2008 Chevrolet HHRGM
Listen up you people who work in the trades, or those of you who have a need for a medium or small car cargo van: have we got deals for you.
Ford's newly-arrived Transit Connect is the class of the small cargo van field, but it's also just a hair pricey when matched up to the cargo version of the Dodge Grand Caravan and the Chevrolet HHR cargo.
The Ford certainly has the most flexible and useful cargo space, but while Ford Canada has put in place some discounting, the van's merits are obviously worth something, too. The Grand Caravan is a big van with interesting sales sweeteners that may be able to do almost everything the Transit Connect is capable of, at a lower price.
Meanwhile, the HHR panel truck an ideal small delivery van. I've also heard from photographers and small appliance repair people who say the HHR works perfectly for their needs - and like the Transit Connect, has a fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine, versus the thirstier Grand Caravan.
Here's a look at the deals:
2010 Ford Transit Connect: The base MSRP (manufacturer's suggested retail price) of $26,799 is for a tall and boxy panel truck without windows in the rear doors; they are extra. This made-in-Turkey, front-drive van is a global hit, with more than 650,000 having been sold worldwide.
The available discounts can be combined to up to $3,000, plus a potential dealer holdback of two per cent. The holdback is a factory subsidy that helps pay for dealer interest charges and marketing costs. It is refunded to the dealer after a unit is sold.
The $3,000 total comes in the form of a $1,500 factory-to-dealer rebate, a $500 Canadian Forces bonus and Ford's own $1,000 cash-for-clunkers bonus. Naturally, the federal government's $300 clunker subsidy also comes into play if you are trading in a 1995-or-older ride.
Ford Credit's finance rate of 6.99 per cent for five years is not particularly attractive.
The details:
MSRP: $26,799.
Freight, dealer prep and air conditioning tax: $1,400
Dealer discount (average): $800
Final price before factory discount: $27,399
Factory discount: $3,000
Total price before GST and PST: $24,399
Total price with 8 per cent PST and 5 per cent GST: $27,570.87
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Deal No. 2: 2010 Chevrolet HHR LS panel wagon. The HHR panel wagon is a very functional little work truck, with a decent four-cylinder engine, good fuel economy and a versatile if not overly large cargo hold.
And if this is the sort of ride you want, it's a steal. Chevrolet has up to $5,100 in discounts available on a wagon with a list price of only $20,545.
Not all buyers will be able to combine or "stack" all the sweeteners, but what's on offer includes a basic factory-to-dealer rebate of $1,600, Holiday Bonus ($1,000), cash for clunkers ($1,000), Loyalty Bonus ($1,000) and a Canadian Forces Bonus ($500).
Factor in a dealer discount, and some buyers might be able to get out the door for less than $18,000, taxes included.
The details:
MSRP: $20,545.
Freight, dealer prep and air conditioning tax: $1,350
Dealer discount (average): $600
Final price before factory discount: $21,295.
Factory discount: $5,100
Total price before GST and PST: $16,195
Total price with 8 per cent PST and 5 per cent GST: $18,300.35.
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Finally, No. 3, the 2010 Dodge Caravan Cargo Van (C/V): At $27,945, this van has the biggest sticker price, but discounts that could add up to as much as $4,700 take a big whack out of that number.
The offers include a $3,500 in factory-to-dealer rebate, the $500 Canadian Forces discount and a $700 holdback. Together, these discounts could reduce the out-the-door price to about $27,000. Not bad at all for a big and potentially very useful van.
The details:
MSRP: $27,945.
Freight, dealer prep and air conditioning tax: $1,400
Dealer discount (average): $750
Final price before factory discount: $28,595.
Factory discount: $4,700
Total price before GST and PST: $23,895
Total price with 8 per cent PST and 5 per cent GST: $27,001.35.
(Pricing provided, by www.CarCostCanada.com. Offers are subject to change without notice.)