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.

Recall Alert: 39,600 Mazda B Series Trucks

Mazda has issued a recall for 39,600 Mazda B Series pickup trucks from the 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 model years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The only pickups being recalled are those equipped with the Texas Instruments speed-control deactivation switch and/or antilock brake system manufactured before Dec. 5, 2002. Part of the cruise control deactivation switch may corrode over time, possibly leaking. This could lead the switch to overheat, which may start a fire under the hood. This could happen even if the engine is not running.

Mazda dealers will install a universal fused jumper harness on the deactivation switch for free. Owners may contact Mazda at 800-222-5500 or NHTSA’s hotline at 888-327-4236.

2003|Mazda|B Series

$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

Cars.com Podcast: Quick Drives

The editors drove a ton of upcoming new models at a recent rally, including the 2010 Mercedes-Benz S400 hybrid, the 2010 Mazda Mazdaspeed3, 2010 Kia Forte Koup and the 2009 Infiniti G37 convertible. That’s a lot of new metal to test out and Joe Bruzek, Mike Hanley and Joe Wiesenfelder give the details in this week’s podcast.

You can download the podcast via iTunes here or simply hit the play button below to listen in your browser.

Cars.com Podcast #28

Mazda2 Subcompact To Hit U.S. in 2010

Today, Mazda’s CEO Jim O’Sullivan announced to dealers that the company would bring its global subcompact car, the Mazda2, to the U.S. It's slated to go on sale in late 2010, and that's about the same time the Ford Fiesta, which is based on the same platform as the Mazda 2, hits the streets.

The U.S. version — Japanese and European models can be seen here — will be unveiled at the Los Angeles auto show in December.

While Mazda certainly needs a less expensive car to slot below the Mazda3, we’re surprised it has taken the company so long to bring this car, which has been on sale in Japan since 2007, to the U.S. Perhaps Ford, which owns a stake in Mazda, didn’t want anything to overshadow the roll out of its much-hyped Fiesta.

Cars.com Reviews the 2010 Mazda3 Sedan

Looking for a small, affordable car that doesn’t suck the fun out of taking to the open road? If that’s the case, you should take the 2010 Mazda3 for a test drive, according to Cars.com reviewer Kelsey Mays. Although the Mazda3 has its share of bumps and missteps, Mays finds Mazda has a compelling car for those who want to get a little excitement from their time on the road.

2010 Mazda3 Sedan Review

2010|Mazda|Mazda3

Mazda Promises 30% Better Mileage by 2016

Mazda is taking aim at Ford’s plans to improve fuel efficiency by 20%: The Japanese automaker says it will increase the mileage numbers of its lineup by 30% by 2016. It will focus on improvements in its gas engines rather than turning to plug-in electric or hybrid technology.

Mazda says it will debut a new range of 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission. The new engine—set to debut in vehicles by 2011—should get up to 32 mpg in the city and 42 mpg on the highway. That’s 10 more miles per gallon for each rating than the current four-cylinder engine.

While those are impressive mileage numbers, Ford will hit its benchmark much sooner and have more time to experiment. Mazda will continue to get its V-6 engines from Ford because the V-6-equipped cars tend to be the lower-volume sellers of its lineup.

Mazda has also not said which of its vehicles will get the new four-cylinder engines, but speculation focuses on the MX-5 Miata or Mazda5.

Mazda: We’ll See Ford’s 20% Increase… And Raise It (40mpg.org)

Mazda Adding $500 Cash for Clunkers Bonus

Is the government’s $3,500-$4,500 Cash for Clunkers rebate not enough to get you to buy a new car? Well, we’ve already outlined 10 great cars to spend the federal funds on, but today Mazda is making sure it gets consideration, too. The company is adding a $500 cash incentive for those taking advantage of the legislation, and that’s on top of all current incentives.

That means that on the all-new 2010 Mazda3, which only has financing offers — 3.9% for 60 months through July 31 — you’d get $500 cash back, dropping the MSRP of $15,045 to $10,045 if you qualify for the full Clunker rebate. The base Mazda3 with a manual transmission has a combined mileage of 28 mpg, so it would qualify for $4,500 under the program no matter what you’re trading in. (Clunkers have to get 18 mpg combined or worse to qualify, and new cars have to get 10 mpg better to qualify for the full $4,500.) The automatic version gets 27 mpg combined, meaning your clunker would have to get 17 mpg to qualify for the full $4,500. These are the most fuel-efficient non-hybrid models in Mazda’s lineup.

Other noteworthy deals can be had on the 2009 Mazda6. The redesigned sedan is sporty, with plentiful backseat room and a giant trunk. Plus, it has low financing of 2.9% for 60 months, plus $1,500 cash back. Add another $500, and that takes the $18,550 starting price to $13,050, assuming the $3,500 clunker rebate. Combined mileage for the four-cylinder Mazda6 is 24 mpg.

2010|Mazda|Mazda3

2009|Mazda|Mazda6

Affordable Convertibles Put to the Test

Some highly anticipated new luxury convertibles will hit the market this summer in the Lexus IS and Infiniti G37, but what about droptops for the masses? Isn’t everyone entitled to some wind in their hair?

With the sun shining and the breeze cool, we took three popular, affordable convertibles out for a spin to see how they’d fare as a chariot for a weekend getaway. The cars tested were the 2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata, 2010 Ford Mustang and 2009 Volkswagen Beetle convertible. We considered cargo space, comfort and cool factor. Check out the video above to see how they fared in those categories, and read on to see how we felt about these topless wonders as driving machines.

In the end, our five staffers arrived at a split decision, but not before some heavily spirited debate. What follows is the conversation that ensued after a day of driving the three vehicles over a large chunk of northern Illinois:

Cars.com Reviews the 2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata

Do you like fun? Do you enjoy enjoying things? If so, Cars.com reviewer Joe Wiesenfelder has the car for you. The Mazda MX-5 Miata pretty much gives Wiesenfelder a reason to get out of bed in the morning, and he makes no bones about the fact that it’s one of his favorites. Check out his full review to find out why the Miata puts such a smile on his face.

2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata Review

2009|Mazda|Miata MX-5