Mar 11th, 2010 by Liz Opsitnik
March car shoppers will find several 0% auto loan rate incentives and no money due at signing leasing offers across the foreign brands. Toyota shoppers will also see increased incentives, as the automaker struggles to turn around its image amid a massive recall crisis.
Honda – Honda has lowered its auto loan rate incentives in March. In February, the car loan rate incentives were 1.9% to 2.9%. But in March, Honda is offering buyers 0.9% to 2.9% financing on select models. The auto loan rate goes up with an increased loan length. Honda’s February lease specials feature the 2010 Pilot, Odyssey, Insight and Civic with no money due at signing. This means there is no first month’s payment, no down payment and no money due at lease signing. You’ll still have to come up with tax, title and fees.
Toyota – Toyota’s temporary loyalty cash offers ended March 1. Only the Yaris has a $1,000 cash back offer in March. Most notable for March are Toyota’s 0% auto loan rates on most of its models. On some models, the 0% car loans are for 60 months, when Toyota usually only offers 0% financing for 36 months. Toyota also has lease specials in March for several models. You’ll need about $3,000 due at lease signing and monthly payments range from $119 to $349. Toyota is also offering a complimentary two-year premium maintenance program for customers who purchase or lease a new vehicle and provide proof of a Toyota, Lexus or Scion vehicle already registered in their household, with applicable conditions.
Scion, like always, is offering only lease incentives in March. The xB, tC and xD can be leased for $217 to $266 per month for 36 months. You’ll need about $900 at lease signing.
The Honda Civic can be leased in March with no money due at signing.
Nissan – Nissan is offering buyers 0% car loans in March on most of its models or cash back incentives. For example, the 2010 Altima can be purchased with 0% financing for 36 months, or buyers can choose $1,000 cash back. The Murano has the same 0% auto loan incentive for 36 months or $500 cash back. Most Nissan models also have lease specials in March, with monthly payments ranging from $149 to $459.
Hyundai – Hyundai is offering car loans with 2.9% or 3.9% financing in March on most of its models. The 2010 Sonata has a 0% auto loan offer for 60 months. Hyundai has lease specials on its 2010 Veracruz, 2010 Tucson, 2011 Sonata, 2010 Genesis and Genesis Coupe and 2010 Elantra and Elantra Touring in March, with monthly payments ranging from $159 to $399. Hyundai is also offering customer cash back of up to $2,500 on several models.
Suzuki – All remaining 2009 Suzuki models have 0% auto loans for 60 months in March. Shoppers can also receive $2,000 to $4,000 in factory customer cash on 2009 models. On Suzuki’s 2010 models, factory customer cash ranges from $1,000 to $2,000. Suzuki’s 2010 models can be purchased with 0% financing for 60 months on the Grand Vitara and Equator Extended and Crew Cab. All other 2010 models can be purchased with 1.9% auto loans for 60 months or low lease payments for 36 or 48 months. Suzuki is also offering owner loyalty, military and graduate incentives as well in March.
Kia – Kia is offering 0% auto loans for 36 months on its 2010 Soul, Forte, Forte Koup and 2011 Sorento. Kia has between $500 and $5,000 in cash back incentives in March as well. The cash back can’t be combined with the low APR offer. Shoppers can lease the 2010 Forte, Forte Koup and Soul for 36 months with about $2,000 due at lease signing and monthly payments less than $200. The 2011 Sorento can be leased for $239 a month for 36 months with $2,700 due at signing. Kia’s competitive bonus gives up to $1,500 to shoppers who buy a new Kia and trade-in one of several competitors brands’ models. Kia also has owner loyalty, college and military incentives in March.
Mazda – Mazda is offering 0% auto loans on the 2010 Mazda3, Mazda5, Mazda6, CX-7, CX-9 and Tribute in March. Some of the models included in the no interest loan incentive are for up to 60 months with no monthly payments for 90 days. Leasing shoppers can still take advantage of 42-month leases with no money due at signing, no first month’s payment, no security deposit and no down payment on certain models in March. Mazda also has loyalty bonus incentives in March.
Mitsubishi – Mitsubishi is giving buyers up to $3,000 in factory rebates for remaining 2009 Lancer, Eclipse and Outlander models. Every Mitsubishi vehicle has a 0% auto loan incentive in March. Although most 0% offers are only for 36 or 48 months, the 2009 Eclipse and Eclipse Spyder can be purchased with a 0% interest car loan for a whopping 72 months. Most 2010 models also have 36 or 48-month lease specials in March as well. Mitsubishi is also offering military and customer loyalty incentives in March.
Subaru – Subaru is offering buyers 2.9% financing in March on all its models. If you prefer leasing, Subaru has lease specials on all its models as well for 42 months. Monthly lease payments range from $179 to $389.
*Some incentives listed are for the Southeast region. Check the automaker’s Web site to search for incentives in your area, as they may be different depending on where you live.