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Entry Level Luxury Performance Sedans

16087 messages,  Last post on May 09, 2013 at 9:32 AM

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What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Infiniti G37, Acura TL, Lexus IS 350, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Cadillac CTS, Volvo S60, Audi A4, Acura TSX, Car Comparisons, Sedan

Messages Page 1029 of 1610

#10274 of 16087 Disappointed by 2008 CTS by renssils

Sep 17, 2007 (10:21 am)

Having rented recently, each for a week, an Infiniti M35 and an Audi A6 3.2, I looked forwarded to trying out the 2008 Cadillac CTS, in which I sat this morning. Audi, Infiniti, Lexus and others need not worry about this would-be competitor. If anything, the CTS seems to a competitor for the Audi A4, BMW 3, Infiniti G35, Volvo S60 and other similarly priced cars. The CTS lacks so many features and benefits of the A6 and M35, none of which are absolutely needed, but do make driving more enjoyable for customers willing to spend $45,000 to $50,000 or more. In addition, I thought that the fit and finish wasn't as well done as the Audi and the Infiniti. The CTS's trunk is fully lined, but looks cheap. The $41,000 CTS had no back-sensors, no Bluetooth, no motorized steering column, a claustrophobic rear passenger area, no B-pillar vents, and an intrusive sunroof. A fully optioned CTS at a list price of $49,000 is overpriced, I think. I'd rather buy the Audi or the Infiniti and, in fact, I think that I will.

#10275 of 16087 Re: Disappointed by 2008 CTS [renssils] by qbrozen

Sep 17, 2007 (11:52 am)

Replying to: renssils (Sep 17, 2007 10:21 am)
well, if you look at what the discussion is about, the CTS is listed with the A4, 3-series, etc that you mention.

#10276 of 16087 Re: Disappointed by 2008 CTS [qbrozen] by plekto

Sep 17, 2007 (1:44 pm)

Replying to: qbrozen (Sep 17, 2007 11:52 am)
The CTS is not Cadillac's smallest car, though. This perception that because it's less expensive than the competition it must be placed with the other makers budget cars seems to still be alive.
 
GM itself says that the car isn't "entry level" - they just don't sell their entry-level BTS here in the U.S. because it would fail.(actually it's not doing well in Europe, either). The CTS is their second from the bottom Cadillac, nonetheless, and is marketed towards the middle range import.(A6, G35, etc). Whether GM can manage to pull off what Hyundai seems to be doing to the Japanese makers remains to be seen.
 
In fact, the recent announcement about a smaller entry-level car(which won't sell) is probably their bringing the BTS over to kill this wrong image. Even if they don't sell more than a thousand a year, it will push the CTS up a notch in the reviews, where it competes better. It's NO 3 series - it's way too large to compete handling wise. But versus a 535i, things get a bit weirder.

#10277 of 16087 Re: Disappointed by 2008 CTS [plekto] by qbrozen

Sep 17, 2007 (6:03 pm)

Replying to: plekto (Sep 17, 2007 1:44 pm)
cars are listed at the top. I didn't make the list.
 
I agree, it is bigger than the others, no doubt.

#10278 of 16087 Re: Disappointed by 2008 CTS [qbrozen] by fedlawman

Sep 17, 2007 (6:47 pm)

Replying to: qbrozen (Sep 17, 2007 6:03 pm)
The way this entire segment is inching up in size/weight, why even pretend to be a sport sedan anymore?
 
Maybe Cadillac has the right idea after all. Give the customer what they want - 300+ horsepower, 19" wheels, chrome, leather, wood, bluetooth, and a 40 GB hard drive.

#10279 of 16087 Re: Disappointed by 2008 CTS [renssils] by markcincinnati

Sep 17, 2007 (7:14 pm)

Replying to: renssils (Sep 17, 2007 10:21 am)
Check out a fully decked out G35X $41K, the Cadillac is better looking and much lower in content and features.
 
I LOVE the looks, and the interior is close to Audis in design and finish -- but the list of lacks is few BUT significant.
 
No bluetooth, no full function voice commands, no real keyless system, no backup camera, a pedal parking brake and a really bad gauze sunroof.
 
I really liked the driving experience of the new CTS, but it was floaty compared with the 2005 A6 I drove in.
 
I keep thinking the CTS will be value -- the G35X with a similar sized wheelbase looks interesting.
 
The CTS might intice a 5 series buyer -- sometime in the future, this one probably won't do it, tho.

#10280 of 16087 Re: Disappointed by 2008 CTS [markcincinnati] by plekto

Sep 17, 2007 (10:37 pm)

Replying to: markcincinnati (Sep 17, 2007 7:14 pm)
No bluetooth, no full function voice commands, no real keyless system, no backup camera, a pedal parking brake and a really bad gauze sunroof.
****
All useless yuppie crap to break. Who honestly needs a voice command system or a camera in the rear for a sedan?
 
The foot operated parking brake works very well and keeps an enormous amount of space in the middle console area free. This is one area that European cars have never gotten right. I mean - the only reason you would need to use the parking brake was if your brakes failed in an emergency. That's a big if, given all of the redundant sensors that you find in cars these days. Even then you could manage with the foot brake. Quicker as well I bet than trying to steer and pull on the brake.
 
Yes, the sunroof is lame, but just get it without a sunroof. DUH. I never understood the need for a sunroof since they started placing them so far back you'd have to turn your head sideways while driving to actually see the sky.
  
****
I really liked the driving experience of the new CTS, but it was floaty compared with the 2005 A6 I drove in.
****
It's softer to be sure, but it's made to feel more like a 5 series. Softer but when you push it, it flies through corners. Do a search online for that video of the 2008 CTS-V prototype tearing around the Nurburing. At the end, it ends up right on that little Golf's rear end in seconds. Well over 100mph on the straights. It's no joke if you push it. That's something no Lexus manages to do - and no GM to date other than maybe a Corvette. Its times from what I've heard are very good as well - better than most of the Europeans in fact.
 
(Even though it's a CTS-V, it's basically the sporty version of the 2008 CTS with just more power)

#10281 of 16087 Re: Disappointed by 2008 CTS [plekto] by circlew

Sep 18, 2007 (3:53 am)

Replying to: plekto (Sep 17, 2007 10:37 pm)
That's something no Lexus manages to do - and no GM to date other than maybe a Corvette. Its times from what I've heard are very good as well - better than most of the Europeans in fact.
 
The problem is that little nagging thing called dependability....the last CTS-V was breakable.
 
Regards,
OW

#10282 of 16087 Re: Disappointed by 2008 CTS [plekto] by kdshapiro

Sep 18, 2007 (5:38 am)

Replying to: plekto (Sep 17, 2007 10:37 pm)
Who honestly needs a voice command system or a camera in the rear for a sedan?
 
I agree with you on that.

#10283 of 16087 Re: Disappointed by 2008 CTS [plekto] by shipo

Sep 18, 2007 (5:40 am)

Replying to: plekto (Sep 17, 2007 10:37 pm)
"It's softer to be sure, but it's made to feel more like a 5 series. Softer but when you push it, it flies through corners."
 
Oh puleeze. I am very familiar with the 5-Series and never would I call one soft. The CTS that I drove was in fact soft and no, it wouldn't fly through the corners.
 
"Do a search online for that video of the 2008 CTS-V prototype tearing around the Nurburing."
 
Here we go again, rockylee reincarnated. This discussion has nothing to do with factory tuner cars.
 
After my fairly lengthy test drive of the CTS, I came away with a very favorable impression compared to the Gen 1 CTS, however, it is still a car that none of the other players in this space need worry about.
 
Best Regards,
Shipo

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