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Cadillac CTS/CTS-V

6595 messages,  Last post on Feb 09, 2013 at 11:09 AM

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What is this discussion about? Cadillac CTS, Cadillac CTS-V, Sedan

Messages Page 626 of 660

#6246 of 6595 Re: 2006 update info [twest88] by sevenfeet0

Jul 14, 2005 (9:50 pm)

Replying to: twest88 (Jul 14, 2005 7:06 pm)
When I was taking delivery of my SRX today I saw the new 2006 CTS product brochure on my sales rep's desk so I thumbed through it. Initial thoughts...
 
The grill is the same as before but there is a new "sport grill" that can comes with the Appearance package. It's also dealer installable in case you want to put it on an "ordinary" CTS. The appearance of the grill does have some cues to the Caddy Sixteen.
 
The Navigation system is indeed not available with the aformentioned Performance and Appearance packages. I have no idea why.
 
Performance package comes with 18" chrome wheels with 9 spokes. It has the performance suspension with load leveling and the usual goodies familiar to LuxSport owners in previous years.
 
The Appearance package is the same as the performance package but adds the sport grill, side moldings and rear spoiler (functional). The 18" chrome wheels are a different 12 spoke variety. The side moldings look like sharpened edged on the lower flanks of the vehicle and don't look too obtrusive (definetely not Pontiac circa 1995). The spoiler reminds me of some of the more tasteful aftermarket spoilers I've seen for the CTS. Whether you opt for the Performance or Appearance package depends on your tastes....kudos to Cadillac for giving the buyer a choice.
 
A manumatic shifter is now standard.
 
The previous CTS steering wheel and overall instrument cluster is retained but I think the Nav system is updated for this vehicle.
 
The CTS-V does come with the LS2 engine but is still rated for 400 HP and 395 ft/lbs of torque, although the manual says these figures are estimated. This is a little surprising since the Chrysler has already one upped the CTS-V with the 300 R/T Hemi 425 HP. No word on other modifications.
 
No other significant modifications I could tell save paint changes and other minor stuff (new engine block heater cable).

#6247 of 6595 Re: Just sold my '03 CTS LuxSport [batmanscts] by sevenfeet0

Jul 15, 2005 (4:53 am)

Replying to: batmanscts (Jul 14, 2005 7:35 pm)
Hi Doug,
 
Wow, you've gone nowhere with your CTS! 10K miles? That reminds me of my wife's last car. We brought her 1994 Ford Escort into a dealership in Atlanta for normal maintenance 3 years ago and they almost fell out of their proverbial chair when they saw the car only had 48,000 miles on it.
 
I'm still going to hang around the CTS boards despite being a "former" owner. I was very happy with this car and sorry to see it go. Maybe I might get another one as my personal car (the SRX is the daily driver for my wife as the CTS was before it).

#6248 of 6595 Re: '06 Dash [bosshogg] by zeen

Jul 16, 2005 (1:24 pm)

Replying to: bosshogg (Jul 10, 2005 7:32 pm)
bosshogg
I agree that the CTS is a fine car and a good value. But if you want a luxury name and compare interiors, the CTS lags far behind. The center stack is more befitting a Pontiac than a luxury name. GM has always been a laggard in interior design.
Just look at the competition.
That being said, I looked at an 06 today. The wood trim on the center stack is a definite improvement. The big cupholder holes are ugly...like a Chevy.

#6249 of 6595 Re: Daaaammmmnnnn......... [jpnmass] by zeen

Jul 16, 2005 (1:26 pm)

Replying to: jpnmass (Jul 11, 2005 10:23 am)
Other than these options, are there any changes that are standard? Improvements in handling, suspension, horsepower, etc??

#6250 of 6595 Your opinion by bingoman

Jul 16, 2005 (11:29 pm)

Replying to: zeen (Jul 16, 2005 1:24 pm)
Your opinion is your opinion, personally I disagree. I think the center console, especially with the navigation screen, is fine for a luxury sports car. And I've been driving mine for three years now.

#6251 of 6595 Impressions of the SRX from a former CTS owner by sevenfeet0

Jul 18, 2005 (9:18 am)

I'm sure that some of you CTS owners are or will be in the same boat as myself and my wife. We enjoyed the CTS a lot, but having rugrats changes everything. We lasted two years with the CTS before finally succumbing to the reality that we needed a more family friendly vehicle. Since I can't afford to keep both a CTS and an SRX around, the CTS had to go. Lots have been written about the SRX in two years so I won't repeat them. I just want to offer some prespective for those who might have to make the switch.
 
I took delivery of a 2005 SRX V6 Lux model. This was about as lateral transistion as I could make from one model to another. The previous CTS was a 2003 LuxSport with all options except the Nav system. The new V6 model has more power than the previous car, but it heavier and slower. That doesn't mean it's a slow car, just slower than the previous sedan. The V8 model more than evens that playing field, but it was out of my price range. The SRX's MSRP was $47K, $7000 more than my previous CTS, but the current discounts from GM brought the final price to roughly the same as I paid for the last car + GM Supplier discount.
 
After three years sitting low to the ground in a sedan, going to SRX height is a little different, but it's not as high up as a 'Slade. The previous CTS had much heavier steering (especially in my car with the LuxSport package). The SRX's steering feel is more pedestrian, but not dead to the world like my old '91 Deville. Tires are all season Michelins versus the W-rated Goodyears of the previous car. The tires are high quality, but not designed for slogging the exit ramps. I've read that Caddy has passed on making an SRX-V for the time being. If there isn't going to be a V-series car, I suggest GM create a sport package on the lines of the CTS's sport options. Even though I bought a family-mobile doesn't mean I don't want the feel of my old car.
 
The car is pretty and has already drawn compliments. The styling is probably the best executed of the A&S class vehicles in recent Caddy history. My car didn't come with Xenon headlamps and I already miss them from the last car.
 
The interior is very similar to the CTS and in fact this is my major complaint about the car. When the CTS was introduced, the interior was a bit controversial but still appropiate for the class. If the SRX is supposed to be an "S" series vehicle from Cadillac (and is certainly priced like its SRX stablemate), then repeating the CTS interior is a big problem. It wasn't big enough for me not to buy the car, but you had to wonder what the product planners were thinking outside of saving money. Amazingly, this issue hasn't prevented the SRX from being named best-in-class by two auto magazines two years in a row.
 
Otherwise the vehicle is wonderful. It's not as solid feeling as the CTS, but it still feels very very strong with nary a flex from the chassis. And the all the room in the second row seating is worth the price trading in the CTS. Getting my son into his car seat used to be an exercise in contortion. Now it's easy to open the big wide rear door and plop him in. This makes getting him in and out of the car much faster and is a lot easier on my back. The extra room also proved very useful for adults as I had to transport 4 adults around for a funeral the day after I took delivery of the car. Getting 3 people into the back of the CTS would have been out of the question. But the SRX was well suited and I still could have managed a couple of children in the third row. The SRX isn't designed for cupholder heaven like a minivan, so if you're looking for that, buy a minivan.
 
So far, no creaks, rattles or other issues, but then the car has less than 400 miles. I miss my CTS, but if I have to ride in a family-mobile, this isn't a bad choice.

#6252 of 6595 Re: CTS - Front Tire Wear [thomasg] by doyle1

Jul 18, 2005 (4:14 pm)

Replying to: thomasg (Mar 28, 2005 9:09 pm)
Tom
I have a 2004 CTS. I roatated the tires every 6,000 miles and at 17,600 the front tires were worn out on the outside rib. Took it to the dealer and it cost me $110 for an alignment. I am waiting to hear from cadillac customer service but they are telling me that they do not know of any problems with the alignment.

#6253 of 6595 SEVEN by geo9

Jul 18, 2005 (8:56 pm)

Did you get the sunroof?

#6254 of 6595 Re: SEVEN [geo9] by ljms

Jul 19, 2005 (7:21 am)

Replying to: geo9 (Jul 18, 2005 8:56 pm)
I took my 2004 CTS to the dealer this past Saturday complaining of "howling" tires. Was told my differential was going out; bring it back on Monday. Took car back Monday. Was told it wasn't the differential, that I had "cupped" tires and that I'd have to replace the tires. The car only has 20,000 miles on it and I've had tires rotated and balanced every 5,000 miles; and have had aligned twice in past year. There is definitely a problem with the CTS and tires!

#6255 of 6595 Re: Cupped tires by skuuter

Jul 19, 2005 (3:53 pm)

Replying to: ljms (Jul 19, 2005 7:21 am)
I believe the culprit might be the OEM tires. 20K is exceptional mileage for the junk OEM Goodyears. Cupping has many causes, but besides suspension problems, the tire itself can contribute.
 
Probable Causes
- loosely mounted tire/ wheel assembly (check what ft.lb. setting they're at)
- out of balance tire/ wheel assembly
- tread design/ tire design
- worn bearings, shocks, springs or other suspension compnents
 
I can't speak for the RS-As, since I dumped them at 7,000 miles. I had no problems with unusual wear on a set of Bridgestone Potenzas with a UTOQ of 220 AAB. Why did you get the car aligned that often?

Messages Page 626 of 660

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