Memorial Day Edition: Best new car deals on American cars

May 24, 2011 8:30 AM

While many motorists will be hitting the road on vacation, this Memorial Day weekend, it’s also a great time to buy a new car. There are a number of discounts available, and dealers may be more willing to negotiate since it’s also the end of the month and they want to meet their quotas. In honor of this American holiday and unofficial start of summer, we are listing good deals on recommended vehicles from the U.S.-based automakers.

The models highlighted in the chart have Bottom Line Prices below the manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP), when factoring all national incentives. Regional or local offers, as well as bonus incentives that are targeted at specific audiences such as military personnel or college graduates, may further sweeten the deal. The Bottom Line Price gives you a strong starting point for your negotiations, working up from the rock bottom, rather than haggling down from MSRP or even advertised offers.

The models listed are just a few of our Best New Car Deals--notable discounts on models recommended by Consumer Reports. These vehicles scored well in our testing, have average or better predicted reliability, and performed well in government or insurance-industry safety tests, if evaluated.

Make & model	Expires	MSRP	Invoice price	Customer rebate	Dealer incentive	Bottom line price	Potential savings below MSRP
Chrysler Group
2011 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT 4WD Crew Cab	5/31/2011	35,010	32,534	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
Ford Motor Company
2011 Ford F-150 XLT 4WD SuperCrew 157-in	5/31/2011	36,580	33,174	Yes	Yes	Get the Bottom Line Price	10%+
2011 Ford Flex Limited AWD EcoBoost	5/31/2011	42,890	39,840	Yes	Yes	Get the Bottom Line Price	10%+
2011 Ford Focus SE sedan	5/31/2011	18,870	17,587	Yes	Yes	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2011 Ford Fusion I-4 Se	5/31/2011	21,680	20,042	Yes	Yes	Get the Bottom Line Price	10%+
2011 Ford Mustang GT Premium Convertible	5/31/2011	37,845	34,765	Yes	Yes	Get the Bottom Line Price	10%+
2011 Ford Taurus Limited FWD	5/31/2011	32,020	29,513	Yes	Yes	Get the Bottom Line Price	10%+
2011 Lincoln MKZ V6	5/31/2011	34,645	32,565	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	10%+
2011 Lincoln Navigator 4WD	5/31/2011	60,530	56,868	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	10%+
General Motors
2011 Buick Enclave CXL-1 AWD	5/31/2011	$40,980	$38,931	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	10%+
2011 Buick Lucerne Super	5/31/2011	44,460	42,682	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2011 Cadillac DTS Luxury Collection	5/31/2011	51,925	49,069	No	Yes	Get the Bottom Line Price	20%+
2011 Chevrolet Avalanche 4WD LT	5/31/2011	42,455	39,483	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2011 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible	5/31/2011	54,045	49,181	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2011 Chevrolet Malibu 1LT	5/31/2011	22,975	21,826	Yes	Yes	Get the Bottom Line Price	20%+
2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT 4WD Crew Cab	5/31/2011	35,000	32,550	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	20%+
2011 Chevrolet Suburban 4WD 1500 LTZ	5/31/2011	56,580	52,619	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	10%+
2011 Chevrolet Traverse 3.6 AT 4WD 1LT	5/31/2011	34,010	32,310	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	10%+
2011 GMC Sierra 1500 4WD Crew Cab SLT SWB	5/31/2011	42,660	39,674	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	20%+
2011 GMC Yukon XL 4WD 1/2 Ton SLT (4SA)	5/31/2011	49,415	45,956	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	10%+

Full pricing information is available to online subscribers through the model overview pages.

Consumer Reports also has a "Build & Buy" service that lets you configure a new vehicle online and receive guaranteed, competitive price quotes from up to three dealers in your area who have agreed to meet strict guidelines of conduct. Available to Consumer Reports New Car Price Report purchasers, as well as ConsumerReports.org subscribers, the service is completely free and you are under no obligation to buy.

—Liza Barth

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