Car Deals for April 2011

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While sales remained strong for the entire month, demand for small, fuel-efficient cars meant car makers didn't need to offer impressive incentives to attract shoppers. As a result, overall incentives were down and analysts expect the trend to continue. If you're looking for a great deal on a new car, April may not be your month.

Complicating your chances of getting a good deal is the ongoing crisis in Japan. Because of the complex global supply chain most automakers use, the Japan catastrophe has had a ripple effect throughout the industry. Even domestic car makers have cut back on production as they try to conserve important parts. For consumers, this means that the supply of new cars could run short, making it tough to find the model and options you want, especially if you're shopping small cars. Adding to the squeeze on small cars is high demand as consumers go for more fuel-efficient models in the face of rising gas prices. High demand and limited supply for small cars means that automakers don't have to offer incentives.


"These latest numbers show by far the biggest February-to-March incentives decline since Edmunds.com started tracking in 2002," said Ivan Drury, analyst at Edmunds.com. "The decline is mostly likely a result of a 26% month-over-month sales jump in subcompact and compact cars which typically have a much lower level of incentives compared to large trucks and SUVs." In March, Edmunds.com says, domestic car makers spent an average of $310 less on incentives than they did in February. That means consumers spent, on average, $310 more on a new domestic car in March than they did in February. For the industry as a whole, car makers spent $469 less on incentives in March than they did in February. That effectively means that consumers spent 16.7 percent more for new cars in March than in February, according to Edmunds.com.


"The actual and perceived supply chain problems enabled automakers to lower incentive spending in March with the trend expected to continue into April,” adds Jesse Toprak, VP of Industry Trends and Insights for TrueCar.com. "The Japanese automakers will see a dramatic reduction in incentive spending in the coming months with an increase in transaction price."


With disruptions in new car production expected to last until mid-June and gas prices remaining high, if you're expecting to get a deal on a fuel-efficient car, you may want to wait. But, if you're considering something larger, you may get a deal. While incentives on small cars are fairly paltry, incentives on SUVs and larger cars are more enticing. Chevrolet is offering the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze with 2.9 percent financing for up to sixty months. Opt for the Chevrolet Malibu, and you can choose between $2,500 cash back and zero-percent financing for 60 months. Go for something even bigger, and you'll get a heftier discount. If you finance a 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 extended or crew cab through Ally Financial (GM's lending arm), you'll get $2,500 cash back plus a $2,005 cash allowance. Together those cash back offers drop the price by $4,505.


If you're looking for something that's better on gas, you can still find some deals, but don't expect generous cash back offers on small cars. Instead, automakers are offering zero-percent financing offers and lease deals. You should also take a look at small cars that may not have been on your radar before. While a hybrid like the Prius may be tough to get, it should be easier to get a good deal on high mileage cars like the Mazda2 and Ford Focus. The Ford Focus is one small car you may be able to negotiate a good deal on because a redesigned Focus is due out later this year. Dealers want to clear the 2011 Focus models off their lots before that happens.


While we strive to keep this list of the best car deals up-to-date, they can change without warning. In many cases, the deals available to you depend on where you live. The best way to find out if you can take advantage of these deals is to contact a dealer near you. You can use the form next to the car you're interested in below to contact local dealers for more information on the best new car deals. If these deals don't work for you, we've got the best deals for Toyota, Nissan, Ford, Honda, Chevy, Lexus, Infiniti, Jeep and Chrysler. We also have this month's best lease deals and best deals on used cars. There's a great deal out there for you, and we've done the research to help you find it.

Carmaker Car Deal Expires Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Chevrolet 0%  APR financing for up to 60 months on many models.  5/2/11 Ford, Lincoln 0% APR for up to 36 months on many models. 5/2/11 Toyota $500 to $1,000 cash back on some models in some regions; low- and no-interest financing in some areas. 5/2/11 Volkswagen 1.9% APR financing for up to 60 months on many models. 5/2/11 Mazda 0% APR financing for up to 60 months on some models, depending on region. 5/2/11 Chrysler, Jeep 0% financing on many models for up to 60 months. 5/31/11 Honda 0.9% APR for up to 60 months on some models. 5/2/11

The best deals for April 2011 are below:

2011 GMC Sierra 1500: Purchase Deal: up to $4,505 cash back when you finance though Ally Financial.

When shopping for a truck, it's easy to get sucked into the Ford vs. Chevy debate and forget all about GMC. That's a mistake. The GMC Sierra 1500 is a capable truck that's strong enough to work all day, but upscale enough for a night out. With the deal GMC is offering on the Sierra in April, you should have enough money to hit the town. Finance through Ally Financial, GMC's lending arm, and get up to $4,505 off on the Sierra 1500 crew and extended cab models. That's enough to put thoughts of a bowtie or a blue oval far from your mind. Expires: 05/02/11

MSRP: $20,850 - $46,645
Invoice: $20,016 - $43,380
MPG: 15 City / 18 Hwy

2011 Buick Enclave: Purchase Deal: $2,000 cash back or 0% APR for 60 months.

The Buick Enclave offers as much practicality as any other family crossover on the market, but ups the ante with high-end style and comfort. While that raises the Enclave's price, most reviewers say it's worth it. Though all the upscale appointments, including an available Bose stereo, are nice, the Enclave gets the most respect for having a third row that's actually adult-friendly. In April, the Enclave's higher price may be easier to stomach. You can choose between $2,000 cash back or zero-percent financing for up to 60 months for qualified buyers. Expires: 05/02/11

MSRP: $35,615 - $44,095
Invoice: Invoice: $33,834 - $41,890
MPG: 17 City / 24 Hwy

2011 Mazda2: Purchase Deal: Deal: 0% APR for up to 60 months.

Mazda, like most Japanese car makers, has faced supply and production issues since the earthquake in Japan. However, that hasn't stopped this automaker from offering the Mazda2 subcompact with zero-percent financing for up to 60 months. The Mazda2 is closely related to the popular Ford Fiesta, and reviewers like its fun-to-drive nature and low price. Keep in mind that Mazda2 supplies may run short due to the ongoing crisis in Japan, so negotiating a lower price may be tough. That's why a no-interest offer like this is so enticing. If you qualify for it, you'll save over the long term. It's also one of the best offers currently available on a small, fuel-efficient car. Expires: 05/02/11

MSRP: $14,180 - $16,435
Invoice: $13,996 - $16,216
MPG: 29 (Est) City / 35 (Est) Hwy

2011 Kia Sedona: Purchase Deal: Deal: $2,000 cash back and 0.9% APR for 36 months.

Minivans are all about value – and reviewers say the Kia Sedona is one minivan that has the value equation all sewn up. While the Sedona doesn't offer as many bells and whistles as other vans do, it does have a lower starting price and a longer warranty. That's good news for parents who care more about funding their kids' college funds than keeping them pacified with wide-screen DVD players. In April, you can finance the Sedona at 0.9 percent for 36 months and get $2,000 cash back. Expires: 05/02/11

MSRP: $24,595 - $29,195
Invoice: $23,870 - $27,275
MPG: 17 City / 23 Hwy

2011 Chevrolet Malibu: Purchase Deal: Deal: $2,500 cash back OR 0% APR for 60 months.

The Chevrolet Malibu may be due for a redesign, but the current model is still a good choice for midsize car shoppers. When the current generation debuted, it won North American Car of the Year, and reviewers still say it's a viable alternative to sedans from Honda and Toyota. The Malibu has plenty of space for a family, and styling that's conservatively elegant. In April, you can get the Malibu with $2,500 cash back or zero-percent financing for up to 60 months. Expires: 05/02/11

MSRP: $21,975 - $27,015
Invoice: $20,876 - $25,664
MPG: 22 City / 33 Hwy