348-1659.
Big trucks, big discounts
2006 Chevy Silverado/GMC Sierra -- Consumer rebates range from $2,500 to $4,500
2006 Lincoln Mark LT -- $4,000 consumer rebate
2006 Chevy Tahoe/GMC Yukon -- $6,000 consumer rebate