If you’re thinking about buying a new car this Labor Day weekend, start here with Edmunds and get quotes online from dealerships all over town (when you have people fighting over you it’s always a good thing). You’ll have a number before you even leave the house, no tense negotiations required.
It’s a great time to save on the 2015 models as the 2016s are coming. Here are some deals that Edmunds says are especially good:
“2015 BMW 3 Series
For those looking to enter the luxury market, discounts on this entry vehicle may be an attractive offer. The 3 Series includes sedan and hatchback models, and scores four out of five in J.D. Power ratings for overall quality. However, the 3 Series scores three out of five, or “about average” for predicted reliability.
In some regions, the 3 Series is already being sold for more than $1,500 below its true market value, or the Edmunds.com-calculated standard price customers pay based on past sales, which starts at about $32,950 for the gas engine sedan. The site expects BMW dealers to advertise cash rebates, lease specials and low-interest financing for end-of-summer deals on the 2015 model.
2015 Chevrolet Volt
Chevy’s GM, +1.05% take on the plug-in hybrid is slated for a major redesign later this year, which means big discounts are on the horizon for the 2015 model. Low gas prices this year have stifled demand for the environmentally friendly vehicle, so prices will be especially reduced. Reed says hybrids continue to see a decline in demand due to standard engines becoming more fuel efficient.
“There are some really good non-hybrid options now that have come up over the last five or six years,” Reed says. “They’ve stolen some thunder from hybrids.”
Edmunds.com estimates that most current offers on the 2015 Volt are already $4,000 below its true market value. Though the model scored four out five for predicted reliability in the J.D. Power ratings, its overall quality score was just two out of five, suggesting it may not be the best bang for your buck. The MSRP on the Volt is $34,345.
2015 Honda Civic
This highly rated model may be seeing discounts up to $2,000 below its true market value, according to Edmunds.com. The Honda Civic HMC, +1.59% sedan has an A rating from the site, and scores five out of five for overall quality and predicted reliability in J.D. Power ratings. Despite the high marks, the Civic rates about average for overall performance and design.
Reed says the Civic is one of the more popular models he was surprised to see on the list of Labor Day discounts, making this deal especially “attractive.”
The 2015 Honda Civic Hybrid’s manufacturer’s suggested retail price starts at $24,735.
2015 Toyota Prius
Suffering from the same gas price-induced stagnation as the Chevrolet Volt, dealers are cutting Toyota PriusTM, +2.37% prices down as much as $3,000 below true market value to stimulate demand, says Edmunds.com. Toyota is also offering an additional 0% financing for 60 months to qualified buyers to sweeten the deal. The MSRP on the Prius is $24,200.
Reed attributes the deep discount to the upcoming redesign for the 2016 model. The Prius has not been redesigned since 2004, giving it a relatively outdated body design. If you aren’t picky about looks, however, the offers on the 2015 model are a great way to save money.
“For people that are concerned about saving money, these cars are perfect for them,” Reed says.
Though the Prius scores low for overall quality and overall performance and design, it holds a perfect score for predicted reliability in the J.D. Power ratings.
2015 Volkswagen Passat
While Volkswagen isn’t implementing a total redesign of the midsize sedan for 2016, Edmunds.com estimates that the planned mid-cycle refresh is pushing prices down by $1,000 below true market value, in addition to cash incentives and 0% financing.
MSRP for the Passat starts at $21,340, however it has relatively average ratings, scoring three out of five for overall quality and two out of five for predicted reliability in the J.D. Power ratings.”
Thanks Market Watch!
