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car review

2011 Mazda CX-9

ALG, formerly known as Automotive Lease Guide, says Subaru tops the list of 2011 models for predicted future residual values. In other words, Subarus should lose less of their value over time than any other mainstream brand.

And that's why Deals of the Week is putting the spotlight on the 2011 Subaru Legacy, which is the top mid-size vehicle for predicted resale value. In addition to the strong residual value argument, Subaru Canada is offering a $1,000 cash discount to sweeten the deal. Not bad.

Depreciation, of course, is the single biggest factor in determining how much a vehicle will cost the owner. Thus, Subaru has a "Deals" story to tell, even if that $1,000 discount seems modest.

For the record, ALG predicts 2011 Subaru cars and trucks overall will hold an average of 41.8 per cent their sticker price after 48 months, the highest score of any mainstream brand. Honda is second at 41 per cent, followed by Nissan at 38.1 per cent and Toyota and Volkswagen tied at 37 per cent.

On the luxury side, Infiniti is on top of the 2011 ALG awards for the third straight year, with its vehicles predicted to hold onto 45.4 per cent of their value after three years. In second place among the luxury set are Acura (44.8 per cent), BMW (44.6 per cent), Audi (42.5 per cent) and Volvo (40.7 per cent).

Beyond the Legacy, Deals of the Week went looking for discounts on three other category winners from the 2011 ALG list. The result of that search: two Toyota pickups, large and mid-size, and a Mazda crossover SUV (sport-utility vehicle).

As usual, Deals of the Week obtained pricing information from www.carcostcanada.com. Here are the numbers.

2011 Mazda CX-9 GS AWD

First, Mazda lowered the price of this crossover SUV to $38,395, from $39,995 for the 2010 model. That's where the deal starts.

Next, Mazda Canada's $1,000 Owner Loyalty Bonus looks as though it can be combined with 0.0 per cent financing for up to four years, though you'll need to check with your dealer on this one. That's when you negotiate your dealer discount, too.

MSRP: $38,395

Freight, dealer prep, air conditioning tax: $1,795

Dealer discount (estimated): $1,500

Taxable subtotal: $38,690

Total price with 13% HST: $43,719.70

Factory discount: $1,000 (Owner Loyalty factory-to-customer)

Final price: $42,719.70

2011 Toyota Tundra

Buyers who choose not to take the $2,500 discount in Non-Stackable Cash for cash purchases are eligible for a $1,000 Consumer Cash factory-to-customer rebate that can be combined or stacked with 0.9 per cent financing for three years and the Four Million Sold Stackable Celebration Bonus factory-to-customer rebate.

MSRP: $42,310

Freight, dealer prep: $1,660

Dealer discount: $1,600

Taxable subtotal: $42,370

Total price with 13% HST: $47,787.10

Factory rebate: $2,500 (Non-stackable Cash Discount factory-to-consumer rebate)

Final price: $45,378.10

2010 Toyota Tacoma DoubleCab 4WD V6 manual

MSRP: $32,416

Freight, dealer prep and air conditioning tax: $1,660

Dealer discount (estimated): $1,300

Factory discount: $2,500 (Trading Dollars factory-to-dealer rebate)

Taxable subtotal: $30,276

Total price with 13% HST: $34,211.88

2011 Subaru Legacy 2.5i automatic sedan

MSRP: $25,195

Freight, dealer prep and air conditioning tax: $1,625

Dealer discount (estimated): $1,100

Factory discount: $1,000 (Alternate Cash factory-to-dealer rebate)

Taxable subtotal: $26,590

Total price with 13% HSTT: $27,933.50

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.

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