2012 Buick Verano
If you think Buick is an old folks brand, a relic for car-buying relics, you haven't had a long look at the 2012 Verano and you haven't contemplated the deal here. Have a look.
The Verano, a compact sedan that shares a platform with the mainstream Chevrolet Cruze, has a sleek exterior, a tidy cabin, pretty good power train choices and a very quiet ride. All for a starting price of $22,595.
"Starting" is the operative word here. The slightly upmarket Verano is available with at least a $1,000 factory-to-dealer sales sweetener, though the right buyer could string together up to $3,000 in factory-to-dealer discounts – plus whatever dealer discount you, the buyer, can negotiate.
That's a good buy. Buick as a brand is showing some promise and the Verano is one reason why. Another is the Enclave, a somewhat aging crossover which had its debut way back in 2007 and ended 2011 on a record sales pace. Buick's North American sales overall were up in 2011 by almost 20 per cent. (By the way, the next big thing from Buick will be the Encore small crossover. You'll see it for the first time next week at the Detroit auto show.)
Meanwhile, did you notice that Toyota has a burr under its saddle? The once-somnolent car-making juggernaut is starting to flex its muscles and written across one bulging bicep are the words "financial clout." Translation: Toyota is spending some of what's in the bank account on some very rich offers to tease and entice reluctant buyers.
Case in point: the 2012 Toyota Venza, a very useful crossover wagon being offered with a $2,250 factory-to-dealer incentive in play.
Deals of the Week also likes the 2012 Mazda CX-9, a big crossover with an affordable price: $36,395 to start and at least $1,000 in factory incentives waiting for you. Finally, the Nissan Quest minivan is an interesting offer for 2012: $3,000 in factory-to-dealer money. The Quest is an all-new minivan and with $3,000 in the cargo hold, can likely be had for around $27,000 or so to start.
As usual, Deals of the Week obtained pricing information from www.carcostcanada.com, among other sources Here are the numbers.
2012 Buick Verano 1SB
- MSRP: $22,696
- Freight, dealer prep, air conditioning tax: $1,595
- Dealer discount (estimated): $1,000
- Taxable subtotal: $23,290
- Total price with 13% HST: $26,317.70
- Factory discount: $1,000 (Connect-and-Win factory-to-customer rebate)
- Factory discount: $1,500 (Cash for Leases factory-to-customer rebate)
- Factory discount: $750 (Student Bonus factory-to-customer)
2012 Toyota Venza
- MSRP: $29,425
- Freight, air conditioning tax and dealer prep: $1,735
- Dealer discount: $1,250
- Factory discount: $2,250 (Non-stackable Cash Discount factory-to-consumer rebate for cash purchases)
- Taxable subtotal: $27,660
- Total price with 13% HST: $31,255.80
2012 Mazda CX-9 GS FWD
- MSRP: $36,395
- Freight, dealer prep and air conditioning tax and Green Levy: $1,895
- Dealer discount (estimated): $1,500
- Factory discount: $1,000 (Mazda Retail Cash factory-to-dealer rebate)
- Taxable subtotal: $35,790
- Total price with 13% HST: $40,442.70
- Factory discount: $250 (Owner Loyalty factory-to-consumer rebate)
- Final price: $40,192.70
2012 Nissan Quest S
- MSRP: $29,998
- Freight, dealer prep: $1,750
- Dealer discount (estimated): $1,000
- Factory discount: $3,000 (Non-stackable Trading Dollars factory-to-dealer rebate)
- Taxable subtotal: $27,748
- Total price with 13% HST: $31,355.24
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.