Best Labor Day weekend car deals

WASHINGTON — Labor Day weekend is the last chance for auto dealers to clear out their lots of 2017 models to make way for 2018 inventory, and the motivation of manufacturers to sell remaining inventory of this year’s models is high — especially for compact and mid-sized cars.

Edmunds forecasts just over 1.5 million cars and trucks were likely sold in August, an 8 percent increase from July, but the bump comes after seven straight months of declining sales.

The American consumers’ increasing preference for trucks and SUVs means the real deals are on cars, both purchase and lease.

U.S. News & World Report has put together a short list of this Labor Day’s best lease and purchase deals on new cars, based not only on financing, incentives or lease terms but also on cars that have favorable reviews, and it includes:

2017 Honda Fit: Lease for $139 a month for 36 months with $2,399 due at signing. (American Honda Motor Co., Inc. via AP)

American Honda Motor Co., Inc. via AP

2015 Mazda6 — 2017 Mazda6: 0 percent financing for 60 months plus $1,000 bonus cash plus no payments for 60 days. (AP Photo/Mazda, File)

A model looks at Kia Motors' "The New Soul" during the unveiling ceremony in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, Aug. 22, 2016. The price of The New Soul equipped with a 1.6-liter gasoline engine is 17.5 million won (US$ 15,681) to 21.45 million won (US$ 19,220) on the domestic market. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) — 2017 Kia Soul: 36 month lease for $159 per month with $2,675 due at signing. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

The grill of a 2017 Buick LaCrosse is shown at the Los Angeles Auto Show on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) — 2017 Buick LaCrosse: 0 percent financing for 60 months plus $2,000 bonus cash. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

2017 Ford Mustang: 1.9 percent financing for 60 months or $2,000 cash back. (Courtesy of Ford Motor Co. via AP)

Courtesy of Ford Motor Co. via AP

2017 Toyota Camry: 0 percent financing for 72 months plus $500 bonus cash. (David Dewhurst Photography/Courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc. via AP)

2017 Nissan Maxima: 36 month lease for $259 per month with $3,169 due at signing. (Nissan via AP)

Nissan via AP

2017 Chevrolet Volt: 36 month lease for $299 per month with $2,389 due at signing. (Jim Fets Photography/Courtesy of General Motors Co. via AP)

Jim Fets Photography/Courtesy of General Motors Co. via AP

2017 Honda Accord: 36 month lease for $189 per month with $1,999 due at signing. (Courtesy of Honda Motor Co., Inc. via AP)

Courtesy of Honda Motor Co., Inc. via AP

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