5 Great New Car Deals Now
As auto companies dug out from January's snowstorms with smokin' hot sales in February, they boosted those results by offering some great deals. The mix of rebates, low-interest financing and cheap lease deals pulled consumers into showrooms. And some of those great deals are still out there.
February sales numbers, up 27% overall, included 40-percent-plus gains for General Motors and Toyota, both of which had poor sales a year earlier for reasons of finances (GM) and recalls (Toyota). Honda, Volkswagen and Hyundai all had gains of more than 20% and Ford, with strong sales a year earlier, was up 14%. Almost all of them were dangling incentives, which averaged $2,708 per vehicle, according to auto pricing service TrueCar.
Checking through the deals still out there, we found five cars either selling for 10% or more below list price or offering a stellar lease deal. Often the same vehicles offer an alternative of zero- or low-interest financing. Check your credit score to see if you qualify for those deals (usually a FICO score of 740 and above.) And make sure the dealer doesn't give you a good price on a car only to take more of your money through a lousy deal on financing (See: Auto Finance: Are You Paying too Much for Your Car Loan?)
Here's a closer look at five good deals:
Chevrolet Malibu Reviewers praised the Malibu when it debuted in 2008 for being a worthy competitor to mid-size leaders Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. Though newer competitors such as the Ford Fusion (see below) and Hyundai Sonata make shopping for family sedans even more competitive now, the Malibu 
remains an excellent, comfortable choice with a pleasing interior. GM has focused incentives on the Malibu, with a $2,500 rebate or 0% five-year financing. The LS base model with a four-cylinder engine (rated at 22 mpg in city driving, 33 highway) is selling for an average of $19,385 including destination charge, or 15% below list price, according to Edmunds.com. That's about $2,300 below the regular dealer invoice price.
Ford Fusion With its exterior styling refreshed last year, the Fusion 
continues to be a favorite of reviewers for its good performance, crisp handling and strong gas mileage (22 mpg city, 32 highway). Though Ford overall is spending less on incentives than rival GM, it is offering a $1,000 rebate on the Fusion with the alternative of 0% financing for terms ranging from 36 to 60 months. The SE model with automatic transmission and typical options is selling for $21,530 or 11% below list price and $1,040 below invoice, according to Edmunds.
Chevrolet Traverse Like its GM corporate stable mate the Buick Enclave,
the Traverse mid-size SUV has been selling well steadily (up 32% in February). Reviewers like it as a comfortable and roomy family vehicle that can haul up to eight people. The Traverse has a 281-horsepower V-6 rated at 17 mpg city, 24 highway. GM is offering a $2,000 rebate or 2.9% financing. The LS all-wheel drive version is selling for $29,255 with the rebate, or 10% below list, and nearly $1,500 under the dealer invoice.
Honda Civic Long a sales leader among small cars, the Civic now faces increasing competition from new 
entries like the Ford Fiesta and Chevrolet Cruze. But reviewers continue to like the Civic for its good fuel economy (26 mpg city, 34 highway), practicality and reliability. (Honda retained its top overall ranking by Consumer Reports). Honda isn't putting a rebate on the Civic but is offering 0.9% financing for 60 months). Even without a rebate, the Civic DX coupe with automatic transmission is selling for an average of $15,086 or 12% below list price and nearly $800 below invoice. If you qualified for the 0.9% financing, that would mean monthly payments of $257.
Volkswagen Golf Reviewers love the speed and handling of the Golf compared with most small cars. Its five-cylinder 170-horsepower engine provides lots of zip, though its mileage rating of 23 mpg city, 33 highway can't quite match competitors like the Civic. The hatchback Golf with automatic transmission is 
selling at $19,851, or just 5% off list price and $100 below invoice, but TrueCar points out that a lease offering is the best deal. The 36-month lease has payments of $199 a month with a $1,999 down payment due at signing. Unfortunately, this deal is not available on the Golf's high-mileage diesel version.
Though auto companies are trying to use fewer rebates and other incentives than in past years, there always will be good deals out there. You just have to find them.
Photos courtesy of the manufacturers
More from MoneyWatch: