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

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#40 of 55 Re: 2008 CTS Question [jkross22] by bonddog Oct 07, 2007 (3:27 pm)
Replying to: jkross22 (Jul 29, 2007 11:23 pm) Wrong type of car and audiance for a diesel or Hybrid. The new image or identity that Cadillac is trying to create for the 2008 CTS is that of a Luxury performance sports car to compete with BMW,Audi,Infinti... Doing a diesel or hybrid for this car would be contradictory to that goal. As far as what gas costs, if you can afford this car you don't worry to much about the gas cost. So what if it costs you $400 a year more in gas to drive. (16,000 mi/year divide by 21 mpg = 761.9 gals used versus at say 26 mpg = 615.4 gals used, the difference in gallons used times $3/gal = $439.54). If they did a diesel or hybrid their target buyers wouldn't buy the car. Replies to this message: sevenfeet0 (Oct 07, 2007 4:10 pm) bonddog (Oct 07, 2007 4:55 pm)
#41 of 55 Re: Article Comments - 2008 Cadillac CTS First Drive [bonddog] by avatards Oct 07, 2007 (3:47 pm)
Replying to: bonddog (Oct 07, 2007 2:59 pm) Both engines are available with AWD. Replies to this message: bonddog (Oct 07, 2007 3:59 pm)
#42 of 55 Re: Article Comments - 2008 Cadillac CTS First Drive [avatards] by bonddog Oct 07, 2007 (3:59 pm)
Replying to: avatards (Oct 07, 2007 3:47 pm) Great. Then I will give GM/Caddy a try this time instead of a new BMW or G37. I really like the looks of this '08 CTS. Based on my personal experience Besides the Cadillac and Corvette, I wouldn't buy any other GM product.
#43 of 55 Re: 2008 CTS Question [bonddog] by sevenfeet0 Oct 07, 2007 (4:10 pm)
Replying to: bonddog (Oct 07, 2007 3:27 pm) Lexus does two different sedan hybrids and Mercedes offers diesels in the US again. Why would Cadillac be going against market trends by offering these powertrain choices? My wife wants our family vehicle to be a hybrid, period. I would buy a hybrid CTS if offered. Replies to this message: bonddog (Oct 07, 2007 4:55 pm)
#44 of 55 Re: 2008 CTS Question [sevenfeet0] by bonddog Oct 07, 2007 (4:55 pm)
Replying to: sevenfeet0 (Oct 07, 2007 4:10 pm) I'm not saying that Cadillac shouldn't produce diesel or Hybrid cars, I'm just saying that that's not what the CTS is all about so I wouldn't wait for Caddy to come out with one. GM does produce some Hybrids now including a Hybrid Tahoe SUV.
#45 of 55 '08 CTS vs Infiniti G35 by doctorkaye Dec 22, 2007 (3:19 pm)
I'm leaning toward buying a CTS and decided I needed to test drive the G35 before making a decision. There are clearly some advantages to the G35, most especially the $7000 price difference in the G35's favor. Styling wise, I think the CTS wins, at least for me. It felt more unique and had an agressive feel that just says "Get outta my way!" Second the G's tiny (by comparison) sunroof was another notch in the CTS belt. I live in the sunbelt so the cooled seats are a unique feature that seems really usefull. Still there are a few really bothersome details for the Caddy that it really should have for the price: Most importantly missing is integrated blue tooth for my phone. Sure, they can add it aftermarket ($500) but you have to wonder how well it will really function. Will it mute the stereo when you make a call.? Will it store your phone book and activate by voice? Will it tranfer calls in progress from your phone to your car and back again as you enter and exit? All other comparably priced cars in this range include bluetooth capability so to me it is conspicuously absent. Also missing is a rear backup camera. I really loved the Infiniti's and the Caddy's caution to red proximity indicator is a reallly second class substitute. An in the ceiling sunglass holder to keep your sunglasses handy without having to reach behind you into the console really should have been thought of. Also annoying was the mechanical sounding voice for the voice control. It was definitely out of sync with the many other polished features of this sumptuous car. Even my '04 Accord I'm driving now has a choice between a sexy female and a sexy male voice. In the same vein, I found the ugly old school black satellite antenna mast to be jarring and diruptive to the cars otherwise flawless exterior. Everyone else has either a body color "bump" or a shark fin style antenna. Either of these would be better at not disrupting the Caddy's style. There are a few other features where the Infiniti comes out ahead too. The drivers seat is much more supportive with it's adjustable side bolsters and extending thigh support. It really made me feel much more a part of the car as I drove it. Also welcom in the G car was the brushed metal accents on the dash (as opposed to the Caddy's wood). I guess it's personal preference, but to me the wood trim made the CTS seem a bit "stuffy". Cadillac should definitely realize that not everyone likes wood. In spite of all these flaws, to me, I think the CTS wins by a nose over the G35. For most people it will come down to personal preference. In my book the G35 just doesn't make me feel as "unique" on the road as the CTS. I may, however, just drive my Accord another year and see if Cadillac fixes at least a few of these flaws in 2009 . . . .
#46 of 55 Long Term Test! by KarenS HOST Mar 10, 2008 (5:18 am)
Long-Term Test: 2008 Cadillac CTS V6 DI
#47 of 55 Re: 2010 CTS Models by artmbgolf Feb 27, 2009 (12:02 pm)
Replying to: KarenS (Jul 26, 2007 11:07 am) I am not so sure Cadillac needs both the SRX + CTS Wagon, plus CTS Coupe sales probably won't justifdy the cost that GM could not afford to waste. At least the CTS Coupe is basicly the return of the Eldorado, without the name. Is there any info on changes to the 2010 CTS? With what is happening with GM, it's hard to expect any changes.
#48 of 55 A little too little too late!!! by tonkatoytruck Jul 10, 2009 (7:20 am)
I have always owned "American" cars. So did my dad. But after two generations of loyalty, I had had enough. I bought a German car instead for my last luxury\sport sedan. My loyalty failed when "American" car manufacturers no longer manufactured their own parts from beginning to end and exported all the jobs overseas. Assembly is just a small part of the overall manufacturing process and now America is paying the price for cheaper products. My new car has been flawless, has a build quality only a European car owner can appreciate, and has more power (V8) and still gets better gas mileage than the car featured in this article. I don't place all the blame on the "American" car industry. Our government has provided no protection or any type of level playing field. Insurance, pensions, health care, fair wages, workmans comp, safety, environmental protection, etc. ALL cost a great deal of money and that is hard to compete with when it is not a concern in other third world countries. The world is changing and I have "taken the last one for the team". Do I feel guilty? Hell no!!! I will go back to buying "American" cars when GM, Chrysler, and Ford starting manufactuing their parts in America!!!!
#49 of 55 Depreciation not correct by stingray454 Jul 10, 2009 (11:30 am)
Edmunds calculated the depreciation at 41%. Check the numbers again - it was actually 35% (sold price versus purchase price). The sticker price is irrelevant if that isn't what you paid. I find it interesting that Edmunds had all these little rattles and annoyances, when Motor Trend's long term CTS has had none of them. I also think they would have been commented on far less if Edmunds had brought the CTS back to the dealer to have them fixed promptly, instead of leaving them be for a year and having them fixed at the end of the test. At least none of the problems were major. The CTS certainly faired better than my '03 Infiniti G35 Coupe. In 2 years and 23k miles, my Infiniti had the transmission replaced, two clutches replaced due to chattering (not me - I've been driving sticks for 20 years, and never wore out a clutch, or broke a tranny), the stereo head unit replaced after it ate all 6 of my CD's, numerous rattles since the day I drove it off the dealer's lot brand new, and a nasty moonroof pop sound in the roof. In spite of all the problems with the G35, I still enjoyed the car. But I wouldn't say Infiniti's quality is all that great. I think I'm going to take my chances with a 2010 CTS-V. If the quality is even slightly better than my Infiniti's, it'll be great. And I'm confident it will be. Replies to this message: tonkatoytruck (Jul 11, 2009 4:55 am)