The best new-car summer clearance deals

Jaguar XJ

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New-car sales continue their upward trend, with industry-average transaction prices reaching ever higher. While that’s obviously good news to automakers and their dealers, it’s of little consolation to bargain-hunting car shoppers. Still, as our research uncovered, there’s still a number of outstanding deals to be had on select model-year 2013 inventory. We’ve documented the 10 best summer clearance bargains in the accompanying slide show, which include some of the most fuel-efficient rides on the road and the industry’s top-selling vehicle.

Unfortunately shoppers will still find new-car and truck prices to be considerably higher than they likely encountered the last time they entered a dealer’s showroom. According to the automotive pricing information and analysis company TrueCar.com, the average new-vehicle in the U.S. sold for $31,088 in July 2013, which was up $360 over a year ago; back in 2008 the typical new-car sold for $27,958.

Fortunately for those looking for end-of-the-model-year discounts, TrueCar estimates that the average new-vehicle incentive for light vehicles was $2,684 last month, which is an increase of $190 from July 2012. General Motors offered the richest incentives at an average $3,747 per model (a 22.3 percent increase over last July’s average); at an average $1,789 allowed per vehicle, Hyundai/Kia incentives jumped by 65.9 percent over those posted a year earlier.

Culled from multiple sources including the manufacturers’ websites, we’re highlighting 10 vehicles from the 2013 model year that are currently being offered with the most generous sales incentives we could find. These include direct-to-consumer cash rebates, discounted financingpromotions and/or so-called marketing-support incentives, which we call additional dealer discounts. Typically favored by luxury automakers, the latter are cash allowances given to dealers to lower the prices on select models without seeming to cheapen the brand by offering cash rebates. The only catch is that a dealer may or may not automatically pass them on without some hard-nosed negotiations.

The Fine Print: Additional incentives may apply, such as those often offered to recent college graduates and members of the military and/or owners or lessees trading in same-brand or competing models. Offers often vary by region and are subject to subsequent modification or termination by the manufacturer; cited financing rates are typically open only to qualified buyers with top credit ratings and may vary based on eligibility.

And no matter how great a rebate deal you may be offered, keep in mind that the final transaction price is always open to negotiation. We expect dealer discounts on any of these vehicles will be substantial for the most-determined hagglers. Be sure to aim for the so-called invoice price (posted on most new-car pricing sites) as a target, and that’s before deducting any applicable rebate or additional dealer discount.


1. Jaguar XJ

Deal: Up to $12,000 additional dealer discount; financing as low as 0.9 percent to 60 months. While the svelte new Jaguar F-Type roadster is getting all the attention these days, the grandest sedan in the brand's lineup leads our list of the most generous 2013 new-car summer clearance deals. Jaguar is offering up to a dozen grand in additional discounts, and that’s on top of the dealer’s already generous markup at stake. This remains a posh and handsome ride and offers a choice of standard- and long-wheelbase models and V6 or V8 engines that top out at 510 horsepower.

2. Mitsubishi i-MIEV

Deal: Up to $10,000 additional dealer discount; financing as low as 0.0 percent to 60 months, 0.9 to 72 months. This compact all-electric four-door hatchback seats four occupants in reasonable comfort and is well suited for city dwellers and those having only modest commutes. It’s also subject to a generous federal tax break and is EPA rated at the electric equivalent of 112 mpg in combined city/highway driving.



3. Ford F-150

Deal: Up to $8,500 cash; financing as low as 0.0 percent to 60 months. With Chrysler having redesigned the Ram 1500 for 2013 andGeneral Motors giving the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 major makeovers as early 2014 entries, how does Ford keep the F-150 at the top of the full-size pickup pack? Sure it remains a worthy entry and enjoys what’s probably the most loyal buyers in the business, but money apparently talks, as this generous cash incentive can attest.

4. Nissan Leaf

Deal: Up to $7,825 leasing cash; financing as low as 0.0-percent to 36 months, 0.9 percent to 60 months, 1.9 percent to 72 months. With Nissan already having slashed the price of its compact all-electric car by $6,400 on the base model, a generous incentive to those leasing a Leaf makes it an even better deal. A federal income tax credit of $7,500 further reduces the price of entry, and an EPA electric equivalent rating of 115 mpg keeps operating costs low.