Cadillac CTS/CTS-V

b4z

It is gonna be close.

Another 1660 this week.
57,255 vs. 45,714 last year!
Looks like cadillac has the ability to build 6,400 a week if they want to.
There are 7 working days left before the plant shuts down so it may be hard to build 60,000, but it will be close.

CTS continues to carry Cadillac.
It is really the savior of Cadillac.

Look at these numbers.
231,000 Cadillacs this year vs. 212,619 last year.
Deville down by 6,000.
Escalade EXT down by 5,000.

If not for the CTS where would they be?

With 7 days left we may very well see production of 250,000 Cadillacs this year.

Lincoln is 70,000 less!!!

rctennis3811

Lincoln is behind Cadillac, obviously, because they have less vehicles - they only have 4 cars to choose from; Cadillac has 6 (I think). Also, since the CTS is very popular as entry-luxury sport sedans are these days, you have to remember that Lincoln doesn't have an entry-luxury sport sedan, they only have a luxury sport sedan known as the LS.

Bravo Cadillac, keep those sales going strong!!

wybes

I just ordered a CTS with NAV and was surprised that this option is only available on the luxury sport package. If you want a slightly smother ride such as the luxary package offers, forget about getting a NAV system. Other than that, I can't wait to take delivery.
GO BEARS just beat the Vikes 13 to 10!

calicadi

A picture of, and the installation instructions for, the CTS AirCharger are now up on the KandN site. Looks like it comes with everything and is a piece of cake to install.

http://www.knfilters.com/aircharger/aircharger.htm

bxd20

How is CTS entry luxury sport while LS is luxury sport? You are insinuating that the CTS falls short of the LS in luxury/sport and while I don't want to start a war here, I don't see how you can substantiate that. And please don't say the interior looks cheap on the CTS, if that's your only point, it's not a very strong one. Look at price, look at performance numbers, look at the option sheet, look at interior volume and comfort, look at engines.

tornado25

While slightly off-topic, can't help but say, as a Packers fan, thank you very much, Bears!

bxd20, from my perspective (although this may not have been his intention), I think rctennis was saying from a financial standpoint, it's easier to get into a CTS than an LS, wouldn't you agree? There are only a couple ways I would buy an LS (primarily, it needs to have the V-8) and financially, that's a lot tougher than a lux-sport CTS.

(Sorry to step on toes, rctennis, it's not my intent).

rctennis3811

I'm not trying to compare the Lincoln LS and Cadillac CTS. I'm just saying that since the Lincoln is bigger, it goes in the class right above the CTS. The CTS compares with the G35, 330i, S60, C320, X-Type, etc. The LS compares with the M45, 530i, E320, S-type, etc.

b4z

I understand your point about the LS being physically larger.
But I can get comfortable in a CTS. Can't in a LS.
sevenfeet0 would probably concur.

CTS is closer to 5 series in exterior dimensions than 3 series.
Pricewise it is closer to 3 series.
Which may be the point you are making.

LS is bigger than 5 series.

rctennis3811

That's exactly my point: the two cars are in different segments when put into comparisons (Edmunds, Car & Driver, etc.)

32caddy

Got the FREE new tires yesterday!! The Goodyears sound and drive gooder!!!!

sevenfeet0

There's been a lot of chatter in this boards months ago on your point and the general concensus is that you're right. Cadillac has a 3 series priced product with a 5 series size. It makes it a little awkward to do like comparisons against certain competition.

breetai52

How about CTS-V vs 545i? The Cadillac is still 5k cheaper.

cornellpremed

Does anybody know about the auxiliarry audio input in the CTS? It would be great if I could put an mp3 player in there. And I don't like any cassete deck/FM radio solutions, because of the poor sound quality.

Kirstie_H

A reporter is hoping to interview someone who is planning to buy a new vehicle in the next three months. If you are interested, please respond to jfallon@edmunds.com by January 1, 2003 with your name and daytime contact information.
Thanks,
Jeannine Fallon
PR Director
Edmunds.com

mannytranny

MUST BE CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!

Not a creature was stirring............

rctennis3811

Does anyone have the new CTS 3.6L engine? I'd love to hear on how that is!

bxd20

Are there any swatches for the new '05 paint colors?

Brian

ctsgirl_2004

I have one. It's awesome! Very quick and nimble. It has a lot of pep.

b4z

moonstone has been added and can be seen on the SRX. Great color. lots of metallics.

bxd20

The one I am eager to see is:

Exterior color 46U (WA-928L) Stealth Gray

jhl4

Ditto what ctsgirl 2004 says..."very quick and nimble" and I'm using Regular (87) gas.

wwhite2

I am curious in what context would you use "nimble" to describe an engine . I thought that was left for the chassis. Yes the CTS chassis is nimble

v8lincolnguy

Funny how colors come and go. Cadillac offered moonstone on alot of their cars in the latter part of the 90s then it disappeared around 2000. Not a bad color. I still wish they would bring back Carmine red. The pearl red they offer now is close, but carmine red was a bit darker(similar to the Autumn Red on my Lincoln) and didn't cost an extra $500.

tyler80

Could someone provide me with the GM Dealerworld Order Guide Link that is probably illegal and you shouldn't view it unless you're suppose to view it, but it provided a lot of usful information on future models. I used to have it stored in my favorites but then my computer got worked on and everything was erased. Thanks. Tylor_V@Yahoo.com

eaton53

Copper Sunburst. If I were to consider an '03 CTS, that color (and price) would be the main reason to pick one instead of an '04.

bigdaddycoats

http://eogld.ecomm.gm.com/dmdindex.htm

wybes

Jack be nimble Jack be quick, sounds like CTS is both!

32caddy

Hope you got a CTS in your stocking!! Happy Holiday.

onia

I love the navigation system but I got it earlier in 2003 in Version 6.0, copyrighted apparently in 2001. In five days the map data, etc. will be almost three years old! How and for how much can I get an updated (2004?) version? How often is GM updating the DVD?

batmanscts

onia: If your Cadillac dealer can't help you with a Nav software version update, try www.navtech.com. I found lots of possible leads by searching Google for "automobile navigation systems".
Good luck.

necros

Took the CTS to Minnesota (round trip of about 2000 miles) over the holidays to visit the gf's family. It was the first time that I had taken the car down to sea level. NOW I see why many people on here feel the car has enough power. It's actually kinda quick down there with all the extra air.

Driving back, I could feel the power bleeding away. I think I need some sort of amnesiac so I don't think my car is snail-like. Oh well.

beanboy

What are people's thoughts on the 3.6L with the manual tranny? Should be available this summer correct?

-B

94supra

While Cadillac still has a few things to cleanup with the interior, they seem to have produced an interesting and competitive product. I think the 3.6 has fixed the power shortage and I am sure they will keep offering incremental enhancements to fill the gap between the regular CTS and the V. The real question for those of us in the target market, long time import buyers, is whether or not the CTS will deliver the reliability we have become accustomed to. Personally, I have now owned a string of imports going back to a 240Z that I sold with 184K on the odometer. I am getting ready to replace a 98 Camry XLE that has 83K on the odometer. The only service it has required is oil and filters. It replaced a 95 Camry with a similar track record, which had replaced a Maxima with another excellent record.

I am now looking very hard at a CTS for my new everyday driver. My other options are the new Acura TL or the Lexus ES. (Yes, I know they have different performance profiles (I already have my play car)). I just want to maximize my chances of having a similarly pleasant ownership experience coupled with a similarly high resale value. I know there is no way to be absolutely sure about the 3-5 year expectancies for a 1 year old car model, but I am interested in how some of the older models are holding up to routine wear and tear and how Cadillac dealers are treating CTS owners. I hope this will provide some insight into the 3-5 year ownership window. The CTS is not Cadillac’s most expensive car, but I think it may be their most important car and one of the 2 or 3 most important cars for GM. Overall, how do the owners feel about your cars and dealership experiences?

pat

Hey folks - there is a quirk in this Web Crossing software that occurs if you "Refresh" the page after posting but before following any other link. Your message reposts.

The easiest way to avoid that is to use the "Recent Msgs" link on the page bar to redisplay the updated screen.

And there is a nice thing about this platform - we all have the ability to delete our own posts at any time, as long as we're logged in. This makes it easy to take care of an accidental double-post. (Another feature that lots of people often miss is that we can edit our posts for around 30 minutes after the message is posted - check out the blue buttons to the right of the message title for these features.)

'Scuse the interruption -- seems like a few people have had a problem with double-posting that I just took care of, so I thought I'd explain. Email me if I can help any further.

:-)

wwhite2

It sounds like you would be happiest with any import

exalteddragon1

here is the deal, if you own a CTS you will be fine. Not as good as the Lexus, but unless you get a lemmon it will be a very well-made car.

The TL is too low to the ground for me, and the CTS is much bigger, you are paying for an entry-level car but are getting one sized more like a mid-size car.

If it matters to you, you will also be driving American bla bla bla bla bla...

b4z

I am still struggling with seat height steering/ wheel height of the CTS.
I feel like the seat bottom is low to the ground like a sports car, but the steering wheel is so high that I can't find a comfortable place to rest my hands and arms.
Anybody else noticed this?

sevenfeet0

No. But my problem is that I need the seat as low as possible to have my head clear the headliner.

etcarroll

Is your name also your height? I only go 6'3", but 310lbs, and 50" thru the shoulder, so fit is important to me. Have an '01 Impala that I love for this reason. Wondering how CTS will match up.

b4z

Very few cars have the front seat room of an Impala. My LS400 has more legroom but the headroom is a problem for me.

bingoman

I guess there are still some advantages to being short. [lol]

It's the person seated behind me that has to watch out when I stop the car and open the door.

94supra

I don't have a philosophical bias towards imports, I have simply had very good ownership experiences with them. I have also shopped carefully to avoid some of the more trouble prone imports (of which there are plenty). I am just continuing my tradition of careful shopping and this time the CTS is definitely under consideration.

I find the CTS to be a potentially attractive value proposition. The fact that it is about the same size as the 5 series BMW while being priced against the 3 series is very interesting. I think Cadillac may have found a sweet spot for handling versus size trade-offs for our relatively open highways. I already have a sports car, so this car doesn't need to handle at those limits. I just want to upgrade my daily driver and maximize my odds of having a trouble free experience like I have had with my last 5 imports. My concern is whether or not I will be happy with buying a CTS in 3-5 years due to reliability and/or resale issues.

wwhite2

Time will tell about reliability . Resale ? Cadillacs have never had good resale ( I consider the words "good resal" and"automobiles" tough to use in the same sentence ) . Its just the cost of owning them .

v8lincolnguy

I've been visiting this thread for probably 2 years now and reading posts by CTS owners. One of the things I've really been looking for are what I call "problem trends." Things that one or two owners experience and then as others add miles to theirs, they begin to have these as well. Other than a few small things, the CTS seems to lack these. I can attest to my own experience with an Oldsmobile Intrigue that many of the problems others began to experience, I had them as well. I've always been a big GM supporter, but the Intrigue kind of soured me(I'm actually driving a Ford product right now). What has impressed me with the CTS is that I have seen very few of these recurring problems. That is pretty impressive for the first year of a completely new design built at a totally new facility. And as some would probably say, extremely impressive for GM. I'd say if you buy a 2004 or later CTS you'll have even less of a chane of problems as the first year or anything that is new typially has some problems. As for CTS resale, only time will tell but Cadillac seems to be able to sell the car without the typical 3-4K in rebates. I read an article over the weekend that said the average CTS transation price is 4% below MSRP. In general domestic brands go for around 13% below invoice. If I were in the market for a brand new luxury/sport sedan in the low to mid 30s, the CTS would be at the top of my list. Good luck and have fun shopping!

bigdaddycoats

of the CTS-V and CTS-V race car. Also, check out the pics of the new Corvette - sweet!!

http://www.wieck.com/public/*wieck_search?ws4d_nav=true&Sourc- e=ALL&latest=7&Page=8

rctennis3811

Since there is now the CTS-V, I am beginning to wonder what will the competition unleash against it. The CTS-V's astronomical HP ratings are great, but what about in the long run....a L-Tuned GS, NISMO G35?? Wow, Cadillac has really increased the bar!

eaton53

Because that's what the CTS-V will likely have within 2 years when the LS6 VVT arrives.

Thing is, because of the LS6 (a perfect example of elegant engineering because it is relatively simple, yet extremely effective), Cadillac can make big horsepower on the cheap. The competition has to add cylinders and/or ever more complex gizmos, which just increases the bang for the buck advantage the V enjoys.

What's also amazing in that the LS6 cars even get pretty good gas mileage, quite a bit better than the less powerful M-cars... no gas guzzler penalties.

sevenfeet0

My name is *almost* my height. I'm really 6'11" but my legs are a bit longer in proportion to my torso so from the waist down, I'm really about 7'0" or so.

I picked out the CTS since it's one of the few vehicles that has enough leg room that was also an interesting drive. Yeah, I can fit in the Mercury Grand Marquis, but I'm not 70 years old.

However recently I sat behind the wheel of the VW Touregg that my brother just bought, and I've fallen in love with the leg and knee room. It's better than the CTS and the SRX. Of course, doing another new car payment for 40g's is a little difficult, but we'll see...

calicadi

Checking all the pix on the link provided by BigDaddy and may have found why there's only silver and black paint options for the -V. There's a slide with stats on paint color popularity. The top ten in descending sequence are; Silver, White, Black, Med./Dk. Gray, Lt. Brown, Med./Dk. Blue, Med. Red, Med./Dk. Green, Bright Red, Dk. Red.

b4z

You would love my Lexus. Tons of legroom. My knees are about 3" from the dashboard.
My head hits the headliner though.

Sat in a SRX had decent room.