Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Automotive News & Views Can GM make Cadillac the standard of the world Again?
6098 messages, Last post on Aug 14, 2009 at 4:43 PM
You are in the Automotive News & Views Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & claires
Rather than bashing the domestic car industry we need to support their progress. I have no problem having higher expectations but what other industry has even survived against foreign competition? Electronics? Textiles? This seems to be our last stand. If we do not start to have confidence in ourselves and each other, there will be nothing left here. An attitude that anything made outside this country is better will sink us for sure. Do your homework and buy the best quality domestic models. If we send the money back to American car companies and only buy their best products, they save on recalls, have more money to improve their products, pay taxes to our government, make our economy stronger  and will keep the factories that are producing high quality cars working. I think the new CTS and DTS are beautiful. If I was a rich guy I would love to have either one.
|
|
|
Replying to: imatt (Jan 03, 2008 5:16 pm) So you are right we do need to buy American...but for the right reasons. If the Americans finally get it and are putting out decent cars then we all have to forget about the cars that the Americans were building 10 years ago and look at the products they are building now. As Americans, we don't owe it to GM, Ford or Chrysler to buy their car just because. But we do need to not exclude the American cars just because they are American. If you are in the market for a car, then stop by the American dealers to have a look. If you are in the market for an Accord or Camry level vehicle, then look at the Mailbu as well. If you are in the market for a G35 or a TL or a 3 Series, then include the Cadillac CTS in the running. And if the American car is really nice against the competitors, then buy it. Since this is a Cadillac forum, lets talk about Cadillac a little: I have been driving a truck for many years. IN the market for a new sedan. So I have spent alot of time looking at mid range sedans like the G35 TL, 3 Series and Cadillac CTS, and frankly, Personally, IMHO, I'm impressed with the new 2008 Cadilly CTS. The car looks sharp. Very little not to like. I want to buy an entry level luxury sedan. Really if I can only afford a Honda Camry or Mailbu then I will just buy the most practical. Its just transportation. But for something a little fun, a little more upscale? Here is my short list: 1) The G35 is really nice and is still on my short short list. Fast, great handling and best price in its class. But still it does not have the presence of the CTS. Just doesn't. So its a tough decision. Better performance on the G35 against a quieter ride and more presence of the CTS. 2) The TL is OK, Honda quality and all... but kinda boring and old in the tooth when compared to the 2008 CTS. And I prefer the rear-wheel drive for a sports sedan. 3)The 3 Series is and always will be a BMW. Obviously the ratings are high. Driving dynamics second to none. Theres the chance that when I drive it on decision day, that I will just fall under its spell? But fact is, the 3 Series sedan looks on the small side compared to the CTS. I mean, if I were still in my 20's, I probably would get the 3 Series. But for guys in their 30's and 40's, the CTS is just more of a car. For guys in their 30's and 40's driving a 3 Series, IMHO, it looks like you wanted a BMW and just couldn't afford the 5 Series. Sorry if that offends anyone. Lets put it this way. If you have to pick up an important client at the airport, the CTS is just more of a car that the 3 series. As many of the reviews say, the CTS competes against the 3 series in price, but is more the size of the 5 series. Thats a pretty accurate view. 4) The 2008 Cadillac CTS is pretty impressive from both the exterior and the interior. Looks like a $50,000 car. The interior is hands down the best of all four of these cars. And great performance, no not quite as good as the 3 Series or the G35, but close enough for me. I will probably trade that little extra performance edge for a quiet nice all around ride. Just looks more expensive that any of the other cars I listed. GM did a nice job. All of these cars have something good to offer. Something extraordinary that the others don't have. But the point is that the CTS, no doubt, has what it takes to compete. So on that Saturday afternoon, when you go out with an itch to buy an entry level luxury sedan, stop by all the dealerships including the Cadillac dealer with an open mind. And then buy the car you like the best. |
|
|
Replying to: grbeck (Jan 03, 2008 10:28 am) I know that and yes I believe CR, is bought and paid for just like all the other car mags. So yes I do believe in the CR conspiracy theory of them giving free passes based on past history without testing the new products. Well they (CR) said they aren't going to do that with Yota's anymore.  As far as Ford, goes they do not rankvery high on the reliability charts with JD Power. Maybe Ford Jr. gave CR's staff luxury suits at Ford Field, to watch my Lydowns play a little football for exchange of a favorable review on some of their cars   -Rocky |
|
|
Replying to: sls002 (Jan 03, 2008 10:35 am) I hope you don't really believe that.  The CR bible might not have advertisements but the automakers know the dots/circles work like advertisements for the masses thus it's a good use of advertising dollars for the automakers.  -Rocky |
|
|
Replying to: xrunner2 (Jan 03, 2008 10:59 am) We are a little to honest to have to lie about our cars problems. A buddy of mine filled out a favorable review several years ago on his Accord, and when I questioned him he tried to down play it. -Rocky |
|
|
Replying to: 62vetteefp (Jan 03, 2008 5:10 pm) What's this new killed DOHC V8 you are talking about ??? I hope you aren't talking about the new ULTRA  -Rocky |
|
|
Replying to: tntmyth (Jan 03, 2008 9:13 pm) That's about the best "open minded" suggestion I've read in this forum. Seems we are all guilty of playing "Crossfire". GM protagonists on one side, antagonists on the other, throwing Molitav cocktails at each other. I rather like the idea of starting fresh, so to speak, with test drives of ALL of the cars in the segment being considered and at least attempting to leave the biases at home or in the past. P.S. In your own assessment of the CTS's size advantage, how do you reconcile that, according to the specifications I've seen, the rear seat shoulder and hip room of the CTS is actually smaller than the 3 series and way smaller than the 5 series/ E class?. Haven't sat in one myself, but when I was shopping back in 2004, although leg room is obviously important, the width of the rear seat was at least as important to our family requirements. At that time, the TL worked, but the 3 series was a little tight. The CTS interior width dimension appears to be among the smallest of its competition. P.P.S. I happen to know a 60 something 6'+ guy who could practically afford to buy Aston Martin (the entire company, not just the car) and he still prefers the sportiness and smaller size of the 3 series to the 5 series. Just traded his older M3 for a 335i. His wife drives a big 760i, but he still reminisces about his old BMW 2002 tii.
|
|
|
|
|
Replying to: rockylee (Jan 04, 2008 12:32 am) Unfortunately yes. When I heard this I screamed at the person who told me. Not that it was their decision. BUT in looking at it and all the other stuff that is going on I can see why. I just do not like it. First the possible usage of the engine was very small volume. Pretty much Cadillac only and in only a possible 3 models:CTS, STS, XLR. Oh and maybe a midsize SUV. Maybe a Buick. And GM is looking foward to another weak sales year in a really down market. Much fewer car sales to compete for. They need the development cash to bring in new vehicles. 2nd the new CAFE rules. In 2007 Mercedes got the highest fine ever for not meeting CAFE requirements TODAY. BMW and VW also got fines. A V8 today would drag down an already hard to meet corporate car requirement. The competition will have to also make some hard choices in the next few years. Wonder why the greenies are not screaming about Mercedes/BMW gas guzzlers? Perhaps because those are the rides of the rich greenies??? 3rd, and correct me if i am wrong, fast gas V8's are not popular in Europe where Diesels prevail. So the market is pretty much US only. 4th. the 3.6 V6 brings in over 300 hp w/o forced induction. With the new CAFE requirements we will see downsizing, not up sizing of engines to meet 35 mpg industry average. So, I still feel they should have done the V8 for prestige reasons but I would bet they are in the midst of developing large diesels for both the Europe and US markets. Also a forced induction DOHC V6 could hit 400 hp. for the top line vehicles but I would bet they would aim for 350 hp with a lower displacement V6.
|
|
|
|
|
Replying to: tntmyth (Jan 03, 2008 9:13 pm) |
|
|
Replying to: 62vetteefp (Jan 04, 2008 4:54 am) |
|
You are here:
Forums
Automotive News & Views Can GM make Cadillac the standard of the world Again?
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
2010 Cadillac Escalade
2009 Cadillac XLR
2010 Cadillac STS
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
Today's Chats
