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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

What is this discussion about? Cadillac Escalade, Cadillac XLR, Cadillac STS, Automotive News


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#5076 of 6098
Re: steve host [marsha7] by circlew
Jul 19, 2008 (6:30 pm)
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Replying to: marsha7 (Jul 19, 2008 5:11 pm)

You assessment is dead spot on. It's a vicious cycle that GM, Ford and Chrysler will not see the bottom of until a huge change is complete. This has just begun to happen.
 
Does anyone really think that theses companies can offer cars better than ToyHonSan for the masses to fight high energy prices?? With their current problems, the cash will run out before the products win out.
 
People will pay more for quality earned by these "invaders"! Lexus blows Caddy into the weeds on pure luxury and quality, period.
 
Even Hyundai has an unintended Caddy Killer as their target was Mercedes and Lexus but at the same time annihilates the price vs. Caddy. I viewed one at the dealer this past week. $35-37K LOADED and a 10 year warranty will ensure complete and utter success for this car. The Asians are just getting warmed up will GM bleeds to death!
 
Since I'm not dead yet, I will continue to never visit a Caddy dealer until their products surpass global competition.
 
I, however, wish everyone who buys a Cadillac much pleasure and satisfaction with their ownership experience.
 
Regards,
OW
 
Regards,
OW
#5077 of 6098
My experience is different by sls002
Jul 20, 2008 (8:29 am)
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I owned a 69 GTO, 71 Riviera, 76 Riviera, 78 Olds diesel, 83 Skyhawk, 86 Electra T-type, 91 Reatta, 90 Riviera, 95 Riviera, 98 Aurora, 2002 Seville, and 2007 SRX. Of these cars, the 76 Riviera was using oil and coolant when I traded for the diesel, but never needed serious repairs while I owned it. The diesel's transmission was a bit wobbly when I traded it for the Skyhawk. Otherwise all of these cars needed little more than oil changes while I had them. I was never left standed somewhere by any of them due to something breaking down.
#5078 of 6098
Re: My experience is different [sls002] by cooterbfd
Jul 20, 2008 (9:41 am)
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Replying to: sls002 (Jul 20, 2008 8:29 am)

Oh, now how can you make a comment like that, IMPOSSIBLE they say. YOU GOT LUCKY, they'll cry. GM made nothing but s$%t back then.
#5079 of 6098
Re: My experience is different [cooterbfd] by steve_ HOST
Jul 20, 2008 (11:48 am)
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Replying to: cooterbfd (Jul 20, 2008 9:41 am)

Some wiseacre will say that's 8 cars since '83 while I've only had 4 (between two drivers at that).
 
Not me though.
 
(one of those four was a Chrysler, and the other was assembled by Ford, if that helps...)
#5080 of 6098
cooter and sls by marsha7
Jul 20, 2008 (1:34 pm)
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I never said that EVERY single vehicle was junk, but I do imply that the vast majority were junk...I would bet there are some folks who even bought creampuff Yugos, Vegas and Pintos, but they are in the minority...
 
The simple fact is that as the auto market has grown over the last 20 years, much of that growth has been taken by imports...when I grew up, teens and young adults were dyed-in-the-wool Ford, Chevy or Chrysler guys...that is rare, today...
 
For every one who posts here that raves about their Big 3 car, I will NEVER argue your experience...what I will argue is that I believe there are MANY more folks who have been burned by Big 3 cars that will never go back to Caddy or Lincoln...the numbers are simply against you...every geezer you see behind the wheel of a MB C or E series, or behind the wheel of a Lexus LS or ES, that is a sale that will probably never again walk into a Caddy or Lincoln (no more Imperials, eh???) showroom...
 
And as the older folks, now 60-80, die off, the folks coming behind them, the Yuppies from (loosely) 40-60 are DEFINITELY not tied to Big 3 cars and have zero brand loyalty to GM or Ford...so, GM/Ford will have to produce a product superior in EVERY WAY, especially that indescribable "feel" of quality...
 
If you remember the way that the original Lexus 400 was compared to the Caddy and Lincoln of the early 90s, the Caddy was barely qualified as a boat anchor...that comparison is what Caddy and Lincoln must do now to win sales back from Lexus...Caddy must blow away the competition or it will stay as an also-ran, because those who have deserted American cars are a larger group than those who will buy American only...
 
I still maintain that when the cars are made down south by non-union labor, without stupid work rules, without Job Banks, and where they can be fired and replaced that day for shoddy workmanship, THEN, and only then, when the union has died and fades away, will American cars across the board show massive quality increases...now, one points to the CTS, Lucerne, and a few others, and nobody seems to notice how ridicupous that is, that 80% of the entire GM line does not stand out with quality...
 
That is the problem to overcome...until it is, GM will be an also-ran...quite large, like Baby Huey, but an also-ran nonetheless...
#5081 of 6098
Re: cooter and sls [marsha7] by cooterbfd
Jul 20, 2008 (4:03 pm)
Reply

Replying to: marsha7 (Jul 20, 2008 1:34 pm)

I still maintain that when the cars are made down south by non-union labor, without stupid work rules, without Job Banks, and where they can be fired and replaced that day for shoddy workmanship, THEN, and only then, when the union has died and fades away, will American cars across the board show massive quality increases...now, one points to the CTS, Lucerne, and a few others, and nobody seems to notice how ridicupous that is, that 80% of the entire GM line does not stand out with quality...
  
 
Then explain all the problems Nissan has had with the products coming out of Mississippi.
#5082 of 6098
Re: My experience is different [sls002] by circlew
Jul 21, 2008 (3:00 am)
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Replying to: sls002 (Jul 20, 2008 8:29 am)

My Dad owned 2 Caddies:
 
84 FB and an 88 Fd'E. The 88's brakes sucked big time (changed 2 times by dealer in the first 30K miles and twice again by 70K, the valve gasket blew at 60K along with the water pump. Stranded for 4 weeks without this reliable baby.
 
The '84 Fleetwood had about as much power as my mini bike with a 5 horse Tecumseh.
 
I am now rushing out to get hosed at the closest Caddy dealer! Wish me luck.
 
Regards,
OW
#5083 of 6098
Re: My experience is different [cooterbfd] by circlew
Jul 21, 2008 (4:49 am)
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Replying to: cooterbfd (Jul 20, 2008 9:41 am)

Here is someone who had a problem with an STS. It's not just little old me out there.
 
I apologize if y'all think I'm a one trick pony here but I would like to add my .02 worth. I, for one, did not have a low opinion of Cadillac when I purchased mine and perhaps that is why I am having such a hard time dealing with the way Cadillac is regarding my situation. I bought my STS because I felt guilty about buying a brand new Honda Accord in 2000.
 
The "buy the cars that are built by your neighbors" thing seemed to make sense. Yes, I know it's built in America, but, being a Canadian, Americans are my "neighbors" too in my book. At least the profits don't go offshore.
 
So I figured that if I was going to buy North American I would buy the best that they offered and to my way of thinking that was Cadillac. My 2000 STS is now rusting on all four doors in the same place and Cadillac accepts this and will not take responsibility (details on other threads and at http://www.geocities.com/myrusty2000cadillacsts/ )
 
I am now totally disillusioned and hope that others that still think the Cadillac name actually means something special will consider my situation and decide for themselves.
 
P.S. BTW I am investigating the possibility of a Class Action Suit regarding the vibration problem...if you are interested let me know.
 
This person will have a hard time going back to Caddy any time soon.
 
Regards,
OW
#5084 of 6098
Re: My experience is different [circlew] by 62vetteefp
Jul 21, 2008 (5:03 am)
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Replying to: circlew (Jul 21, 2008 4:49 am)

I would like to see it but it is a fake/nonworking link.
 
Interesting that it is a rust problem. Cadillac has been using two sided galvanized door metal since at least the 90's. Where is this rusting at? I did find the original posting and it was in 2003 so it was rusted within 3 years. This is very strange. Too bad we cannot see the actual issue.
 
I guess we could start googling and posting all the Cadillac problems on this forum. I am sure that is exactly what the moderators want. On the other side we could post all the good experiences here also. In fact I think that is pretty much what this forum has turned into. That is too bad because at one time we actually discussed future product and interesting stuff.
#5085 of 6098
I dont get it... by m4d_cow
Jul 21, 2008 (5:22 am)
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As far as I know the American auto industry back in the old 50's days wasnt that good. It was the competition that hadnt caught up yet, they were far worse. The Japanese industry was in its adolescence, still trying to match American quality. The Germans? They were still struggling from the mess left from WW2. Over the years the Japanese and German industries made bigger steps in advancement, eventually catching up with the Americans who didnt make as much progress as the competition. The result is what you people see now. Of course, not all of them succeed. Look at Jaguar, theyre basically in the same condition as Cadillac and Lincoln, even worse since Ford bought it (and now they sold it again).
I'm not sure as of what happened to the US brands, but personally I chalked it down on arrogance. They got overconfident and didnt think the others would ever catch up, well, they did. I believe Mercedes walked a similar path, they got too confident in their products, making slow progress while charging stratospheric amount of $$$ for their cars. What happened o them? They slipped while Audi, BMW and even Lexus caught up with them.

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