We're mining positive road test reviews and the latest information from the new-product pipeline for this week's four Deals of the Week.
Exhibit A: the 2011 Chrysler 300C AWD (all-wheel drive). In shiny black, this one looks like Batman's daytime ride. Bad in a good way. Lots of power, excellent ride and handling, new interior. This is a nicely done remake without a big price bump.
But don't believe only me. Take a gander at what Consumer Reports has to say. The Chrysler 300C earned an "Excellent" 80 road test score, up from 64 for the previous model. Instead of wallowing at the bottom of the upscale sedan pack, this Chrysler now ranks in the middle.
"It's unusual to see a redesigned model rise so far in Consumer Reports' ratings," says the report. "CR's engineers and editors called the new 300 'the best Chrysler sedan we've seen in decades.'"
We'll also call it a deal – at least it was with the $3,000 Lease-to-Retail Bonus factory-to-customer rebate Chrysler Canada has had in play. That rebate was "stackable" with 0.0 per cent financing for three years. Buyers will need to check with their dealer or Chrysler Canada to ensure this sales program remains in place.
Next up is the 2011 Toyota Prius hybrid. Toyota is about to launch a sort-of station wagon version of the world's top-selling gasoline-electric car. But with a $2,500 Consumer Cash factory-to-customer rebate under the hood of the regular Prius, Deals wonders if this is a good time to be expanding the Prius line with what's being called the Prius V.
Exhibit C: Kia has been pushing the boxy Soul wagon with something called the Kia Prime Rate Credit factory-to-dealer rebate. It's been worth $2,500 and has been stackable with 3.49 per cent financing for up to five years. Moreover, Kia Canada will let you go 120 days before you make a payment. Again, check with your dealer or Kia Canada for full details.
Finally, we're just a short time away from the launch of a reinvented Mercedes-Benz B-Class. The outgoing model has had a $1,500 sales sweetener in the trunk – something called Direct Support for Cash Purchases factory-to-dealer rebate. This one might expire at any time, so ask your dealer or Merc Canada.
As usual, Deals of the Week obtained pricing information from www.carcostcanada.com, among other sources Here are the numbers.
2011 Mercedes-Benz B-Class Turbo
MSRP: $32,400
Freight, dealer prep, air conditioning tax: $2,095
Dealer discount (estimated): $1,500
Factory discount: $1,500 (Direct Support for Cash Purchases factory-to-dealer rebate)
Taxable subtotal: $31,495
Total price with 13% HST: $35,589.35
2011 Kia Soul 2.0 manual
MSRP: $18,595
Freight, air conditioning tax and dealer prep: $1,750
Dealer discount: $500
Factory discount: $2,500 (Kia Prime Rate Credit factory-to-dealer rebate)
Taxable subtotal: $17,345
Total price with 13% HST: $19,599.85
Note: can be combined with 3.49% financing for up to five years; 120 days no payments.
2011 Toyota Prius
MSRP: $27,800
Freight, dealer prep and air conditioning tax: $1,590
Dealer discount (estimated): $750
Taxable subtotal: $28,640
Total price with 13% HST: $32,363.20
Factory discount: $2,500 (Consumer Cash factory-to-customer rebate)
Final price: $29,863.20
Note: Can be combined with 3.90 per cent financing for up to five years
2011 Chrysler 300C AWD
MSRP: $41,995
Freight, dealer prep and air conditioning tax and Green Levy: $1,500
Dealer discount (estimated): $1,150
Taxable subtotal: $42,345
Total price with 13% HST: $47,849.85
Factory discount: $3,000 (Lease-to-Retail Bonus factory-to-customer rebate)
Note: Can be combined with 0.0% financing for three years.
Pricing information source: www.carcostcanada.com. Calculations based on Ontario customers. Please note that while the information above is accurate at the time of publication, incentives are given at the discretion of individual dealers, and may be changed or discontinued at any time. Dealer discounts are negotiated with the customer on a case-by-case basis.