IntelliChoice.com's Best New Car Deals for July Shows Little Impact From U.S. Automaker Incentives

CLICK HERE For Total Ownership Costs For All Cars and Light Trucks

CAMPBELL, Calif.--July 10, 2006--PRIMEDIA's IntelliChoice.com, a source for automotive ownership cost and value analysis, today announced its "Best Deals of the Month" for July 2006. The new list shows that despite the renewed onslaught of incentives from U.S. manufacturers, they have yet to make a dent in the dominance of foreign automakers in the traditional car categories.

"Despite efforts since last year's heavy incentive sales, the U.S. Manufacturers have not been able to exceed the value of the Imports in the car categories. Of note, this month's 'Best Deals' list has only one American model among the non-utility categories: the Chevy Corvette," said James Bell, publisher of IntelliChoice.com. "It's important to remember that heavy incentive and rebate programs can accelerate the rate of depreciation on vehicles. Given that most vehicles are owned less than four years, low residual values tend to lessen owner satisfaction with the brand and impact loyalty purchases."

Bell added, "Although U.S. manufacturers are noted as having the best known and most aggressive year-end close out sales, all manufacturers are currently offering some sort of incentive. It is a buyer's market right now and purchasers should carefully research these programs before entering a dealership."

IntelliChoice.com's "Best Deals of the Month" identify new cars, trucks and SUVs with the best ownership cost value in 29 respective classes. Selections are based on current vehicle pricing, market conditions and the lowest national manufacturer consumer rebate. In addition, IntelliChoice.com uses the latest information from numerous automotive resources to evaluate what it costs to buy, own, and operate each new model-year trim line over a five year basis.

The following "Best Deals" for July 2006 are ranked by vehicle type and size:


Class                   Brand      Model
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Subcompact              Honda      Insight (Manual)
Base Sport              Honda      Civic Si (Manual)
Compact over $16,000    Honda      Civic Hybrid (Auto)
Compact under $16,000   Honda      Civic DX (Auto)
Midsize over $21,000    Honda      Accord EX w/Leather (Manual)
Midsize under $21,000   Toyota     Prius
Large                   Toyota     Avalon Touring
Near Luxury             BMW        325i
Sport                   Chevrolet  Corvette
Luxury                  Lexus      GS300 RWD
Small Wagon             Scion      xB (Auto)
Midsize/Large Wagon     Subaru     Outback 2.5i
Mini-Van over $24,000   Honda      Odyssey EX
Mini-Van under $24,000  Honda      Odyssey LX
Full-Size Van           Chevrolet  Express 1500 Passenger Van
Compact Utility over    Ford       Escape Hybrid 2WD
 $21,000
Compact Utility under   Toyota     RAV4 2WD
 $21,000
Intermediate Utility    Toyota     Highlander Hybrid 2WD
 over $29,000
Intermediate Utility    Honda      Pilot LX 2WD
 under $29,000
Utility over $36,000    GMC        Yukon XL 1500 SL 4WD
Utility under $36,000   GMC        Yukon SL 4WD
Compact Pickup 2WD      Nissan     Frontier  King Cab XE 2WD (Manual)
Compact Pickup 4WD      Toyota     Tacoma Regular Cab 4WD (Manual)
Full-Size Pickup 2WD    Toyota     Tundra Regular Cab 2WD (Auto)
 1/2 Ton
Full-Size Pickup 2WD    Dodge      Ram 2500 Quad Cab ST 2WD Short Bed
 3/4 Ton
Full-Size Pickup 2WD    Dodge      Ram 3500 Quad Cab ST 2WD
 One Ton
Full-Size Pickup 4WD    Chevrolet  Silverado 1500 Extended Cab LS 4WD
 1/2 Ton                            Short Bed
Full-Size Pickup 4WD    Dodge      Ram 2500 Quad Cab ST 4WD Short Bed
 3/4 Ton
Full-Size Pickup 4WD    Dodge      Ram 3500 Quad Cab ST 4WD (Diesel)
 One Ton

The Importance of Research

IntelliChoice.com updates vehicle data several times a month in order to capture the many expiring rebates and ongoing programs offered by manufacturers--giving consumers the most up-to-date analysis.

IntelliChoice.com's "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.com continuously updates fuel costs based on the latest data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Vehicles designated an "IntelliChoice.com 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.com Best Deal of the Month."

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

CLICK HERE For Total Ownership Costs For All Cars and Light Trucks