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Labor Day Deals for Luxury-Car Shoppers

Wednesday, September 1st, 2010

As Labor Day weekend approaches, we wanted to give car shoppers one more rundown of this weekend’s incentives – this time for luxury makes. Many luxury shoppers choose to lease cars, so we're breaking down both the best lease deals and the best deals for financing a car purchase.

Some of the top lease deals can be found at Acura, Audi, Lexus and Lincoln dealerships. Acura has an event going on that is especially noteworthy, offering $0 due at signing and the first month’s lease payment free.

The best financing deals can be found at Cadillac, which is offering six-year loans at 0% interest on most of the remaining 2010 models.

Both loan interest rates and leasing deals often vary by region. Like our APR interactive map showed us earlier this week, the best financing deals are offered to Midwest and East Coast residents. Western states seem to have the most attractive lease deals.

In the listings below, we've given a range of prices when the deals vary by region; otherwise, the numbers reflect a nationwide offer. Most of the deals we've listed end on Labor Day or Tuesday.

Acura lease deals

2010 MDX: $570/month for 36 months (30,000 miles), with $0 due at signing
2010 TSX: $360-$370/month for 36 months (30,000 miles), with $0 due at signing
2010 TL: $430/month for 36 months (30,000 miles), with $0 due at signing

Acura financing deals

2010 MDX, RDX, RL, TL, TSX, ZDX: 0.9-1.9% APR for 24-60 months

Audi lease deals

2011 A4: $379-$449/month for 36 months (30,000 miles), $1,673-$2,894 due at signing
2011 Q5: $469-$619/month for 36 months (30,000 miles), $3,874-$4,368 due at signing

Audi financing deals

2010 A3 A4, A6 A8, TT, TTS: 0.9% APR for 36 months

BMW lease deals

2010 5 Series Gran Turismo: $689/month for 36 months (30,000 miles), $5,614 due at signing
2010 X3: $419/month for 36 months (30,000 miles), $4,594 due at signing
2011 X5: $529/month for 36 months (30,000 miles), $5,804 due at signing
2011 X6: $589/month for 36 months (30,000 miles), $6,214 due at signing

BMW financing deals

2011 1 Series, 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series, X3, X5, X6, Z4, M3: 0.9% APR for 24 months
2010 M6, 5 Series Gran Turismo: 0.9% APR for 24 months

Cadillac lease deals

2010 CTS: $349/month lease for 27 months (22,500 miles), $1,999 due at signing

Cadillac financing deals

2010 CTS, CTS-V, CTS Sport Wagon, DTS, Escalade, Escalade EXT, ESV, STS: 0% APR for 72 months

Lexus lease deals

2010 IS 250: $339-$349/month for 36 months (30,000 miles), $3,489-$4,038 due at signing
2010 ES 350: $339-$399/month for 36 months (30,000 miles), $3,499-$3,695 due at signing
2010 HS 250h: $339/month for 36 months (30,000 miles), $3,499 due at signing
2010 RX 350: $449-$469/ month for 36 months (30,000 miles), $3,499-$3,695 due at signing

Lexus financing deals

2010 IS 250: 0.9-1.9% APR for 60 months
2010 ES 350: 1.9% APR for 60 months
2010 HS 250h: 1.9% APR for 60 months

Lincoln lease deals

2010 MKZ: $349/month for 24 months (21,000 miles), $3,164 due at signing
2010 MKX: $399/month for 36 months (31,500 miles), $4,963 due at signing
2010 MKS: $399/month for 24 months (21,000 miles), $4,393 due at signing

Lincoln financing deals

2010 MKZ, MKX, MKT, MKS: 0-1.9% APR for 60 months
2010 Navigator 0.0-2.9% APR for 36-60 months

Mercedes-Benz lease deals

2011 C300: $349/month for 27 months (22,500 miles), $2,607 due at signing
2011 GLK350: $459/month for 36 months (30,000 miles), $4,253 due at signing
2011 SLK-Class: $499/month for 36 months (30,000 miles), $4,844 due at signing
2011 M-Class: $529/month for 36 months (30,000 miles), $5,074 due at signing
2011 E350: $689/month for 36 months (30,000 miles), $3,159 due at signing

Mercedes-Benz financing deals

2011 C-Class, GLK-Class, R-Class, E-Class: 1.9% APR for 24-36 months
2010 S-Class: 1.9% APR for 24-36 months

*Lease and finance deals vary by region and year/model/trim availability. Higher lease rates apply for lessees with lower credit ratings. Lease excludes taxes, titles and fees.

Posted in Acura, Audi, BMW, In The News, Incentives, Lexus, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz | Comments Off

2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS: First Look

Monday, August 23rd, 2010

2012CLS

Its sales may not have shown it, but the original CLS — unveiled in 2003 — revolutionized modern automotive design. Called a four-door coupe, the CLS promised sporty dynamics of a coupe with a dash of sedan practicality. The only problem was it didn’t do a terrific job at either. It looked great, though.

The redesign for 2012 looks to move the stunning dial up a notch, incorporating a lot of elements from the SLS AMG supercar including a deep, brutish grille and long hood. The profile, too, evokes a sports car rather than a sedan, with the rear being the lone area that suffers from the four-door-coupe clichés the original CLS started — namely, a stubby, teardrop look.

LED headlight clusters — packing 71 LEDs — and taillights are stunning too, and they’re almost a prerequisite these days in the luxury space. The interior is completely redesigned, and it, too, looks more sports-car oriented than the digs of the new E-Class. There’s a choice of wood trims — burl walnut or black ash — black piano lacquer or the carbon fiber trim you see in these photos.

We’ll learn more about the powertrains when the car debuts at the Paris auto show in October. For now, check out more photos below. Our photos can now be enlarged; simply click on one of the images below for the larger version.

Posted in Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class | Comments Off

Cars.com Podcast: 2010 Audi A5, 2010 Mercedes-Benz C300, 2010 BMW 750

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

Three German cars, three 2010 models, three Cars.com editors yapping away. Yep, that’s this week’s podcast. While these models have updated 2011s on the way to dealers, there are plenty of 2010s still on lots, and there are few changes for 2011. Find out how the base A5 impressed, how the base C-Class didn’t, and how the 750Li didn’t live up to the BMW propeller on the hood.

Download the podcast via iTunes here or listen to the MP3 here.

Posted in Audi, Audi A5, BMW, BMW 750, Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Podcasts | Comments Off

Cars.com Reviews the 2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Wednesday, August 11th, 2010

The Mercedes C-Class is the most affordable Benz in the lineup and the brand’s biggest seller in the U.S. The C-Class takes a different tack compared to its BMW 3 Series rival — the largest player in the compact luxury segment — by offering a supple ride compared to the BMW’s sportier nature. However, editor Kelsey Mays had issue with the subpar interior, especially in a car that costs well above $30,000. How does the C-Class fare against staff favorites such as the Infiniti G37 and Audi A4? Read his full review to find out.

2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

2010|Mercedes-Benz|C-Class

Posted in Car Reviews, Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-Benz C-Class | Comments Off

Cars.com Podcast: 2011 Toyota Avalon, 2011 Scion tC, 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet

Tuesday, August 10th, 2010

We tackle two redesigns and one new offering in this week’s podcast. The Toyota Avalon seemed to impress, but the Scion tC didn’t. And the E-Class Cabriolet? Who wouldn’t like it for a balmy summer night drive? If you’re considering purchasing any of the three, you’ll want to hear what the editors discovered during their test drives.

You can download the podcast via iTunes here or an MP3 file here.

Posted in Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Podcasts, Scion, Scion tC, Toyota, Toyota Avalon | Comments Off

Recall Alert: 2002-2010 Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Monday, August 9th, 2010

Mercedes-Benz has issued two recalls for the G-Class because it doesn’t comply with federal regulations for the vehicle’s headlamps and turn signals, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The first recall affects 3,552 G-Classes from the 2002-10 model years equipped with a grille over the front turn signals. While permissible, this grille may make it difficult for other motorists to see the turn-signal lights over time, which could increase the risk of a crash.

Dealers will install new turn-signal lights that are designed to be used with the grilles free of charge.

The second recall affects 1,938 G-Class models from the 2002-09 model years with a front protective grille bar, which covers the front headlamps and fender turn signals. It doesn’t meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards No. 108. The grille cannot cover the front headlamps, according to the safety standard. Mercedes says the bars don’t hinder the illumination of the headlamps.

Mercedes dealers will remove the headlamp grilles free of charge.

Both recalls are expected to begin before November. For more information, owners can call Mercedes-Benz at 800-367-6372 or NHTSA’s hot line at 888-327-4236.

Posted in Mercedes-Benz, Recalls, Safety | Comments Off

Credit Threshold Eases for Car Lessees and Borrowers

Monday, August 9th, 2010

Last month’s car sales were the second best of any month since September 2008, according to Autodata. That startling fact is partly due to the recovery of the automotive financing industry.

Nearly 89% of car shoppers borrow money or lease their vehicles instead of paying with cash, according to CNW Marketing Research. When the money dried up during the recession, many people were left without a way to buy a car. During this time, big lenders started to restrict borrowing. GMAC limited its lending to consumers whose credit scores were higher than 700, which is considered a good score. But now, many lenders seem to be turning the corner, which is great if your credit is less than stellar.

Ally Bank — the preferred lender for General Motors, Chrysler, Saab and Suzuki dealerships — has nearly doubled the amount of loans it has issued this year. The bank financed nearly 82% of all the vehicles sold at 5,000 GM and Chrysler dealerships in the U.S. this year, and Ally says it is ready to ease credit for leasing.

Ally has lowered the FICO score requirement for Chrysler lessees from 660 to a 620, according to Automotive News. A score of 620 is considered the upper limit of the subprime market, which is another way of saying less than perfect credit. That’s a stark change from last year, when the Automotive Lease Guide reported that a fair to poor credit score meant it was probably “difficult if not impossible” to find a lease.

Leasing ratings and approvals fell dramatically in 2008 and 2009 because of the collapse of used-car prices for SUVs and other fuel-inefficient luxury cars and because of the ensuing credit crisis. Auto lessors have lost $10.5 billion since 2005 due to overestimating the residual value of their leased vehicles, according to CNW Research.

Dealerships are also noticing the change in lending attitudes. Penske Automotive, one of America’s largest dealership groups, says it’s seeing an increase in the approval rates for automotive financing. Lending units for Honda, Toyota and Mercedes-Benz are starting to issue more loans and lease agreements, Penske says.

Improved access to leasing is also a good thing if you are a luxury car shopper or luxury automaker. BMW, Lexus and Audi are heavily leased, with Mercedes-Benz seeing nearly 60%-65% lease rates for its vehicles, according to Automotive News.

GM, which sold off its captive lending company GMAC (now Ally), is getting back into subprime lending. The automaker’s recent purchase of AmeriCredit will allow the automaker to re-enter the leasing business. This should give a leasing boost to GM, which is still America’s largest carmaker. Only 7% of GM sales are from leasing, compared with the industry average of 21%, according to CNW Marketing Research.

The overall effect is that we are starting to see more attractive lease offers and 0% APR lending from automakers, and many consumers are getting approved. Toyota is offering $179 leases for its new Camry, Prius and RAV4 to boost sales, and just recently, Chevy introduced a $350 lease offer for its Chevrolet Volt.

Posted in Audi, BMW, Chevrolet Volt, Chrysler, Finance, Ford, General Motors, In The News, Incentives, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Suzuki, Toyota, Toyota Camry, Toyota Prius, Toyota RAV4 | Comments Off

Cars.com Reviews the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet is the newest edition to the redesigned E-Class family, joining a recently launched sedan and coupe from last year. Usually when you chop the roof off of a car to make a convertible some structural rigidity is lost, and that has happened here, according to Cars.com editor Mike Hanley. We test-drove a V-8 model and a V-6 model. Find out whether this pricey convertible has what it takes to compete with the BMW 650i and Jaguar XK convertible, and if the V-8 is worth an extra $8,000.

2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

2011|Mercedes-Benz|E-Class

Posted in Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-Benz E-Class | Comments Off

2011 Mercedes AMG CL63 Puts Out Just 563 hp

Tuesday, July 27th, 2010

In the world of super-fast, super-expensive luxury coupes, there really aren’t many that surpass the CL. Actually, if you’re talking coupes — and not sports cars like, say, a Ferrari — the AMG CL may be at the top of the heap next to the Bentley Continental GT. And who wants to be caught in one of those anymore?

For 2011, the CL gets some exterior design tweaks, most noticeably in the front, which looks a little more snub-nosed than before. There really wasn’t anything wrong with the last model, but there’s nothing really wrong with this one, either.

Most people will care most about what’s under the hood — after making sure they see the AMG logo emblazoned on the wheels and the badge on the back. The AMG CL63 gets a new engine in a 5.5-liter twin-turbo V-8 good for 563 horsepower and 664 pounds-feet of torque. That’s 45 more hp and a mind-numbing 199 more pounds-feet of torque. But really, Mercedes, you couldn’t eke out one more pound-foot of torque to make the math easier on us journalists? It hits 60 mph in 4.4 seconds, according to the automaker. Add the Performance Package, and it’ll shave off a little time.

If you read above and think we’re poking fun at the CL, that’s not the case. We’ve driven the current CL-Class and have hated turning the keys over. Getting all this added power for 2011 just makes us a little more anxious to drive one. The outgoing 2010 CL63 started at $145,200, and we expect the 2011 will be a tad pricier when it goes on sale in November.

2011 AMG CL63

Posted in Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-Benz CL-Class | Comments Off

2011 Mercedes-Benz E550 Video

Wednesday, June 9th, 2010

The 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet maintains the sleek profile of Benz E-Class coupe, but adds the panache of a convertible and some innovative systems to keep occupants as comfortable as possible. Cars.com editor Mike Hanley takes viewers on a tour of the Cabriolet in this video, but with a test model that costs more than $70,000, he definitely expects to be pampered.

Posted in Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Video | Comments Off

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