Once upon a time, domestic cars ruled North America.
Sure, there were a smattering of Germans and even a Renault or two, but it was a Ford, General Motors or Chrysler product parked in the driveway of just about every home in suburbia. It was the heyday of the Big Three.
Maybe it still is for you. Yes, Honda and Toyota make good cars, but you'd rather shop locally, so to speak, despite knowing many Asian and German cars are built in North America. You need a good, used mid-sized sedan, and only domestics will do.
No problem. The Big Three have been making better cars than a decade ago. With a budget of $15,000, something a few years old – and, with luck, a bit of warranty left – can be found.
Sensible
Treat yourself to a Cadillac. The CTS was redesigned in 2008 – up to where we can find them for our prices – with a sharp-edged and distinctively aggressive look. It finally became a true sports sedan, with both ride and handling rivalling the German offerings. A smooth-running 3.6-litre V-6 with 263 horsepower was standard, but look for the V-6 with 304 horsepower for more grunt; power goes down to either the rear wheels or all four, while the interior is full of leather and quality materials befitting its luxury nameplate. The only drawback: It will be older than other selections at this price point. Recalls deal with a washer-heater module that could catch fire and the GM-wide recall for ignition switches.
Indispensable
For a competent newer mid-sized sedan, look for the Ford Fusion, up to 2012 here. Not only is it a cushy family hauler, but the Fusion is fun to drive in the corners, thanks in part to a stiff chassis it shared with the Mazda6. Two V-6s were optional but even the base 2.5-litre four-cylinder is peppy and economical. Space inside is good, while the design and materials seem more luxurious than what should be in a mainstream car of this era. Dependability has been kind enough for the Fusion to earn a "Good Bet" by Consumer Reports. If you can get past its gaudy chrome grille, the Fusion would be an excellent choice. Recalls include those for power steering failure and accessory floor mats.
Questionable
In 2011, Chrysler redid the sad-sack Sebring and changed the name to the 200, which we can find up to 2014. It was a huge improvement, but as the bar was already set limbo-low with the previous car, it didn't exactly set the mid-sized market ablaze. The biggest improvement came with the 3.6-litre Pentastar V-6 with 283 horsepower, which had almost the same fuel economy as the standard four-cylinder. The interior was also vastly improved, though there is too much vinyl for anyone's liking. It's not a bad car, but not up to par with the rest of the selection here. Recalls deal with premature engine wear, active head restraints, fuel leaks and potential loss of steering.
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