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)

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#53 of 55 Re: Unfortunate truth [6sptl] by ewl88 Jul 11, 2009 (9:29 am)
Replying to: 6sptl (Jul 10, 2009 2:09 pm) Agree the CTS's reliability has been subpar. I chose a infiniti G35 over the CTS and haven't regretted my decision. I will consider the CTS when my G35 lease is up IF GM gets the reliability, worksmanship up. The performance and look of this 2nd generation CTS was good but if you're paying extra for a luxury brand, you shouldn't suffer in reliability.
#54 of 55 CTS reliability by sevenfeet0 Jul 13, 2009 (12:48 pm)
I'm not sure that we can pass judgement on the CTS' reliability until we see more data. A single data point is useful but ultimately lousy to rely on for a statement on the entire line. That being said, I'm surprised that if you had such problems getting a dealer to take a problem seriously that you didn't take your business elsewhere. My dealer wouldn't have left those issues lie. Rattles are hard to isolate, but I've had a similar radio issue with my Cadillac SRX. The solution? Replace the entire radio assembly. Problem solved.
#55 of 55 G35 vs. CTS by azcardude Jul 17, 2009 (6:09 pm)
I bought a new 2008 G35 S. A few months later, my next-door neighbor wanted a new car, but said that my Infiniti just didn't have enough bling for him. He knows I'm a life long car nut and asked me for suggestions. I told him about the Cadillac CTS and went with him to see it, drive it, and help negotiate his deal. He bought a shiny, black CTS with more bling that any house on my block needs. At least the car is a looker. It needs some sort of salvation. The bad experience started with the purchase at the dealer. Our experience at the Cadillac dealer was not a good one. I was ashamed that this dealer in Tempe, Arizona even considered itself as a purveyor of upmarket automobiles; especially when compared with the treatment received when I bought the Infiniti. It is now a year later, my Infiniti is a dream. Fast, tight, no rattles or squeaks, and I've never had a problem yet. I even got the wheels chromed to add some bling. After a year, I'm embarrassed about having recommended the Cadillac to my neighbor. I'm so glad he loves the looks of the car, because he'd shoot me otherwise. First, the dealer never followed through on most of the promises during the buying experience. His car has been plagued with problems from the moment he bought it. In addition to the myriad of squeaks and rattles that you have mentioned, he has had problems with the dash lifting and warping, the sunroof leaking and noisy. The real spoiler has lifted off of the trunk lid. The NAV system has broken twice. Various windows have stopped working. The sound system has checked out of service a few times and....the list goes on and on. The most disappointing thing to me is to ride in the CTS and listen to all of the rattles and groans of the body, especially when the body flexes going over a bump of any kind. I was so excited about the future of Cadillac when this car first came out. Now it has proven to be just another pretty car that is built far inferior to its competition. Will GM ever learn? The engine and tranny are nice; i will give it that. But, then again, after driving his CTS and then getting back into my G35, I smile from ear to ear and am thankful I bought what I did.