Sevenfeet has a good point about "unsafe" versus "not as safe". However, GM could do itself a world of public relations/advertising good by addressing the issue directly with the owners who have the earlier airbags. They might also preclude a lot of legal costs from liability suits when one of these cars is in an accident.
Even if the earlier airbags are truly safe, perhaps GM could offer concerned owners a generous trade-in option. If GM engineers are so confident that the cars with the earlier airbags are safe, they could purchase them for their families to drive.
Bottom line is that if GM/Cadillac wants customer loyalty, they must honestly and promptly address owner concerns over safety issues like this. I have a 5 year history of problems with a 1999 Olds Bravada that causes me to believe that Oldsmobile didn't care about customer loyalty (which is part of the reason they are belly up). I expect more from Cadillac and I suspect most Cadillac customers do too.
GM/Cadillac should listen to owners when they express dissatisfaction as much as they listen when the owners are acting as cheerleaders for their products.
While I don't own a CTS -- I was considering the CTS, along with the ES300 for quite awhile before recently buying a 2004 GTP -- I have been reading this board for awhile and must compliment Cadillac on the reliability of the CTS.
On the CTS, the worst problems I've noticed have been the slow analog clock, twisted fuel filler line, and the slow firing airbags.
On the other hand, the almightly Lexus which always wins the praises of the Japanese car loving media, has some very serious problems with it's ES300 since the redesign last year, most notably the dangerous and much mailigned hesitation and shudder of it's new 5 speed automatic transmission. No one can fix it since it must be a basic design flaw. It's so bad that class action lawsuits may be initiated soon.
Bravo Cadillac on finally beating the Japanese car companies!!!
Is listing info about the CTS-V they state the manual and automatic- manual will be available . I hope the Automatic -manual is a BMW SMG II type manual controls for the Tremec that will put the V at the top of the trans technology and performance envelope
As I've posted a couple of times before, the SMG hardware for the T56 exists, so far as I'm aware all the early applications are Fords (the new 'cheap' Aston Martin and the 2005 Mustang Cobra.) I'd be pretty confident the CTSv will get it as well.
It takes 400 horsepower and the torque of a V-8 to rival a M3 a 333HP 6 cyl ? Someone is getting it wrong . I see the sights set on the present day M5.
The m3 is supposed to be the target. The CTS was brought out to compete against the 3 series. Whether or not people look at it that way, that is what GM intended.
>When you set the digital clock include the >"error"/offset and the analog clock will display >the correct time.
That would be the obvious fix...other than the fact that the digital time is supposed to update itself via radio signals which would make the dash time incorrect.
Including the error/offset really doesn't do ANYTHING to fix the problem which is that the friggin' clock doesn't work correctly...another obvious fix would be to rely on your watch instead of the dash instrumentation for correct time.
My theory is that the 4 minute delay is actually built into the clock to represent the time it takes your airbag to fire after impact ...or it's the amount of time it takes the GM Tech to think of an excuse as to why they can't synchronize the clock under warranty.
the last paragraph was very very funny and straight to the point . It's been said GM may monitor these boards I hope they do and come up with fixes real quick .I can believe Techs cant fix this problem (clock)they are only remove and replace able it's unfair to assume they have problem solving skills
Automole: it is an obvious fix--it works and you don't have to go to a dealer! Additionally, you have to be tuned to certain FM stations for the automatic time update. By the way, you left out gazing at the sun for a time check in your suggestions for OBVIOUS solutions.
I agree 100%. I don't drive a CTS, but (unlike most of the people who drive the car I now own) I'm quite interested in following its progress.
The progress appears substantial. There appear to be very few issues that appear in the first year, and GM actually appears to have a plan to continue to upgrade the car, fairly quickly, to maintain its popularity.
You folks' car appears to be doing great. GM appears to be in good hands. I'm still waiting to see about Ford. The car I own now (and I'm 54) is the first US-built vehicle I've owned in my life. It's been interesting.
I just wanted to say thanks to all who posted and tried to help me with my strange radio problem. The radio is staying more and more silent these days. I am still waiting on my new radio from the factory - it seems there is a huge demand to replace the Bose radio system and so it is backordered for at least three weeks. I just wanted to comment on the age issue that was posted previously. I am probably one of the younger owners here (24) but I love my car. I seem to get more compliments from teenagers and my friends than I do from the those who are much older than me. I wanted to ask the board if anyone has found any accessories they have put on their cts. I recently purchased a stainless steel grill from vogue and I think it was well worth the money. It totally changed the car's appearance - personally I thought the plastic grill was a bit cheap looking. I was just wondering what else is available for the car.
Haven't quite decided yet. 85% there. Prices quoted to me are (both with automatic tranny) $29,994 for the base CTS, $31,995 for the Luxury package. (Using CostCo Auto Purchase program.) Then our wonderful 7.6% sales tax. Haven't read all the posts yet. Seems like the majority, by far, love the car. No major issues, etc. While I'm sure most has been hashed over already, I'd appreciate comments, thoughts, etc.
And it's a pretty awesome piece by the looks of it!
A black on black CTS-V debuted last Friday at the New York Auto Show. I guess I can say I am one of the first people to see a CTS-V in the flesh. Doors opened at 11:00 and by 11:30 I had seen the XLR, the CTS-V, the SLR, and the most awesome Sixteen!
The CTS-V really looks as good in person (if not better) than it does in photos. The spoiler/moulding treatment is extremely well done. The 18", 7 spoke wheels look awesome, and they and the tires really fill out the wheel wells perfectly. The car appears to have been lowered by about 1" at least.
The mesh grill really looks good. The tail-end treatment is really good as well. What they have done is they have made the gray license plate surround a solid body color so it all blends in nicely. The tail end is enhanced by two fat chrome exhaust pipes, one on each side.
The car has a hell of a stance. Looking down the side of the car, it really looks great.
The interior in this car had black leather seats with black suede inserts where the two-tone leather goes if you get that option on the base car. The seats have white stitching that looks bitching. (Good rhyme). The steering wheel is all leather with the same white bitching stitching.
There is no wood in the car. In it's place is a very nice polished aluminum (polished, not satin). The steering wheel has this aluminum on the spokes, and the round thumb wheel is gone and there are four rocker swithes on the horizontal spokes, two on each side. The instrument guages are framed in this aluminum, and the stick shift knob has aluminum on it too. The shifter skirt (is that what you call it?) is made of black suede that matches that on the seats. The door pulls have the polished aluminum.
The folks there said it'll price out around $50k. They had the hood open and the engine had a carbon fiber cover on it with the Caddy logo. I'm not sure it that was a show prototype cover, or if it will be an option, or what. They said it will do 0-60 in 4.7 to 4.8 sec.
I now have the CTS-V on my very short list of cars to consider in one year when I am back in the market.
Looks like they had to take the coil packs off the valve covers on the LS6 in order to get it to fit; is the box at the right front of the engine compartment where the coil packs ended up? Coil-a-little-less-near-plug, I guess.
The battery's at least behind the front wheel centerline; they could have gotten the weight distribution another point or two closer to 50/50 if they'd put it in the trunk...
I don't care if the CTS-V competes more with the M3 or the M5 or whatever, it simply looks damn awesome. If Cadillac brings the real thing to market looking as good(and performing as good as they are saying) as the ones I've seen here, this will be one hot car! Cadillac has needed something like this for a decade, lets just hope this V-series continues with the next gen STS as well as the XLR.
I don't care either being as I would never buy either car (M3 or M5)no matter HOW great they are.
I find it ironic that the consensus on the BMW board is that the CTS is an ugly beast of a car and the negative image associated with the Cadillac name.
I'll admit it...I looked at the BMW 3 series before I bought the CTS. In the end I couldn't overcome my preconceived image of BMW (generic yuppie) and the fact that the cars are in serious need of a 'freshening up' from the design department. I guess I'm just too image conscious...I couldn't see myself driving such an ordinary looking car or paying over $35k for something that looked like a Honda.
With the CTS I'm ALWAYS exited to drive it! The car looks incredible, handles like a dream, and has been a pleasure to own. My only gripes have been minor (clock that doesn't keep proper time, airbag fiasco, lack of some features that should be 'standard' in a car of its class, need for more horsepower/torque) and most all of them will be fixed with the arrival of the new V series.
Those pictures made me want black even though I have sworn off black cars . The look and the LS6 performance will be amazing . The E hand brake was odd at first BUT I surmise that if the PLAN is to have a SMG type manual then it will have a hill holder function and remove the need for e brake access on really steep hills when someone pulls close to you ...saving my pennies now . This looks like an additional market value cars at least at first
One thing about the LS6 engine is that it should be pretty easy to adapt a lot of the Corvette LS6 aftermarket accessories to this car.
A big aftermarket problem though will be those 6-nut wheels. Not many (any?) aftermarket vendors offer a 6-nut wheel, so if you want to bling-bling your CTS-V, you may be out of luck here.
It *is* ironic that we'd be getting styling critique from the BMW board. They are currently going through their own issues which they may or may not get over. For us Cadillac owners, the current product is far better than that of recent years, and it doesn't look like anything else on the road. Is it for everyone? Nope. And that's the way it should be.
I still want an SMG-type manual, or have Cadillac change its mind about a slushbox. Without one, I can't own one. And I want to own one.
has now passed 13K miles after a vacation trip to Florida. My wife and I both averaged about 90 MPH on the major highways. I managed to get the car up to 120 MPH briefly during a straightaway in southern Tennessee. It was so smooth, my wife never woke up. :-)
My wife's comment while driving home was "I *so* love this car". She really enjoys the power and control this car gives her. Heaven knows what she'd think of the new 3.6L V6 engine or (*gasp*) a 400-HP LS6.
On the BMW picture of the interior I didnot see a power lumbar control next to the other seat controls. I hope the L-control is not a manual wheeeeel!!!
This is not comprehensive but what I've managed to find to-date for the CTS:
Borla exhaust kit Baer brakes Eibach spring kit (lowers 1") and of course all the Vogue goodies which includes two different exhaust kits
Lund Cadillac in Arizona created a modified CTS that included a Volant Cold Air Induction system that may have been custom made and only available thru Lund. (I say that because the Volant web site did not show a specific CTS application when last I looked.)
The best performance wheels I've found are OZ Superleggeras coming in at just 18# per wheel.
The maybe's... I have seen in the Lund (and in other photos) chassis stiffeners, front and rear, of unknown manufacture. (Now stock on the -V)
B-M may make transmission kits but I have not verified that yet.
Both Accel and K-N say rechargable filters are in the works.
I believe several tuners are looking at blower add-ons.
Has an article comparing the Merc C32 AMG, BMW M3, and Audi S4.
The S4 is the only one of the three with a V8 engine. It's rated at 349hp (if I remember correctly).
Bottom line is the Audi came in 1st place (BMW 2nd). When's the last time you remember any BMW not taking 1st place in a Magazine comparo??!! The point is, they liked the V8 engine compared to any 6 out there. Funny how all of a sudden they complain about the noise the BMW makes, from the engine to road noise to the noise the bi-xenon headlights make while adjusting!
They praise the rumble and burble of the V8 in the S4. Gee, perhaps Cadillac was on to something when they went with a V8 in the CTS-V instead of a super/turbo charged V6.
I am looking forward to seeing how the magazines stack up the CTS-V against the competition.
Just curious to know if any of you guys have any additional information (how much it will cost and when its coming out ect..) on the 2004 CTS, not the CTS-V. Thats too much power for me to handle and way out of my price range. I am 27 years old and contemplating on puchasing either the 2004 CTS or a used 2002 Mercedes CLK430. I am leaning towards the CTS because of all the positive responses and feedback from the current CTS owners. Also, the fact that I will have 3,500 in GM Card rebates by February 2004. Thanks.
I didnt think that LS6 performance add ons are readily available an aftermarket ready to go . I would like to hear more info on an automated manual trans Johnny dont you have to charge 70 K to earn $3500 The CTS V is looking better and better . I can see the insurance surcharge points piling up already. 6 lug hubs needed for torque and cornering forces ??
Hi all, especially CTSAMBAM, BatmansCTS and AutoMole. I haven't been watching the postings lately, but wanted to drop back in to say CONGRATULATIONS to all you new 2003 Sable Black Luxury Sport Option CTS owners! Isn't it a beauty!! As you know from my many posts here and at other sites, I absolutely love mine and it's a real treat to drive it every day. Even after 3700 miles in the past 5 months, I still go out to the garage to look at it every evening! I just can't believe it's mine!
Insofar as protecting your carpets, The first week I got mine I bought some inexpensive indoor-outdoor rectangular gray mats from a local Home Depot type place (All American Home Center in Downey, CA). They cost about $3 each. These have a rubberized backing, with a ribbed gray material on the topside. They are less than 1/4" thick. I removed my cars mats and carefully traced the outline on the backside of the cheap mats. I then used a box cutter to cut them to size. A perfect way to protect my original mats, and they look like they belong there. I made another set for a buddy of mine, and he loves them. If you find a good color and texture, you might want to buy extras, like I did. I'll change them every year or so.
Like some of you, I too get tired of the BMW folks whining about our CTS's looks and Cadillac heritage. As a proud American guy, I love owning a piece of the new Art & Science Design presented by Cadillac as the new look for it's next Century. My family has owned Cadillacs since the 1940's and the tradition lives on in me & my siblings. I like the fact, that if I'm lucky, I see one or two CTSs a day. That makes them unique and eyecatchers. I can't tell you how "booor-ringgg" it is to see all the BMWs running around here in Los Angeles. Some guys call them "Beverly Hills Impalas", and maybe they are right. The CTS styling is bold, fresh and cutting edge. Yes, it's not for everyone, but many of us absolutely love it. If copying is the sincerest form of flattery, the Japanese and others are coming out with models that look similar in their shape. But in the end, they ain't no Cadillac.
The build quality is amazing. In five months I've had ZERO problems with my CTS. The paint finish (black) is almost perfect. My buddy with a $70K BMW 740I tells me my CTS rides quieter than his car. That says something too about the new Cadillac that costs half as much. I admit the 3.2L V6 is not as torquey as a V8, but it does more along, especially at Freeway speeds. I really like the programmable features, which are a subject to themselves. The built-in technology in this car is State-Of-The-Art. The Luxury Sport Option is very cool if you can afford the upgrade. So if you are thinking about getting one, I'd highly recommend it. I think the prices will be going up, and the 2003's may prove to be a real bargain. -Jerry:>)
Being 27 myself I'll say that the CTS-V looks like it will probably be out of my price range for several yeats, but no way is is it way to much power to handle! More power, the better:) Realistically, if a I do a CTS, it will be the more tame "regular" model. Still nice to know that Cadillac fianlly has a halo car in the line.
automole, here in the more affluent parts of town, BMW 3 series are nearly as common as Camrys, Accords, and Tauri. And not to stereotype, but I see more and more being driven by women who seem more interested in yacking on the cell phone than driving the car the way it is meant to be driven.
sevenfeet0, just watch out for the THP when your doing 120. I've been close to 100 on the stretch of 40 between Knoxville and Nashvile close to Lebannon, but where I've stretched my Intrigue's legs to 125(or whenever the speed limiter kicks in) is on 65 somewhere where between Indianapois and Chicago. Combine a flat interstate with few other cars around and bright sunny day and you've got a recipe for me to test a car's limit:)
Anyone know if the 04 CTSs will have gauges similar to the ones on the CTS-V? I know they probably won't have the chrome surrounds, but I'd be cursious to know if they will go to backlit gauges on all 04s. Seems I read somewhere back that the instrumentation would see an upgrade for 04s.
I've been putting charges on my card for the past 6 years. Its very easy to max out on the rebates if you charge your undergrad and grad school tuition on it . Too bad they probably won't offer 0% financing next February....
ctsjerry, You were right. The Batman picture is clever. However, my Sable/Ebony CTS looks more like a Batmobile especially when it is launching from the Bat Cave. Thanks for sharing the pics. Cheers!
Anyone have a price and/or comments on the quality of the Vogue 3-D Stainless Steel Custom Grille?
I'm well familiar with the THP's habits on I-40 from Nashville to Knoxville. I used to date a Knoxville doctor years ago so I travelled that road often.
As far as my current trip south on I-65, I picked a nice straight stretch of highway sloping downhill where there was a clear unobstructed view for 2+ miles. And I had my Valentine One, just in case. :-)
The Corvette (and Z06 model) have a very good aftermarket for engine mods. I have a collegue from work who owns one and he has already done a few key mods on his. The CTS-V's LS-6 engine won't be identical to the Z06's, but it should be close enough for aftermarket vendors to work with. It shouldn't be too hard for CTS-V owners to get the extra 5 HP and 10 ft/lbs that the Corvette has on the CTS-V. Most likely, you can probably get more.
Looks like I am not the only one up late. Just got back from a def leppard concert. needless to say a fun time was had by all. They rock!! My ears are still ringing and I can't hear the keystrokes on the keyboard.
I am a litle disappointed that the CTS-V will be a 2005 model. It seems like GM keeps dangling the carrot in front of us.
I'd bet that 5HP and 10 lb/ft is 'marketing horsepower' - that is, there's no difference in the engine or its calibration as installed in the car and if you put a CTSv and a Z06 on the dyno under identical conditions the differences would be statistically insignificant. It's just a difference in the nominal (paper) rating to keep the Corvette guys 'top dog'. GM's done this a bunch of times in the past.
There's a fair pile of LS1/LS6 parts out there, bigger-runner intake manifolds and the like, but mostly what you're going to do there is trade off midrange torque for high-RPM horsepower and even then the numbers are going to be modest unless you're prepared to sacrifice streetability and smoggability. There isn't a lot of easy HP to be found in any modern highly-tuned normally-aspirated engine. The one sure way to get big HP would be to drop the car off at the Lingenfelter shops for a 7-liter 500HP engine. I think they get something like $24K to do one with the GMPP race block for a Z06 'Vette, a little cheaper with a sleeved LS6 production block. Still cheaper than an E55.
It'll be certified as a 2005 model, but it looks like it'll go on sale around the end of 2003.
I've heard from a GM source that the 6-lug wheels on the V-series CTS are due to the car sharing the same hubs and brake rotors as the SRX. However, the V will get Brembo 4-piston calipers to clamp down on those large rotors. This should make for some serious stopping power!!
On a different subject, what price would those of you considering the CTS-V be willing to pay for its performance and exclusivity? If the CTS-V makes up only 5% of the ~40,000 annual CTS volume, then this is going to be a very limited production vehicle. IMHO, at $45K the V would be a steal, at $50K a good deal and at $55K unreasonably priced for it's value. Other thoughts on this subject?
Now, if (a) Cadillac were as 'strong' a name as BMW in terms of its appeal to would-be CTSv buyers (which are not the same as would-be DTS buyers) and (b) the economic climate were akin to that of 1998/99, I'd say $62,500.
But neither of the above is true. Cadillac is trying to establish a sporting reputation but still has work to do, and people don't (even if they can, anymore) get on year-long waiting lists and pay $10K over sticker for the latest toy right now.
So...given that the CTSv is a cheaper car to build than an M5, probably a cheaper car to build than an M3 (certainly the LS6 is cheaper than either the S62 or S54) I'd say $45K is a raging bargain, $50K is realistic, $55K is competitive but starting to stretch the value proposition a little.
Jag is trying to sell the S-Type R at $62K and so far as I can tell they're not moving too fast.
Comments
Even if the earlier airbags are truly safe, perhaps GM could offer concerned owners a generous trade-in option. If GM engineers are so confident that the cars with the earlier airbags are safe, they could purchase them for their families to drive.
Bottom line is that if GM/Cadillac wants customer loyalty, they must honestly and promptly address owner concerns over safety issues like this. I have a 5 year history of problems with a 1999 Olds Bravada that causes me to believe that Oldsmobile didn't care about customer loyalty (which is part of the reason they are belly up). I expect more from Cadillac and I suspect most Cadillac customers do too.
GM/Cadillac should listen to owners when they express dissatisfaction as much as they listen when the owners are acting as cheerleaders for their products.
On the CTS, the worst problems I've noticed have been the slow analog clock, twisted fuel filler line, and the slow firing airbags.
On the other hand, the almightly Lexus which always wins the praises of the Japanese car loving media, has some very serious problems with it's ES300 since the redesign last year, most notably the dangerous and much mailigned hesitation and shudder of it's new 5 speed automatic transmission. No one can fix it since it must be a basic design flaw. It's so bad that class action lawsuits may be initiated soon.
Bravo Cadillac on finally beating the Japanese car companies!!!
"Bravo Cadillac on finally beating the Japanese car companies!!!"
(I'm interested...where's your documentation for this statement?)
No one I know of who buys an M3 really wishes it was a bigger car.
>"error"/offset and the analog clock will display
>the correct time.
That would be the obvious fix...other than the fact that the digital time is supposed to update itself via radio signals which would make the dash time incorrect.
Including the error/offset really doesn't do ANYTHING to fix the problem which is that the friggin' clock doesn't work correctly...another obvious fix would be to rely on your watch instead of the dash instrumentation for correct time.
My theory is that the 4 minute delay is actually built into the clock to represent the time it takes your airbag to fire after impact
you have to be tuned to certain FM stations for the automatic time update. By the way, you left out gazing at the sun for a time check in your suggestions for OBVIOUS solutions.
The progress appears substantial. There appear to be very few issues that appear in the first year, and GM actually appears to have a plan to continue to upgrade the car, fairly quickly, to maintain its popularity.
You folks' car appears to be doing great. GM appears to be in good hands. I'm still waiting to see about Ford. The car I own now (and I'm 54) is the first US-built vehicle I've owned in my life. It's been interesting.
A black on black CTS-V debuted last Friday at the New York Auto Show. I guess I can say I am one of the first people to see a CTS-V in the flesh. Doors opened at 11:00 and by 11:30 I had seen the XLR, the CTS-V, the SLR, and the most awesome Sixteen!
The CTS-V really looks as good in person (if not better) than it does in photos. The spoiler/moulding treatment is extremely well done. The 18", 7 spoke wheels look awesome, and they and the tires really fill out the wheel wells perfectly. The car appears to have been lowered by about 1" at least.
The mesh grill really looks good. The tail-end treatment is really good as well. What they have done is they have made the gray license plate surround a solid body color so it all blends in nicely. The tail end is enhanced by two fat chrome exhaust pipes, one on each side.
The car has a hell of a stance. Looking down the side of the car, it really looks great.
The interior in this car had black leather seats with black suede inserts where the two-tone leather goes if you get that option on the base car. The seats have white stitching that looks bitching. (Good rhyme). The steering wheel is all leather with the same white bitching stitching.
There is no wood in the car. In it's place is a very nice polished aluminum (polished, not satin). The steering wheel has this aluminum on the spokes, and the round thumb wheel is gone and there are four rocker swithes on the horizontal spokes, two on each side. The instrument guages are framed in this aluminum, and the stick shift knob has aluminum on it too. The shifter skirt (is that what you call it?) is made of black suede that matches that on the seats. The door pulls have the polished aluminum.
The folks there said it'll price out around $50k. They had the hood open and the engine had a carbon fiber cover on it with the Caddy logo. I'm not sure it that was a show prototype cover, or if it will be an option, or what. They said it will do 0-60 in 4.7 to 4.8 sec.
I now have the CTS-V on my very short list of cars to consider in one year when I am back in the market.
ROB
Looks like they had to take the coil packs off the valve covers on the LS6 in order to get it to fit; is the box at the right front of the engine compartment where the coil packs ended up? Coil-a-little-less-near-plug, I guess.
The battery's at least behind the front wheel centerline; they could have gotten the weight distribution another point or two closer to 50/50 if they'd put it in the trunk...
I find it ironic that the consensus on the BMW board is that the CTS is an ugly beast of a car and the negative image associated with the Cadillac name.
I'll admit it...I looked at the BMW 3 series before I bought the CTS. In the end I couldn't overcome my preconceived image of BMW (generic yuppie) and the fact that the cars are in serious need of a 'freshening up' from the design department. I guess I'm just too image conscious...I couldn't see myself driving such an ordinary looking car or paying over $35k for something that looked like a Honda.
With the CTS I'm ALWAYS exited to drive it! The car looks incredible, handles like a dream, and has been a pleasure to own. My only gripes have been minor (clock that doesn't keep proper time, airbag fiasco, lack of some features that should be 'standard' in a car of its class, need for more horsepower/torque) and most all of them will be fixed with the arrival of the new V series.
The shape is not and will never be to everyone's liking. It's not getting much more grumbling than the upcoming E60 5-series gets.
The parking brake is not in the right place for a manual-transmission car, unless you never go near hills. It really needs to be hand-operated.
Otherwise, I see very little complaint.
A big aftermarket problem though will be those 6-nut wheels. Not many (any?) aftermarket vendors offer a 6-nut wheel, so if you want to bling-bling your CTS-V, you may be out of luck here.
It *is* ironic that we'd be getting styling critique from the BMW board. They are currently going through their own issues which they may or may not get over. For us Cadillac owners, the current product is far better than that of recent years, and it doesn't look like anything else on the road. Is it for everyone? Nope. And that's the way it should be.
I still want an SMG-type manual, or have Cadillac change its mind about a slushbox. Without one, I can't own one. And I want to own one.
My wife's comment while driving home was "I *so* love this car". She really enjoys the power and control this car gives her. Heaven knows what she'd think of the new 3.6L V6 engine or (*gasp*) a 400-HP LS6.
Borla exhaust kit
Baer brakes
Eibach spring kit (lowers 1")
and of course all the Vogue goodies which includes two different exhaust kits
Lund Cadillac in Arizona created a modified CTS that included a Volant Cold Air Induction system that may have been custom made and only available thru Lund. (I say that because the Volant web site did not show a specific CTS application when last I looked.)
The best performance wheels I've found are OZ Superleggeras coming in at just 18# per wheel.
The maybe's...
I have seen in the Lund (and in other photos) chassis stiffeners, front and rear, of unknown manufacture. (Now stock on the -V)
B-M may make transmission kits but I have not verified that yet.
Both Accel and K-N say rechargable filters are in the works.
I believe several tuners are looking at blower add-ons.
The S4 is the only one of the three with a V8 engine. It's rated at 349hp (if I remember correctly).
Bottom line is the Audi came in 1st place (BMW 2nd). When's the last time you remember any BMW not taking 1st place in a Magazine comparo??!! The point is, they liked the V8 engine compared to any 6 out there. Funny how all of a sudden they complain about the noise the BMW makes, from the engine to road noise to the noise the bi-xenon headlights make while adjusting!
They praise the rumble and burble of the V8 in the S4. Gee, perhaps Cadillac was on to something when they went with a V8 in the CTS-V instead of a super/turbo charged V6.
I am looking forward to seeing how the magazines stack up the CTS-V against the competition.
Johnny dont you have to charge 70 K to earn $3500
The CTS V is looking better and better . I can see the insurance surcharge points piling up already.
6 lug hubs needed for torque and cornering forces ??
Insofar as protecting your carpets, The first week I got mine I bought some inexpensive indoor-outdoor rectangular gray mats from a local Home Depot type place (All American Home Center in Downey, CA). They cost about $3 each. These have a rubberized backing, with a ribbed gray material on the topside. They are less than 1/4" thick. I removed my cars mats and carefully traced the outline on the backside of the cheap mats. I then used a box cutter to cut them to size. A perfect way to protect my original mats, and they look like they belong there. I made another set for a buddy of mine, and he loves them. If you find a good color and texture, you might want to buy extras, like I did. I'll change them every year or so.
See: http://cadcts.com/
The build quality is amazing. In five months I've had ZERO problems with my CTS. The paint finish (black) is almost perfect. My buddy with a $70K BMW 740I tells me my CTS rides quieter than his car. That says something too about the new Cadillac that costs half as much. I admit the 3.2L V6 is not as torquey as a V8, but it does more along, especially at Freeway speeds. I really like the programmable features, which are a subject to themselves. The built-in technology in this car is State-Of-The-Art. The Luxury Sport Option is very cool if you can afford the upgrade. So if you are thinking about getting one, I'd highly recommend it. I think the prices will be going up, and the 2003's may prove to be a real bargain. -Jerry:>)
automole, here in the more affluent parts of town, BMW 3 series are nearly as common as Camrys, Accords, and Tauri. And not to stereotype, but I see more and more being driven by women who seem more interested in yacking on the cell phone than driving the car the way it is meant to be driven.
sevenfeet0, just watch out for the THP when your doing 120. I've been close to 100 on the stretch of 40 between Knoxville and Nashvile close to Lebannon, but where I've stretched my Intrigue's legs to 125(or whenever the speed limiter kicks in) is on 65 somewhere where between Indianapois and Chicago. Combine a flat interstate with few other cars around and bright sunny day and you've got a recipe for me to test a car's limit:)
You were right. The Batman picture is clever. However, my Sable/Ebony CTS looks more like a Batmobile especially when it is launching from the Bat Cave. Thanks for sharing the pics. Cheers!
Anyone have a price and/or comments on the quality of the Vogue 3-D Stainless Steel Custom Grille?
As far as my current trip south on I-65, I picked a nice straight stretch of highway sloping downhill where there was a clear unobstructed view for 2+ miles. And I had my Valentine One, just in case. :-)
Just got back from a def leppard concert.
needless to say a fun time was had by all.
They rock!!
My ears are still ringing and I can't hear the keystrokes on the keyboard.
I am a litle disappointed that the CTS-V will be a 2005 model. It seems like GM keeps dangling the carrot in front of us.
Hoping the 3.6L is available in August.
I think it's irresponsible of GM/Caddy not to bring the early CTS air bags up to par.
There's a fair pile of LS1/LS6 parts out there, bigger-runner intake manifolds and the like, but mostly what you're going to do there is trade off midrange torque for high-RPM horsepower and even then the numbers are going to be modest unless you're prepared to sacrifice streetability and smoggability. There isn't a lot of easy HP to be found in any modern highly-tuned normally-aspirated engine. The one sure way to get big HP would be to drop the car off at the Lingenfelter shops for a 7-liter 500HP engine. I think they get something like $24K to do one with the GMPP race block for a Z06 'Vette, a little cheaper with a sleeved LS6 production block. Still cheaper than an E55.
It'll be certified as a 2005 model, but it looks like it'll go on sale around the end of 2003.
On a different subject, what price would those of you considering the CTS-V be willing to pay for its performance and exclusivity? If the CTS-V makes up only 5% of the ~40,000 annual CTS volume, then this is going to be a very limited production vehicle. IMHO, at $45K the V would be a steal, at $50K a good deal and at $55K unreasonably priced for it's value. Other thoughts on this subject?
My CTS Pictures
CTS at the Race Track
Tell them their auto trans. is a STOUT GM piece !
Now, if (a) Cadillac were as 'strong' a name as BMW in terms of its appeal to would-be CTSv buyers (which are not the same as would-be DTS buyers) and (b) the economic climate were akin to that of 1998/99, I'd say $62,500.
But neither of the above is true. Cadillac is trying to establish a sporting reputation but still has work to do, and people don't (even if they can, anymore) get on year-long waiting lists and pay $10K over sticker for the latest toy right now.
So...given that the CTSv is a cheaper car to build than an M5, probably a cheaper car to build than an M3 (certainly the LS6 is cheaper than either the S62 or S54) I'd say $45K is a raging bargain, $50K is realistic, $55K is competitive but starting to stretch the value proposition a little.
Jag is trying to sell the S-Type R at $62K and so far as I can tell they're not moving too fast.