Mazda made huge strides in the latest Consumer Reports reliability study released this week, moving up eight spots from last year. All of Mazda's models are rated above average for reliability now.
So where's the deal?
Mazda Canada has a $3,500 factory-to-dealer rebate in play – plus the potential for another $1,000 in loyalty and graduate rebates and perhaps $1,000 more in a negotiated dealer discount. A $5,500 cut in the price of a $26,495 Mazda CX-7 crossover wagon is worth some attention. Especially so if the CX-7 is as reliable as CR says.
In fact, Deals of the Week went looking for bargains on models with excellent reliability, based on the latest CR data. The premise here: a reliable vehicle is a deal in and of itself. Add a few sales sweeteners to the mix and you're looking at an interesting buy. We have four of them here.
Take Scion, Toyota's so-called "youth brand." Scion remains the top brand in Consumer Reports' survey, though be aware: only two of Scion's models, the xB and xD, had sufficient data to be included in this fall's study.
The xB is not exactly a steal, but a potential $500 dealer discount, combined with another $500 Graduate rebate, and 0.90 per cent financing for three years, create a deal on a reliable and extremely functional wagon.
Volvo ranked the highest of all European brands in the CR report at 10th overall. Volvo's result was helped mightily by the redesigned S60, which was above average in its first year. For the right buyer it might be possible to squeeze out $3,000 in rebates, and combined them with 3.5 per cent financing.
have tumbled in this year's CR study, to 20th overall from 10th last year, but on "the bright side, the Ford Fusion Hybrid sedan remained outstanding, and other Fusion versions were above average," says CR.
And the deal? Possibly something approaching $8,000 in combined discounts for the right buyer, that on a car stickering at $34,199. Want a hybrid? Think about a Fusion deal.
As usual, Deals of the Week obtained pricing information from www.carcostcanada.com, among other sources Here are the numbers.
2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid
MSRP: $34,199
Freight, dealer prep, air conditioning tax: $1,550
Dealer discount (estimated): $1,800
Factory discount: $3,500 (Delivery Allowance factory-to-dealer rebate)
Taxable subtotal: $34,407.37
Total price with 13% HST: $42,595.35
Factory discount: $750 (No Extra Charge Winter Safety Package factory-to-customer rebate)
Factory discount: $1,000 (Costco member factory-to-customer rebate)
Factory discount: $1,000 (Recycle Your Ride factory-to-customer rebate)
Final price: $31,657.37
2011 Scion xB auto
MSRP: $19,290
Freight, air conditioning tax and dealer prep: $1,450
Dealer discount: $500
Taxable subtotal: $18,940
Total price with 13% HST: $21,402
Factory discount: $500 (Graduate Program factory-to-customer rebate)
Note: 0.90 per cent finance rate for up to three years
2011 Volvo S60 T6 AWD
MSRP: $45,450
Freight, dealer prep and air conditioning tax: $1,195
Dealer discount (estimated): $1,600
Factory discount: $1,000 (Add Cash factory-to-dealer rebate)
Taxable subtotal: $44,045
Total price with 13% HST: $49,770.85
Factory discount: $1,000 (Loyalty Offer factory-to-customer rebate)
Factory discount: $1,000 (Graduate Program factory-to-customer rebate)
Final price: $47,770.85
Note: 3.5 per cent finance rate for up to 72 months
2011 Mazda CX-7 GX FWD
MSRP: $26,495
Freight, dealer prep and air conditioning tax and Green Levy: $1,895
Dealer discount (estimated): $1,000
Factory discount: $3,500 (Mazda Retail Cash factory-to-dealer rebate)
Taxable subtotal: $23,890
Total price with 13% HST: $26,995.70
Factory discount: $500 (Owner Loyalty factory-to-customer rebate)
Factory discount: $500 (Graduate Program factory-to-customer rebate)
Final price: $25,995.70
Pricing information source: www.carcostcanada.com. 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. Dealer discounts are negotiated with the customer on a case-by-case basis.