Car Prices Blogs - May, 2012

Check Out the Best Memorial Day Discounts on New Cars

May 28th, 2012

Memorial Day is the best time to get huge savings on a new car, truck, or SUV. Various automakers are now offering big discounts along with sales offers that are just too hard to resist.

If you are in the mood for some new car shopping, check out the best Memorial Day Discounts on new cars and see which offer is right for your budget:

Chevrolet Memorial Day Sale

Chevrolet is giving you up to $3,000 in Memorial Day discounts on a new Chevy car, SUV, or truck. The Chevrolet Cruze and the Chevrolet Malibu comes with a bonus $500 discount.

The Chevrolet Silverado, Traverse, Suburban, and Tahoe comes with an additional $750 Memorial Day Cash discount. Get the chance to save big money on your new Chevy SUV by combining the cash discounts with other incentive and rebate offers that can reach as much as $5,000 on the new Chevrolet Avalance.

All Chevy offers are valid until May 31, 2012 only.

Chrysler Memorial Day Discounts

The Chrysler Group has something in store for you. You can now enjoy no payments for the first 90 days on the purchase of a new Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, RAM, and Fiat vehicle. This is a limited time offer that runs from 5/21/2012 to 5/31/2012. Check with your nearest Chrysler dealer to know more about this special Memorial Day offer.

Chrysler is also offering an additional $500 discount on top of the $500 bonus cash allowance to eligible members of the U.S. military.

>Buick Special Discounts

The Buick Enclave is currently offered with an additional $750 Memorial Day discount plus $1,500 consumer cash for total savings of $2,250. The Enclave is also available at 0% APR financing for 60 months plus $750 bonus cash.

The Buick Lacrosse is offered with an additional $500 bonus cash on top of the $1,000 customer cash rebate for $2,000 in total savings.

All Buick special discount offers are valid until 5/31/2012.

GMC Memorial Day

The GMC Sierra already comes with $3,000 bonus cash but you get $750 additional cash discounts under the GMC Memorial Day event.

The GMC Acadia is currently offered with up to $2,750 cash allowance or 0% APR financing for up to 60 months plus $750 customer cash. In fact, you get $750 bonus cash rebates on all new GMC SUV’s and trucks. Offer is good until 5/31/2012.

Now is the best time to shop around for a new car! Enjoy the Memorial Day weekend driving your new vehicle!

Chevrolet Sonic versus Ford Fiesta Car Price Comparison

May 21st, 2012

The Chevrolet Sonic and the Ford Fiesta are not the cheapest cars that money can buy. For a few thousand less than the base price of the Fiesta and the Sonic, you can sink your teeth into the Nissan Versa sedan and the Hyundai Accent, two of the cheapest cars sold in America today.

But the Chevy Sonic and the Ford Fiesta are different because they were conceived to deliver a more thrilling and involving driver experience. The Fiesta was honed and developed on the streets of Europe, where soft suspension settings and a wallowing ride is considered unacceptable. On the other hand, the Chevrolet Sonic is made in the USA, and is years ahead in refinement, build quality, and overall performance compared to the old Chevy Aveo. Both cars are also available in sedan and hatchback trims.

Chevrolet Sonic

The Chevrolet Sonic starts at around $13,865 and is available in two engines: the naturally-aspirated 1.4-liter inline-4 with 138hp and the turbocharged version of the same engine that produces more power and torque. Base models get a surprising amount of standard kit including air-conditioning, alloy wheels, a trip computer, OnStar, and a 4-speaker audio system.

The good thing about the Sonic is that it feels like a bigger car when driven on the road. The suspension travel is firm enough to deliver a pleasing blend of handling and tight cornering, while it is also compliant enough to filter out road harshness and bumps similar to a large family sedan. The steering is also light and communicative at slow speeds but it quickly weighs up when you pile in the corners. The Sonic remains true to its name. It is light, nimble, fuel efficient, and exciting to drive.

Ford Fiesta

It is important to note that the Ford Fiesta is regarded to be one of the best small cars to buy, according to Jeremy Clarkson of TopGear.com. This is because the Fiesta offers the right amount of space, handling, and performance for the price. Starting at around $13,200 for the base model, the Fiesta sedan comes equipped with steel wheels, power mirrors, and a tilt and telescoping steering wheel.

The Ford Fiesta is powered by a 1.6-liter inline-4 with 120hp. The Fiesta offers a rewarding driving experience with agile handling, accurate steering, and a comfortable and muffled ride. The 1.6-liter engine may not be the last word in power, but it revs sweetly and smoothly even on the upper reaches of the rev limit. It is a combination of these traits that makes the Ford Fiesta one of the better small cars in the market.

Based on this comparison, it might seem that the Chevrolet Sonic delivers better value for money, since the base trim model is comprehensively equipped compared to the base model of the Fiesta.

Whatever you choose, the Sonic and the Fiesta provides cheap and affordable options for the new car buyer. They are proof that small cars need not necessarily be the econobox of the past, where comfort, refinement, and performance takers a back seat in favor of a low price.

Chevrolet Equinox versus Mazda CX-5 Car Price Review

May 14th, 2012

Car buyers who want a different approach for an everyday-usable car will have a lot to love about the Chevrolet Equinox and the new Mazda CX-5, two of the best small SUV’s in performance and in price.

The Chevrolet Equinox provides unrivaled bang for the buck. It starts at just above $23,000 while having a premium cabin and a luxurious ride, similar to what you can expect from a car costing twice as much.

On the other side of the spectrum is the all new 2013 Mazda CX-5. The interior is simple, plain, yet elegant, but it fails to match up against the plush Chevy Equinox. However, the Mazda CX-5 has a lot of aces up its sleeve.

It benefits from Mazda’s SKYACTIV-G technology. In lay man’s speak, SKYACTIV-G enhances engine and transmission performance, reduces overall vehicle weight, and makes the car more fuel efficient. The Mazda CX-5 is also fun to drive, with sporty handling and accurate steering.

It is only fair to compare the Chevrolet Equinox with the Mazda CX-5. Here is our car price review:

Chevrolet Equinox

The Chevy Equinox is similar to the Dodge Durango in terms of size classification: it slots in nicely between small and medium without going overboard. Chevrolet wanted the Equinox to have more interior space, and the size is further magnified by the butch stance and the aggressive arch of the front and rear fenders.

The base Chevy Equinox starts at $23,500 while the top-of-the-line LTZ model starts at $29,220. Power comes in the form of either a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with 184hp and 22/32 MPG, or a 3.0-liter V6 with 264hp and 17/24 MPG. The engines are governed by a six-speed automatic transmission with front-wheel drive, but serious off-roaders can choose the available AWD system for maximum traction and grip on unpaved roads.

The rear seats of the Chevy Equinox are roomier than what the Toyota RAV4 and the Honda CR-V has to offer, but this manages to impede rear cargo room. The best thing about the Chevy Equinox is the build quality and upscale feel of the cabin. The suspension was also tuned to filter out road noise, harshness, and vibrations.

Mazda CX-5

Mazda vehicles are known for two things: sportiness and low price. With that in mind, let us introduce the all new 2013 Mazda CX-5. Mazda engineers managed to reinvent the compact SUV and make people forget the equally-talented Mazda CX-7.

However, the Mazda CX-5 goes beyond expectations with best-in-class fuel economy, exhilarating performance, and a sporty yet comfortable ride. Driving the Mazda CX-5 will make you think that you are driving a German compact sedan, minus the upscale cabin and expensive amenities.

Power comes courtesy of a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 155hp. You might think that this is not enough, but the new engine is able to deliver thrilling acceleration while returning 26 city/33 highway MPG with the standard manual transmission. Prices start at $20,695 for the base model CX-5 and around $27,000 for the top-of-the-line Grand Touring model.

Both vehicles can accommodate five passengers and small to medium cargo. Both vehicles are cleverly-designed to stand out from the rest of the pack. If you want a comfortable compact SUV with generous amounts of luxury then the Chevy Equinox is worth a look. However, if you want your small SUV to be nimble and fun to drive, look no further than the Mazda CX-5.

Car Price Comparison: Chrysler 300 vs. Toyota Avalon

May 7th, 2012

Big luxury cars will always have a place in the hearts and minds of American car buyers, especially if you have to choose between the Chrysler 300 and the Toyota Avalon. These two cars are entirely different in design and intent (more on that later), but they both provide generous amounts of interior room along with opulent levels of comfort.

When thinking about which luxury car to buy, you should definitely include the Chrysler 300 and the Toyota Avalon to your shopping list.

Update: There is a new Toyota Avalon that will be launched in the last quarter of 2012. Until the new car hits the showrooms, we will compare the 2012 Toyota Avalon with the 2012 Chrysler 300.

Engines and Powertrain

The base Chrysler 300 is powered by a 3.6-liter V6 with 292hp with rear-wheel drive (AWD is an option on higher trim levels). This engine is controlled via a 5-speed or 8-speed automatic tranmission. You can also choose the 5.7-liter V8 with 363hp and a five-speed automatic. The SRT8 model comes with a 6.3-liter V8 with 470hp. In the meantime, Toyota is offering the Avalon with a solitary 3.5-liter V6 with 268hp and a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard on the Toyota Avalon.

Fuel Economy

The Chrysler 300 is rated at 18/27 MPG in rear-wheel drive and a five-speed automatic transmission. The V6 with the 8-speed automatic transmission achieves 19/31 MPG. The Toyota Avalon has a fuel mileage of 19/28 MPG.

Equipment Levels

The Chrysler 300 comes equipped with automatic headlights, auto-dimming rearview mirror, dual zone auto climate control, and keyless ignition and entry. The Toyota Avalon has more standard equipment including supple leather upholstery, sunroof, rearview camera, and a power driver seat.

Safety

We are proud to say that the Chrysler 300 and the Toyota Avalon were both included in the Top Safety Pick of the IIHS for 2012. Both cars were given an overall ‘Good’ rating in front and side impact crash tests. Both cars come equipped with airbags galore along with stability and traction control.

Price

This is where the Chrysler 300 shines as it also has an attractive base price. The 300 starts at only $27,470 while the Toyota Avalon starts at $33,195.

Both of these cars are supple and comfortable to drive, but as previously mentioned in the first part of this post, they are different when it comes to styling and intent. The Chrysler 300 is sportier than the Toyota Avalon, and the styling will cater to both young and old alike. The Toyota Avalon carries the tradition of conservative Toyota styling, while on-road behavior is tuned towards comfort rather than driving enjoyment.

Make sure that you compare new car prices before you buy. This will help you find the right car that will bring you true value for money.