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IntelliChoice.com's Best New Car Deals for June Show Rebates Moving from SUVs and Trucks to Cars


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CAMPBELL, Calif. June 16, 2008; "Our Best Deals of this month are a clear indication that large vehicles, especially Sport Utility Vehicles and trucks, are in crisis mode," said James Bell, publisher and editor of IntelliChoice.com. "Truck makers continue to offer rebates of more than $3,000 and $4,000 dollars, and for the second month in a row, the Isuzu Ascender is offering one of the highest rebates we've seen all year: $7,000. That's a number that would have been unheard of just a few months ago. All of this cash on the hood is a Catch-22 for buyers, because while they can get an amazing deal on a gas guzzler, they could well feel a squeeze on their wallets when they go to the pump."

Bell is quick to point out that all vehicle classes are feeling the impact of the auto market downturn. "A higher rebate is the deciding factor behind more than half of the winners' classes. The Toyota Yaris Hatchback beat out the MINI Cooper Hatchback in the subcompact class, and the Corolla beat the popular Civic purely due to rebate numbers. This month it should be mentioned that the Lincoln Town Car beat the Infiniti M35 in the luxury class, based on the strength of a $5,000 rebate. That will come as a surprise to many consumers."

One consistent Best Deal winner not yet impacted by rebates - the Toyota Tacoma. "The Tacoma has long been a mainstay on IntelliChoice.com's Best Deals list. I'm sure this has something to do with the fact that the Tacoma is a compact pickup truck and people still want utility without the burden of high fuel prices."

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 June 2008 are ranked by vehicle type and size

Class, Brand Model

Subcompact Car Toyota Yaris

Compact Car over $17,000 Honda Civic Hybrid

Compact Car under $17,000 Toyota Corolla

Midsize Car over $21,000 Toyota Prius

Midsize Car under $21,000 Toyota Prius

Convertible MINI Cooper Convertible

Luxury Convertible Audi A4 Convertible

Near Luxury Car Lexus ES

Luxury Car Lincoln Towncar

Large Car Hyundai Sonata

Base Sport Car Volkswagen R32

Sport Car Chevrolet Corvette Convertible

Sport Sedan/Wagon over $38,000 Lexus GS

Sport Sedan Wagon under $38,000 Pontiac Grand Prix GXP

Compact Utility/Crossover Mercury Mariner Hybrid

Midsize Crossover Honda Pilot

Luxury Crossover Lexus RX 400h

Small Wagon Toyota Matrix

Midsize/Large Wagon Subaru Outback Wagon

Intermediate Utility Isuzu Ascender

Full-Size Utility Chevrolet Tahoe

Luxury Utility Lexus GX

Compact Pickup Truck 2WD Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab 2WD

Compact Pickup 4WD Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab 4WD

Full-Size Pickup 2WD 1/2 Ton Toyota Tundra Regular Cab 2WD

Full-Size Pickup 2WD 3/4 Ton Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab 2WD

Full-Size Pickup 2WD One Ton Dodge Ram 3500 Regular Cab 2WD

Full-Size Pickup 4WD 1/2 Ton Toyota Tundra Regular Cab 4WD

Full-Size Pickup 4WD 3/4 Ton Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab 4WD

Full-Size Pickup 4WD One Ton Dodge Ram 3500 Regular Cab 4WD

Minivan Toyota Sienna

Full-Size Van Chevrolet Express 1500

Cargo Van Chevrolet Express 1500 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 auto 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 as "IntelliChoice.com Best Deals 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 value, and a great value into an "IntelliChoice.com Best Deal 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 SOURCE INTERLINK MEDIA, 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. SOURCE INTERLINK MEDIA is a division of Source Interlink Companies, Inc., , 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, video games, books and related items.