Top 10 New Car Cash Deals for July 2010

Introduction

Ahh, summer. It's finally here, which means it's time for family road trips, a shiny new drop-top, or simply to get rid of that old beater with the broken A/C. And it's a great time to shop for a new car, because auto manufacturers love putting on summer sales. In fact, many of this month's cash incentives are available all the way through Labor Day, giving you plenty of time to decide. We chose deals from a minimum of $1,000 cash back all the way up to over $4,000 for the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Nissan Armada. Some deals are listed as marketing support, which means that the manufacturer pays that money to the dealer if they sell the vehicle. If you know about it, it's almost as good as having the cash in your pocket -- the dealer will likely be willing to give up most or all of it to make the sale. Happy summer sale shopping!

Photos courtesy of respective manufacturers.

Starting MSRP: $36,000
Incentive: $1,000 marketing support
Expires: 9/6/2010

Audi's sleek and sexy A5 comes in both coupe and convertible body styles. The standard features of the base Audi A5 include 211-hp 2.0-liter 4-cylinder intercooled turbo engine, 6-speed manual transmission, 4-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS), side seat-mounted airbags, Sideguard curtain 1st- and 2nd-row overhead airbags, airbag occupancy sensor, automatic temperature control, 18" alloy wheels, cruise control, ABS and driveline traction control, and quattro all-wheel drive.

Starting MSRP: $46,280
Incentive: $1,000 marketing support
Expires: 9/7/2010

If you're looking for a soft and cushy American highway cruiser, check out the Cadillac DTS. Standard features include 275-hp 4.6-liter Northstar V8 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, 4-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS), side seat-mounted airbags, curtain 1st- and 2nd-row overhead airbags, airbag occupancy sensor, automatic temperature control, 17" alloy wheels, cruise control, ABS and driveline traction control, and an 8-way power driver seat.

Starting MSRP: $16,985
Incentive: $1,000 cash
Expires: 9/7/2010

With a low starting price and a variety of engine options, this compact truck may suit your work and hauling needs. The standard features of the base Chevrolet Colorado include 185-hp 2.9-liter 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual transmission, 4-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS), curtain 1st-row overhead airbag, airbag occupancy sensor, air conditioning, 16" steel wheels, cruise control, ABS and driveline traction control, StabiliTrak stability control, and AM/FM stereo with 2 speakers.

Starting MSRP: $24,390
Incentive: $3,000 cash or $2,000 lease cash
Expires: 8/31/2010

Buyers who still pine for a rear-wheel-drive American muscle car--but need those two extra doors and rear seat space--should shop Dodge's V8 Charger models. The standard features of the base Dodge Charger include 178-hp 2.7-liter V6 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, airbag occupancy sensor, air conditioning, 17" alloy wheels, cruise control, power mirrors, power windows, power locks, auto locking doors, and remote keyless entry.

Starting MSRP: $29,280
Incentive: $2,000+ cash
Expires: 8/2/2010

All-new 2011 Explorer models are just over the horizon, so Ford is ready to start dealing on the 2010 models. The standard features of the base Ford Explorer include 210-hp 4.0-liter V6 engine, 5-speed automatic transmission, 4-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS), side seat-mounted airbags, Safety Canopy System curtain 1st- and 2nd-row overhead airbags, airbag occupancy sensor, air conditioning, 16" alloy wheels, cruise control, ABS and driveline traction control, and AdvanceTrac w/Roll Stability Control.

Starting MSRP: $28,145
Incentive: $1,500 cash
Expires: 9/30/2010

Using the Lexus RX as a benchmark, Hyundai built a surprisingly quiet and comfortable crossover for the money with the Veracruz. Standard features of the base Hyundai Veracruz include 260-hp 3.8-liter V6 engine, 6-speed automatic transmission, 4-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS), side seat-mounted airbags, curtain 1st-, 2nd- and 3rd-row overhead airbags, airbag occupancy sensor, air conditioning, 17" alloy wheels, cruise control, ABS and driveline traction control, and stability control.

Starting MSRP: $30,710
Incentive: $4,000+ cash
Expires: 8/31/2010

Real off-road capability and strong towing capacity are the Grand Cherokee's main selling points, and the launch of a newly redesigned 2011 model means big incentives on the previous models. The standard features of the base Jeep Grand Cherokee include 210-hp 3.7-liter Power Tech V6 engine, 5-speed automatic transmission, 4-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS), curtain 1st- and 2nd-row overhead airbags, airbag occupancy sensor, air conditioning, 17" alloy wheels, cruise control, stability control, 8-way power driver seat, and power mirrors.

Starting MSRP: $21,599
Incentive: $3,500 cash
Expires: 8/2/2010

Both available Galant trims already start at attractive low prices, and that's before taking into account this month's generous $3,500 cash back offer! The base Mitsubishi Galant includes 160-hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, 4-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS), side seat-mounted airbags, curtain 1st- and 2nd-row overhead airbags, airbag occupancy sensor, air conditioning, 16" steel wheels, cruise control, ABS and driveline traction control, and stability control.

Starting MSRP: $37,510
Incentive: $4,500 cash
Expires: 8/2/2010

The Armada accelerates with a quickness and tows like a mammoth. Even though it's been around for awhile it remains a good choice for big SUV shoppers, especially with this ginormous cash back offer. The standard features of the base Nissan Armada include 317-hp 5.6-liter Endurance V8 engine, 5-speed automatic transmission, 4-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS), side seat-mounted airbags, curtain 1st-, 2nd- and 3rd-row overhead airbags, airbag occupancy sensor, automatic temperature control, 18" alloy wheels, cruise control, ABS and driveline traction control, and stability control.

Starting MSRP: $28,900
Incentive: $3,500 cash
Expires: 8/2/2010

Saab lovers rejoice--the brand is alive, the quirky 9-3 sport sedan (and wagon, and convertible) now has a lower price, and they're offering a whopping $3,500 cash back! The base Saab 9-3 includes the 210-hp 2.0-liter Ecopower intercooled turbo 4-cylinder engine, 6-speed manual transmission, 4-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS), side seat-mounted airbags, curtain 1st- and 2nd-row overhead airbags, airbag occupancy sensor, automatic temperature control, 16" alloy wheels, cruise control, ABS and driveline traction control, and stability control.