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Comments
Now that's pretty good, whether it was planned or not.
I also disagree with it, but without "malice."
BT is NOT about being plugged in. . .all the time. Well, at least it is not for the folks I know who use it.
BT is (in alphabetical order) a convenience, cost containment and safety feature. It should be made illegal to offer a car without it (don't get me started on why it will soon be if "YOU" (we) don't voluntarily stop using a phone that is NOT hand and eyes free.)
A well equipped CTS is over $40K, often close to $50K -- it is confounding (to say the least) for this car not to have state of the art BT when Chrysler has done it so well, and with voice activation/calling to boot. The Japanese and Germans, too, have it pretty well figured out and even Land Rover, despite what might be their flaws in other areas, have also got the BT thing down pat.
In the scheme of things, for some, the lack of BT will not deter them from acquiring the CTS -- it is sooo purty.
However, that is NOT the point for some (perhaps the rest of us) -- the point is, this seems to be a glaring oversight, a lack of attention to detail that is baffling.
I really like the CTS, don't get me wrong -- and I'll really consider it when it is, inevitably, discounted a minimum of 10% off of the sticker if you can walk and chew gum simultaneously. It is, however, "state of the art, circa 2004." At the discounted prices that are commin', it is a good, almost very good car.
And, that, after all, may be enough.
A 110+" wheelbase A4 3.2 SLine Quattro with all the toys for equal to or less than the price (at MSRP) of a CTS would seem to be a no brainer, tho.
The CTS, on the other hand, will probably be sooooo cheap, it will be hard to resist -- 2004 (or 2003) was a pretty good year for German and Japanese car's features, don't you think?
"I'd buy that for a dollar!"
:surprise:
No malice here either. Just askin.
I do disagree with your comparison with the Audi A4 3.2 Quattro....having priced both....they come out about the same similiarly equipped......and according to the KBB specs...the wheelbase on the Audi is 105 while the CTs has 113....regardless.....dont think its necessarily a no brainer to go with the Audi.....
the other item I also look at is scheduled maintenance and costs.....most of the European imports have intense maintenance schedules...along the lines of every 15k...and reliability has taken a hit here as well...not to say the GM product doesnt have its faults either....BMW overcomes it with their 4/50 maintenance which essentially gives you free oil changes...all the other services shouldnt be needed in the first 50K...brakes, rotors etc..that the program covers....
10% off MSRP......not too far off now...Im negotiating now for 3-5K off MSRP at the moment before incentives....so its possible now.....just my thoughts...
mark....did a quick GMS look at discounts for the CTS. Loaded up, GMS is running about $6K off MSRP. Add in the inevitable rebates, after the furor dies down...let's say another $3K off towards the end of the model year, you're looking at a $35K purcahse price. But, that's for a GMS deal.
I don't know if that would get me to do a handshake with a Caddy dealer, particularly since my Cadillac experiences have been horrid. But, my Tahoe experience has been great. Everything worked, and worked as expected right out of the box. 17,000 miles and nothing but oil changes.
My fear for the BMW is, if you follow the BMW included maintenance schedule (oil changes at 15,000 miles, or more), something's going to blow up somewhere down the line. Knowing me, I won't have the BMW long enough for that to happen, though. The plan is to keep the BMW until the warranty runs out (sometime in the next two years) and start looking again.
Too far into the future to have any relevance, but I think a retooled Acura TL, another BMW, a G35 will top the list. Pulling up the rear, until I can see what the reports are, will be the CTS. Gotta admit, it is a looker. But, so was my ex-wife. She's gone!
I met yesterday with a dealer in the DC metro area who had contacted me about my request for quotes on a fully loaded CTS with RWD. I was adamant that I wanted the Wood Steering Wheel and Wood Shift Knob and also the Brushed Aluminum wheels which have been on and off constraint. As some know, Thursday seems to be the ordering day at GM. My dealer said that he had exactly one "slot" available to order the constrained items and was willing use it for the car I wanted.
Their initial quote was reasonable but they wouldn't honor the recent CTS Event $500 incentive that every Cadillac dealer to my knowledge was offering. It took some time but I finally succeeded in getting that discount applied so I shook hands. The car's MSRP was $46,900, Invoice $42,700, price paid $44,053. I may qualify for the $1000 Conquest Incentive but I'm not holding my breath. While not the rock bottom price some can get with GM discounts, I still feel it is reasonable given the newness of the car.
I don't have a build date or delivery time since the car has to be entered into the system but I hope to have it for Christmas?
Thanks everyone for their discussions here as it was invaluable in helping me purchase and negotiate for this car.
-CB
was that price before or after TTL?...who did you use....Im talking to three in MD outside of DC...and two dealers in VA.....MD dealers are giving the best deal so far....Im looking at the 3.6 DI, Premium Lux Package PDQ, Performance Package Y42, Chrome Wheels P63 and Paint 89U....MSRP is 46,940 best deal is 43,904 pls tax...sounds pretty much like the same deal....
MD dealers have a lower "processing fee" most only charge $99 where as the VA dealers are going $300 plus......
-CB
Anyone know why? It seemed like a cool idea. :confuse:
Prior to that I had a 2003 Audi allroad also fully optioned.
When I equip a CTS with all the options it offers what was apparently sold to anyone who wanted one (from Germany or Japan) in 2004 (the hard drive seems to be the only +.)
The new A4 3.2 will be "close" to the size of both the current A6, the BMW 5 and the CTS. The price of the A4 at MSRP is likely to be "close" to the Cadillac CTS. The BMW 3 series, likewise and the G35 from Infiniti ditto.
The Cadillac is also "close" to the size of the 5 series and the current gen A6 -- and it is less money. But the CTS remains, for the moment, in the ELLPS class not the LPS class.
So, the upcoming (to the US) A4 3.2 SLine Quattro seems to me to be (probably) quite competitive to the CTS.
The lack of BT is a serious oversight for many folks -- but, as I said, the CTS is awfully "purty." Its looks may offset its weaknesses or "oversights."
I am one of the people who MAY fit in the class of "willing to settle." I like the CTS, it is a looker.
On the other hand, after 28 Audis and lots of loyalty creds to fall back on, the CTS requires a serious off MSRP discount or subvented lease -- after all, it reminds me of buying a really great laptop circa January 2005 (but it is late 2007.) A lifetime of chip development has passed it by.
Drive the FE2 equipped CTS, drive it over a specific route, in fact. Then, IMMEDIATELY, drive an A6 3.2 with the STANDARD suspension and 18" wheels over the same route(or you can drive mine, if you are in Cincinnati, in fact, over a route I can show you) and you will wonder why the CTS seems to "float" despite its claim to be the sport suspension.) Moreover, you can marvel at my 2005's technology and wonder why the CTS couldn't at least equal it.
If you care, you can then wander over to the Infiniti dealer and drive a 2008 G35X sport (@ $7,000 less than the CTS) and be blown away.
The upcoming A4 will, apparently, offer so many innovations it will leave the A6 in the dust, and since the CTS is not quite up to the '05 A6's technology content, well, the upcoming A4, seems really to be "the one to beat," with the possible exception of that pesky G35.
With voice activated PHONING with BT, I would probably overlook the CTS's shortcomings, especially with the almost inevitable MSRP discounts that will surely become the norm.
Don't get me wrong, I loved my VW Passat, it was awesome, but the service was absolutely lousy. Over the six years that I owned the car I never had any problems, but getting routine service was a total nightmare.
Some would say "go to another dealer" and I did. The service was still lousy. I felt trapped not being able to take the car to other service providers because many of them won't touch a VW product due to part issues. Many VW parts (battery included) are only sold by VW.
After the 60K mile service hassle with VW, I traded the car the next day. I think that the Audi service issues would be the same. That being said, I purchased an 03 CTS in the mix of all this and was absolutely pleased with every aspect of car ownership. You see...
Overall, as a rule, good service is the main reason many people stick with a particular brand name. All the other nice to have stuff is at best, secondary. BTW, it would be nice if you could buy one of each, and this way have all the goodies.
thebug...
Total MSRP $44,110, with the Costco discount and other incentives, it will come in at about $40,035 (before TTL) give or take $200. Looks like it takes about six weeks or so, so you should be okay on your just before Christmas delivery date. Hope your purchase experience goes well.
thebug...
I suspect this has been due to the Japanese lux brand influence -- although I did pick up my first Audi in 1977 and even then the service was, er, "awesome."
On the other hand, projecting the service on one brand due to the experience with antoher "related" brand hasn't always proven to work out.
Using this approach, Cadillac (owned by GM) would be a reject due to the poor Chevy service reputation, etc.
In any case, despite some of MY noise, I do want to "celebrate" the CTS and the reviews where it is said to be the best Cadillac ever.
My personal complaints are, generally (BT being the exception), nits, likely to be addressed in upcoming evolutions of the car.
And, I'd imagine even BT will not deter too many folks -- until the lawmakers and law enforcers start what I am almost certain will be the inevitable crackdown.
BT must be the victim of the On*star relationship. What other explanation could there be?
separate add on? ....still can't believe its factory installed yet but regardless I need this feature. Wondering if I should go this route or thru Best Buy's Mototola option.
Any ideas out there?
I know On Star also tries to get me to buy their minutes, too. That's why I've got a cell phone to begin with. I don't need, nor want, a separate number for my car and my phone.
Bottom line, Verizon wants you to pay $120/year for the privilege of using your phone using the car's electronics.
I opted to put a blue tooth speaker/mic in my Tahoe. Works great! Cost me $80 (Supertooth II). I know Motorola makes BT speaker's, too. BT in the 3er works great, too.
I got an email today from my dealer that included the "GM Order Workbench" printout listing the Preliminary Order Detail for the 2008 CTS I ordered on 10/25.
I was wondering if someone who has been through this could list the approximate sequence of steps/documents that will take place from now until I take delivery? I seem to understand that at some point a "Build Document" will be generated that might list VIN and other details with the build date and delivery date.
Thanks.
-CB
would apply.
I do agree with you on the big town situation though. Las Vegas is a small town in big town clothing, although no one from here wants to admit it. Choices are very limited in more aspects than just car dealerships. Many people here have always lived here so they have no comparison. I live both here and in Cleveland.
Will pick up my 08 CTS, black on black V6 DI, auto, RWD, U2S, PDW & PDR, no moonroof tomorrow afternoon, can't wait. Would have picked it up today, but I can't drive two cars at the same time.
Anybody know what the deal is with the spare tire? They forgot to order it, and the sales person told me that if it wasn't ordered then you can't place one in the "provided" spare tire well. Doesn't seem to make much sense.
thebug...
thebug...
Verizon needs to have a default forwarding number so that you could have calls forwarded simply by turning off your cell phone rather than have to dial in every time you want to forward or unforward, every time you get into or out of your car. Simply turning on or turning off your cell would tell the system whether or not to forward the call.
http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2007/10/sema-show-2008-cadillac-cts-sport.html
For a delay forward (cell will ring 3-4 times before being forwarded) you press *92 car number then send. To end press *920 send.
thebug...
I won by the way. I have only driven the car for 32 miles (from the dealer all freeway), and let me tell you, the car is awesome. Head over hills improvement from the first generation CTS, which was no slouch in my view.
thebug...
Congratulations on the new CTS. I’m considering ordering one in January without the sunroof. I just like to know if any deposit was paid for placing the special order? Did you make the deal when ordering the car, or after it arrived?Any advice when ordering?
Thanks
most dealers should take a min deposit...mine is only asking for $500 and they hold my check till the car arrives...
Get your figures together before you go to negotiate (they hate that, but it's works to your advantage). It helps prevent the four squares game that they play. When ordering make sure they enter everything you ask for and get a copy of the order request. Request a build date about ten days after your order is placed.
My friend, I tell you the car is awesome, very much improved over the first generation.
thebug...
thebug...
R&T typically published the least quick numbers of the “big 3”.
R&T’s 0 – 60 number is a 6.0 = 2 tenths slower than C+D ( 5.8 )
BUT.
R&T’s Quarter Mile numbers are 14.5 at 98.2, while C+D reported 14.6 at 95.
What I find most interesting is that the R&T test car was an automatic – and R&T recorded a quicker Quarter Mile at a higher terminal velocity than C+D recorded in a car with the six speed manual trans.
One factor here may be gearing. Though both the manual & automatic clear 60 in second gear, the manual trans. requires an additional shift ( at 95 MPH ) just before the end of the Quarter – while the automatic does not need to shift from third to fourth until clearing the lights, at 105 MPH.
Interesting . . .
- Ray
Thinking 14.5 for the automatic version is respectable . . .
C+D Quarter mile = 14.6 at 97 MPH,
not 95 as I (mis-)typed.
Hence the 95 MPH shift in the manual trans. version is an issue...
My apologies...
- Ray
My 2004 had a pin stripe, it looked good.
I have held off doing pin stripe on 2008 CTS.
Cosmo13
Thanks for the helpful information. I’ll probably order the PDW, PDR and U2S with the DI Engine.
Saw a Black Cherry CTS the other day. It was going in the opposite direction so I didn't get a long look. It had a gold pin stripe which to my mind was not very attractive because the stripe was too far down due to the front fender vent. My opinion is to leave the striping off of this model.