Nissan's Sentra compact sedan jumped into the list of top 10 best-selling cars in Canada for June, a move obviously linked to the healthy sales sweeteners in play: $2,250 from the factory, plus whatever a shopper can squeeze out of the dealer.
The Sentra is an often-overlooked city car thanks to its mainstream styling and the lack of a hatchback model – hatchbacks represent half the market for small cars in Canada. Putting a little more money on the table has put the Sentra on the radar of more Canadian buyers, despite its no-hatchback status.
And then there's fuel economy. The Sentra is a runner-up in the compact class in J.D. Power and Associates' latest Automotive Performance Execution and Layout or APEAL study – a so-called "things gone right" look at what owners like in their cars. Sentra owners particularly like the fuel economy. (The Dodge Dart won the compact segment, with the Volkswagen Beetle sharing runner-up status with the Sentra.)
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The Sentra story points to the importance of looking closely at how the market evolves almost daily. This year Nissan Canada has been far more aggressive in chasing buyers by using healthy incentives, among other tactics, to juice sales of the Sentra and other models. The factory money in play on the Sentra represents more than 10 per cent of the MSRP, or manufacturer's suggested retail price.
At opposite end of the vehicle spectrum, Lincoln is working hard to blow out remaining 2014 Navigator SUVs, clearing the decks for a re-engineered 2015 model. The new Navigator has a version of Lincoln's signature split-wing grille, a new rear end with LED taillights that extend the width of the vehicle.
Meantime, those considering Acura's RDX crossover should note that the 2015 version is in play with incentive money almost as rich as what's on offer for the 2014. The 2015 has up to $3,000 in factory money on the table, plus negotiated dealer incentives potentially worth $2,500 or more. The 2014 RDX has $3,500 in factory incentives on the table.
Finally, sports cars. The 25th Anniversary Edition of the Mazda MX-5 (Miata) is wearing $3,500 in factory sales sweeteners, plus dealer incentives that could stretch beyond $2,500. So that's $6,000 in discounts on one of the most entertaining cars you can buy.
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Note that next year Mazda is scheduled to launch a reinvented version of the MX-5, this one developed in cooperation with Fiat-Chrysler. Both auto makers have kept a tight lid on their plans for the little roadster. How are they going to make this car better? An intriguing question.
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Deals of the Week consulted with unhaggle.com, Car Help Canada, carcostcanada.com, and other sources on these offers. As usual, pricing information here is subject to change and dealer discounts vary, so consult your dealer for the final details, including expiry dates for all offers.
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2015 Mazda MX-5 2 door Convertible Auto GT 25th Anniversary Edition
- MSRP: $42,125
- Freight, dealer prep, air conditioning tax: $1,930
- Dealer discount (estimated): $2,700
- Factory discount: $2,500 (manufacturer incentive)
- Factory discount: $1,000 (loyalty incentive)
- Taxable subtotal: $37,855
- Total price with 13% HST: $42,776.15
- Manufacturer's incentives are not available with 0.0% financing for 48 months, or a 1.49% lease rate for 48 months.
2014 Lincoln Navigator L 4WD
- MSRP: $78,110
- Freight, dealer prep, Green Levy and air conditioning tax: $3,850
- Dealer discount (estimated): $2,200
- Factory discount: $8,000 (manufacturer incentive)
- Taxable subtotal: $71,760
- Total price with 13% HST: $81,088.80
- Factory discount: $1,000 (Costco rebate)
- Final price: $80,088.80
- The manufacturer incentives are available with 5.59% financing for 36, 48 or 60 months. Also at no charge is a Lincoln no-charge maintenance plan for 24 months or 40,000 km.
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2015 Acura RDX AWD with Technology Package
- MSRP: $44,390
- Freight, dealer prep, AC tax: $1,230
- Dealer discount (estimated): $2,500
- Factory discount: $2,000 (manufacturer incentive)
- Factory discount: $1,000 (loyalty rebate)
- Taxable subtotal: $40,120
- Total price with 13% HST: $45,335.60
- The Loyalty rebate is available with 3.90% financing for 48 or 60 months or a lease rate of 3.90% for 48 months.
2014 Nissan Sentra CVT SV sedan
- MSRP: $19,198
- Freight, PDI, AC tax: $1,667
- Dealer discount (estimated): $500
- Factory discount: $2,250 (manufacturer incentive)
- Taxable subtotal: $18,115
- Total price with 13% HST: $20,469.95
Pricing information source: unhaggle.com and 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. Where noted, "dealer discounts" are negotiated with the customer on a case-by-case basis. Unhaggle Savings are actual discounts received by Unhaggle customers.
If you have questions about driving or car maintenance, please contact our experts at globedrive@globeandmail.com.
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