CarsDirect.com, an Internet car-shopping service, on Nov. 18 announced its November 2003 Best Bargains selections. While passenger car incentives and rebates haven't changed significantly from last month, aggressive deals on bigger wheels -- especially sport utility vehicles -- are translating into this month's best consumer savings, according to the company. Bargains are especially abundant for domestic SUVs, which typically have returned some of the highest profit margins to manufacturers. Right now, consumers can pocket up to $3500 on SUVs such as the Chevrolet Tahoe and Jeep Grand Cherokee, and up to $3000 on a Ford Explorer. However, imports aren't left out of the savings picture -- Hyundai, for example, has increased customer cash on its Santa Fe SUV to $1,000. "At this time of the year, it's all about trying to meet sales goals and maintain momentum as we head into a typically quieter sales season," said Mark McCready, CarsDirect.com director of pricing strategy. "We're now seeing domestic manufacturers adjusting incentives more frequently than just once a month. This means that consumers need to research their purchases even more diligently to take full advantage of these 'daily deals.'" McCready advised that buyers use online vehicle research and comparison tools to keep track of which new vehicles offer the best savings within their specific zip code. CarsDirect.com's Comparator tool, for example, allows shoppers to line up an unlimited number of vehicles side by side to evaluate transaction prices and detail on what options and features are included in that price. In addition, shoppers can see what buyers are actually driving home -- the site's New Model Smackdown feature tracks what percentage of buyers bought each vehicle. Each month, CarsDirect.com's team of pricing experts qualifies Best Bargain vehicles from a list of over 120,000 price configurations. Best Bargain choices include popular new cars, trucks and sport utility vehicles that currently offer the most attractive combination of national and regional manufacturer rebates and incentives, those that offer a historic low price point, or vehicles with prices that include other special programs. CarsDirect.com Best Bargains for November 2003 During November, new-car shoppers may want to consider these CarsDirect.com Best Bargains: Cars

1. 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier -- Manufacturer rebates up to $4,000

2. 2004 Ford Focus -- Manufacturer rebates up to $2,000

3. 2004 Subaru Outback -- Manufacturer rebates up to $1,000

Sport Utility Vehicles 1. 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee -- Manufacturer rebates up to $3,500

2. 2004 Ford Explorer -- Manufacturer rebates up to $3,000

3. 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe -- Manufacturer rebates up to $1,000

Minivans and Trucks 1. 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 -- Manufacturer rebates up to $2,500

2. 2004 Ford F-150 Heritage -- Manufacturer rebates up to $2,000

3. 2004 Mazda MPV -- Manufacturer rebates up to $1,500

To see rebates and incentives or upfront transaction prices for any of these Best Bargains, vehicle shoppers may simply go to www.carsdirect.com, and click on the vehicle make and model of their choice. About CarsDirect.com Los Angeles-based CarsDirect.com (www.carsdirect.com) is an Internet car-shopping service, providing new and used automobiles and related products and services, such as loan and lease financing and in-demand aftermarket products including extended warranties. CarsDirect.com says it is the first online car provider to offer visitors three distinctive car buying options: buying a new car online through the company's award-winning direct channel; being matched with a top-quality new car dealer of their choice via the CarsDirect Connect channel; or locating and purchasing a previously owned vehicle through the CarsDirect Used channel. CarsDirect.com has been named one of the "50 Best Web sites" by Time Magazine, chosen a "Forbes Favorite" three times by Forbes Magazine and selected as a "Top 100 Internet Site" for three consecutive years in PC Magazine.

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