CAMPBELL, CA (March 19, 2009) – IntelliChoice.com, the leading source for automotive ownership cost and value analysis, and part of media and marketing services company Source Interlink Companies, Inc. (NASDAQ: SORC), today announced its “Best Deals of the Month” for March 2009. The list reflects a free-for-all among automakers, with a wide variety of brands edging their way up as top values for consumers.
“IntelliChoice.com’s monthly Best Deals list continues to be very competitive as the March list contains entries from 20 different nameplates,” said James Bell, editor of IntelliChoice.com. “The volatile sales environment, along with the fact that there are more high-quality vehicles than ever to choose from, means that consumers can choose a vehicle that fits their specific needs. While the market is down, this is a great time for the careful shopper to buy a car.”
Bell added, “There are some interesting finds on this month’s list of Best Deals, and some of our winners may surprise people. On the strength of $3,000 rebates, the Lincoln MKX ties with the Toyota Highlander Hybrid as the Best Deal in the midsize crossover class, while the Lincoln MKZ takes the top spot in the near-luxury car class. The biggest cash rebate on March’s list is for the Hummer H3, which edged out the Toyota FJ Cruiser due to a $5,000 rebate. Also, the Nissan Armada beat out the Toyota Land Cruiser with a $4,500 rebate.”
IntelliChoice.com’s “Best Deals of the Month” identify new cars, trucks, and SUVs with the best ownership cost value in 31 respective classes. Selections are based on current car prices, market conditions and the lowest national manufacturer 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 car model-year trim line over a five-year basis.
The following “Best Deals” for March 2009 are ranked by vehicle type and size
| Class | Brand | Model |
| Subcompact Car | Toyota | Yaris Sedan |
| Compact Car over 17000 | Honda | Civic Hybrid |
| Compact Car under 17000 | Toyota | Corolla |
| Midsize Car over 21000 | Toyota | Prius |
| Midsize Car under 21000 | Toyota | Prius |
| Convertible | MINI | Cooper Convertible |
| Luxury Convertible (tie) | Audi | A4 Convertible |
| Audi | TT Convertible | |
| Near Luxury Car | Lincoln | MKZ |
| Luxury Car | Saab | 9-5 Wagon |
| Large Car | Hyundai | Sonata |
| Base Sport Car | Volkswagen | GTi 2-Door |
| Sport Car | Chevrolet | Corvette |
| Small/Midsize Wagon | Volkswagen | Jetta TDI Wagon |
| Sport Sedan/Wagon over 38000 | Lexus | GS |
| Sport Sedan/Wagon under 38000 | Mitsubishi | Lancer Ralliart |
| Compact Utility/Crossover (tie) | Mercury | Mariner Hybrid |
| Ford | Escape Hybrid | |
| Mazda | Tribute Hybrid | |
| Midsize Crossover (tie) | Lincoln | MKX |
| Toyota | Highlander | |
| Luxury Crossover | Lexus | RX |
| Intermediate Utility | Hummer | H3 |
| Utility (tie) | Nissan | Armada |
| Toyota | Land Cruiser | |
| Luxury SUV | GMC | Envoy Denali |
| Compact Pickup Truck 2WD | Toyota | Tacoma Regular Cab 2WD |
| Compact Pickup Truck 4WD | Toyota | Tacoma 4WD |
| Full-Size Pickup Truck 2WD 1/2 Ton | GMC | Sierra Crew Cab Hybrid 2WD |
| Full-Size Pickup Truck 2WD 3/4 Ton | Chevrolet | Silverado 2500 HD 2WD |
| Full-Size Pickup Truck 2WD One Ton | Dodge | Ram 3500 Quad Cab 2WD |
| Full-Size Pickup Truck 4WD 1/2 Ton | GMC | Seirra Crew Cab Hybrid 4WD |
| Full-Size Pickup Truck 4WD 3/4 Ton | Chevrolet | Silverado 2500 HD 4WD |
| Full-Size Pickup Truck 4WD One Ton | Dodge | Ram 3500 Quad Cab 4WD |
| Minivan (tie) | Toyota | Sienna |
| Honda | Odyssey | |
| Full-Size Van | Chevrolet | Express 1500 Passenger Van |
IntelliChoice.com updates vehicle data several times a month to capture the latest auto rebates and ongoing incentive programs offered by manufacturers, giving consumers the most up-to-date analysis. IntelliChoice.com’s “Best Deals” list 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 as 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. A rebate can often turn a good ownership cost value into a great one, and a great value into an “IntelliChoice.com Best Deal of the Month.”
Please visit www.intellichoice.com for more information and the most up-to-date incentives.
IntelliChoice.com, part of Source Interlink Media, LLC, 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, 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. Source Interlink Media is a subsidiary of Source Interlink Companies, Inc. (NASDAQ: SORC), a media and marketing services company. Source Interlink 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. Learn more about IntelliChoice.com and Source Interlink.
