Rebates, Incentives, APRs - Questions & Comments

sunfire_girl

I just wanted to thank everyone for their help. I was able to get the dealer to sell me the car at invoice price (and THEN minus the $4,500 incentives!). And actually, somehow, his invoice price was even lower than the one I had gotten online. He special-ordered the car from the factory and it should arrive in 3-4 weeks (at no charge!). He's also going to hold the car for me for a few weeks while I sell my Accent myself....since they could only offer me $500 for it. That way, I won't be without a vehicle. So thanks again!

fredvh

It sounds like you got a great deal!

CarMan@Edmunds

Thanks for stopping back to let us all know how everything turned out, sunfire_girl. It sounds like you got a very good deal.

 

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eforeman

Hi, Car_man

 

I’m looking to purchase a 2005 Chevy Malibu MAXX. Would you please be able to give me a rundown on the current incentives/rebates that are available for this car? Some of them seem to have expired on January 31, but perhaps they have all been extended. I’m located near the Jacksonville, FL area. Thank you.

lauraliz

We are looking to purchase a 2005 Cadillac SRX and have a GM in the Driveway certificate on its way to us in the mail. Is there any way to find the price we will be able to expect? Also are there any other deals/incentives we can find on the SRX?! We really would love to have this car, but the price HAS to be right! We currently own a GM car, FYI. Thanks so much for any help!

CarMan@Edmunds

Hi eforeman. General Motors is currently providing $2,000 customer cash OR 0% financing for up to 3 years, 1.9% for 4 years, 2.9% for 5 years, and 3.9% for 6 years OR 0% for up to 3 years, 2.9% for 4 years, 3.9% for 5 years, and 4.9% for 6 years PLUS $500 customer cash on the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. In addition to these offers, there is $500 bonus cash on this car that may be combined with all other programs in most areas.

 

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rjbpa

BMW was offering 1.9% financing on 2004 models through 1/31. Did they extend that or, if not, what is the new rate?

robr2

Carman:

 

Edmunds shows a $1500 factory to dealer incentive on the Volvo S40/V50. But here in New England they are offering free AWD or Premium Package on T5's. Do you know if these are mutually exclusive?

vita

now that the new incentives are out, is there still a GM owner loyalty program on sunfires?

njcars

Is there any factory to dealer incentives or dealer cash available on remaining 2004 Explorers?

 

Lot's of 2004's still on local dealer's lots (NJ), yet dealers aren't discounting beyond the current $4000 cash rebate.

CarMan@Edmunds

Hi lauraliz. You're lucky that you were able to procure an In the Driveway certificate. It is a great program for people who are able to purchase vehicles through it. I would be more than happy to give you an idea of what General Motors' incentives are currently like on the 2005 Cadillac SRX, however its incentives on this vehicle vary by region. Let me know what state you are in and I will tell you what its offers are like on this truck in your area. As far as pricing through this program goes, GM used to have a web site for consumers who buy vehicles through it. Once you get your certificate, you should be able to access the pricing site.

 

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CarMan@Edmunds

That is a very good question. At one time, BMW was providing 1.9% financing for up to 5 years on most 2004 models, however in January it cut this program back to only the 2004 3- and 5-Series. Although BMW carried over all of the special lease rates and dealer cash that it was providing on 2005 models in January through February 28th, I have not seen any mention of the 1.9% offer that was available on '04s last month. This leads me to believe that it is no longer available. You can always call or e-mail a few BMW dealers to find out for certain. If you hear otherwise, stop back I would love to know.

 

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CarMan@Edmunds

Hey robr2. Wow, we certainly are getting a lot of tough questions in this discussion today . To the best of my knowledge, the only incentive that cannot be combined with the $1,500 dealer cash that Volvo is providing on the 2005 S40 and V50 is Volvo Finance's special lease program. As a result, I would think that you could combine this dealer cash with the promotions that you mentioned. As before, please let me know if you hear otherwise.

 

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CarMan@Edmunds

Unfortunately, vita, General Motors did not continue the owner loyalty promotion that it was running on most of its models in January over to this month. It did however, introduce a new round of bonus cash on a number of vehicles. It currently has two types of bonus cash, one that can be combined with any other offer, and one that is only available on vehicles financed or leased through General Motors Acceptance Corp. If you let me know what state you are in, I will be glad to tell you exactly what incentives are available on this car in your neck of the woods.

 

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CarMan@Edmunds

Hello njcars. Funny that you should mention the Ford Explorer. I was just looking at how Explorer sales took a beating in January earlier today. I think that a big part of the problem is that rather than attracting customers from other brands, the new crossover vehicle that Ford introduced, the Freestyle, is just cannibalizing Explorer sales. I am sure that most dealers will be very anxious to sell you an Explorer right now, especially a leftover 2004 model.

 

As far as this truck's incentives go, Ford is currently providing $4,000 customer cash OR 0% financing for up to 5 years and 2.9% for 6 years OR $2,000 customer cash PLUS 1.9% financing for up to 3 years, 2.9% for 4 years, and 3.9% for 5 years on the 2004 Explorer. In addition to the above offers, any '04 Explorer that is financed or leased through Ford Credit is eligible for an additional $2,000 bonus this month. As if these offers weren't complicated enough, Ford is running a dealer staristep promotion that rewards dealers with cash incentives that escalate the as they sell more SUVs. Through this program, dealers have the potential to earn up to another $1,000 per truck in February, though most will probably receive in the area of $500. Please let me know if you have any other questions.

 

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schmize

Carman,

 

You mentioned that the loyalty plan isn't going to be renewed for February. It looks like the 0% financing is available, but will there be anything else in addition to that? I live in the Chicago area, and plan on purchasing a CTS.

 

Thanks in advance.

Schmize

njcars

Thanks for your reply car_man.

 

I was also wondering if Ford "paid out" their dealers at the end of December or early January for any remaining 2004 inventory?

 

I saw your reply on a previous posts regarding GM ...

 

 Dealers were "paid out" by GM for any remaining 2004 models that they had in stock on January 4th. Specifically, GM paid Chevrolet dealers $3,000 dealer cash for any remaining 2004 Colorado Extended Cab models that they had. Make sure to take this cash into account during your negotiations.

 

Thanks again for your help.

j_bruce

Can someone help me with a rebate question?

 

I've tried a couple of dealers but can't seem to get an answer.

 

I see that 2005 Dodge Dakota's have a $1,000 rebate plus 0% 48 month financing. There is also a $2,000 rebate for current Durango/Dakota owners. I own a 2004 Durango. Would I get both the $1,000/0% financing and the $2,000 for being a Durango owner?

 

Thanks,

John

jchristopher

Looking at the Subaru Impreza WRX Sport Wagon. Any current dealer cash/incentives on this model? I see a $1250 consumer rebate but that's it.

 

With the model year end coming, how about the liklihood of any being added in the coming weeks? Local dealer has 9 or 10 on the lot.

 

Thanks for any info.

ex v6

Hi, I am planning on a applying for a preapproved loan from Honda. I have very good credit and a stable job, have paid of $25K in loans in the past 5 yrs.

My concern is that if i apply at the dealership they may offer me a higher rate eventhough i qualify for the lower rate. Is aplying for a preapproved loan at the honda website good idea? what the advantages/disadvantages of doing so?

 

I would appreciate any comments/personal experiences. Thanks

CarMan@Edmunds

Hi schmize. You are right, General Motors did not carry over the owner loyalty cash program that it was running in January through February. As you mentioned it is running a special financing program on the 2005 CTS, specifically 0% financing for 3 years, 2.9% for 4 years, and 3.9% for 5 years. GM is providing bonus cash on this car in certain regions, but I believe that you are in its North Central region, which is not one of them.

 

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CarMan@Edmunds

You're welcome, njcars. While Ford did pay out its dealers on certain 2004 models, like the Focus, it is still running normal incentives on the 2004 Explorer. Let me know if you need any more informaiton on what its incentives on this truck are.

 

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CarMan@Edmunds

Hi John. DaimlerChrysler's normal customer cash on the 2005 Dodge Dakota is indeed compatible with the special $2,000 offer for current Dakota and Durango owners. So you can get the $1,000 + the $2,000 + the special financing rate.

 

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CarMan@Edmunds

Hello jchristopher. The $1,250 incentive that you mentioned is the only cash incentive that is currently available on the 2005 Subaru WRX Sport Wagon. It is difficult to say what manufacturers will do with their future incentives with 100% accuracy, I suspect that Subaru's incentives on the WRX will remain relatively the same for the next month or two, but I doubt that you have anything to lose by waiting if you aren't in a hurry.

 

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ilmomof2

Hello, everyone. I have been lurking around Edmunds the past week or so trying to familiarize myself with some things before we head out to buy a new vehicle. I am looking at a Suzuki XL7 EXIII which currently offers $1250 customer cash OR 2.9%/60mos- 4.9%/72 mos financing. Once upon a time, I might have been able to wrap my brain around these options, but after being a stay-at-home Mom of two these past two years, my brain cells are a bit mushy! Which would be a better option- the cash or the interest rate? We have very good-to-excellent credit and will probably put around $3500 cash down. We have a 95 Jeep Cherokee Sport with about 140,000 miles on it that we will be selling ourselves, not trading in.

 

Any thoughts/advice on my options here AND/OR what might be a good price to start negotiating from?

  

Thanks in Advance for any help!

 

Kris

CarMan@Edmunds

Welcome Kris. You've definitely come to the right place. Whether you should take the cash or the low rate depends upon a number of factors, including the price of the vehicle that you want (as well as the amount that you are going to finance), the length of your loan, and the interest rate that you will have to finance it at if you do not take advantage of the special one that your vehicle's manufacturer is offering. Edmunds.com has a financial calculator all set up to help consumers decide whether to take advantage of cash or special financing incentives. You can check it out by clicking on the following link: Decision: Low APR vs. Cash Back Calculator. Take a look at it and please let me know if you have any other questions.

 

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ilmomof2

Thanks- that is exactly what I was looking for! For me, looks like the cash would probably be best in order to keep monthly payments around where I would like them to be. I checked our credit score and we are at 744, so I think we should be able to get decent financing, either through dealer or elsewhere.

 

My other question, not having bought a new car in about 10 years.....ConsumerReports shows wholesale price on this vehicle at $24,290, Invoice $25,754, MSRP $ 27,144 (Dealer Holdback $834). Edmunds shows TMV Invoice $27,004, What Others Are Paying $27,648 - Incentive of $1250 for final TMV $26,398.

 

So, in your opinion, where do I start negotiating for a fair price? I don't want to look like a total idiot, but I sure don't want to pay MSRP! I've read to start at Invoice and be prepared to go a certain percentage over?

 

Thanks for any advice!

 



Kris

vita

too bad they stopped that. anyway, i'm in milwaukee, WI, and am currently interested in an '05 sunfire 1SV (lowest model) and a saturn ion 1 sedan. what kind of offers am i looking at for these. the saturn site lists different rebates from the GM buypower site, so i'm kind of confused at this point, thanks again,

 

Tom

jchristopher

Thanks for the info, Car_man. I'm not in a hurry.... would you say it would be to may advantage to wait another 60-90 until the 2006 models are closer for leverage? I'm not picky about color and options, and it seems there are plenty of these at local dealers.

 

Thanks

vita

also, what about the '05 aveo svm?

 

again, we get the GM family discount as well

CarMan@Edmunds

You're very welcome, ilmomof2. As far as the what sort of selling price you should expect for this truck goes, I am not personally all that familiar with the market for the Suzuki XL-7. If I had to make an educated guess, I would say that you should be able to get one for a couple hundred dollars over invoice, minus the $1,250 customer cash.

 

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CarMan@Edmunds

You're not the only one who is confused about General Motors' current incentives on the Saturn ION. I have spoken with several Saturn sales managers and salespeople who find it very confusing as well. Right now, GM is offering 0% financing for up to 5 years and 2.9% for 6 years that cannot be combined with any other offers on the 2005 Saturn ION 1 Sedan. Option 2 on this car is 0% financing 3 years, 2.9% for 4 years, 3.9% for 5 years, and 4.9% for 6 years that may be combined with Saturn's $1,000 "personalization allowance" or free extended warranty offer. Option 3 is $500 customer cash plus the warranty or additional allowance. Last but not least, there is a special lease program on this car, which by the way is much more attractive this month than it was last.

 

I believe that you are in General Motors' North Central region. In that part of the country, it is currently offering 0% financing for up to 5 years and 1.9% for 6 years or 0% financing for 3 years, 2.9% for 4 years, 3.9% for 5 years, and 4.9% for 6 years PLUS $1,500 customer cash or $3,000 plain customer cash. In addition to all of these offers, in your area GM is providing $1,000 "bonus cash." By the way, none of the aforementioned offers are available on Sunfires that are equipped with the 1SV package.

 

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CarMan@Edmunds

No problem jchristopher. The longer a new model has been out, the more anxious dealers are to unload the previous version. I suspect that your bargaining power will increase at least a little if you wait to purchase your new vehicle. Of course, the longer you wait, the less likely it is that you will find a model that is equipped exactly the way that you want it.

 

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CarMan@Edmunds

Tom, GM is currently providing 0% financing for 3 years, 1.9% for 4 years, 2.9% for 5 years, and 3.9% for 6 years OR or 5.9% for up to 6 years plus $500 customer cash OR $750 customer cash all by itself on the 2005 Chevrolet Aveo.

 

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kkollwitz

I'm looking at 2005 Ventures and Montanas, and can track the rebates, etc. at GMBuypower. There's no info there though on the 2004 leftovers which I'm also considering, can you help with that?

CarMan@Edmunds

I sure can, kkollwitz. The reason why General Motors no longer mentions what incentives are available on 2004 models on its web sites is that it made final dealer cash payments to its dealers on any remaining '04 models that they had in inventory early last month. Specifically, GM paid its dealers $4,500 for any remaining 2004 Chevrolet Venture and Pontiac Montana models that they had.

 

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fredvh

Do you know what final payment was made to the dealer for the remaining 2004 Buick LeSabre?

kmd99

Hey CarMan,

 

What are the payouts for the 2004 full size GMC/Chevy SUV's (Tahoe/Suburban/Yukon's)?

 

Thanks!

dmessler

Hi CarMan,

 

I'm confused over Toyota incentives in San Diego area,

Incentives and rebates page shows choice of customer cash back or special APR and also dealer cash.

 

I'm aware of choice between customer cash and APR, but restrictions state dealer cash can't be combined with customer cash or APR. Is this just a way of saying dealer cash has to be negotiated for and is not automatically included in deal?

 

Thanks

sjacobson81

Looking to buy a 2005 Expedition Eddie Bauer 4x2, MSRP $42,195. FordDirect says that there is $2000 cash back, but I thought there was also FMCC bonus cash working right now.... true?

 

Thanks for any incentive info on this deal!

CarMan@Edmunds

I sure do, fredvh. General Motors paid its dealers $3,500 for any remaining 2004 Buick LeSabre models that they had in inventory in early January.

 

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CarMan@Edmunds

Hey kmd99. General Motors paid its dealers $4,000 for any remaining 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe / GMC Yukon models and $5,000 on any remaining 2004 Chevrolet Suburban / GMC Yukon XL models that they had remaining in inventory in early January.

 

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CarMan@Edmunds

Hmmmm, that is very strange, dmessler. I am not personally involved in the maintenance of the incentives section of this site. You should be able to contact the individuals who are responsible for this section by clicking on the following link: Edmunds.com Help Page.

 

I can answer any questions that you have about what incentives are currently available in your area on the model or models that you are considering if you tell me what they are.

 

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CarMan@Edmunds

Hi sjacobson81. On the 2005 Expedition, Ford is currently providing 0% financing for up to 5 years OR 1.9% financing for 3 years, 2.9% for 4 years, 3.9% for 5 years, and 5.9% for 6 years plus $1,000 to $1,500 bonus cash (the exact amount varies by region) OR 2.9% financing for 3 years, 3.9% for 4 years, and 4.9% for 5 years plus $1,000 customer cash plus $1,000 to $1,500 bonus cash. In addition to all of the aforementioned incentives, Ford is also running a dealer stairstep program on a number of its SUVs right now that provides dealers with up to another $1,000 per vehicle. Most dealers will probably get back around $500 per truck from Ford through this program. Confusing huh? Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

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macarshopper

Hi Car_man,

 

I'm waiting arrival over the next week or so of an '05 RX330. I know that Lexus isn't really into rebates but know that they do have special financing from time to time. I am in CT.

 

Thanks!

dmessler

I'm interested in purchasing a new Tundra in San Diego, what incentives are available?

steve_il

Hi Car_man,

 

Thanks for your help in these forums; it is invaluable! Can you update me on what the incentives for the 2005 Chevy Malibu Maxx are for February in Chicago, IL?

 

According to the GM website, there is $3000 cash back. Does this require GMAC financing and/or have a special APR associated with it?

 

Also, the Chicago Auto Show is in town and dealers are advertising that there is $500 auto show bonus cash on "some models." Is the 2005 Maxx included in this bonus?

 

Finally, are instant value certificates back for Feburary for Chevy? Any limitations on what models/cars and/or incentives they can be combined with?

 

Thanks again for all your help.

 

Best,

Steve

momto4

Does anyone know if Honda EVER offers incentives or rebates on the Odessey? It seems like none of my local dealers are willing to negotiate at all and the prices are way over list. Any advice would be helpful

CarMan@Edmunds

Hey macarshopper. Lexus is providing special financing and lease rates on the 2005 RX 330 right now. Specifically, it is providing 4.0% financing for up to 5 years and a special lease money factor of .00145 for 3 to 4 year leases. The money factor is equivalent to an interest rate of around 3.5%. As you suspected, there is no customer or dealer cash on this truck at this time though.

 

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CarMan@Edmunds

Thanks for the additional information, dmessler. I believe that San Diego is in Toyota's Los Angeles region. In that area right now, it is providing 0.9% financing for up to 3 years, 1.9% for 4 years, and 2.9% for 5 years or $1,500 customer cash or a special lease program on the 2005 Tundra.

 

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