Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
GM makes exactly two great cars. The Corvette is one, and this is the other.
Disagree about the MB C class. I think for the money, there are a lot of other, better choices out there.
I must be a party of one, because I like the Volvo S60, too....especially their sport version. I even like the way they look. Can't explain why I've never pulled the trigger on one, though.
BTW, while not a part of this group, if anyone is out there shopping, I was also impressed with the Taurus SHO. It's big, it's heavy. But, it's way fast, handles well, and has just about all the tech anyone could want in a car.
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Need help navigating? kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
Share your vehicle reviews
The CTS just felt and looked big, relative to the others. There's a fan base out there for this car and the reviews are stellar, but I just didn't feel "right" inside the vehicle. Plus it's expensive when equipped comparably. (Edit - I didn't see the note above about the rebates. Interesting and maybe I'll revisit before the deal is done.)
The C-class is an interesting case. It's probably a great car, performance wise. It's just that I didn't want to put out a certain, vaguely defined impression with colleagues and bosses about being a Mercedes driver. Interesting how these kinds of things play out in the decision making that have nothing to do with the actual vehicle performance itself.
And what's really interesting is that I would have had no issue whatsoever putting out an impression of being a BMW driver, if I could afford it.
I've been not too impressed with Volvos as of late. They frankly remind me of fancy 90s era GM FWD sedans. Now, that said, when I had to help my parents decide between cars, it came down to a decision between a G37, a C350 Sport, and a CTS. The C350 was easily the most luxurious. Not that flashy Beverly Hills crud, but more like the old wealth you see in the upper end of London. Understated but obviously much better.
Handling and driveability went to the G37. But it also felt plastic and "thin". Kind of like the same problem you get with the TSX. It's nice and all, but it doesn't have the same feel of say, an Audi or Porsche. You know that feeling. Leather alone doesn't make a luxury car. "Leather plated" comes to mind for many cars these days. Now, the Infiniti M, that's a whole other story. Check it out and then wonder why they didn't make the G feel more like a smaller M.
To top it all off, the G37 looks like everyone else's jellybean. Is it an Infiniti or a Hyundai or... Who knows until you get within about 100 ft of it.
The CTS was the best combination of the two, though. It's a usable car for daily driving and feels like it's worth the money inside and out. Bit of sport, bit of luxury, and exactly what a luxury sport sedan should be. Only the BMW felt similar to drive. But the BMW also has two major issues. One is the cost of repairs, and the other is that it's not a U.S. company. Now, this is a minor point, to be sure, but there is something to be said about driving a domestic car and not being part of the typical sheeple horde.
Plus, nobody poor drives a new Cadillac. There is till some status involved with owning one, even if it is just a little bit. :P
There is still an air of luxury (and now add a healthy dose of "sport") when driving a CTS.
The Cadillac dealership I visited wasn't the one I had so much trouble with previously, either. So, I think that's a positive. He tried his damnedest to make a deal for me, too. He knew of my previous travails. He ate into his holdback and offered me well over what my trade was worth. It just stuck in my head the previous experience.
Too bad! The CTS (especially the coupe) is a good looking car, that drives well, and has bumped up the quality quite a bit.
That said, I really like my 3. So, it will stay in my stable at least through the warranty period (which is an achievement for me :surprise: ).
This was last summer, so I don't know if such a deal could be made today.
Either way, they're nice cars.
I've searched the web- only thing I've seen is they discontinued manuals on 535 x drives.
If that's the case this leaves a select few with manual awd option, which would bum me out as a driving enthuiaists.
My big problem with the CTS (a few years ago when I drove one) was the Nav interface. It seemed real low tech with low resolution pixelated graphics; reminded me of an 80's video game. Another issues was the slow shifting automatic...
Seems like a silly thing to disqualify a contender but I couldn't look at that screen for 3-5 years.
I'd put the interior design at #1 and materials #2 for a fully loaded CTS with 'sky' roof. One of the few vehicles I've been in where I said "wow". The 'low-end' CTS really did look like a low-end vehicle (drove one to try the manual).
Another 'plus' is the exterior is unique (love it or hate it).
I've always felt that GM makes some of the best automatic transmissions in the world however.
Not a big fan of Bose. But, the one in the CTS (surround system) was probably better than any factory stereo I've heard. And, I've heard a lot of good ones....the Pioneer in my former TL, the Harmon Kardon in my current 335i, and the Bang & Olufson I heard test driving an Audi S4.
I agree that it was a blast to drive.
Mine did not 'fall apart'.
- Ray
YMMV
The GLI has a slick 6sp manual OR the very popular DSG. I have the manual and it drives very well.
Starting in the mid 30s, you can outfit them with the full options kit at $30. If you want to tick up the performance, the turbo can be chipped for an extra 50 hp and swapping brakes would return you a car that pulls like a MazdaSpeed3, nets 30 mph highway, has four doors, and can carve curves in a slightly subdued, but still spirited way. The car buttons down nicely.
Haven't owned the CTS or the 3, but have driven both and the A4 and I would put this car one slim tier below them - but without any of the snob factor. It becomes a very subtle Q-ship, and every time I zip past someone on the country roads between home and the cities, I get a pretty big grin from the pull of that turbo.
And yes, I just recently chipped my car (REVO) and it has added a brashness to the car's personality - still a q-ship, but with even more grunt under the gas pedal.
the TSX is probably the best choice in the category, unless you can find a killer deal on a strippo 3 series.
Can the Passat V6 come with stick? not really a handler, but an interesting option.
Audi A4 come in price wise?
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2010 Acura TSX w/ Technology Pkg - Black/Black - 48,8XX miles. Trading it in for 18,500.
2011 BMW 328xi - Titanium Silver, Blk leather, Value pkg, Premium pkg, Steptronic, Heated steering wheel, split folding rear seats, Xenon headlights, Navigation, Satellite radio, Destination.
MSRP: $44,190
Purchase Price: $38,746
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
I have an '06 A3 with Unitronics Stage 2 "chipping." The stage 2 takes advantage of my custom exhaust system over the stage 1. Put in an S3 intercooler and I basically have a non-Quattro S3 which is a car that is far TOO good for the US market. :shades:
It is very fast. Not sure about REVO's software, but most "chipped" 2.0T motors get around 280-290 lb/ft of torque to go along with the 250-260 HP.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
The tranny was very smooth shifting. When used in tiptronic mode with spirited driving it would take a very long time to shift after I made my selection...shift lever...1 second...2 second...almost 3...shift.
But as a disclaimer...I find all 'pretend manual' automatics to be that way. Unless you're driving in the hills/mountains where you'd like to hold your gear the tiptronic isn't very useful. Love the DSG...haven't drive the new 8spd.
Yeah, after I wrote my original post I thought that might be the case.
It's kind of a sparse field between the Mazda 3 and the ELLPS's if you are looking for a stick shift AND really good handling. You would think some automaker would come in and plug that hole around $30-$35K.
I don't think the TSX gives up any handling to the Mazda3, though...
I like the GLI idea, but I've never driven the new model....
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
Sounds like someone needs to write Audi that they'd want an A3 sedan if they want something with great handling, a 6 speed stick, and slot in the 30 to 35K zone.
Congrats!
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Nice upgrade! Congrats!
The Passat and Genesis are both very good choices. They are a little plain looking on the outside, but overall they are VERY nice cars.
R & Track
It reminds me of my ol' 97 A4...perfect size
I had a '98 A4, stick, 6 cyl, stick, sport package. I really miss that car and the size of that car. Today's cars have gotten too big for me -- including my '05 TL, which is a lot more reliable, but too much of a boat IMHO.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Red.
No Z51.
Just saying, in 30,000 miles and 2 years
[ making it a VERY high mileage 'Vette ]
nothing fell apart on it.
And.
I liked it enough that my next vehicle was a G8 GT -
a sedan with very similar drivetrain to the 'Vette.
- Ray
If GM made the CTS with a n.a. V8, I would have been -
and would at lease-end, be very interested...
But the current CTS-v is a bit much.
And the V6s - not enough.
For me.
Remember it's march 15th - and the car in question is a 2011. -
Just got a text from my salesman that my car is at the other dealer & is still available. They're going to call me when it's in.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
But, those were the days when we were in and out of a car in about 45,000 miles, so even for a German car it was pretty easy to be reliable for that long.
These days, I look for durability, performance and reliability -- but not exactly in that order.
I had a 2005 A6 fully loaded, went to a 2009 A4 Prestige+sport and then into a 2012 SH-AWD TL Advance -- I think the TL, the more I drive it, actually is pretty close "in feel" to the A6, except the TL has 305HP where the A6 had 265 -- both had 6 speed autos and the seats in the Audi were the upgraded version.
In any case, I did lease the TL for 45K miles thinking, MAYBE (but unlikely), this is a car with sufficient durability that it could be kept for a longer period.
Now I think I will look at another Acura in 26 months, but will also look at Infiniti (my wife's is great) and the Germans, too.
In any case that new A3 for 2014 is sure purty -- and if it were the size of the old A4 we used to have, well it's just my wife, Sammy the dog and me, so I wouldn't really miss rear seat leg room much. Be way cool, too, if it had an 8 speed tip and the current 2.0T 211 HP 258 lb ft engine.
In that car, that engine would feel "industrial strength." :shades: