GM's Toe Tag Sale Vs. Toyota's Saved by Zero

Robert Farago
by Robert Farago

In the same press release in which General Motors revealed its 45 percent October sales hit, The General announced that it had brought forward its [now] annual Red Tag Sale. “We’ll do our part to continue fighting against these significant economic headwinds by bringing consumers the highest quality, most fuel efficient and affordable cars, trucks and crossovers that we can,” GM Marketing Maven Mark LaNeve wrote. [How reassuring is that— given GM’s product development freeze.] “To that end, LaNeve announced that GM’s no-haggle Red Tag Event… will provide great deals on most new vehicles in GM’s portfolio by offering a special Red Tag vehicle price and customer cash back. In addition, GM’s recently announced ‘Financing That Fits’ program enables consumers to find financing at affordable rates from GMAC and thousands of other banks, credit unions and financing institutions.” That’s it? No haggle plus the usual blizzard of incentives, special offers, discounts, rebates, trade-in allowance, finance offers and $2k-off coupons? GM must not have read Steven Lang’s “ MSRP RIP.” Meanwhile, The Detroit News reports that Toyota’s extended its “Saved by Zero” zero percent finance offers on 11 vehicles ’til December first. Guess who’s gonna win this one? [make the jump for examples of GM Toe Taggers]

Red Tag Event Examples (tax, title and license fees are extra):

2008 GMC Yukon Denali AWD $56,315 MSRP

Red Tag Price $51,830

Cash Back Offers -$5,000

Red Tag Price after cash back $46,830 or less

($9,485 value compared to MSRP)

2008 Chevy Silverado 1500 4WD $29,480 MSRP

Red Tag Price $27,397

Cash Back Offers -$5,500

Red Tag Price after cash back $21,897 or less

($7,583 value compared to MSRP)

2008 Buick Lucerne $31,880 MSRP

Red Tag Price $30,446

Cash Back Offers -$3,750

Red Tag Price after cash back $26,696 or less

($5,184 value compared to MSRP)

2009 Saturn Vue XE $23,745 MSRP

Red Tag Price $22,675

Cash Back Offers -$1,000

Red Tag Price after cash back $21,675 or less

($2,070 value compared to MSRP)

Robert Farago
Robert Farago

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  • Mbeds Mbeds on Nov 09, 2008

    I can't pay cash but I would have $$ to pay for repairs. I would certainly keep it beyond the loan period. Might not be worth much by that time though. I wonder if I am better off with a slightly used Accord or something that keeps its value. A 2 year old Accord would be about the same price. Why can't the American companies build a ****** car that competes with Honda and Toyota? I just don't get it. I want to support GM but this is ridiculous.

  • Landcrusher Landcrusher on Nov 09, 2008

    I am a big fan of paying cash because it keeps people from spending too much on cars. Not having debt has a financial return which goes way beyond the interest cost. Of all the people who I know well enough to have a good idea of their finances, income does not correlate nearly as well with net worth as does debt avoidance. When it comes to cars, you can make a spreadsheet using information from Edmunds and other sources to help you decide the actual cost of a car. Once you look at that equation, you will find that in almost all cases, finance cost and depreciation are what are really adding up on you. You can get rid of finance cost buy paying cash. Depreciation has become really hard to predict, but it's hard to argue against a 2 year old Accord. OTOH, given what you might pay for some GM cars right now, the actual depreciation off of sales price might actually compare. That one is up to you.

  • EBFlex China can F right off.
  • MrIcky And tbh, this is why I don't mind a little subsidization of our battery industry. If the American or at least free trade companies don't get some sort of good start, they'll never be able to float long enough to become competitive.
  • SCE to AUX Does the WTO have any teeth? Seems like countries just flail it at each other like a soft rubber stick for internal political purposes.
  • Peter You know we’ve entered the age of self driving vehicles When KIAs go from being stolen to rolling away by themselves.
  • Analoggrotto TTAC is full of drug addicts with short memories. Just beside this article is another very beautiful article about how the EV9 was internationally voted by a renowned board of automotive experts who are no doubt highly educated, wealthy and affluent; the best vehicle in entire world. That's planet earth for you numbskulls. Let me repeat: the best vehicle in the world is the Kia EV9. Voted, and sealed, and if you try to deny it Fanny Willis is ready to prosecute you; but she will send her boyfriend instead because she is busy.
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