After your home, your car is probably your most expensive asset. More than that, it is a status symbol. It tells the world what your personality is and, frankly, how much you can afford. This article will examine how to find an inexpensive new car.

The first way to find a cheap new car is to look for rebates and cash back offers. Because the economy is in a slump and hitting the auto industry harder than most others, many manufacturers offer incentives to buy their cars. Some of the best deals right now on new cars include a $ 13,000 cash back on the Mercedes-Benz CLK Class, $ 5,000 off a Nissan Titan, and $ 7,500 off the BMW Z4.

Another way to buy a cheap new car is to look for a model from last year. As dealers launch the 2010 line, they still have 2009 models in the showroom. They are more motivated to move them and will often offer great deals on them.

If you’re looking for the cheapest possible monthly payments on a new car, consider the leasing option. Leased cars can be 30 to 60 percent less expensive than buying the same car with a loan that can cut your monthly payments in half. This allows you to drive a new car for less money than you could spend on a late-model used car deal. These are great deals if you can meet the terms of the lease. A typical lease is for 6 months, 30,000 miles, and sometimes a down payment. Also, you will need to provide collision insurance on the vehicle and not just liability insurance.

Do you want to drive for free? If you live in a big city or near a college campus, this might be an option. In exchange for turning your car into a complete mobile billboard, you can often get a free ride (pun intended). There are two models to do this. The first is to get a car directly from an advertising company. The second is to get a stipend for driving your late-model car when it’s wrapped in a business ad.

Car incentives, last year’s models, lease, and free cars are all ways to get a new, inexpensive car.