Rebates, Incentives, APRs - Questions & Comments

CarMan@Edmunds · October 2003

I can understand that some of you are getting upset that incorrect advice is being dispensed, I am as well, but let's try to keep things civil. Thanks.

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tsy · October 2003

Is there any way to find out if a manufacturer is going to come out with rebates in the near future? The last car I bought 2 weeks before the manufacturer came out with incentives and I'm trying not to have it happen again.

Thanks

CarMan@Edmunds · October 2003

Hi tsy. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to predict what manufacturers will do with their future incentives programs. In fact, most manufacturers do not even know what they will do with their future programs until they see what their sales results are like. For instance, let's say that DaimlerChrysler was planning on keeping its incentives on the 2004 Chrysler Pacifica at $2,000 and 3.9% financing for up to 60 months through the end of the year. Well, a couple of weeks into the quarter Pacifica sales are extremely low, so even though they weren't planning on increasing their offers on it they decide that they have to increase the cash to $3,000 and lower their special financing rates to 0.0% for up to 60 months in order to achieve their sales goals and sell all of the vehicles that they have produced. One way to protect yourself is to purchase a new vehicle late in the month. Generally speaking manufacturers usually introduce fairly optimistic incentives when their programs are first announced, hoping that they will not have to provide gigantic amounts of support on vehicles. However, as the month goes on, it often becomes clear that they will not hit their sales objectives without increasing their offers. Incentives very very rarely go down as the month progresses, but they sometimes increase, even from month to month.

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clpurnell · October 2003

Car_man that is the information I was looking for.

CarMan@Edmunds · October 2003

No problem, clpurnell. I am glad that I was able to help you out.

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generalmanager · November 2003

YOUR MISSING THE POINT ABOUT A REBATE. WHAT DOES THE REBATE TELL YOU ABOUT THE MSRP AND THE COST OF THE CAR. AT ONE TIME REBATES WERE AN OCCASIONAL
INCENTIVE ON A PARTICULAR CAR. NOW FOR THE MOST PART THEIR ON ALL YEAR LONG. SOUNDS LIKE OVERPAY ME FOR THE CAR AND WE WILL GIVE YOU SOME OF IT BACK.

landru2 · November 2003

I think you are on the right track. But in my experience, as a percentage, very few buyers actually take the rebate money. They virtually all opt for the low rate financing offered in lieu of the rebate. IMO, rebates have become nothing more than advertising tools so that cars can be advertised at specific price points. I see this as legitimate as long as an ad points out that the price has the rebate deducted.

nortsr1 · November 2003

Car Man,
Can you help me out. What is the rebate {customer cash assistance} for the 2004 Saturn VUe V6 FWD. Cars Direct shows $1500.00. When I called a dealer in NJ he stated $500.00. I am interested in New Jersey and Florida {S/E area of Florida}. Last week Cars Direct showed $1000.00. Edmunds shows 1500.00 for the 4 cylinder and nothing {zero} for the V6?????

CarMan@Edmunds · November 2003

Hi nortsr1. I would be more than happy to help you out. The incentives on the 2004 Saturn VUE are a little complicated so perhaps that why there is come confusion. Right now General Motors is providing $1,500 customer cash on 2004 Saturn VUE models with 4-cylinder engines and $1,000 customer cash on '04 VUEs with 6-cylinder engines. This cash may not be combined with the special financing program that it is offering. However, it does have a lower cash allowances of $750 on VUE 4-cylinder models that may be combined with 0.0% special financing for up to 36 months, 0.9% for 48 months, and 1.9% for 60 and 72 months. The above information is definitely correct. I don't know where the salesperson who you spoke with got $500, but they are either really confused or are trying to mislead you.

On an interesting side note, I thought that you might be interested in the fact that I have been hearing more and more stories from consumers lately who have been able to negotiate Saturn's traditional no-haggle pricing. I checked into this with a few dealers that I know and sure enough, some of them are indeed giving consumers discounts. Just something to keep in mind during your negotiations.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

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nortsr1 · November 2003

Thankyou for the fast and accurate response.

nortsr1 · November 2003

CarMan,
I just received this post. Plese refer to the SUV forum and click onto the SaturnVue discussion, post#2911.

CarMan@Edmunds · November 2003

You're very welcome, nortsr1. As far as the enhancements, go, you are absolutely correct. If is absolutely amazing how frequently manufacturers enhance their incentives programs. Heck just today, General Motors enhanced its special financing rates on the 2004 Suburban / Yukon XL and Tahoe / Yukon even though its special financing program was scheduled to run through early next year. I just made a few calls and here is the latest info on Saturn's incentives. Now GM is providing 0.0% special financing for up to 36 months, 0.9% for 37 to 48 months, and 1.9% for 49 to 72 months on all 2004 Saturn VUE models. These special rates may be combined with $750 consumer cash on the '04 VUE 4-cylinder and $500 on the '04 VUE 6-cylinder through December 1st. I just checked both Saturn's and GM's Web sites and neither of them contain any info on these enhancements yet. They need to get on the ball. At least we know what's going on. Thanks for the heads up.

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CarMan@Edmunds · November 2003

While reading my daily dose of literature on the automotive industry I came across the following article in the Detroit News that many of you who are in the market for a new vehicle may find interesting: GM, Ford boost incentives on some new cars, trucks - Automakers aim to slash inventories. Basically the article states that both General Motors and Ford have enhanced their incentives on a number of vehicles over the past several weeks. Off of the top of my head, I have seen them make enhancements to their special financing programs or cash incentives on the Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Ford Mustang, Ford Explorer, Ford Ranger, Ford Expedition, Ford Taurus, Saturn VUE, and Saturn L-Series over the past week alone. These enhancements may be an indication that they are having a rough month in terms of sales and make it a great time to purchase a new domestic product if you are in the market for one. Please feel free to use the following discussion to post your thoughts on this latest round of incentives or to ask any questions that you may have about the latest programs. Thanks.

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nortsr1 · November 2003

CarMan,
   I have been offered a 2003 Vue V6,4,800 miles , never titled, from a Saturn dealership ( used as a demo}. They have stated they will sell for 1000.00 off MSRP. (there is also a 2000.00 cash incentive}{if you don't take their financing option],also added to the mix, I have a 2000.00 credit coming on my GM card...{I had 1200.00 and GM sent me a credit that will take it up to $2000.00 providing I purchase by Dec.1st,2003. {two weeks from now}. On top of that I have another 750.00 credit that I must use by Jan.1st,2004. I already checked and "all the rebates and applicable, which means I can get $4,750.00 off a 2003 V6 Vue.
  My question to you is this:
    Due to the fact that the demonstrator has 4800 miles on it, do you think they should also deduct x amount of dollars for each mile above the normal 5 or 6 miles that a NEW vehicle usually has on it.If so, how much is the norm per mile deduction????
  I really wanted a 2004 Vue and they now have a $1500 cash incentive,but then my 2000.00 GM card is "no good" at all.
  I came up with some figures on the 2003 as compared to the 2004.
   MSRP with ABS and 16 alloy wheels for the 2003, 2wd, V6, Vue is $23,160.00 {this includes freight}.
   Invoice for the above is $21,623.00.Assuming I can get them to sell to me for their invoice, I figure I could purchase this Vue for $21,623.00
minus the $2000.00 cash incentive, minus the $2000.00 GM card bonus points, minus the $750.00 credit rebate would give me a price of
$16,873.00 plus tax and tags.
  I know this is a long post but I would like your opinion and advice. I have a trade-in...but that's another fight in itself.

CarMan@Edmunds · November 2003

Hey nortsr1. The main problem that I personally have with demo vehicles is that in my opinion most dealers never seem to provide large enough discounts on them to justify purchasing what essentially is a low mileage used vehicle over a brand new one. I would rather try to negotiate a discount on a brand new 2003 VUE than purchase one with thousands of miles on it for $1,000 off MSRP. I believe that General Motors Acceptance Corporation charges its lessees something like $.20 per mile if they exceed their mileage allowances. Multiplying that $.20 times the number of miles on this vehicle we come up with a little less than $1,000, so from that perspective the dealership is giving you a reasonable deduction for the excess mileage. However, it wouldn't be enough of a discount for me to justify purchasing it over a model that no one else has driven yet. See if they would be willing to give you a deeper discount on the demo VUE. The worst thing that could happen is that they would say no.

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nortsr1 · November 2003

CarMan,
Thanks, I will give it a shot.

nortsr1 · November 2003

CarMan,
;Just posted on the Saturn Vue board at the SUV discussion.....Man claims he just purchased a 2004 Saturn Vue, got the cash incentive toward the purchase...plus he was allowed to use $1000.00 of his GM card money.I was told that with the $1500.00 cash incentive on the 2004 Vue that the GM card was not accepted. Can you pleasae check this out.. and get back to me.AFK-x {who I believe is a Saturn salesman was also in disbelief. Man claims he purchased in So. Boston area and claims the dealer told him GM has this deal going until Nov.30th?????

nortsr1 · November 2003

CarMan, the guy just wrote on the SUV Saturn board that the dealer called him and stated that he had made a mistake and that he could not use the GM Card.

CarMan@Edmunds · November 2003

No problem, nortsr1. I am glad that I was able to help you out. As far as the GM card goes, you should be able to use your earnings in conjunction with Saturn's other cash incentives. Here is a description of the GM card program that I just copied from Saturn's Web site.

"Use your Earnings on a new Saturn
From April 1 until December 1, 2003, GM Cardmembers can apply up to $1,000 in GM Card Earnings toward the purchase or lease of a new 2002 or 2003 Saturn.*

Add on National GM Incentives for an even better deal. Qualified buyers can combine their eligible Earnings** with National GM Incentives. Find out which incentives are available for you, then get to your local Saturn retailer by December 1, 2003, and get a great deal on a Saturn.

Get into a Saturn now Visit Saturn.com for more info on the Saturn L-series, ION and VUE.
Visit gmcard.com to check your current Earnings.

Just make sure to visit a Saturn retailer by December 1, 2003 and use your Earnings toward a new Saturn!

*GM Blue, Gold, Copper-colored and Platinum Cardmembers can redeem up to $1,000 GM Card Earnings toward the purchase or lease of any new 2002 or 2003 Saturn vehicle delivered from dealer stock between 4/1/03 and 12/1/03.

**For current Earnings, visit gmcard.com or call 1-800-947-1000 and press option 4. Please see The GM Card Program Rules that are applicable to your Account for terms, conditions and limitations; either The GM Card Earnings Program Rules, which have a $500 annual Earnings cap, or The GM Card Earnings and Redemption Allowance Program Rules, which have Earnings redemption limits.

General Motors and GM are registered trademarks of General Motors Corporation. ©2003 General Motors Corp. All rights reserved. Buckle up, America!"

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nortsr1 · November 2003

CarMan,
  Thanks...the key to this is that the earnings are "NOT" good towards a 2004 Saturn. Sooner or later down the road, they will probably relent and offer GM Card Earnings toward a 2004 Saturn as they have in the past.
  I decided to take your advice and pass on the 2003 with 4800 "demonstrator" miles. They were trying to sell me the Vue for MSRP less the $1000.00 off for the mileage on a now one year old vehicle {as the 2004's are now plentiful} and not take anything off the 2003.
  Is there some way to "know" when such offers come out, other then seeing someone post the info on the internet and just by "chance" find out about these GM incentives and GM Card offerings?
  Thanks for your insight. I will probably be posting again as soon as the GM card comes into play on the 2004 Saturn.

CarMan@Edmunds · November 2003

You're welcome, nortsr1. I am not aware of any way that consumers can be altered to the fact that new incentives programs have been introduced. I am sure that General Motors has some sort of e-mail list that consumers can subscribe to on their main corporate page or on GM BuyPower, but I don't know how religiously they use that list to inform consumers of changes in their incentives programs. I would add my7self to that list if I was in your situation. You can always check with me to see if anything is new. I would be more than happy to let you know what I have heard.

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wantapassatnow · November 2003

This is a fascinating discussion! I am considering getting my car ('04 Hyundai Sonata LX) from Carsdirect.com, and they advertise the price as $17,447 -- and that includes the $1,000 rebate. So if what has been said here is true, then $17,447 is not the price Carsdirect is selling the car for? It's really $18,447, and that will be taxed, and then they'll take off the $1,000? That makes no sense given the way the car is priced on Carsdirect. I was under the impression I'd be taxed on $17,447. Very confusing.

masspector · November 2003

Like has been discussed here, it all depends on what state you live in. Each state is different on how it handles the tax with a rebate involved. I would check with a few local dealers to see how it is done in your state. CD is not going to sell you a car, they are going to hook you up with a local dealer that has the car you want and has pre agreed to sell it for the price that you see on CD. Good luck.

nortsr1 · November 2003

CarMan,
Do you find that the automakers "up the ante" as to rebates and incentives for the month of December in order to stimulate the sales of the
unsold 2003's????...or for that matter, even to stimulate 2004 sales?????

CarMan@Edmunds · November 2003

Hi nortsr1. A number of automakers have "upped the ante already." GM, Ford, and DaimlerChrysler have enhanced their programs on a number of models for the Thanksgiving week. Toyota and Nissan have enhanced their programs on certain high volume models as well. Many manufacturers have cleared out the majority of their leftover '03 models at this point. Generally speaking, incentives do increase as the model year progresses, but it is difficult for me to say for certain what will happen with incentives during December. What model or models are you specifically considering? Perhaps I have heard something.

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nortsr1 · November 2003

I know that the 2004 Saturn Vue V6 has a $1500.00 cash incentive but will not take any GM card points. I was "sort of hoping" that they might relent and allow GM credit card points in addition to the cash incentive. Sometimes during a year they will take the GM Card and sometimes they don't. I wish they would make up their mind.

clpurnell · November 2003

lay2 · November 2003

wshirley · November 2003

CarMan@Edmunds · November 2003

Ahhh yes, I remember now. We had a nice discussion about Saturn incentives over on the Smart Shoppers Message Board. General Motors definitely seems to be fairly erratic in allowing GM Card Points to be used on Saturns. If for some reason GM doesn't open up '04 Saturn models to GM Card points in the near future you may want to consider purchasing another model. Have you looked at the Chevrolet Traliblazer? Even though its MSRP is higher than the VUE's, when the higher level of customer cash that is available on it and the fact that it will be easier to negotiate a discount on one than on a Saturn are taken into account, there isn't nearly as much of a price difference at it initially appears. You definitely would be able to use your GM Card points on a Chevy.

Either way, I personally don't see any harm in waiting until December to buy. As I have mentioned in the past, it is difficult to predict what automakers will do with their future programs, but incentives probably don't have anywhere to go but up as manufacturers make the year-end push for respectable sales totals.

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wantapassatnow · November 2003

Hi Carman, do you know if Hyundai will continue (or up) its rebate on 2004s in Decemeber? Currently they are offering $1,000 off the Sonata and $750 off the Elantra -- or special financing -- in an offer that is set to expire Dec. 1, 2003. I need to wait til mid- to late December to buy and am hoping I won't miss out on the incentive. Thanks!

CarMan@Edmunds · November 2003

Hey wantapassatnow. I always say that it is difficult for anyone to predict what automakers will do with their future incentives with 100% accuracy. Having said this, I suspect that most manufacturers, including Hyundai, will at least continue, and possibly enhance their incentives on most models next month. I anticipate that there will be high levels of incentives in December because many companies will be making a year-end push to make their annual sales totals look as good as possible.

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ctrcss · December 2003

Has anyone heard anything on any new Chrysler incentives in December? I am looking to purchase a 2004 Sebring Conv. (LXi/Touring model). The $500 Thanksgiving Holiday cash program just went away. I know they are running $3000 manf to customers rebate on 2004s till the New Year. Any hidden incentives out there? Thanks...

CarMan@Edmunds · December 2003

Hi ctrcss. I believe that Chrysler's $500 Holiday Bonus Cash was scheduled to run through today, December 1st. It certainly was an aggressive promotion wasn't it? To the best of my knowledge, at least to start the month, DaimlerChrysler will be offering $3,000 customer cash on the 2004 Chrysler Sebring Convertible. If you want this car and for some reason missed out on the bonus cash, I suggest that you hold off on your purchase until later in the month. I suspect that DaimlerChrysler, like many other manufacturers - especially the traditional big three domestic, will enhance their promotions at some point in December to make a big push for respectable year-end sales numbers. Of course, no one can predict what manufacturers will do with their future programs will 100% accuracy, but I have a feeling that this is what will happen.

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kubiak · December 2003

My experience just buying a Mitsubishi Endeavor Limited was hopelessly complicated to me by the trade-in issue, which I don't really see completely clarified in previous posts.

The problem is that the trade-in value of a vehicle (I had two to trade) is so variable, even in the guides -- with N.A.D.A. being way high and Kelley low -- that the dealer had me convinced I was getting such a good deal on the trades he would not apply the $2,000 rebate or 2.9 financing to any price but the MSR. I didn't know what to say, since on the lowest guide price he was about $2,000 higher (although nowhere near N.A.D.A). Was I taken?

I also got a free trip to Jamaica or someplace similar from Mitsubishi. Are these trips like the horror stories you see on TV news exposes, or should I go?

Thanks.

CarMan@Edmunds · December 2003

Hi kubiak. Mitsubishis do not typically sell for full MSRP. Having said this, how good an overall deal you got really depends upon how much money you received for the vehicle that you traded in versus what it is worth on the open market. Even though many consumers prefer negotiating the difference in price between their trade and the new vehicle that they want, I personally prefer to keep the deals separate. I always negotiate as low a price as possible on the new vehicle that I want and then get a quote on my trade. If the trade in quote is reasonable then I go for it, if not, I sell my car privately or to another dealership like CarMax. In order for you to evaluate what sort of a deal you got, you need to determine how much the vehicle that you traded in is worth. Look up its True Market Value here at Edmunds.com by visiting the Edmunds.com Used Car Appraiser and compare that figure to your trade in allowance.

As far as the trip goes, I do not believe that Mitsubishi is giving away free trips with its vehicles. This sounds like some sort of promotion that is being run by an individual dealership. Dealers are often able to get really cheap deals on trips through companies that run this sort of promotion. Since this is not an official Mitsubishi promotion it is difficult for me to say that the trip will be like or whether you should go.

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minime5 · December 2003

Hey Car_man,
I went to the Saab dealership on 11/29 looking for a car for my MIL. They told me the program for a 2003 9-3 would would be worse in December than it was in November. Can you confirm or deny this? The deal that they offered me was $5000 off invoice. Thanks!

kubiak · December 2003

Many thanks to Car Man for the fast response to my question about trade-ins and rebates. I think it really is hard to get the kind of 'best deals' people are looking for here if you have a trade. Even if you negotiate the price of the new vehicle first, the minute you then say you have a trade the dealer will just adjust what he will give you to get back what he gave away on the new car. I discovered that my Mitsubishi dealer got right around the TMV by being generous with the trades and applying the rebate. I suppose what people want is the rebate deducted from the TMV, but when you are trading I just don't see how it is likely to happen.

In a lot of ways, I had some "bad" old fashioned car dealer tactics used on me, but in the end I paid a reasonable, if not terrific price for the Endeavor, got out of two slightly upside-down situations without being a dime out of pocket, and will even end up getting paid a cash refund for an extended warranty I cancelled -- with a free pen and trip for two to Cancun thrown in. I can't say I feel cheated.

CarMan@Edmunds · December 2003

Hi minime5. I just had a chance to take a look at Saab's new incentives program today. It's funny that you should mention the incentives on 2003 models. Saab's December program did not mention '03 models at all. It just talked about what sort of special financing rates, lease rates, and dealer cash are available on the 2004's right now. I have to wonder if Saab just paid off its dealers for whatever models they had in stock at the end of November. I will check around to see what I can find out, but I suspect that is what happened. If that is the case, then you should easily be able to buy an '03 at this point for invoice minus any dealer incentives that Saab was providing last month.

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wantapassatnow · December 2003

Hi Car_man ... I am now considering a 2004 Chevy Malibu LT. I have a GM Credit Card in which I have earned about $700 toward the purchase or lease of a new car, plus in the mail I just got a thing from them saying they are upping my credit card points toward a new car to $1500 until the end of the year. I also received in the mail a little while back something from GM itself (not the GM card), saying, "Hey, we know your lease is ending soon, here's a certificate for $1500 toward the purchase or lease of a new GM!" PLUS ... there is a $1000 rebate currently on the Chevy Malibu LT.

Can I combine all of these offers? I can't seem to find anywhere that I *can't*, but who knows what fine print I am missing. The letter from GM says, "Stack this $1500 on top of other national and regional GM incentives for an even better value," so that makes me believe I can combine that, at least, with the rebate. It doesn't mention GM Card holders, but as a GM Card holder I would think membership should have its privileges.

I am leaning toward leasing, so I am not sure if that makes a difference. Either way, I would love to be able to chop off $4000 from the price ... the TMV price, of course.

Thank you in advance for your response and for all of your help in my car-buying quest!

CarMan@Edmunds · December 2003

Hey wantapassatnow. You certainly have a lot of random incentive offers to use on your next car. I am not 100% positive, but I believe that all four of the offers that you mentioned in your post may indeed be combined. The only thing that I am not positive about is whether the GM card bonus cash can be combined with the $1,500 lease-end cash. It certainly would be amazing if you could combine all of these deals. That give you a pretty attractive price on the much improved new Malibu. If you do end up going with this car, please check back with me and let me know how everything turns out. Thanks.

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tarepanda · December 2003

Hi Car_man, can you help me finding what price I should expect to pay for 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer ES and LS ? I am still debating about which one I should get. I saw on this website that it has $2,000 cash rebate, $1,000 customer loyalty rebate (what's this? ). Additionally, there is a $750 college graduate rebate in my area (zip code 98092). Thanks in advance.

wantapassatnow · December 2003

Thanks for your help, Car_man. I visited the Chevy dealer today, and it turns out I *can* combine all three offers if I were to buy the car: the $1,500 in GM Card points, the $1,500 certificate from GM, and the $1,000 cash-back rebate.

Now my question for you is this: Can the rebate be applied to a *lease*? The dealer made it sound like it could not, but who knows if he was trying to somehow pocket that money for himself or the dealership. I know that I can use the GM Card points and the GM certificate on the lease down payment, totaling $3,000, but I am also hoping to apply the rebate as well, for a total of $4k. It would make my decision to lease this car vs. the Hyundai Sonata LX a whole lot easier. (Hyundai, it turns out, has a lease incentive on the Sonata starting this month! And just when I thought leasing it would be out of the question ...)

Once again, thank you for your help!

CarMan@Edmunds · December 2003

Hi tarepanda. I would be more than happy to help you out. Right now, Mitsubishi is providing $2,000 customer cash on the 2003 Lancer. Instead of this cash, you can finance this car through Mitsubishi's captive finance company at 0.0% for up to 5 years or for 1.9% for 6 years. The 6 year rate may even be combined with a $1,000 cash incentive. These are some very attractive rates. You may want to consider taking advantage of them if you feel as though the difference between them and the rate that you would normally would have to pay adds up to more than $2,000.

As you mentioned, Mitsubishi also has $1,000 owner loyalty cash on this model. If you currently have a Mitsubishi you qualify for this additional $1,000 incentive.

Given the current market for Mitsubishis, you should not have any trouble purchasing this car right at dealer invoice, or perhaps a hundred or two over invoice before deducting any available incentives. Look up the dealer invoice price for the exact model that you are interested in by clicking on the following link: Edmunds.com New Car Price Guide. Once you have this figure, deduct the $2,000 customer cash (unless you are using the special financing program) and the loyalty cash and recent college grad incentive if you qualify for them. Use the resulting number that as your target price, shopping around at a couple of local dealerships if necessary.

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jpvwaudi · December 2003

The Malibu and the Sonata are 2 of the fastest depreciating cars in the country today. Rather than leasing either, find a program car where you'll own it for a lower payment. Typically, a current year Malibu (a popular rental) can be had for about 13k. If you're worried about long term reliability, buy an extended warranty.

Leasing a Hyundai? Leases are calculated based on residual value. Hyundai has none, unless supported by their own captive finance company. I'm sure if you call around you can lease a better car for the same money.

CarMan@Edmunds · December 2003

No problem, wantapassatnow. I thought that they were probably compatible. That's great news. It certainly gives you one heck of a discount on this car. General Motors' normal customer cash incentives can not be combined with GMAC's lease program. Having said this, GM provides lease cash on a number of its models that can be combined with GMAC's supported rates. Its lease cash varies by region. If I am not mistaken I believe that you are in California. Right now GM is providing $750 lease cash on the '04 Malibu in its Western region. So even though you would not qualify for the entire $1,000 if you lease through GMAC, $750 is not that big of a difference.

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wantapassatnow · December 2003

Car_man, thanks again. I am in CA, and $750 is pretty darn good - especially on top of my $3,000 in free GM incentives. Do you know where online it says that this lease cash is available? I always like to print that stuff out and bring it to the dealership just in case they say there's no incentive or don't know about it. I knew more about the Chevy Malibu today at the dealership than either the salesman or the sales manager. Scary!

jpvwaudi, I am not sure what you mean when you say, "Rather than leasing either, find a program car where you'll own it for a lower payment. Typically, a current year Malibu (a popular rental) can be had for about 13k." An LT for 13k? Or do you mean the base model? What is a "program car"?

I am a fan of leasing right now due to my financial situation - I want to put nothing down and have a low ($250-ish) monthly payment. But I also want a car that I don't detest (that means no on Toyotas, Nissans and Hondas), and after about 10 months of research, I have narrowed my choices down to the Chevy and Hyundai. Rather than buy, it's better for me right now to put out less money for four years and then say, "Here's your car back, Chevy! See ya!" and then get into the car I *really* want to have for a long time.

Thanks for your help!

CarMan@Edmunds · December 2003

You're welcome again, wantapassatnow. If you feel the need to have proof of this lease cash before visiting dealerships to negotiate, click on the following link: GM BuyPower - GMAC Financing, hit the "Estimate Payment" button, enter your zip code and select the exact model that you are interested in from the menus, and viola it will provide you with a sample lease payment for this car that includes "Mfr. Consumer Cash - $750.00."

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prodigalsun · December 2003

"I also want a car that I don't detest (that means no on Toyotas, Nissans and Hondas), and after about 10 months of research, I have narrowed my choices down to the Chevy and Hyundai."

Ok, umm...So, apparently after 10 months of research, you've develeped an aversion to the most reliable cars on the planet, and have settled on two brands that depreciate faster than 80% of all other car brands, and who's reliability is at the bottom of the barrell. Can you explain to the class, what research you did that could possibly lead you to this conclusion?

wantapassatnow · December 2003

Car_man: Thank you for the link!

prodigalsun: I was not going to reply to your query because I perceive your tone to be judgmental and condescending. However, I find it necessary to point out to "the class" that you may have misunderstood what I wrote. It seems to me you assumed I ruled out the Toyota, Nissan and Honda based on my research. That is not the case. I have detested those brands for years due to my own experiences with them and did not include them in my research at all.

Class dismissed.

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