2012 Mazda5
Lexus, the Toyota premium brand, unveiled a reinvented 2013 LS in San Francisco this week. So long old LS, hello new one.
The updated LS lineup includes the LS 460, LS 600h (hybrid) and a racy new F SPORT edition. Lexus says the 2013 LS 600h remains the world's most powerful full hybrid V-8. This is a nod to the Germans who, in the case of both BMW and Mercedes-Benz, have introduced big hybrid sedans (7-Seris for BMW, S-Class for Mercedes).
Among many things, this signals a deal on the outgoing LS, one that if put together properly could be worth as much as $10,000 on a $101,050 long-wheelbase LS. Of course, this being the official start of the Dog Days of August in the car business, the deal might get richer and the month goes on.
Indeed, the four deals for this week were all set to expire July 31, but for a number of reasons – model changeovers, empty showrooms and intense competition being three – the highlighted sales sweeteners might get richer, yet.
What we know is that Lexus Canada and its dealers will be happy to clear the decks for the 2013 LS, so whatever is left of the 2012s will be on offer. It's the same story for the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe crossover, too. A remade 2013 version is coming this fall, so in the Dog Days you can expect to find as much as $4,500 in discounts. Perhaps more.
Meanwhile, the Volkswagen Jetta compact sedan needs a little juice to spark sales, which are down 12 per cent this year. A very nicely equipped Jetta Comfortline with the preferred 2.5-litre engine ($22,575) might be had with as much as $3,000 in discounts for the loyal VW buyer. And that's not including whatever dealer discount you are able to negotiate.
Finally, the Mazda5 wagon. This really is a fantastic family vehicle. It has seating for six in three rows, sliding side doors that are ideal for parking lots, and some very tidy handling characteristics – especially for what is quite honestly a minivan. If you need an utterly practical family rig, Mazda Canada has it for you with a $4,000 factory-to-dealer rebate. New grads qualify for another $400 and then there is the little matter of a dealer discount. All on a $21,950 Mazda5.
As usual, Deals of the Week obtained pricing information from carcostcanada.com, among other sources. Consult your dealer for all the details. In the meantime, here are the numbers.
2012 Mazda5 GS
- MSRP: $21,950
- Freight, dealer prep, air conditioning tax: $1,995
- Dealer discount (estimated): $650
- Factory discount: $4,000 (Mazda Retail Cash factory-to-dealer rebate)
- Taxable subtotal: $19,295
- Total price with 13 per cent HST: $21,803.35
- Factory discount: $400 (Grad Award factory-to-customer rebate)
- Final price: $21,403.35
Offer was due to expire July 31, but may be continued or even enhanced
2012 Hyundai Santa Fe GL Premium Auto
- MSRP: $29,699
- Freight, dealer prep and air conditioning tax: $1,860
- Dealer discount (estimated): $900
- Factory discount: $4,500 (Stackable Cash factory-to-dealer rebate)
- Taxable subtotal: $26,159
- Total price with 13 per cent HST: $29,559.67
Can be combined with 0.0 per cent financing for 48 months· Offer was due to expire July 31, but may be continued or even enhanced.
2012 Lexus LS 460 LWB AWD
- MSRP: $101,050
- Freight, dealer prep, AC tax: $2,050
- Dealer discount (estimated): $5,000
- Taxable subtotal: $98,100
- Total price with 13 per cent HST: $110,853
- Factory discount: $5,000 (Non-stackable Trading Dollars factory-to-dealer rebate)
- Final price: $105,853
Offer was due to expire July 31, but may be continued or even enhanced.
2012 Volkswagen Jetta 2.5L Comfortline Auto
- MSRP: $22,575
- Freight, dealer prep, AC tax: $1,465
- Dealer discount (estimated): $650
- Factory discount: $2,500 (Dealer Cash factory-to-dealer rebate)
- Taxable subtotal: $20,890
- Total price with 13 per cent HST: $23,605.70
- Factory discount: $500 (Loyalty Bonus factory-to-customer rebate)
- Final price: $23,105.70
Offer was due to expire July 31, but may be continued or even enhanced.
Pricing information source: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.