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Sedans Cadillac CTS/CTS-V 2008 Cadillac CTS
2757 messages, Last post on Oct 09, 2009 at 8:13 PM
You are in the Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
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Replying to: mtmdatlanta (Mar 23, 2008 4:00 pm) |
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I bought a 2008 CTS with DI, manual transmission, summer performance tire package, and all other options except the spare tire. I wasn't initially in the market for a new car. My other cars are a 1993 BMW M5 and a 1997 Porsche 911, both with modified and track worthy suspensions. I live in Atlanta, and lately all of the local roads have been torn up by sewer and water system repairs, not to mention the serious proliferation of speed humps and detours. While I love my other cars, the ride on our streets became intolerable for daily use, so I thought I would seek something more comfortable but still sporty, and maybe more economical to run as well. I first saw the CTS at our auto show one year ago, and I was impressed. It was beautiful, which I couldn't say about the current BMW's. I visited a dealer this fall, after reading many positive reviews, and the car was quite promising in person. They offered me a test drive, but it was raining and there were no sticks in stock (or apparently produced yet) so I asked them to call me when one came in. Just before Christmas (and after the Car and Driver test of the stick, which wasn't that complimentary), I got a call that a loaded stick had come in and was available for a test drive. It was black/black and had all sorts of stuff I wasn't interested in, but it drove quite well (it had the summer tire package, too) aside from a tricky clutch uptake that made smooth shifting difficult to do at times. I also thought the shifter was placed too far back on the console, but the shifter was otherwise quite nice. I decided to look at some other cars, and thought that if I did get a CTS I would probably special order it. There are not a lot of rear drive cars available with a stick, and I'm not wild about the styling and/or controls of the competition, but I wasn't sure about the clutch. I then found a local dealer that had THREE sticks in stock! I went to take another drive. The red one had just been traded to another dealer, but they still had a black/black and a silver/black, both totally loaded and with summer tires (are they all made this way?). I liked the silver one with the black interior better, so that's what I drove. The ride was a bit stiff at times, and I wanted to drive the FE2, but they didn't have one in stock. I then drove my M5 over the same route, and I couldn't believe how much smoother and more comfortable the CTS was. The clutch was still an issue, but I was already starting to master it. I also played with the luxury features, and decided that I kind of liked them. The dealer offered me a pretty good price right off the bat. I did some more research, and found that loaded it was still cheaper than a similarly equipped 328 (and much nicer). The dealer sharpened his pencil more, and with the "conquest cash" and 1.9% financing, it was a done deal! My first American car since 1980, and the first car I hadn't special ordered since 1990! So far, It has been quite nice, and my car guy friends have been impressed as well. I fixed the shifter position by moving the seat and wheel back a bit, and now the driving position is perfect. The shifter itself is very nice, with moderately short throws, reasonably positive and with low effort. It is the same as the one I drove two months earlier, not at all like Car and Driver and others described. The clutch still has an unpredictable uptake, but it is getting better. The steering is nice and meaty ( maybe the FE3 is higher effort than the others), and becomes very communicative at the limit. It handles well for it's size, and the handling really perks up when you use the Stabilitrack "Competitive Mode". The brakes are strong and fade free, and I do tend to brake late ( I have the big brakes). The acceleration is quite good, except in 6th, which is to be expected considering the long legs of that gear. My mileage so far has been between 17 and 20 mpg, which is about 3 mpg better than my other cars, and it's not broken in yet (800 miles). Car and Driver was right about some funny noises. The car does emit a groan and low level vibration when driven in 6th gear from 1400 to 1700 RPM while the throttle is applied. It does not happen in 5th at the same rev range and throttle position, and can be avoided by shifting later, but then the 'shift' light comes on. The automatic may be smoother, but I would still take the few warts of the manual for the extra control, performance, and fun with the stick. I do wish it had a hand brake, though. Overall, I'm very happy with the car, and it sure is pretty!
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Replying to: mtmdatlanta (Mar 23, 2008 6:17 pm) Like you, I was looking for RWD & a manual, plus a couple of other factors that are peculiar to my situation. Sounds like you had a very pleasant outcome; I did as well, but I had to pass on the RWD to do it. Continued good luck & pleasure with your new car. |
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Replying to: bingoman (Mar 23, 2008 1:16 pm) 
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Replying to: mtmdatlanta (Mar 23, 2008 6:17 pm) |
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OK..someone had to bring it up. No I'm not 20 years old I'm 48 but I was wondering if anyone knows of any legitamate 3.6 DI Liter minor performance upgrades available for this new engine. I know it's 304 HP and I have plenty of power BUT....................why not squeek out a few more if possible....right? I dont see K and N selling any CTS air filters...I dont see any "CHIP" makers selling any chips except for the CTS - V.......anyone know of any proven ways of gaining a few more horses?
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Replying to: jgaffney1 (Mar 24, 2008 1:08 pm)
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Replying to: dmathews3 (Mar 24, 2008 1:11 pm) Wrong!
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Replying to: jgaffney1 (Mar 24, 2008 1:23 pm)
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Hello All- I just got an Ipod for my CTS, and I seem to be having a problem with it. When I plug it in, the car audio/Nav screen displays everything properly and all, but no music comes out. Music will play when I connect using the RCA jack, but then you have to control everything using the Ipod rather than the car controls. I checked the Apple website, and I do have a 5th gen Ipod, so I don't know what the problem is...any suggestions? |
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