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dave
Must ask....auto or manual?
dashiell88: I'm also 6'1" and don't have trouble with my hair touching the headliner. Either you must have really big hair or you haven't adjusted the seat or tilt-steering as low as it can go...?? -Congrats on the black CTS!
CTS owners: Does anyone experience a vibration in the steering when turning sharp after the car has been parked for some time? I've noticed that when I get in my car and back out from a parking spot I can sometimes feel vibration coming from the steering wheel / power steering. I thought at first that it might just be the tires on the pavement but it's happened more than once and I'm starting to think it might be a more serious problem. -Just wondered if anyone else has noticed this and if it was 'normal' or if I should take it in to the dealer soon. -Thanks!
1) not enough power with V6, no manual with V8
2) price a little too high, especially since I have GMO/GMS status
3) handling not as good as CTS
4) a bit of a dated design right now, and tried to copy BMW front a little too much
A did like the Lincoln LS at first and considered it early in my search.
Now, here we have the BMW and the CTS, both with a stick "option" (standard fare on the CTS), and then we have the G35 with only an automatic transmission. It stands to reason, with MT's love affair with manual transmissions, that the G35 wouldn't have even qualified for the comparision given the fact the a stick is available in the other 2/3 of the lineup.
So, what does MT do? They default to all automatic models just so the G35 would "qualify", and then have the nerve to chastise the Cadillac for not having a "manumatic" transmission option.
Guess MT was feeling the pressure to not let the old-style/technology BMW win yet another comparo. So, which car do the pick as the "winner"? The one with no manual transmission option (a necessity for any true sports sedan in their view), the one with the cheap-parts interior that they don't trust to withstand the test of time, and the one with the rear end that they really did not like the looks/style of. Go figure!
Seems Lincoln just half-hearteldy entered the stick option arena. Cadillac is going at it full boar!
The CTSi is at least a year away and Lincoln has already announced a 400 hp LS. Since it will use a 5.0L version of the 4.6L modular motor that's used in the new Cobra (390++ HP) then they could easily use the Tremec 6 speed from the Cobra in the LS. And given the way Colletti competes with Moss it wouldn't surprise me a bit.
If Lincoln drops the manual for 2003 then it will be a shame and Caddy will have won - for now. We'll have to see how manual CTS' are selling 2-3 years from now.
For now let's just be thankful that we have two great handling American sedans with manuals available. Just over 3 years ago there were none. If Chrysler wakes up we may have 3 but I'm not holding my breath.
I bring this up because they bitched about the suspension in the article, as well the "small 16 inch wheels".
Idiots.
Yes they tested almost a fully loaded G35 but only a partially loaded CTS and 330i....hmmm could they want the G35 to win?
The LEDs are just unbeatable...and they look so cool! It's really unfortunate CTS doesn't have them...but strangely XLR does.
As for the MT comparo, it was a wash-out. What took the cake is when they said, "if the G35 had had the manual transmission we know it would have done better"...therefore they let it win. That was ridiculous.
lux sport pkg
6 cd bose, no nav system. i know where i'm going
sunroof
fold down rear seat
auto, to old for another manual
17" tires and polished whhels
I do have the seat down and back all the way. although i'm not into reclining my seat too much.
You know, if I could afford it, a new CTS would probably be on the top of my list. I just love cars that are different than anything else (like our Avalanche), and to top it all off, the CTS just drives so well. Now, I just need a very lucrative summer job and I can get a new black or copper CTS--yeah right!
Now, one could argue that the current CTS is "half-hearted" with only a 220hp engine (regardless of stick), but we already know that a V8 is coming (with a stick) as well as a more powerful V6 with yet a 6 speed stick.
Your points about the LS are very good and true.
ROB
The car handled beautifully on all kinds of roads, Interstates and back roads. Passing on a two lane highway was great. Passing trucks was a breeze. Come up on the truck doing 70, step on the gas, downshift and I was doing over 90 by the time I passed. When you step on it at those speeds it growls like it wants to take a bite out of the truck/car that you are passing.
Seven thousand miles and not a rattle or squeak. The air conditioning is great. One hundred and ten degrees in Phoenix, the car parked in the sun, within 5 minutes the car was comfortable.
The only thing my Catera had on the CTS was a bigger trunk.
2003 Cadillac CTS (Effective Date: July 1, 2002)
1SB Luxury Package increased by $250
1SC Luxury Sport Package increased by $500
TT6 High-Intensity Discharge Headlights increased by $50
AM9 Split Folding Rear Seat increased by $150
CF5 Sunroof increased by $100
84U Garnet Red Premium Paint increased by $100
98U White Diamond Premium Paint increased by $100
The Edmunds price list for the CTS has not changed, but the new prices are on the GM Buypower website in the "build your own" section.
M
DO we already know this? I've heard no confirmation from GM about ANY of these rumours.
I would find it easy to believe that a more powerful V6 is in the works and would guess we'll see it in the near future.
As for the V8, I think it's mostly wishful thinking on the part of CTS fans. They already had to massage the existing V6 in order to get it to fit in the engine compartment. After popping the hood and looking at the current real-estate in the engine compartment I'd think they'd be doing good to fit a bigger V6...and the current one's only a 3.2L!
I would LOVE to see a V8 in the CTS but in my opinion it's purely a fantasy.
Unfortunately, one thing I think we can be assured of (according to rumours at my dealership and July pricing at GM's website) is the MSRP of the CTS increasing next year.
In the bsae form, it is a 251 bhp V6 with VVT. There may be the possibility that a mid-range CTS model receives a supercharged version of the aforementioned engine at around 300 bhp.
CTSi is due to arrive in fall 2003, with either the LS1 or LS6. It really has not been firmed up either way yet...some report one, others the other. I would suspect the LS1, but it would be my bet that it would have more bhp than the GTO...
Note: media.gm.com ALSO reported " The 2003 CTS also offers XM Satellite Radio as an option on all models with the Bose premium audio system with navigation. XM radio features 100 coast-to-coast digital channels, close to compact disc " which we know is not true.
I do believe there will be a better V6, possibly a supercharged V6, and a redesign of the interior. I just hope that Cadillac doesn't 'dumb down' the interior too much and make it like the XLR as pictured in this months MotorTrend...IMO the current CTS interior is much nicer.
Hey, for what it's worth I hope I'm dead wrong so I can trade my current CTS in for a V8! I also hope the V8 comes with an optional auto for those of us that are sick of shifting manuals.
The thing I enjoyed most about the MotorTrend comparison is when they said the CTS braking was 'near' the BMW's performance (then when you read the specs at the end of the article you see the CTS...without luxury performance package and 17" wheels...stopped a foot shorter than the BMW!)
The 4.2L NorthStar will debut in the 2005 STS. It should be good for about 350 bhp/350 lb.-ft of torque in the base form. I believe it will feature both VVT and displacement on demand cylinder shut-off. The STS will also have a supercharged and intercooled version pumping out numbers somewhere in the 415-450 bhp range. And that may not even be for STSi...that may just be an intermediate model. It is unclear at this time whether the 2005 STS will be able to support the 7.5l NorthStar XV-12.
The 2004 SRX will base with the 3.6L V6, when it arrives early next-year. A high-output 4.6L NorthStar V8 will be available in higher trim levels, with output around 315 bhp or so. The 4.6L has been modified to have VVT in this application.
The 2004 XLR will debut also with a modified 4.6L NorthStar (also with VVT), and will have an output higher than that of the SRX. MT repored 315 bhp...but that seems unlikely, as the NorthStar in the STSi LeMans pace car had an output of 350 bhp just with a larger intake-manifold and high-perf. cams.
By RICK KRANZ
Automotive News
LE MANS, France - With barely five months of sales behind the CTS, Cadillac already plans to freshen the car's interior for the 2004 model year and add a V-8-powered model.
Also, a more powerful six-cylinder engine will be standard in the base model, said Jim Taylor, vehicle line executive for General Motors' luxury cars.
The CTS went on sale in January, the first of several rear-drive cars that Cadillac will introduce in the next several years as it aims to revive its image and sales.
Some auto journalists and others said after the introduction that the CTS needs more power and a more refined interior, and GM is responding.
"Each year the bar goes up and the luxury market gets more competitive," said Taylor, who spoke at a press event here. "Gone are the days when you introduced a new car and forgot about it for five years."
The high-performance sedan, called the CTSi, will be powered by a 5.7-liter V-8 producing about 350 hp. Sales begin in fall 2003.
Taylor said the CTSi will be aimed at high-performance enthusiasts and the first models will be offered only with a manual transmission. Cadillac expects to boost manual transmission sales in the CTS to 10 percent, up from 8 percent. An automatic will be available later for the CTSi.
The CTS' 220-hp, 3.2-liter V-6 will be replaced for the 2004 model year with a larger V-6. The V-6 bows in summer 2003. No horsepower figure was available.
Taylor said the car's interior will be freshened to give it more warmth, which will be achieved with special lighting, more chrome, more jewelry and luxurious grains. The interior changes evolved from clinics held in California.
In other Cadillac news, Taylor said no decision has been made on when or if Cadillac's top seller, the DeVille, will be replaced with a rear-drive sedan.
The front-drive DeVille will remain in the portfolio though the 2008 model year. The car will get new sheet metal for the 2006 model year.
Supposedly a new northstar is in developement with VVT that will be a 4.2 liter engine producing about 300 horsepower. The engine in the XLR is supposed to have 330 hp according to Motor Trend, but as to VVT, nothing was said (as I recall). The SRX is said to get a 315 hp 4.6 too, and it likly is the old northstar. Simply mounting the engine in a RWD vehicle and straightening out the exhaust system could increase horsepower by 5% (15 horsepower).
The new northstar (4.2 liter engine) might fit into the CTS. But, the V8 that the performance CTS is to get, is the Corvette V8.
"Tweaks for the XLR include a forged crank, direct-mount accessories,a drive-by-wire throttle, and the additional breathing capability afforded by variable valve timing."
But hey, let's get back to the CTS.
I think they can - the fine print on the back says they can, but that I can back out if unhappy with it. Hmmmm. Should I then wait for the larger engine...???
http://ca.autos.yahoo.com/010914/11/kesk.html
fjk - it was reported in either the August '01 or Sept '01 Automotive Industries that the "global V8" was approved for production and would probably first appear in the Cadillac SRX. Their online archives don't go back that far, but I have the actual magazine at home.
350hp? Maybe, but 350 lb-ft? You are dreaming! A 4.2L cannot produce more than 320 lb-ft in a normally-aspirated form,not with today's technology. No matter how many horses the engine produces, torque will always be dependant on engine size.
Check These numbers! You will see:
1) The bigger the engine, the more torque.
2)You will also see significant changes in horse ratings for one engine depending on application, yet the change in torque remains limited.
(I wille exclude the 4.6 northstar because it is a rather old design compared to these modern engines)
GM's 4.2L Inline-6:
270hp, 275 lb-ft
Audi's 4.2L V8:
300hp, 295 lb-ft (A6 4.2)
310hp, 302 lb-ft (A8 4.2)
340hp, 310 lb-ft (S6)
360hp, 317 lb-ft (S8)
Lexus' 4.3L V8:
290hp, 320 lb-ft (LS430)
300hp, 325 lb-ft (GS430/SC430)
BMW's 4.4L V8:
290hp, 324 lb-ft (540i)
325hp, 330 lb-ft (745i)
Infiniti's 4.5L V8:
340hp, 333 lb-ft (Q45)
BMW's 4.6L V8:
340hp, 350 lb-ft)
So how can a 4.2L produce 350 lb-ft?