The Best End of Year Incentives

Here's a sampling of what each car maker has to offer as part of their year-end sales event.

Acura - "Season of Reason" offers 0.9% APR for 24-36 months or 1.9% APR for 37-60 months, as well as $0 down payment, $0 security deposit, $0 first month's payment, and $0 due at lease signing on select models.

BMW - Joy Sales Event: Holiday Credit of $1,500 on the 1 Series, 3 Series, 5 Series (including the Gran Turismo), and Z4. $2,500 Holiday Credit on the X5, X6, and 7 Series (excluding the 760Li and Alpina). Financing rates as low as 0.9% or no down payment.

Dodge - Cash rebates from $750 to $1500 and low-APR incentives on many models based on region.

Ford - Year End Celebration sales event: $199/36-month lease on the 2011 Fiesta SE four-door, and a $305/36-month lease on the 2011 Mustang V-6 coupe, or 0% APR financing plus $1500 cash back on many models, including the 2011 Focus, Fusion, Taurus, and Escape, and even the 2010 F-150 Truck.

GM - Has special incentives on its Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC brands. Chevrolet offers no monthly payments till spring, plus 0% APR, and $1,500 on certain 2011 Chevy models. Buick is offering a similar deal on the 2011 Enclave and LaCrosse, as well as a special lease offer on the 2011 Regal CXL. GMC is offering no monthly payments till spring, plus 0% APR, and $1,500 on any new GMC, plus "Sign and Drive" lease offers on the 2011 Acadia SL and 2011 GMC Terrain.

Honda - Happy Honda Days offers financing as low as 0.9% for 60 months or 1.9% APR for up to 36 months and no money down on leases on selected models.

Hyundai - Hyundai Holiday savings: $1000 bonus cash plus 3.9% APR up to 60 months or 4.9% for 72 months on its 2010 Accent three- or four-door model.

Infiniti - Winter Event features special lease offers and APRs from 0.0% to 2.9% across most of its lineup.

Kia - Offering from $500 to $2000 cash back on selected 2010 Forte, Optima, and Rio models, or 2011 Soul models along with 0% financing.

Lexus - December to Remember: APRs as low as 1.9% for up to 60 months on select models depending on region.

Lincoln/Mercury - Wishlist Lease Event promises a 27-month Red Carpet Lease with $0 down payment, $0 first month's payment, and $0 cash due at signing on select 2011 Lincoln MKZ or MKS models, as well as four-year complimentary maintenance.

Mercedes-Benz - Offering special lease deals and 1.9% APR sales incentives from 24 to 36 months on many models in its collection. Participating Mini dealers are offering 0.9% APR financing for 60 months or on all 2011 models, or $199 per month on a 36-month lease of a 2011 Mini Cooper Hardtop.

Nissan - Year-End Sales Event has deals on the full lineup of sedans, crossovers, trucks and SUVs. $750 cash back on the Altima sedan; special financing rates of 0% for 36 months on the Frontier, Murano, and Pathfinder; 1.9% for 36 months on the Armada and Juke.

Suzuki - Promoting special leasing deals across its entire lineup of 2010 and 2011 models and special financing of 2.9% financing for 60 months, depending on your region.

Toyota - Toyotathon offers 0% APR for 36 months or 0.9% from 48 to 60 months.

Volvo - Offering Costco members an exclusive Winter Savings Promotion of $500 off Volvo Employee Pricing, plus additional rebates and incentives on the purchase of a 2011 Volvo XC60 or XC90.