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Comments
As for advertising, I see more print ads for CTS than I do TV ads. I guess they are aiming for the car magazine reading types more than the general TV watching public. Whatever they are doing seems to be working.
As for the CTS ads - what does a 60's drop top boulevard cruiser have to do with a CTS? I can understand the Porsche version - it's the same type of car.
And why do they have to show the CTS going the wrong way on the race track? I know it's supposed to show that the CTS goes against the grain but I think it would have been more effective if they showed the CTS outrunning the other cars in the same direction. How long can you call something a "Breakthrough" anyway? We know it's 'different' - show us how it handles and how fun it is to drive.
If you haven't seen the original LS ad from 1999 you're missing out. It won several awards and has some amazing special effects. I'll see if I can find the online version.
And as far as the current CTS ad in the mix (wrong way on the racetrack), I'm not sure that showing the CTS outgunning the competition would have made sense since we all know that a CTS is slightly slower than a BMW 330i and certainly slower than a Infiniti G35. That kind of ad might work better next year when the new engines come. The CTS plays a game of "chicken" with the competition with the competition giving way.
If I was an ad-man at GM, I'm not sure I would have accepted that ad either. But I don't work for GM :-)
2. CTS ad with the convertible is just showing CTS as a car worthy of the Cadillac name which used to be great. Basically, Caddy is back.
I like the race track ad, and like the song in the "convertible" ad. They both get your attention which I guess is the main goal.
The other, admittedly more esoteric link, is that the 50's Cadillac design is a response to fighter jets of the time while the CTS is a response to the Stealth air craft.
If the 03 LS is offered with deals anywhere close to what Ford is selling the 02's, I will make a trip to the local Lincoln shop
On sales of the CTS, I think it is excellent with only a standard engine and a choice of a manual or auto. The LS is selling more because it has more choices and deals on them like incentives and discounts are huge compared to the CTS. If the CTS had another or two engine choice from the standard model and perhaps higher quality interior, it probably will outsell Lincoln LS and Volvo S60 which is doing very well also.
Audi A4 and Jaguar X-Type has several more engine choices and tranny options over the CTS and they are trailing behind the CTS but not by much.
J "CaddyLac"
In the full ad, they show the CTS, Escalade and finally the XLR. I noticed a change to the ad the last time I saw it. In the original, you only saw very short glimpses of the XLR as the train passed in front of it. In the recent version, the XLR is now clearly seen from several angles.
oldsman01 : I have never followed the crowd, always like to have something a little different.
What colors has everyone else seen? What color CTS is the most popular among CTS drivers on the board and do we have all of the available colors represented? I believe black is the most popular even though I have white diamond.
I've been busy the last few days, but I remember seeing that someone got their CTS to more than 140 miles per hour. Congratulations, you win. I won't have a chance to run at high speed for about a month and my wife keeps reminding me that I'm not a teenager anymore. Of course she's had the CTS to just over 100, so I wonder who the teenager (leadfoot)is.
Still, the car is more fun to drive than any I've driven for a long while. That includes my Corvette. The CTS engine and transmission just seem to scream, "drive me agressively". The Corvette just said, "step on my accelerator and I will beat anything out there". The CTS is more fun.
Rich
I've seen a fair number of White CTSs. White is my personal favorite as well.
Some of the owners here linked photos of their blue CTS, which looks good.
Last Sunday I saw my first Orange CTS. If nothing else, the owner of that car can be assured people will notice him wherever he drives.
Here's a link to some CTS-specific aftermarket goodies that you may not have seen yet.
I personally like the looks of the red CTS. The ground effects kit seems to be almost "seamless" with the stock car.
Click on "More Images" to bring up some good shots of the red CTS. Click on the thumbnails to enlarge the photos...
http://vogue-tyre.com/index-whatsnew.html
My own problems after 5 and a half months, a passenger's courtesy light bulb burned out and battery failed and had to be replaced. Not bad.
What have others experienced?
Anyone have any information on this?
If you dont like the split spoke, the Neeper Haaz looks exactly the same without it.
Don't like that grille much... it needs a logo!!
1. Kinked fuel hose - could not fill it up - easily fixed by the dealer - I have seen other posts on this issue also.
2. Water leak stain rings in the head liner - Although my car doesn't seem to be leaking in the rain now as it has been tested by the dealer and myself. I have 2 almost identical stain rings in my gray head liner at the corner of the A pillar running about halfway down the side window and into the center of the roof. Identical on both sides. The dealer is giving me a hard time on replacing the head liner under warranty since there is no apparent current leak. Perhaps it's a glue stain ? I've written and called Cadillac customer service. No help as of yet.
3. Bad problem - 5th gear bearing type whine - Since the day I drove it off the lot, 5th gear only has a constant variable bearing type rubbing whine noise. It's almost intolerable between 40 - 60 mph. Once you get above 60 mph the road noise starts to drown the noise out. The dealer acknowledges the problem and was told by Cadillac not to attempt a repair at this time until they (Cadillac) determine a repair. It's been 3 1/2 months and I call my dealer every week and Cadillac hasn't released a TSB yet, so the dealer can't attempt to fix it under the warranty. I called Cadillac Customer Service (#800-333-4223) and was given a case number and was basically told there is nothing that they can do until the Cadillac engineers determine a fix. I have written several letters to Cadillac, without a response. It's embarrassing to have anyone ride with you in the car, they always ask, "What is that noise?"
4. Rattle in the dash - I get a strange, loud rattle (it almost sounds like someone is shaking a key ring slowly with aluminum keys) from the center of the dash on a very rare ocassion. (probably 5 times since I had the car 3 1/2 months) I can't associate it with the HVAC system, stereo, etc. I turn everything off, put the car in neutral and just let it roll and it still makes the noise. The dealer can't find anything wrong.
5. Parking brake - Only engages (brakes the car) at the very last millimeter of travel. I will have this checked out.
6. Observation / probably not a problem - On a cooler temperature morning or evening (say 70 degrees or cooler, down into the 60's) I will turn off the air conditioning, put the temp control to the lowest temp setting of 60 degrees and allow what I think is the outside temperature air to just come through the upper vents. But to my surprise, the air coming through the vents is always on the luke warm side (approximately 75 - 80 degrees plus) I always end up having to put the air conditioning back on because the car gets too warm.
Other than these issues, I love the car for the driving dynamics, performance, pure cruising comfort and the fun to drive factor. I continue to have more people look, stare and actually come up and ask me all about the car. More so than any other car or motorized vehicle (motorcycles & boats) that I have ever owned. It's a head turner and people are attracted to it like glue. I just want Cadillac to stand behind the car and get that noise out of my 5th gear.
I still endorse the car to anyone in the market for a new car and I have been reluctant to voice my issues. I am not bashing the CTS at all and do not mean for my issues to give fuel to those anti-American car bashers.
To Richw5: I agree with you that the CTS is one of the most fun vehicles you can drive as an overall package. However, the lux/sport version is lacking on the "sport" in my opinion. Having owned a worked 1998 6-speed Z28 putting out almost 400 RWHP, I feel that although the CTS likes to be driven aggressively, it just lacks the raw power that made the Z28 an absolute blast to drive. Driving the Z was like playing a video game on the street - just decide what you want to do...and blam, the car is there! Of course, the CTS has a much more refined chassis and suspension compared to the brutish Z. When the V-Series come out next year with an exhaust note that emanates a serious bark, and the horsepower and torque to morph the Goodyears into long black strips on the pavement, I'll have found my ideal car...a luxury hot rod! Can't wait!!
-FAV002
My CTS Pictures
Sorry to hear about your problems. So far we've only had the fuel filler/cable misrouted problem. I will watch for the others.
FAV002 -
I bought the CTS for my wife. It has enough sport for her and is exceeding her expectations for a daily driver. Everywhere she goes, people comment about the CTS. She is really happy!!!!
However, there is sometimes a 25 year old in my 60 year old body. I look for a challenge at every stop light, also look for squad cars!
3-series BMW's are no problem for the CTS. I learned to drive with both feet at the Boudurant school of driving back in the 60's. It gives you a jump on the competition and most give up right away. The 5-series cars are faster. I usually check out the driver first. Then I think, is it worth it or not? Safe driving comes ahead of beating BMW's.
My last ticket was in 1967, Beeville Texas, for doing 80 in a 50 mph zone. I've been a lucky and carefull driver for 44 years now. I pick the time and the place to be sporty.
Congrats... 135 mph is great. Our first chance will come up in about a month. Just depends on the amount of state troopers out that weekend.
Having seen your pictures before, I can only say that black is outstanding. Our STS is black and so was my Corvette. However, it was time for a change. The only CTS available at the Corvette dealer where I traded my Vette, was the diamond white . The white is a lot cooler in the summer, as we've had a hot summer, I tend to drive the CTS more. If I had a choice, it would be my favorite car color, red.
Rich
I have a 3-1/2 month old white diamond lux/sport with all options except engine heater. It now has approx. 8500 miles. It's been to Phoenix, Houston, Chicago and back to Los Angeles.
The only problems have been a disconnected outside right rear door handle, Two stability system false alarms and a sound system that periodically refused to produce any sound. The door handle problem and one of the stability system false alarms were diagnosed and fixed in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The amplifier was replaced by my dealer in Northridge, CA. The second stability system false alarm was also diagnosed by my dealer.
The fastest I have gone in my CTS is about 95 while passing on back country roads. I have a problem with speed, as I have a talking speedometer, otherwise known as a wife (we are both senior citizens).
we hava a black, sport pkg, roof CTS waiting
for you ! And we will do GM employee deal !
FINALLY!.....I laughed and said did you forget
I bought a new Deville 3 weeks ago ? And you
insulted me by offering me 3900 for my 96 ?
The other dealer gave me 6ooo trade ?
DEAD silence ! I love my new Deville but I
did want a CTS ! Maybe next time......geo
I hope they won't make future owners pay for the Navigation system to get XM.
I doubt they would not want you to order a car since they make the most amount of money on ordered cars. Plus, CTS's are generally not sitting for very long on showroom floors so they are not likely under a lot of pressure to clear dealer stock (unless they have a hard to move color like Copper Sunburst). I'm not sure what their motivation is, unless they are trying to sell you their own aftermarket wheels. But I think they would have said something about that to you by now.
If they don't sell a lot of cars expect a long wait.
Is this the 3rd generation Cimmaron?
sevenfeet0, on the Deville and Seville you cannot get XM if you get the navigation system so the CTS will probably be that way as well.
Yes, the styling is take-it or leave it. But better that than "ugly" or "boring". The styling has grown on me since it was unveiled and my wife likes it too. Note that BMW is moving toward this "edgy" brand of styling too with its new models after years of "safe" designs.
The interior is also subject for debate. Nobody agrees it's perfect. Some think it needs to be warmer, other like the basic concepts. Everyone thinks it needs a proper set of guages (even the elderly Mercury Grand Marquis I rent for work every week has oil, temp and volt guages).
But the 3rd generation Cimmaron? Not even close. The Cimmaron was a half baked idea from a GM chairman who thought he could get away with selling anything. He was right in one sense about the cost advantages to platform sharing. But they went way overboard with that car. It offered no advantages over its lower siblings in the GM line, unless you liked the leather it came with. And it began rusting while sitting on the showroom floor. It wasn't worth the price premium.
As for the Catera, that car was a "nice try", but not enough in a highly competitive segment. The basic idea was okay, but the styling didn't match the Cadillac family, the car was too heavy, the engine was not powerful enough, and the handling was uninspired (later versions tried to address this). Combine that with a dopey marketing campaign and you were left with a vehicle that didn't rise to its full potential. There is a much better version of that car still sold in Australia by GM's Holden.
The CTS is pretty much a clean slate car. New platform, new styling (which leads the rest of new Cadillac models for this decade), new everything but the engine and we get two new ones in 2004. My big complaint is that Cadillac didn't flesh out the refinement tweaks in year 1 for this car; we'll have to wait for 2004 to see the fully realized package. But auto jouralists take this car seriously now, and so should you.
Yesterday we remembered the anniversary of a great tragedy. That tragedy was brought about by a hatred for our way of life, our freedom to choose most things in our daily life.
While we celebrate the hero's (police, firemen, airline passengers, etc.) of 911, many people fail to recognize that everyone who goes to work, raises a family, helps others, becomes a positive, productive member of society is a hero too.
The posters of this board are among my hero's. We can agree or disagree about our favorite cars and the direction the auto companies take in making them better or worse. While not all of the posters drive a CTS or a Cadillac, they seem to share the American love of the automobile. It's a fun and dynamic group.
Once in a while, a terrorist appears. We have seen "who the man" now "the reel deal" only interested in starting a fight. "Reel deel" needs to grow up and to understand that a Bentley is now just an overpriced Volkswagen, but that's his choice.
Our choice is to own or discuss the CTS. It isn't perfect, but I believe it's heading in that direction. I know I've said this before, but the more I drive it, the more I like it.......
Cadillac Rules!
Rich W