Inside Line 2008 Cadillac CTS First Drive, Full Test and Long Term

55 messages, Last post on Jul 17, 2009 at 6:09 PM

You are in the Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens

What is this discussion about? Cadillac CTS, Sedan

First Drive: 2008 Cadillac CTS - This substantial 2.0-inch track increase improves handling, as it's easier to manage body roll and weight transfer. The new ZF Servotronic steering forward of the axle (a packaging measure largely related to the availability of all-wheel drive) improves steering precision. (more)

Full Test: 2008 Cadillac CTS V6 DI - Cadillac has stopped trying to be German, something it is not. Instead it has rediscovered itself and produced a uniquely American sport sedan without peer. That's a bold statement for sure, but name another American car like the 2008 Cadillac CTS. (more)

Long-Term Test: 2008 Cadillac CTS V6 DI - What We Bought: It all starts with the engine. With the 550-horsepower supercharged LS9 not being available for the CTS until next year, we were left with only two engine choices: a 3.6-liter V6 or a 3.6-liter V6. One has the benefit of direct fuel injection and makes 39 more horses. (more)

Outline

Messages Page 4 of 6: 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; Prev; Next; Last

#26 of 55 Pictures... by readerreader Sep 07, 2007 (8:37 am)
from here: http://www.cheersandgears.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=19263
#27 of 55 Re: CTS Cabin Room by joe2306 Sep 08, 2007 (12:22 pm)
Replying to: pucks (Aug 25, 2007 12:43 pm) I just took delivery of a black 2008 CTS with the 304 hp engine, AWD and the lux collection and the 18 inch wheel package. The list was a little over 47k. This is one fantastic car. I have owned an Audi A8 for the last 5 years and before that a BMW 7 series.. I wanted to buy an American car for a change and the articles all were so positive that I went to drive this car. After a short drive I bought it on the spot. It is really a fantastic car. The exterior in black is beautiful and a little hard edged. The black leather interior is outstanding with an incredibly well integrated and easy to use navigation/stereo. The 40 gig CD storage system is very easy to use and the sound is the best I have heard in a car. My wife refused to drive the Audi or the BMW because of the audio interface that required a computer tech background to operate the radio. She already loves this car and its ease of use. The car is quick and nimble. It is not sharp edged in the handling but it has a relatively small turning radius and it rides great on the highway. I expected to be satisfied with the car as a bit of a compromise and I have been blown away at how good it is. The same total content in and Audi or a BMW would cost at least 15k more. I am 6'2" and the interior and headroom are very generous--plenty big enough for a person much taller. I cannot reccomend this car enough. If you are in the market for a car I would suggest you run to the dealer and buy a 2008 CTS.
#28 of 55 Edmunds Full Test! by KarenS HOST Sep 26, 2007 (5:42 am)
Full Test: 2008 Cadillac CTS V6 DI
#29 of 55 Article vs Video by jpenn Sep 26, 2007 (8:03 am)
There seems to be a slight difference of opinion between what the article states regarding the road feel of the FE3 suspension and what is stated in the video. The article states that the FE3 definitely gives a harsh ride on less than perfect roads while the video claims the FE3 feels comfortable even on rough surfaces. Which opinion is valid? I tend to think, from everything I've read, that the FE3 suspension will give a harsher ride.
#30 of 55 test by 1487 Sep 26, 2007 (10:38 am)
I thought the second opinion in the full test was garbage. I really wish Edmunds would hire some people that actually have views different from the rest of the staff because I dont feel there are writers there that reflect the tastes of people outside of California. Leave it to Edmunds to say the car is overstyled and gaudy when everyone else is saying its nearly perfect looking. Personally I find the CTS to be more visually stimulating than any Audi. Most people I know could care less about Audi, that brand isnt on most people's radar regardless of their interior design and material quality. Cadillac went its own way and didnt try to design an American Audi- Ford tried that with the 500 and look how that turned out.
#31 of 55 Re: CTS Cabin Room [jr222] by actualsize Sep 28, 2007 (5:54 am)
Replying to: jr222 (Aug 25, 2007 6:10 am) Never having been in one of these car, how's the head room for a 6'4" driver? Also, what about the shoulder room side-to-side? Does the sunroof lower the head room? I've driven the 2008 CTS several times now, and I have no problems with space (I'm 6' 2-1/2"). I never noticed the sunroof and shoulder room was fine. Of course you'll need to test-sit one at a dealership. Chances are you'll fit.
#32 of 55 Re: CTS cabin room [jr222] by sevenfeet0 Sep 28, 2007 (7:23 am)
I'm 6'11" and the 2008 CTS is likely my next car. The headroom without the sunroof is fine in the front seat...a little cramped with the sunroof. I can lean back enough to compensate. Shoulder room is fine...just enough to work with for me. The real story is legroom. There is enough that combined with the new tilt/telescoping steering wheel, I can almost see myself ordering a stick shift. Almost that is...
#33 of 55 OOPS! by abqhudson Sep 29, 2007 (12:44 pm)
We went to look at the New CTS. My wife, who always is interested in how big the trunk is, asked me to explain what was in the trunk in place of a spare tire. Guess what - no spare tire (the car does not come with runflats either!). It comes with a repair kit - just what my wife wanted. I'm sure that your wife will also enjoy the repair kit when she has a flat tire. It is possible for you to buy (for an additional cost) an optional spare tire. I don't think so. Why would you want to do business with a company that thinks of its potential customers as victims/dupes? Replies to this message: taxesquire (Oct 01, 2007 1:04 pm)
#34 of 55 Is it really by drfill Sep 30, 2007 (7:11 am)
over 200lbs heavier than a 535i? Imagine if they laid off the butter, and not be so porky, what it could do? DrFill
#35 of 55 Re: Is it really [drfill] by sevenfeet0 Sep 30, 2007 (7:51 pm)
Keep in mind that the previous generation 5 series was about as heavy as the '08 CTS. I credit BMW for putting that car on a severe diet...much more so than just about anything else in the class. BMW will spend the money to get something like this done when it comes to performance.