The best new car deals for Labor Day weekend
By Jeff Bartlett
Note: Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on MSN.
In the market for a new car? The long Labor Day weekend can be a great time to get a deal on a leftover 2012 model. The airwaves will be overflowing with promotions, appealing to your heartstrings and wallet. I can be tempting to chase the too-good-to-be-true deals, losing sight of choosing the best car. Not to worry: Consumer Reports experts have cut through the clutter, highlighting good deals on recommended cars.
All the models highlighted below offer at least 15 percent off MSRP, aka the sticker price. Of course, dealers may be interested in negotiating further to clear these models and make room for the 2013s. Before negotiating for any new car, shoppers should check our detailed pricing for local deals, rebates, and hidden direct-to-dealer incentives. (Learn more about car pricing.)
Of course, all the models featured here will soon be freshened or updated. In fact, theFord Fusion, Honda Accord, and Nissan Altima have all be thoroughly redesigned, making the decision tougher than usual: stick with the current, proven models with known (and better than average) reliability, or hold out for the pricier, flashier new models? That's your call.
The models listed below are just a few of our Best New Car Deals, meaning they offer notable discounts on models that meet Consumer Reports' criteria to be recommended. These vehicles scored well in our testing, had average or better reliability in our subscriber survey, and performed well in government or insurance-industry safety tests, if evaluated.
See our full list of deals on 2012 models after the jump.
| Make & model | Expires | MSRP | Invoice price | Customer rebate | Dealer incentive | Potential savings below MSRP |
| 9/4/12 | 44,240 | 41,213 | Yes | No | 15%+ | |
| 10/1/12 | 44,145 | 41,250 | Yes | No | 15%+ | |
| 10/1/12 | 38,790 | 35,280 | Yes | No | 15%+ | |
| 10/1/12 | 34,775 | 32,530 | Yes | No | 15%+ | |
| 10/1/12 | 29,570 | 27,232 | Yes | No | 15%+ | |
| 10/1/12 | 34,505 | 31,854 | Yes | No | 15%+ | |
| 10/1/12 | 27,105 | 25,194 | Yes | No | 15%+ | |
| 9/4/12 | 24,070 | 22,099 | No | Yes | 15%+ | |
| 9/4/12 | 35,370 | 32,409 | No | Yes | 15%+ | |
| 9/4/12 | 37,795 | 35,082 | No | Yes | 15%+ | |
| 9/4/12 | 39,395 | 36,560 | No | Yes | 15%+ | |
| 9/4/12 | 48,595 | 45,058 | No | Yes | 15%+ | |
| 9/4/12 | 18,350 | 17,510 | Yes | No | 15%+ | |
| 9/4/12 | 18,850 | 17,990 | Yes | No | 15%+ | |
| 9/4/12 | 17,950 | 17,130 | Yes | No | 15%+ | |
| 9/4/12 | 41,350 | 38,721 | No | Yes | 15%+ | |
| 9/4/12 | 22,275 | 21,081 | No | Yes | 15%+ | |
| 9/4/12 | 26,350 | 24,477 | Yes | No | 15%+ | |
| 9/4/12 | 23,490 | 22,070 | Yes | No | 15%+ | |
| 9/4/12 | 28,715 | 26,960 | Yes | No | 15%+ | |
| 9/4/12 | 39,655 | 36,583 | Yes | No | 15%+ | |
| 9/4/12 | 20,540 | 19,208 | Yes | No | 15%+ | |
| 9/4/12 | 37,045 | 33,631 | Yes | No | 15%+ |
Read more at Consumer Reports:
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