Cadillac CTSSticker price: $36,560 - $40,760
Wholesale price: $34,366 - $38,314
Market price: $30,607 - $34,500
Auto sales are down for the count. Sales of American cars, in particular, have been K.O.'d.
In a vain attempt to get things moving again, American car manufacturers are piling on incentives and dealers are slashing prices. That means you can get some amazing - absurd, really - prices on some great cars.
Many American cars and trucks are going for below the dealer's wholesale price, according the real-world pricing data provided by Vincentric for AOL Autos. That includes truly top-notch vehicles that are competitive, on every level, with foreign competitors.
The Cadillac CTS could be the poster child for this crazy car sale of the century. Even at its full sticker price, the CTS is well worth the money. Here you have a car with the outstanding handling and ride qualities of its German competitors but with more room inside than a similarly-priced BMW or Mercedes-Benz.
The interior is also one of the prettiest in the business. Plus, the controls for navigation, climate control and entertainment are much easier to use than those found in most luxury cars. The CTS was also named a "Top Safety Pick" by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Ford FlexSticker price: $28,550 - $36,810
Wholesale price: $26,842 - $34,072
Market price: $21,725 - $28,654
The Flex is basically a minivan in disguise. But that's quite a disguise. And it's quite a minivan.
The Flex has an amazing amount of room inside, especially for passengers in the second row of seats. But even third-row riders have plenty of room and access to those seats is easy. Available features include a quick-chill refrigerator to keep those juice boxes cold.
Despite its truck-like looks, the Flex is really a long, tall car - and it rides nicely. Fuel economy is a surprising 24 miles per gallon on the highway. It was also named a "Top Safety Pick" by the Insurance Institute.
Pontiac G8Sticker price: $28,250 - $37,610
Wholesale price: $26,979 - $35,918
Market price: $24,028 - $33,060
Look up "Top competitors" to the Pontiac G8 and the list will surprise you. You'll see brands like BMW, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz among those mentioned.
It certainly isn't on account of the price. Even at full sticker, the G8 costs tens of thousands less than a comparable Mercedes or BMW. But where else are you going to find this kind of performance, handling, power and comfort in a nice-sized four-door sedan?
The G8's hood scoops may look a tad juvenile but the GT version, with a 355-horsepower V8 engine, delivers on the promise. With a classic rear-wheel-drive lay-out, the G8 handles well while providing a comfortable ride. For the economy minded, the G8's base V6 engine still delivers a respectable 256 horsepower with a slight gain in fuel economy.
GMC AcadiaSticker price: $31,890 - $40,490
Wholesale price: $30,136 - $38,263
Market price: $27,020 - $34,095
The Acadia is one of of four essentially similar large crossover vehicles from GM. While all four - the Acadia, Saturn Outlook, Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave - look very different from the outside, all are similarly roomy inside, offer easy access and have similarly car-like ride and handling qualities.
Once famous for trashy interiors, GM has more than stepped up in recent years. All of these vehicles have attractive and highly functional interiors. The Enclave's, in particular, rises to the level of art, provided you pick the right colors.
All four are solid choices for keeping your family safe, too, having earned "Top Safety Pick" awards from the Insurance Institute. And, despite their size, they get a respectable 24 mpg in highway driving.
Ford EscapeSticker price: $20,435 - $27,670
Wholesale price: $19,245 - $25,625
Market price: $15,444 - $21,559
The Escape got a sharper looking exterior for the 2008 model year, then got some engine and transmission upgrades for the 2009 model year, making this generally good - and popular - small crossover a kick to drive, too.
Besides a reasonably roomy and a very functional interior, the Escape also offers top-notch protection. It's an Insurance Institute "Top Safety Pick."
A 4-cylinder Escape gets a very good 28 miles per gallon on the highway and 22 in the city. The hybrid version gets 31 on the highway and 34 in the city - yes, its fuel economy is better in the city - but you'll pay much, much more for it.
Chevrolet AvalancheSticker price: $35,460 - $46,700
Wholesale price: $32,800 - $43,198
Market price: $31,194 - $40,493
The Avalanche, Consumer Reports' top pick among trucks - GM's Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra tied for second place - provides a clever combination of SUV versatility and pickup functionality.
The back wall of the passenger compartment can fold down three ways: the whole wall, just the window glass, or just the bottom half with the glass still in pace. Leave the hard cover over the bed and the glass in place to create an enclosed space that goes all the way to the front seats. Or open it all up to haul really big stuff.
The Avalanche also rides and handles nicely and its fuel economy is little different from the smaller, weaker Honda Ridgeline.
Dodge RamSticker price: $21,520 - $43,490
Wholesale price: $19,390 - $38,769
Market price: $18,373 - $35,649
If you're looking for some sign of hope for Chrysler LLC, open the door to a 2009 Dodge Ram. If it's not too late, a car company that can make something like this might just have a shot.
Unlike most recent Dodge products, the Ram has an interior that looks as if someone actually spent time designing it rather than just slapping together some hideous but useful plastic parts. It's actually quite attractive in there.
The Ram has lots of clever storage ideas, too, including underfloor bins in the cab and the optional RamBox bins - airtight and with drains to let out water - built into the bed walls.
With car-like coil springs instead of the typical leaf springs over the back wheels, the Ram also feels more controlled underway than most trucks. Added to all that, it's arguably the best-looking big pickup on the market.
Chevrolet MalibuSticker price: $21,605 - $26,880
Wholesale price: $20,417 - $25,402
Market price: $17,291 - $22,184
This may surprise people who haven't driven a GM product in a long time but the Malibu, handsome as it is, seems even better when you drive it. The ride is nicely cushioned but totally controlled. The Malibu feels like you're driving a much more expensive luxury sedan, not a bad mattress.
Inside, the Malibu has an artfully designed interior that suffers only slightly from cheap pieces here and there. The seats can be had in a nice two-tone leather combination. The Malibu ranks at the top in initial quality, according to J.D. Power and Assoc. and reliability is "very good" according to Consumer Reports.
For those looking for something more stylish than a Camry and more stately than an Accord, here's your car. And, right now, you can't beat the price.
