Lexus is apparently at a crossroads in the brand's evolution, and this has led to a buying opportunity for one Lexus model which arguably is on the outside of the re-branding of Toyota's luxury brand.
Yes, the ES 350 sedan is anything but sporty. Compared to the saucy-looking NX crossover and the racy-looking RC coupe – including the track-ready RC-F… Well, if the ES is balding, slightly paunchy character actor Paul Giamatti, then the RC is trim, middle-aged leading man, George Clooney.
Lexus officials are quick to discuss the brand's emerging "sporty disposition," pointing to the NX, RC and even the GS F performance sedan unveiled in January at the Detroit auto show. What of the ES?
The ES is noted for its out-of-this-world reliability, ho-hum road manners and a spindle grille that belongs on the front of a locomotive. Sporty? Only if you think grey slacks set off by a white belt represents avant-garde fashion.
So the ES 350 looks and feels rather un-Lexus-like these days, though it remains the brand's second best-selling car. Not surprisingly, sales slid notably last year, and Lexus officials noticed.
Thus, savvy shoppers will find the ES 350 wearing nearly $6,000 in combined discounts. Car makers regularly throw this kind of money at cars when a total remake is off in the future – 2017 in the case of the ES, we understand.
Speaking of remakes, Audi's A5 is slated for one in 2016. You will not be shocked to learn the 2015 A5 coupe is wearing as much as $5,000 in combined discounts.
Still, models that boast relatively new designs are not immune to the discounting now commonplace in Canada. The right buyer should be able to secure more than $2,000 is sales sweeteners on the Mazda CX-5 crossover. And with its Employee Pricing promotion in full swing, Hyundai is offering nearly $4,000 is discounts on the recently re-done Sonata midsize sedan. Those Hyundai offers can be combined with zero per cent financing for up to 60 months, too.
These are all good vehicles, but none boasts a history of reliability that quite matches the ES.
Deals of the Week consulted with www.unhaggle.com, Car Help Canada, www.carcostcanada.com, and other sources on these offers. As usual, pricing information here is subject to change and dealer discounts vary, so consult your dealer for all the final details, including expiry dates for all offers.
2015 Lexus ES 350 2WD Sedan
- MSRP: $41,600
- Freight, dealer prep, air conditioning tax: $2,130
- Dealer discount (estimated): $2,625
- Factory discount: $3,097 (manufacturer incentive)
- Taxable subtotal: $38,008
- Total price with 13 per cent HST: $42,949.04
- A $1,327 manufacturer incentive and all dealer discounts are available with 2.9 per cent financing for four years, 3.9 per cent for five, and a 3.9 per cent lease rate for 48 months.
2016 Mazda CX-5 GX 2WD 6AT
- MSRP: $26,195
- Freight, dealer prep, fees and air conditioning tax: $2,030
- Dealer discount (estimated): $940
- Factory discount: $750 (manufacturer incentive)
- Factory discount: $500 (loyalty incentive)
- Taxable subtotal: $28,054
- Total price with 13 per cent HST: $31,701.02
- All incentives but the loyalty bonus are available with 1.49 per cent financing for 48 months, 1.99 per cent for 60 months, and 2.99 per cent for 84 months. The same incentive plan is available with a lease rate of 2.99 per cent for 48 months, 3.49 per cent for 60 months. Loyalty rate reduction of one per cent available for finance and lease rates.
2015 Hyundai Sonata Ltd 6AT
- MSRP: $32,999
- Freight, dealer prep, AC tax: $1,830
- Dealer discount (estimated): $1,550
- Factory discount: $2,265 (employee pricing discount)
- Taxable subtotal: $31,014
- Total price with 13 per cent HST: $35,045.82
- All incentives are available with zero per cent financing for 48 or 60 months, 0.99 per cent for 84 months, or a 1.99 per cent lease rate for 48 or 60 months. Loyalty rate reduction of 0.25 per cent available for finance and lease rates.
2015 Audi A5 2.0 TFSI Quattro Progressiv Tiptronic
- MSRP: $50,700
- Freight, PDI, AC tax: $2,230
- Dealer discount (estimated): $2,350
- Factory discount: $1,500 (manufacturer incentive)
- Factory discount: $1,000 (loyalty incentive)
- Taxable subtotal: $48,080
- Total price with 13 per cent HST: $54,330.40
- All incentives are available with 2.9 per cent financing for 48 or 60 months, 3.9 per cent for 84 months, or a 2.9 per cent lease rate for 48 months. Loyalty rate reduction of one per cent available for finance and lease rates.
and
. Calculations based on Ontario customers. Please note that while the information above is accurate at the time of publication, incentives are given at the discretion of individual dealers, and may be changed or discontinued at any time. Where noted, "dealer discounts" are negotiated with the customer on a case-by-case basis. Unhaggle Savings are actual discounts received by Unhaggle customers.
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