Some manufacturers are also offering cash-back rebates but, as you may already know, you generally must choose between the rebates and the special low-interest (or zero interest) loans. You can’t take both.

Often, rebates are a better deal, especially if you need down payment money (rebates can be used as down payment cash). However, in many cases, you don’t have a choice when only a rebate, or only a low-interest loan is being offered. See our article, 0% APR Car Deals – Good Deal or Not? for more details.

Here are some of the current  car makes and models with 0% APR loan deals. Note that the 0% APR rate usually (but not always) only applies for shorter-term loans — 24, 36, or 48 month loans — and may not apply to all styles within a model line.  Terms and conditions can vary by car company.

Following are some of the current 0% ARP loan deals for 2011 and 2012 vehicles.

• Buick Enclave (2011 and 2012)
• Buick LaCrosse (2011)
• Buick Lucerne (2011)
• Buick Regal (2011)
• Cadillac  CTS (2011)
• Cadillac Escalade (2011)
• Cadillac SRX (2011)
• Chevrolet Avalanche (2011)
• Chevrolet Camero (2011)
• Chevrolet Colorado (2011)
• Chevrolet Corvette (2011)
• Chevrolet HHR (2011)
• Chevrolet Impala (2011 and 2012)
• Chevrolet Malibu (2011 and 2012)
• Chevrolet Silverado (2011)
• Chevrolet Suburban (2011)
• Chevrolet Tahoe (2011)
• Chevrolet Traverse (2011 and 2012)
• Chrysler 200 (2011 and 2012)
• Chrysler 300 and 300c (2011 and 2012)
• Chrysler Town & Country (2011 and 2012)
• Dodge Avenger (2012)
• Dodge Caliber (2012)
• Dodge Challenger (2012)
• Dodge Charger (2012)
• Dodge Durango (2011 and 2012)
• Dodge Grand Caravan minivan (2012)

• Dodge Journey (2012)
• Dodge Nitro (2011)
• Dodge RAM (2012)
• FIAT 200 and 200c (2012)
• Ford Escape (2011 and 2012)
• Ford Expedition (2011 and 2012)
• Ford F-150, 250, 350, 450 (2011)
• Ford Flex (2011 and 2012)
• Ford Fusion (2012)
• Ford Mustang (2012)
• Ford Ranger (2011)
• Ford Taurus (2011 and 2012)
• GMC Acadia (2011 and 2012)
• GMC Canyon (2011)
• GMC Sierra (2011)
• GMC Yukon (2011)
• Hyundai Genisis (2011)
• Hyundai Sonata (2011)
• Hyundai Veracruz (2011)
• Jeep Compass (2011 and 2012)
• Jeep Grand Cherokee (2012)
• Jeep Liberty (2012)
• Jeep Patriot (2012)
• Jeep Wrangler (2012)
• Lincoln MKS (2011 and 2012)
• Lincoln MKT (2012)
• Lincoln MKX (2011)
• Lincoln MKZ (2011 and 2012)
• Lincoln Navigator (2011 and 2012)
• Mazda CX-7 (2011)
• Mazda CX-9 (2011 and 2012)
• Mazda 2 (2012)
• Mazda 3 (2011)
• Mazda 6 (2011 and 2012)
• Mitsubishi Eclipse (2011 and 2012)
• Mitsubishi Endeavor (2011)
• Mitsubishi Galant (2011 and 2012)
• Mitsubishi Lancer (2011 and 2012)
• Mitsubishi Outlander (2011 and 2012)
• Nissan Altima (2012)
• Nissan Armada (2011)
• Nissan Frontier (2012)
• Nissan Maxima (2011 and 2012)
• Nissan Murano (2011 and 2012)
• Nissan Pathfinder (2011)
• Nissan Quest (2011 and 2012)
• Nissan Rogue (2011 and 2012)
• Nissan Sentra (2012)
• Nissan Titan (2011 and 2012)
• Nissan Versa (2011 and 2012)
• Nissan Xtera (2011)
• Suzuki Equator (2012)
• Suzuki Grand Vitara (2012)
• Suzuki Kizashi (2012)
• Suzuki SX4 (2012)
• Toyota Avalon (2011)
• Toyota Corolla (2011)
• Toyota Prius (2011)
• Toyota RAV4 (2011)
• Toyota Sienna (2011)
• Toyota Tundra (2011 and 2012)
• Toyota Venza (2011)
• Volkswagen CC (2011 and 2012)
• Volkswagen Eos (2011)
• Volkswagen GTI (2011)
• Volkswagen Golf (2011)
• Volkswagen Jetta (2011)
• Volkswagen Routan(2011 and 2012)
• Volkswagen Toureg (2011 and 2012)

Of course, the best deals result from having both a 0% loan and a good price discount. Many car buyers are so happy to get a great loan rate that they overlook the fact that they should also be getting a price discount (not rebate) from their dealers. Shop for or negotiate your best price, even when you are getting a zero-percent loan. Don’t let dealers try to tell you that you can’t have both.

We also remind you that you need a good FICO credit score to qualify for a 0% APR loan rate. If you don’t know your credit score, you should. You can get your score online at sites such as FreeCreditScore.com.

If your credit score is significantly below 700 you won’t be able to get a low-interest (or 0% interest) loan but you may be able to qualify for a “sub-prime” rate at a loan company, such as Auto Credit Express, that specializes in providing car loans to people with no credit, poor credit, bankruptcies, or even repossessions on their record.

You can get free price quotes on any of the above cars from Edmunds.comThe quotes will automatically include any cash-back rebates or discounts that are currently available.

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Chevrolet

The deals come in the form of special leases and 0% APR loans on selected 2012 models (and some 2011 models). All deals expire on January 3, 2012. All the leases being offered are $0 due-at-signing leases, meaning there no down payment, no security deposit, and no first month’s payment – sign and drive.

Following are the latest Chevrolet incentives:

2012 Chevrolet Cruze LS (manual transmission) – Special lease: $199/month, 39 months, 39,000 miles

2012 Chevrolet Malibu LS - Special lease: $229/month, 39 months, 39,000 miles

2012 Chevrolet Traverse LS - Special lease: $299/month, 39 months, 39,000 miles

The above leases have been evaluated by LeaseGuide.com using the Lease Value Calculator. All of the deals have rated as Excellent or Outstanding. Specifically, the Traverse lease scores a 96 which rates Outstanding. The Malibu scores a 94 which is also Outstanding. The Cruze deal scores a bit lower at 83 but still rates as Excellent.

Special leases such as those being offered by Chevrolet are made possible by discounted lease prices, low money factors, and high lease-end residual values. These are better deals than customers could negotiate for themselves since dealers are not authorized to negotiate money factors and residual values, only price.

Chevrolet is also offering a few special 0% APR loans, some with delayed payments. Here are the vehicles with these incentives:

2012 Chevrolet Equinox – 0% APR for up to 36 months, with delayed payments

2012 Chevrolet Traverse and Impala LS – 0% APR for up to 60 months, delayed payments

2011 Chevrolet Traverse, Avalanche, Silverado, Tahoe, and Suburban – 0% APR for up to 72 months, $500 bonus cash

2011 Chevrolet Camero Convertible - 0% APR for up to 72 months, $1000 bonus cash

You can get free price quotes on any of the above Chevrolet vehicles from Edmunds.comThe quotes will automatically include any cash-back rebates or discounts that are currently available.

For more information and details about $0 down car leases, visit LeaseGuide.com.

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General Motors  announced incentives in July that are good through August 2011. The company’s brands, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC,   have deals on most of their vehicles, many on new 2012 models. However, the best deals are on 2011 models. All GM incentives expire on September 6, 2011. 

Here are some of the best GM car deals on 2011 models: 

Buick Lucerne – $2500 rebate or 0% APR financing 

Buick Enclave – $2000 rebate or 0% APR financing 

Buick LaCrosse – $1500 rebate or 0% APR financing 

Cadillac DTS and STS – $7000 rebate or 0% APR financing 

Cadillac Escalade – $3500 rebate or 0% APR financing 

Cadillac CTS – $2000 rebate or 0% APR financing

 

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 – $4000-$4500 rebate or 0% APR financing 

Chevrolet Avalance – $4000 rebate or 0% APR financing 

Chevrolet HHR (selected styles) – $3500 rebate or 0% APR financing 

Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD/3500HD – $3000 rebate or 0% APR financing 

Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe – $3000 rebate or 0% APR financing 

Chevrolet Impala (selected styles) – $3000 rebate or 0% APR financing 

Chevrolet Malibu – $2500 rebate or 0% APR financing 

GMC Sierra 1500 – $4000-$4500 rebate or 0% APR financing 

GMC Sierra 2500/3500HD – $3000 rebate or 0% APR financing 

GMC Yukon – $3000 rebate or 0% APR financing 

Furthermore, there are good factory-to-dealer cash incentives available on a few 2011 GM vehicles for August 2011: 

Buick Regal – $1000 

Chevrolet HHR and Impala – up to $4000 

Chevrolet Corvette – $3000 

Chevrolet Aveo – up to $1500 

Chevrolet Malibu – up to $1000 

Honda, Acura, Volkswagen, Audi, and Volvo are other companies whose July incentives extend through August. 

Honda (most models) and Acura (selected models) are offering low-interest loan rates (0.9%-1.9% APR) on both 2012 and 2011 models.  Volkswagen offers 0% APR loan rate on the 2012 CC and Eos, 0% APR on the 2011 Eos, Routan, CC, and Tiguan, and low interest rates (1.9%-4.9%) on other 2011 models. Audi offers low interest rates (0.9%-3.5% APR) on 2012 models and 0.9%-2.9% on 2011 models. Volvo offers low interest rates on the 2012 S60 (0.9%-1.9%) and 0.9%-2.49% on all 2011 models. 

Other incentives worth considering in August are as follows:

BMW is offering lower interest rates on most its 2011 models, including 0.9% APR on the Z4 and 1.9% APR on the 3-Series and M3.

Ford and Lincoln have 0% APR loan deals on nearly every 2011 and 2012 model. Other models have very low interest rates. The company also offers rebates on most models as well, ranging from $500-$3000. Of course you much select either the rebate or the low interest loan, not both.

Kia has good rebate offers and low interest loans on most models, including $3000 rebate on the 2011 Kia Sedona and $2500 on the 2012 model.

Jaguar offers 0% APR loans on the 2011 Jaguar XF, XJ, and XK.

Mitsubishi stands out with 0% APR loans or nice large rebates on all models, including a $4500 rebate on the 2011 Mitsubishi Endeavor and $3500 on the 2011 Galant.

Nissan comes on strong in August with 0% APR loan deals on nearly every model including 2012 versions of the Altima and Sentra. Alternatively you can select from some very attractive rebates on most models including up to $5250 on the 2011 Titan, up to $4000 for the 2011 Altima Hybrid, $3500 on the 2011 Armada, and up to $3000 on the 2011 Frontier and Maxima.

Suzuki  also has 0% ARP loans or rebates starting at $1000 up to $2000 on the 2011 Equator.

Toyota has 0% APR loan deals on the 2011 Tundra, Camry, Avalon, Highlander, Sienna, Venza, and Corolla.

You can get free price quotes on any of the above vehicles from Edmunds.com.The quotes will automatically include any cash-back rebates or discounts that are currently available.

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Mazda

Some of these deals are for 2010 model vehicles, some for 2011 models, and even some for 2012 models that are currently available. All deals end on March 31, 2011.

Here are examples of the best new Mazda deals:

2011 Mazda2 – 0% APR loan for up to 60 months, no payment for up to 90 days

2011 Mazda3 - 0% APR loan for up to 60 months, no payment for up to 90 days, $500 factory-to-dealer cash — $189/month special lease for 36 months (Mazda3 4-door) or $219/month, 36 months (Mazda3 hatchback)

2010 Mazda3 - 0% APR loan for up to 60 months, $750 rebate

2012 Mazda5 –  1.9% APR loan for up to 36 months — $267/month special lease for 36 months

2010 Mazda5 – 0% APR loan for up to 36 months, $500 rebate, $1500 factory-to-dealer cash

2011 Mazda6 – 0% APR loan for up to 60 months, no payment for up to 90 days, $500 factory-to-dealer cash — $239/month special lease for 36 months

2010 Mazda6 – 0% APR loan for up to 60 months, $750 rebate

2011 Tribute – 3.9% APR loan for up to 60 months, $1000 factory-to-dealer cash — $329/month special lease for 36 months

2010 Tribute – 0% APR loan for up to 36 months, $2500 factory-to-dealer cash

2011 CX-9 – 0% APR loan for up to 60 months, no payment for up to 90 days, $500 factory-to-dealer cash — $359/month special lease for 36 months

2010 CX-9 – 0% APR loan for up to 60 months, $750 rebate

2011 CX-7 – 0% APR loan for up to 60 months, no payment for up to 90 days, $500 rebate — $259/month special lease for 36 months

2011 CX-7 – 0% APR loan for up to 60 months, $750 rebate, $2000 factory-to-dealer cash

2011 MX-5 Miata – $269/month special lease for 36 months (MX-5 Sport) or $339/month (Touring Retractable Hardtop)

2010 MX-5 Miata – $3000 factory-to-dealer cash

2010 RX-8 – $3000 factory-to-dealer cash

These are excellent incentives from Mazda for March 2011, especially the lease deals. All the current lease deals are rated “Excellent” by LeaseGuide.com.

You can get free price quotes on any of the above Mazda vehicle from Edmunds.com.The quotes will automatically include any incentives that are currently available.

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General Motors

The GM deals are in the form of direct customer cash rebates and low-interest loans, with a number of 0% APR loan deals as well. All the current January incentives end on 2/1/2010.

Here are some of the best General Motors deals at this time:

2010 Buick  Lucern $2000 rebate

2010 Chevrolet Avalanche, Suburban, Tahoe, Cobalt, Impala – $2000 rebate

2010 GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Sierra – $2000 rebate

2010 Pontiac Vibe – $4000 rebate

2009 Buick Lucerne – $4500 rebate 

2009 Buick Lacrosse – $4000 rebate

2009 Cadillac XLR, XLR-V – $10,000 rebate

2009 Cadillac Escalade – $6000 rebate

2009 Cadillac CTS-V, DTS, STS, STS-V - $5000 rebate

2009 Cadillac SRX – $4000 rebate

2009 Chevrolet Avalanche, Impala, Tahoe – $3500 rebate

2009 Chevrolet Cobalt – $3000 rebate

2009 GMC Yukon, Yukon XL – $4000 rebate

2009 GMC Envoy – $3500 rebate

2009 Hummer H3 – $6000 rebate

2009 Pontiac (most models) – $4000 rebate

2009 Saturn (most models) – $4000 rebate

Furthermore, low-interest loans are available on all the above 2010 models and 0% APR deals available on all the 2009 models above. Of course, you know that you can accept either the rebates or low interest loans, but not both. With these GM rebates being so large, it is usually better to accept the rebate instead of the loan deal, especially if you need down payment money (rebates count towards your down payment).

You can get free price quotes on any of the above GM vehicles from Edmunds.com.The quotes will automatically include any cash-back rebates or discounts that are available at this time.