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IntelliChoice Announces Best New Car Deals for September 2005

CAMPBELL, Calif. Sept. 13, 2005--PRIMEDIA's IntelliChoice, the leading source for automotive ownership cost and value analysis, today announced its "Best Deals of the Month" selections for September, identifying the vehicles with the best ownership cost value in 29 respective classes. IntelliChoice's "Best Deals of the Month" identify the best car and truck values offered by carmakers based on current vehicle pricing, market conditions and the lowest national manufacturer consumer rebate. IntelliChoice updates data several times a month in order to capture the many expiring rebates and ongoing programs, giving consumers the most up-to-date data analysis.

By using the latest information from numerous automotive resources, IntelliChoice evaluates what it costs to buy, own, and operate each new model-year trim line taking into consideration the vehicle's current purchase price, including any manufacturer consumer rebates. The following are highlights of IntelliChoice's Best Deals for September listed alphabetically by class: 

Class                   Brand         Model              Body
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Base Sport              Toyota        MR2 Spyder         Base Sport

Compact Pickup 2WD      Ford          Ranger XLT         Regular Cab,
                                                          Long Bed

Compact Pickup 4WD      Ford          Ranger XLT         Regular Cab,
                                                          Long Bed

Compact over $16,000    Honda         Civic Hybrid       Sedan

Compact under $16,000   Honda         Civic DX           Sedan

Compact Utility
 over $21,000           Ford          Escape Hybrid 2WD  Sport Utility

Compact Utility
 under $21,000          Toyota        RAV4 2WD           Sport Utility

Full-Size Pickup
 2WD  1/2 Ton           Toyota        Tundra DLX V6      Regular Cab

Full-Size Pickup
 2WD  3/4 Ton           Chevrolet     Silverado 2500 HD  Extended Cab,
                                                          Short Bed

Full-Size Pickup
 2WD One Ton            Chevrolet     Silverado 3500 DRW Extended Cab

Full-Size Pickup                                         Super Cab,
 4WD  1/2 Ton           Ford          F150 Styleside XL   Regular Bed


Full-Size Pickup                                         Crew Cab,
 4WD  3/4 Ton           Ford          F250 Super Duty XL  Short Bed


Full-Size Pickup                      F350 Super Duty
 4WD One Ton            Ford           XL DRW            Super Cab

                                      E150 Super
Full-Size Van           Ford           Duty XL           Wagon

Intermediate Utility
 over $28,000           Lexus         RX 330 AWD         Sport Utility

Intermediate Utility
 under $28,000          Toyota        Highlander 2WD     Sport Utility

Large                   Toyota        Avalon XL          Sedan

Luxury                  Mercedes-Benz CLK320             Cabriolet

Midsize Sedan
 over $21,000           Volkswagen    Passat GL TDI      Sedan

Midsize Sedan
 under $21,000          Toyota        Prius              Sedan

Midsize/Large Wagon     Volkswagen    Passat GL TDI      Wagon

Mini-Van over $24,000   Honda         Odyssey EX         Passenger Van

Mini-Van under $24,000  Honda         Odyssey LX         Passenger Van

Near Luxury             Lexus         ES 330             Sedan

Small Wagon             Volkswagen    Jetta GL TDI       Wagon

Sport                   Acura         NSX                Coupe

Subcompact              Honda         Insight            Coupe

Utility over $36,000    Toyota        Land Cruiser       Sport Utility

Utility under $36,000   Toyota        Sequoia SR5 2WD    Sport Utility

The Best Deals designation enables consumers to identify how rebates affect a vehicle's value throughout ownership and not just at the time of purchase. Ownership costs can vary significantly among different trim lines of the same model. Additionally, IntelliChoice continuously updates fuel costs based on the latest data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Vehicles designated an "IntelliChoice Best Deal of the Month" are typically cars and trucks that have good to great ownership cost values before any manufacturer rebate. However, a rebate can often turn a good ownership cost value into a great value, and a great value into an "IntelliChoice Best Deal of the Month."

Please visit the IntelliChoice website at www.IntelliChoice.com for more information or to check the rebate section of any vehicle report for the most up-to-date incentives.

About IntelliChoice

Part of PRIMEDIA's Enthusiast Media, IntelliChoice is the market leader in automotive ownership cost and value analysis. Founded in 1986, IntelliChoice is committed to empowering consumers to make better purchase decisions by providing independent and essential automotive information and tools. Through the IntelliChoice web site www.intellichoice.com), consumers get the help they need to research, compare, configure and price vehicles. The site also connects buyers to the buying alternatives of their choice, including vehicle manufacturers and online buying services.