IntelliChoice.com's Best Deals For December Highlight Long-Standing Value, End-of-Year Deals
CAMPBELL, CA (December 14, 2007) - IntelliChoice.com (www.intellichoice.com), the leading source for automotive ownership cost and value analysis, today announced its Best Deals of the Month" for cars, trucks, and SUVs for December 2007. But IntelliChoice.com also predicted that "Best Deal" vehicles will face increasing market pressure due to end-of-year incentive programs and discounts, heightened competition and the healthy growth of the "green" or hybrid market in 2008.
"Last month's list noted a total of seven changes, which showed how volatile the market can be heading into Year-End," said James Bell, publisher and editor of IntelliChoice.com. "This month there is just one--the Toyota Tundra 4WD over the Chevy Silverado 4WD. All of the vehicles on this month's list are smart from an economic perspective and reasonably priced, but car buyers should always have the most up-to-date data and advice before heading off to dealer lots."
Bell said that he anticipates a heightened volume of late December sales fueled by major incentives, citing current red tag events from GM, Ford and others, and that such deals could vault one vehicle's value over another.
The forecast for 2008? Beyond incentives, Bell pointed to another factor that could play an even bigger role in 2008: "Green. Hybrids are going to be all over the roads in 2008, especially with new types of hybrid vehicles not usually associated with this technology. Look for big SUVs like the Dodge Durango and Chevrolet Tahoe to shake up most drivers' perceptions of hybrid performance," said Bell. "2008 will be the year that the hybrid will establish itself as a true alternative for many drivers and not just a fad or trend. Get ready to see new hybrid badges on unexpected vehicles that will challenge the high-value vehicles that regularly make our list." Bell added that there will be at least six major new hybrids in 2008--many of them versions of mainstream vehicles like the Chevrolet Malibu and Cadillac Escalade.
IntelliChoice.com's "Best Deals of the Month" identify new cars, trucks, and SUVs with the best ownership cost value in 33 respective classes. Selections are based on current car pricing, market conditions and the lowest national manufacturer consumer new car 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 December 2007 are ranked by vehicle type and size:
| Class | Brand | Model |
| Subcompact Car | MINI | Cooper Hatchback |
| Compact Car over 16000 | Honda | Civic Hybrid |
| Compact Car under 16000 | Honda | Civic Sedan |
| Midsize Car over 21000 | Toyota | Prius |
| Midsize Car under 21000 | Toyota | Prius |
| Convertible | MINI | Cooper Convertible |
| Luxury Convertible | Audi | A4 Convertible |
| Near Luxury Car | BMW | 3 Series Sedan |
| Luxury Car | Lexus | ES |
| Large Car | Toyota | Avalon |
| Base Sport Car | Volkswagen | GTI 2-Door |
| Sport Car | Chevrolet | Corvette |
| Sport Sedan/Wagon over 38000 | Lexus | GS Hybrid |
| Sport Sedan/Wagon under 38000 | Infiniti | G35 Sport Sedan |
| Compact Utility/Crossover | Ford | Escape Hybrid |
| Midsize Crossover | Toyota | Highlander Hybrid |
| Luxury Crossover | Lexus | RX 400h |
| Small Wagon | Toyota | Matrix |
| Midsize/Large Wagon | Subaru | Outback Wagon |
| Intermediate SUV | Hummer | H3 |
| Full-Size Utility | GMC | Yukon |
| Luxury SUV | Lexus | GX |
| Compact Pickup Truck 2WD | Toyota | Tacoma Regular Cab 2WD |
| Compact Pickup Truck 4WD | Toyota | Tacoma Regular Cab 4WD |
| Full-Size Pickup Truck 2WD 1/2 Ton | Toyota | Tundra Regular Cab 2WD |
| Full-Size Pickup Truck 2WD 3/4 Ton | Chevrolet | Silverado 2500 HD Crew Cab 2WD |
| Full-Size Pickup Truck 2WD One Ton | Chevrolet | Silverado 3500 HD Crew Cab 2WD |
| Full-Size Pickup Truck 4WD 1/2 Ton | Toyota | Tundra 4WD |
| Full-Size Pickup Truck 4WD 3/4 Ton | Chevrolet | Silverado 2500 HD Crew Cab 4WD |
| Full-Size Pickup Truck 4WD One Ton | Chevrolet | Silverado 3500 HD Crew Cab 4WD |
| Minivan | Honda | Odyssey Passenger Van |
| Full-Size Van | Ford | E150 Passenger Van |
| Cargo Van | Chevrolet | Uplander Cargo Van |
IntelliChoice.com Helps Consumers Do Their Homework
IntelliChoice.com updates vehicle data several times a month in order to capture the many expiring car rebates and ongoing incentive programs offered by manufacturers--giving consumers the most up-to-date analysis.
IntelliChoice.com's "Best Deals" designation enables consumers to identify how car 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 Deals 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 Deals of the Month."
Please visit www.intellichoice.com for more information or to check the auto rebate section of any vehicle report for the most up-to-date incentives.
About IntelliChoice.com
IntelliChoice.com, part of Enthusiast Media's Automotive Digital, is the market leader in automotive ownership cost and value analysis. Founded in 1986, IntelliChoice.com is committed to empowering consumers to make better purchase decisions by providing independent and essential automotive information and tools. Through the IntelliChoice.com 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 an online car buying guide. Enthusiast Media is a division of Source Interlink Companies, Inc., (NASDAQ: SORC), a media and marketing services company. Source Interlink (www.sourceinterlink.com) is one of the largest publishers of magazines and online content for enthusiast audiences and a leading distributor of home entertainment products, including DVDs, music CDs, magazines, games, books and related items.
