2009 Cash-Back Deals You Can Still Find

As the 2010 models push out nearly all of the old 2009s on dealer lots, a lot of buyers become annoyed by valid, advertised cash-back offers on 2009 cars that basically aren’t available anymore.

We tracked down some interesting offers on 2009s that are:
a.)    Cars we wouldn’t mind buying
b.)    Have a significant cash-back offer
c.)    Readily available, according to Cars.com’s new-car inventory

Check out our list below. And if you want to search our inventory scroll to the end of the post for handy links for each model.

BMW Offering Holiday Cash

The second that Halloween candy went on sale in stores, the Christmas decorations were rolled out. So it is for holiday incentive offers. Automakers like to associate them with winter, making a cash-back offer sound like a gift you’d find under the tree. Getting in on the act this year is BMW, which is offering at least $1,500 cash back on every 2010 model if you finance through BMW Credit.

Many models have $2,500 cash-back offers, and the two diesel BMWs, the 335d and the X5 xDrive 35d, still have $4,500 in cash back as the company is trying to push diesel onto luxury buyers. For a full list of the cash-back offers, click below. They expire Jan. 4, 2010, which should be in time for Valentine’s Day decorations to hit store shelves.

Ford Rolls Out Year-End Incentives

Ford’s year-end sales event includes several worthwhile deals like 0% financing with a $1,000 cash-back offer that’s available on popular new models like the Taurus. Additional deals on 2010 models include a $2,500 cash-back offer on a 2010 Ford Focus, $1,500 cash back on a 2010 Ford Fusion (but not the hybrid), $2,500 cash back on the 2010 Ford Flex, and $3,500 cash back on the Ford F-150 SuperCab or SuperCrew models.

Buyers must get to Ford dealerships by Jan. 4, 2010, to qualify for the deals.

Check after the jump for a listing of the most generous deals. To see a full listing of Ford’s incentives, click here.

GM Extends 60-Day Guarantee

While it appears very few new GM buyers are opting for its new 60-Day Satisfaction Guarantee, GM is extending the program through the end of 2009 and slightly beyond, ending Jan. 4. Buyers can opt for the guarantee which allows them to return a new vehicle after 30 days but before 60 — with restrictions — if the buyer isn’t happy with it. Recent reports have the take rate of the program at 10% of new car sales; the other 90% are opting instead for a $500 cash back rebate. Only a handful of the 10% have actually returned a car.
 
We’ve already wondered if this counts as a “success” but since the program doesn’t seem to cost GM much, the publicity and marketing value is likely making up for any loss. That’s why GM will continue touting its “May the Best Car Win” slogan in print, online and TV advertising through December. 

$15,000 Off a Mercedes SL and Other Deals

Incentives haven’t been big news since the Cash for Clunkers program wiped out a large chunk of dealers’ inventory nationwide. That doesn’t mean all automakers have stopped offering incentives — even large ones — this month. Before the Halloween sugar rush fades, you’ll be able to find some huge cash-back deals, especially at Mercedes-Benz.

• 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class: $15,000
• 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class: $10,000
• 2010 Cadillac STS: $7,400
• 2010 Land Rover Range Rover: $6,000
• 2010 Mazda RX-8: $5,000
• 2010 Nissan Titan: $5,000
• 2009 Nissan Titan: $5,000

You can find more deals on our incentives page. All incentives above end Nov. 2.

2009|Mercedes-Benz|SL-Class

2009|Mercedes-Benz|CLS-Class

2010|Cadillac|STS

2010|Mazda|RX-8

2009|Nissan|Titan

2010|Nissan|Titan

Few Taking GM Up On Buyback Offer

GM’s latest marketing blitz has been centered around the improving quality of its new models. Its 60-Day Satisfaction Guarantee promotion allows buyers to return their cars within 60 days if they’re not happy with it; if they return their car, they’re only out for the two months of payments and all taxes and fees. No matter the brand, it’s easy to have regrets about a new purchase, so it seemed like a good idea to bring in buyers wary of the GM brand after its rocky few years.

GM is saying the program is a success. Launched on Sept. 13, we are just three or so days into the timeframe when buyers can return vehicles under the program; they must own it for at least a month.

GM says less than 10 buyers have returned cars under the program. According to vocal GM executive Bob Lutz, one of them decided on another GM car — swapping a manual Corvette for an automatic.

Most new GM buyers — 90% — are opting out of the return program entirely in lieu of $500 cash back. That leaves 10% of customers who are the intended target of the promotion. Is that a success? We don’t have concrete numbers on how many cars were sold under the program since it started mid-month, but in September GM sold 156,673 vehicles. That’s a good guideline to go with to reference the past 30 days; 10% of September’s sales is 15,667, and 10 people out of that number is 0.06%. Is that a good or bad number?

It’s hard to say. Many in the industry would consider 10% an impressive figure for new — or conquest — customers, especially for a company like GM and its baggage. Others may just call the whole thing an elaborate marketing and PR exercise. You can weigh in below. 

2010 Ford Mustang Gets 0% Plus Cash Back

In the excitement about the all-new Chevrolet Camaro hitting the streets, many people have overlooked the 2010 Ford Mustang’s significant overhaul. While new engine offerings may be in the pipeline for later next year, the 2010 still beat out the Camaro and the Dodge Challenger in our recent face-off.

For some reason, folks have forgotten about the ‘Stang, so Ford has put a nice incentive on it to help grab peoples’ attention. You can get 0% financing for 36 months, plus $1,000 cash back. If you opt for the more popular 60-month option, the financing rate is 1.9%. The deal is good through Nov. 2.

$4,500 Off 2009 Ford F-150

If you thought massive incentives would disappear because Cash for Clunkers is over, guess again. Manufacturers now have more reason to put cash on the hood because they aren’t getting any help from federal dollars. Ford is offering $4,500 in cash back on the 2009 F-150 through Oct. 5.

The 2010s are arriving on dealer lots, but there are plenty of 2009s still available according to inventory search on Cars.com. Besides new trim levels and larger brakes for 2010, there are few changes to the truck, as it was redesigned for the 2009 model year. If you want a 2010, there is $1,500 cash back plus 0% financing for 60 months available to those who qualify. Regular cab and Raptor models are excluded from both model year deals.

2009|Ford|F-150

2010|Ford|F-150

Hyundai, Kia Incentives Still Substantial After Cash for Clunkers

Hyundai and Kia both set records in terms of sales last month thanks to the federal government’s Cash for Clunkers program. In addition to the program, the two companies also had healthy incentives of their own on most models. That trend continues throughout September with most models getting at least $1,000 in cash-back offers. Hyundai is no longer offering its $1.49 gallon of gas promotion.

Some noticeable offers are $2,500 in cash back off the 2009 Kia Optima and $3,000 in cash back on the 2009 Hyundai Sonata. Kia is also offering $500 in loyalty and conquest cash for specific models.

All-new models like the Kia Forte and Kia Soul have 0% financing for 36 months but not cash back.

A full list of incentives is below.  

Audi Adds Another $1,000 on Top of Clunkers Deal

Now that the government has added another $2 billion to the Cash for Clunkers program, Audi has gone ahead and lobbed on an $1,000 incentive to further entice buyers.

The $1,000 cash-back offer will through Aug. 31 and includes 2008 and 2009 models. Once the 2010s are evaluated by the EPA for gas mileage ratings, it’s possible some of those models could be included. The models eligible for the deal are also limited to certain versions of the A3, A4, TT and Q5 (sorry, R8 buyers). Eighteen Audis are included overall.

Keep in mind, this deal is only available if you’re trading in a clunker under the government’s CARS program. We’re not exactly sure how many prospective Audi buyers would do so, but check after the jump for a full list of Audi vehicles eligible for the $1,000 incentive.