KBB.COM Editors' Top 10 Tax Refund Cars; Hot New Coupes, Convertibles
73 Percent of Shoppers Consider Buying New Car with Help from Tax Refunds, Deductions, Stimulus Checks
IRVINE, Calif., April 15 /PRNewswire/ -- While turning an entire tax refund into a down payment on something sleek and sporty is rarely a prudent financial decision, the editors of Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com know that some big bonus checks are just meant to be spent. So, if you're tired of your boring practical car, you're expecting a nice chunk of change from the government and all seems secure on the job front, check out this year's list of Top 10 Tax Refund Cars from the kbb.com editors and pick out something nice for yourself (full list below).
In addition, Kelley Blue Book, www.kbb.com, the leading provider of new car and used car information, today announces the results of the latest Kelley Blue Book Marketing Research survey of in-market new-car shoppers on kbb.com, detailing that 73 percent of consumers say they would consider buying a new car with help from items like their 2008 tax refund, a stimulus check or new-car-related 2009 tax deductions.
"Many people have left the new-car market in the last six months, but our research shows that they seem to be looking for a little jolt of financial help to get back into the new-car showrooms," said Rick Wainschel, senior vice president of marketing and analytics for Kelley Blue Book and kbb.com. "With tax refunds starting to come in, and the parts of the stimulus package that encourage 2009 new-car purchases with sales and excise tax deductions further resonating in the minds of new-car shoppers, consumers may see themselves in more of a position to jump back into the marketplace."
Kbb.com's Top 10 Tax Refund Cars: The Hottest New Coupes and Convertibles - Editors' List and Comments
(In alphabetical order, including kbb.com editorial commentary)
The voluptuous Audi A5 is a classic beauty. And with a 420-horsepower V8 up front, its S5 evil twin is even prettier. The recent addition of complementary convertibles to the lineup makes for a more complicated love affair.
In case you've already clicked through our list of 10 reasons we love the new Z4, we'll contain ourselves here. Suffice it to say, we'd trade valuable, non-monetary assets for a Z4 to call our own.
"Power and torque are effortless and ever-present, making it an easy car to drive fast," wrote one of our editors after a recent drive in the range-topping, 426-horsepower SS version of the long-awaited 2010 Chevy Camaro.
On top of the same sheetmetal and interior changes that Ford bestowed upon its legendary Mustang for the 2010 model year, the newest Shelby GT500 gets 40 extra horsepower, bringing the total to 540. Whether you're looking to relive your youth or just scorch some pavement, the Shelby GT500 is a great way to do it.
Hyundai's roll continues. Only a few months after the Hyundai Genesis Sedan took home the 2009 North American Car of the Year trophy, Hyundai has rolled out the similarly impressive - and really fun - Genesis Coupe.
With plenty of curves in all the right places and a world-renowned V6 under the hood, the Infiniti G Coupe was a prime candidate for a top chop. The result? A car capable of besting the significant desirability rating of its sensuous coupe sibling. Expect the Infiniti G37 Convertible to arrive in time for summer.
With recent lineup additions like the high-performance IS F and now IS C hardtop convertible, it's clear Lexus is focused on upping the fun factor. We haven't yet driven the IS C, but we like the idea of a carefree convertible backed by a track record of worry-free reliability. Look for the Lexus IS 250C and IS 350C by summer.
The Cooper Convertible is the most fuel-efficient car and most affordable convertible in the group. Combined with room for two backseat drivers or a surprising amount of cargo, it was barely frivolous enough to make the list.
More powerful, better looking and lighter than its predecessor, the new Z's starting sticker price of $30,650 qualifies it as one of today's great performance values - even when you pay extra for the convertible (expect a starting price in the mid-$30,000 range). Its impressive list of performance credentials includes the world's first manual transmission with automatic rev-matching downshifts.
Sun worshippers might prefer the Cayman convertible - the Boxster - and that's just fine with us. For the 2009 model year, the Porsche Boxster and Cayman lineups receive new front and rear styling, more powerful engines, a brilliant seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and a host of other performance and convenience upgrades. The company might have given up on the slogan long ago, but it still comes to mind every time we find ourselves behind a Porsche-emblazoned steering wheel: There is no substitute.
About Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com)
Since 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource®, has provided vehicle buyers and sellers with the new and used vehicle information they need to accomplish their goals with confidence. The company's top-rated Web site, www.kbb.com, provides the most up-to-date pricing and values, including the New Car Blue Book® Value, which reveals what people actually are paying for new cars. The company also reports vehicle pricing and values via products and services, including software products and the famous Blue Book® Official Guide. According to the C.A. Walker Research Solutions, Inc. - 2008 Spring Automotive Web Site Usefulness Study, kbb.com is the most useful automotive information Web site among new and used vehicle shoppers, and half of online vehicle shoppers visit kbb.com. Kbb.com is a leading provider of new car prices, car reviews and news, used car blue book values, auto classifieds and car dealer locations. No other medium reaches more in-market vehicle shoppers than kbb.com.
Media Contacts:
Robyn Eckard Joanna McNally Brenna Robinson
949-268-3049 949-268-3079 949-267-4781
reckard@kbb.com jmcnally@kbb.com berobinson@kbb.com
SOURCE: Kelley Blue Book
Web site: http://www.kbb.com/
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