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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

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


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#2402 of 2757
Re: 2008 CTS 4 / GM’s mentality – Garage door opener [rcantwell] by sls002
Jul 03, 2008 (7:13 am)
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Replying to: rcantwell (Jul 02, 2008 11:36 am)

I think that no matter how they package the options, someone will not be happy with the way it is done. Back in the 70's options were not packaged so one could get exactly what they wanted, but dealers would usually order what they thought would sell for the price. On the SRX the third seat comes with the utility package. This seems odd, as the utility package includes towing with heavy duty cooling (what I wanted). I would have perferred to do without the third row seating.
 
I have found the nav to work well, but did have to read the manual first, and then experiment with entering addresses. Generally the street name is entered without a direction (East, west...) and if the direction is needed a choice will be presented with a range of numbers. I really like having a map displayed on long trips so that I can see where I am. Much safer than trying to look at a paper map while driving. Also is very helpful going through big cities like Chicago.
#2403 of 2757
Re: 2008 CTS 4 / GM’s mentality – Garage door opener [sls002] by bingoman
Jul 03, 2008 (8:13 am)
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Replying to: sls002 (Jul 03, 2008 7:13 am)

I would agree with your comments about the navigation system. I also find it very useful, especially were I am forced to detour because of construction here in Los Angeles. It helps me avoid turning into dead end streets and no exit areas.
 
One thing I find a bit disconcerting is the voice directions. The verbs (action instructions) such as turn left at the end of the road are given in a very smooth voice but the nouns (street names) are the given in a rushed voice after a slight pause. They were obviously recorded separately, and possibly by a different announcer. Setting up a route is much easier than it was with my '03, and the screen is easier to read. I also like the fact that you can vary the intensity of the screen independent of the dash lighting.
#2404 of 2757
packaging \ maps Re: 2008 CTS 4 / GM’s mentality – Garage door [sls002] by rayainsw
Jul 03, 2008 (9:27 am)
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Replying to: sls002 (Jul 03, 2008 7:13 am)

I agree on the packaging issue – and on the NAV vs. paper maps issue as well.
 
Caddy ( in particular ) seems to have changed what is included in their packages – and what other options are available ( only ) when purchased with certain packages more often than most. And I do not see any logic ( from the customer’s standpoint ) in many of the choices.
 
While I do understand some issues \ implications regarding options such as final drive ratio, the Corvette has long been available with an optional ‘performance’ final drive ratio – and for 2008 one is available again.
 
I see no rational explanation for requiring ( for example – on an STS, when I was looking seriously at buying ) that one select the highest & most expensive option package ( 1SG, on the STS – for something over $8,000, last I remember ) before one could also select the QAF \ Performance Handling package. There is simply no connection here – except a completely artificial one.
 
And – seriously - If I had been able to “cherry pick” exactly & only the options I wanted, and was willing to pay for, on an STS, I’d have almost certainly bought one. In order to configure one with what I wanted, there was $5,000 or more of stuff that I did ** NOT ** want.
 
I do see the advantage, from the standpoint of Dealerships ordering cars for stock, in bundling options together. ( The “Pattern Orders” further address this. )
 
My recollection of the initial intent when packages began to appear was basically: Order these 4 items & we’ll discount the “Package” – compared to the MSRP of the 4 items individually.
 
Now, I believe it is largely a marketing strategy designed to sell more expensive versions of the product, at larger margins. Since, in order for customers to buy what they really want, they typically must also purchase options they don’t really want, need or even care about. . .
 
The ‘un-bundling’ of the sunroof a while back for the STS gave me hope. That hope is now faded completely.
 
And if I drove regularly to unfamiliar areas ( like our Outside Sales People do ) and \ or at night, I would definitely have a NAV system in my vehicle. In my view - Paper maps are fine, if you have a co-pilot. And I find them useful in deciding what order to use when planning multi-destination routing. Otherwise, I think that a built-in or portable NAV system would pay for itself in time saved very quickly when under those conditions.
- Ray
Now convinced that GM \ Caddy will never change their paradigm regarding option packages . . .
#2405 of 2757
Options by rcantwell
Jul 03, 2008 (11:14 am)
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I believe you are right, option packages were supposed to be cheaper than individual options. Now they just lump them into packages and make us buy options we don't want and need to get the ones we want.
     In the good old days, I remember( 70's) that if the manufacturer had it on the shelf you could order it. I am a Mustang fanatic, own a clasic Mustang, and there are numerous documented cases where options that were meant for the T-Bird or other Ford cars found their way onto the Mustang. One case in particular is a Mustang that was ordered with the Landau bars on the rear quarters.
#2406 of 2757
Strap in spare tire well by bingoman
Jul 03, 2008 (11:44 am)
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There is an adjustable strap, with snap hooks on each end, in the spare tire well.
 
Does anyone know what the strap is intended for? I have not been able to find any reference to it on the placards in the trunk, or in the owners manual. Is it a towing strap? is it to strap something down? What is it for, and how is it intended to be used? I sure would like to know.
#2407 of 2757
Re: packaging \ maps Re: 2008 CTS 4 / GM’s mentality – Garage door [rayainsw] by sls002
Jul 04, 2008 (6:31 am)
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Replying to: rayainsw (Jul 03, 2008 9:27 am)

I think, but am really guessing, that the QAF\performance_handling_package is designed for the 1SG STS, which is seriously upgraded from the base STS. If you wanted to put it on the base STS, it would probably cost a few thousand extra to upgrade the base STS before you could get QAF installed.
 
I think when the STS was first put into production, they may have wanted to limit the number of Performance editions so that the STS fuel consumption was mainly based on the 2.73:1 axle ratio. Now that the six speed transmission is standard with a 3.42:1 axle on all models you have a valid point about the performance options being available without a lot of luxury stuff. However, I would not assume that they should be cheap.
 
Cadillac's options packages are not all that much different from what BMW does with packaging of options. Cadillac may have gone too far in packaging everything. I think that packages should save the customer some money, but if the options are not available unbundled, then you really are not saving money.
#2408 of 2757
Re: Strap in spare tire well [bingoman] by sls002
Jul 04, 2008 (6:32 am)
Reply

Replying to: bingoman (Jul 03, 2008 11:44 am)

Perhaps you are supposed to strap down the flat tire that I assume will not fit into the spare tire well?
#2409 of 2757
Re: Strap in spare tire well [sls002] by bingoman
Jul 04, 2008 (8:42 am)
Reply

Replying to: sls002 (Jul 04, 2008 6:32 am)

If so, were do you put the flat tire, and what do you hook the strap to?
#2410 of 2757
Garage Door Opener by cosmo13
Jul 05, 2008 (6:54 am)
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I purchased some Velcro Industrial Strength. I removed the clip from my garage door opener, used the Velcro and placed the opener under my steering column.
The opener is firmly affixed and out the way.
Cosmo
#2411 of 2757
Re: Strap in spare tire well [bingoman] by sls002
Jul 05, 2008 (8:54 am)
Reply

Replying to: bingoman (Jul 04, 2008 8:42 am)

Maybe the strap was intended for an SRX and someone absentmindedly put it into your CTS. My manual (SRX) shows that the flat tire should be strapped down.

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