Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

ab348

driver100 said:

abacomike said:

Driver, did you find that teaching program for the Voice Command?  Do the two tutorials (numerals and commands) and your voice command will work fine.

Mike, I did the two tutorials. How is any normal human being even supposed to know you can do that? I hope the GPS lady can now understand what I am saying.

Heh. I found a Cadillac CUE app for the iPad that is basically just tutorials and videos. The videos are mostly useless but the tutorials at least show you how to do certain things. The problem, as you say, is that nothing seems particularly straightforward or intuitive. It is like using a Blackberry as opposed to an iPhone. You do figure it out eventually, but it takes time.

stickguy

Driver, that's why high end dealers need a techie delivery species oust too, to deal with all the tech. Like the Genius Bar at an apple store.

They should set you up with basics, then have you back a week later once you had a chance to get acclimated for a more in depth debugging session!

jayrider

ken117 said:

Hah, Mazda. Three times over the past five years we have been in the market for a new compact vehicle. Three times we considered Mazda. Three times we bought Honda. The reason, Mazda's $500 loyalty bonus. As said in a previous post, I will not pay $500 more for a vehicle than someone else.

The last time, a couple of months later, the Mazda salesman contacted me and inquired as to whether I was still interested. When I told him we had bought a competitor, he asked me why. I mentioned the $500 loyalty bonus. His response was something like, well I have never heard that from a customer before. Really? I had stated such to him when we were looking.

Perhaps if Mazda had allowed me that $500 bonus the first time, Mazda would have sold three more vehicles.

Sometimes it seems the marketing folks are a bit to cute.

Next time shop one dealer and get the price you want. Tell them they are $500 from a deal today. If they refuse, go shopping. Most dealers will beat another deal by $500. This only makes sense if you really, really want the Mazda over everything else. If not, buy another brand and thumb your nose at them.

abacomike

@driver100‌

Driver, I have owned 9 Mercedes cars in the past 7 years and believe it or not, I didn't know about the tutorial until last year.  Once I used the tutorial, it solved my voice command problems.

As for your E400 understanding you, it should be better now.  If not, do the tutorials again.  It continues to adapt to your ennunciations and language oddities. As long as you don't have to spell:

labour, harbour, etc.

roadburner

ken117 said:

Hah, Mazda. Three times over the past five years we have been in the market for a new compact vehicle. Three times we considered Mazda. Three times we bought Honda. The reason, Mazda's $500 loyalty bonus. As said in a previous post, I will not pay $500 more for a vehicle than someone else.

The last time, a couple of months later, the Mazda salesman contacted me and inquired as to whether I was still interested. When I told him we had bought a competitor, he asked me why. I mentioned the $500 loyalty bonus. His response was something like, well I have never heard that from a customer before. Really? I had stated such to him when we were looking.

Perhaps if Mazda had allowed me that $500 bonus the first time, Mazda would have sold three more vehicles.

Sometimes it seems the marketing folks are a bit to cute.

When I was looking for a hot hatch in 2007 I looked at the Civic Si before I decided on my MS3. I wouldn't have cared if Honda had offered me a $5000 discount, the Civic just wasn't a player...

abacomike

@driver100‌

When I was up at my dealership Saturday for a car wash, I picked out a set of optional 19" wheels and asked my manager to see if Mercedes will pick up the cost of new wheels and performance tires.  I will know by Wednesday what they might do.  The wheels are $600 each and the tires are $450 each (MSRP).  If they take my tires and wheels in trade off the new car, I should get a $2000+ credit.

I am going to try to get them to give me something.

When I had the E400 for those few days, I did notice that the handling with those all-season tires lacked stiffness which I am used to.  The performance tires and 19" wheels should stiffen up the ride and handling that I prefer.  We shall see what they will do.

They are ordering a set of wheels and will have me look at them tomorrow - they are coming out of their Orlando part distribution center.

jayrider

Mike, I love your creative drive for a bit of justice -- good luck !

abacomike

jayrider said:

Mike, I love your creative drive for a bit of justice -- good luck !

I'm doing my best.  They owe me big time - let's see if they come through for me.

driver100

stickguy said:

Driver, that's why high end dealers need a techie delivery species oust too, to deal with all the tech. Like the Genius Bar at an apple store.

They should set you up with basics, then have you back a week later once you had a chance to get acclimated for a more in depth debugging session!

I was thinking the same thing. They would be wise to hold classes on different features each week. It would be kind of a social thing and you would meet other like minded people. It is a great way to make their customers enjoy the car more, and would build customer loyalty.

driver100

abacomike said:

@driver100‌

Driver, I have owned 9 Mercedes cars in the past 7 years and believe it or not, I didn't know about the tutorial until last year.  Once I used the tutorial, it solved my voice command problems.

As for your E400 understanding you, it should be better now.  If not, do the tutorials again.  It continues to adapt to your ennunciations and language oddities. As long as you don't have to spell:

labour, harbour, etc.

LOL...yeh, good if I don't have to spell out Harbour Drive, we might get into an arguement....oh maybe not, Canadians are too polite

I was looking up those features again and I accidentally turned off the rear camera. It wasn't easy backing into a spot without the camera once you get used to it. I finally got it going.

I thought there was a way to see cars coming down an aisle from the back or front...kind of 90 degrees. I also wonder if I have that automatic braking feature. I thought of tailgating someone and when he puts on the brakes I would see if mine came on automatically, but, decided against that....could be an expensive way to find out.

Some of these things you can't even ask about because you don't know if it is even on the car. I don't know how I lived without blind spot warnings though.

MOst things are fairly easy to do compared to other cars, MB knows their customers tend to be not cutting edge techies. I did see one review where a con was you can't use voice control for say the radio unless you are in AUDIO mode. Say you are in NAVIGATION. It would be nice to change channels for example, while in NAV. But, these are very minor things. The voice instrutions are very complete and a nice friendly voice too....not like the mean lady in the bmw.

driver100

abacomike said:

@driver100‌

When I was up at my dealership Saturday for a car wash, I picked out a set of optional 19" wheels and asked my manager to see if Mercedes will pick up the cost of new wheels and performance tires.  I will know by Wednesday what they might do.  The wheels are $600 each and the tires are $450 each (MSRP).  If they take my tires and wheels in trade off the new car, I should get a $2000+ credit.

I am going to try to get them to give me something.

When I had the E400 for those few days, I did notice that the handling with those all-season tires lacked stiffness which I am used to.  The performance tires and 19" wheels should stiffen up the ride and handling that I prefer.  We shall see what they will do.

They are ordering a set of wheels and will have me look at them tomorrow - they are coming out of their Orlando part distribution center.

Mike, I got used to the softer ride and softer steering. I would prefer it to be firmer though...using SPORT mode helps a lot, but I agree. If you can get those wheels and tires that would make a nice difference.....

graphicguy

abacomike said:

@driver100‌

When I was up at my dealership Saturday for a car wash, I picked out a set of optional 19" wheels and asked my manager to see if Mercedes will pick up the cost of new wheels and performance tires.  I will know by Wednesday what they might do.  The wheels are $600 each and the tires are $450 each (MSRP).  If they take my tires and wheels in trade off the new car, I should get a $2000+ credit.

I am going to try to get them to give me something.

When I had the E400 for those few days, I did notice that the handling with those all-season tires lacked stiffness which I am used to.  The performance tires and 19" wheels should stiffen up the ride and handling that I prefer.  We shall see what they will do.

They are ordering a set of wheels and will have me look at them tomorrow - they are coming out of their Orlando part distribution center.

OK...what did I miss? I thought Mercedes was off the nice list and onto the naughty list, as in no more Mercedes?

abacomike

@graphicguy‌

Everything is relative, GG.  Let's see what Mercedes is willing to do to make a very unhappy customer less unhappy.

thebean

Hi folks,

What you guess is the markup % on dealer installed accessories (in this case, Honda)? I'm talking about real accessories such as body side moldings and door edge guards, not the faux packages that are usually bundled with the car like the "finish protection package" and useless stuff like that.

Thanks for any wisdom you may have.

Regards,

Bean

abacomike

thebean said:

Hi folks, What you guess is the markup % on dealer installed accessories (in this case, Honda)? I'm talking about real accessories such as body side moldings and door edge guards, not the faux packages that are usually bundled with the car like the "finish protection package" and useless stuff like that. Thanks for any wisdom you may have. Regards, Bean

It's usually about 40%.

stickguy

Fir Honda, check online dealers (say, HANDA) and see what they will sell it for, compared to what your dealer wanted on the lot. Biff difference.

fezo

Mike, while you're at it you should put in for a set of those 19" wheels and tires for driver. I;m sure he'd show his appreciation...

abacomike

fezo said:

Mike, while you're at it you should put in for a set of those 19" wheels and tires for driver. I;m sure he'd show his appreciation...

I have enough problems of my own when it comes to Mercedes Benz without worrying about driver's - although if I thought I could get away with it I would give it a try.

The latest news on the replacement E400 is that the car has been assigned to a transport carrier.  So the car will definitely be at the dealership in the next day or two.  I will sure be relieved when this messy situation is over with.

thebean

Thanks @abacomike and @stickguy. I want the items installed (side moldings, splash guards, edge guards) by the dealership so if any issues, I can deal with them. I'm not that handy to do this myself.

Bean

driver100

fezo said:

Mike, while you're at it you should put in for a set of those 19" wheels and tires for driver. I;m sure he'd show his appreciation...

Thanks fezo.......that would be a nice gift for my trip to Miami.

stickguy

Bean, definitely the simple way. Just a good area to negotiate, or throw them a bone!

graphicguy

abacomike said:

@graphicguy‌

Everything is relative, GG.  Let's see what Mercedes is willing to do to make a very unhappy customer less unhappy.

OK....

I got the impression you were DONE with Mercedes never to enter their stores again.

abacomike

@graphicguy‌

You our are correct with your impression, GG.  But then I got to thinking - I've sworn off BMW, Lexus, Audi, Lincoln, Volvo, and several others.  I have no problem with the Mercedes Benz product (when they manufacture their cars with the correct equipment).  With the exception of my 2013 White E350 and the fuel injector leaks, I have had no problems with any of the other 8 Mercedes cars I've owned over the last 7 years.

So where am I going?  I have given some thought to trying BMW again in the future when the new 5 series comes out, but there is really nothing out there that I really like.  Yes, I am totally p----d with them for the way they have treated me, but the dealership has bent over backwards to make me happy.

We'll see what happens.

driver100

abacomike said:

@graphicguy‌

You our are correct with your impression, GG.  But then I got to thinking - I've sworn off BMW, Lexus, Audi, Lincoln, Volvo, and several others.  I have no problem with the Mercedes Benz product (when they manufacture their cars with the correct equipment).  With the exception of my 2013 White E350 and the fuel injector leaks, I have had no problems with any of the other 8 Mercedes cars I've owned over the last 7 years.

So where am I going?  I have given some thought to trying BMW again in the future when the new 5 series comes out, but there is really nothing out there that I really like.  Yes, I am totally p----d with them for the way they have treated me, but the dealership has bent over backwards to make me happy.

We'll see what happens.

Never say never when it comes to cars. Our good friend Richard, wherever he is, swore he would never buy a never Cadillac, and he did and he likes it. We had a lot of problems with a Volvo and said I wouldn't buy another one, but I had a rental that was nice and I would probably chance it again.

Audi you ask....well, 2 more years on the warranty, we'll see what happens. My wife and I love the car, but we are walking a fine line. I wasn't thrilled with the dealer who sold us are last Mercedes so I was put off about Mercedes, but now I am back. Hard to make steadfast rules with cars.

abacomike

It would seem that I will have to pay for the wheels and tires at their cost, which is what I expected.  I'll know the exact cost when I go up to look at the wheels tomorrow or Wednesday.  My guess is $2000 +/- a few hundred.  There is supposedly some extra money available from Mercedes, but not much.

The ETA on the car is Friday now.  That's fine with me - it gives us some time to get the wheels and tires in.  They don't have those tires in stock.

I just hope I'm happy with the car and the decision to go with the 19" wheels and performance tires.

abacomike

Just heard on the news that it was 34 years ago today that John Lenon was shot in NYC by that Chapman guy.  What a loss of a genius song writer.

stickguy

that long ago? Wow. I must be getting old.

fezo

34 tears indeed. Remember it like yesterday. Yesterday was 20 years since we lost Frank Zappa.

oldfarmer50

thebean said:

Hi folks,

What you guess is the markup % on dealer installed accessories (in this case, Honda)? I'm talking about real accessories such as body side moldings and door edge guards, not the faux packages that are usually bundled with the car like the "finish protection package" and useless stuff like that.

Thanks for any wisdom you may have.

Regards,

Bean

I'm going to to aim high and say 300%. When I got my wife's PT Cruiser I wanted a nice pin stripe from hood to tail and back. I had heard that the dealer would charge $199 for something like that.

I asked my indie body shop for a price and he showed me dozens of choices. I asked how much and he said "no charge, I got a bunch of those stripes laying around." I gave him $20 out of guilt but you get the idea of how much those extras actually cost the dealer.

abacomike

@oldfarmer50‌

Pinstripes?  I can't remember the last car I owned or leased that either had pinstripes or that I wanted pinstripes on the car.  Maybe back in the 90's I had them on my cars.  But currently, that is not an add-on that is popular with the exception of the older set or retired folks.

i still see a few brand new cars here in my community that have pin stripes and vinyl roofs.  I can't wait to see white walls on a new car around here!

thebean

I'm both an older folk and retired and I hate pinstripes.  Reminds me of vinyl landau roofs.

Mr_Shiftright

fezo said:

34 tears indeed. Remember it like yesterday. Yesterday was 20 years since we lost Frank Zappa.

I still miss Frank Zappa.

oldfarmer50

abacomike said:

@oldfarmer50‌

Pinstripes?  I can't remember the last car I owned or leased that either had pinstripes or that I wanted pinstripes on the car.  Maybe back in the 90's I had them on my cars.  But currently, that is not an add-on that is popular with the exception of the older set or retired folks.

i still see a few brand new cars here in my community that have pin stripes and vinyl roofs.  I can't wait to see white walls on a new car around here!

To each his own I guess but I think a small pinstripe can enhance the look of a car. The wife's PT is dark blue and the white stripe breaks up the slab side of the car.


I agree on vinyl roofs....don't like them on modern cars.

roadburner

thebean said:

I'm both an older folk and retired and I hate pinstripes.  Reminds me of vinyl landau roofs.

My Wrangler was bought used, and it has pinstripes. Meh. Worse, the stripes announce "4X4" on the hood- and even the most brain dead person knows a Wrangler TJ is 4WD...

jayrider

My Wrangler was bought used, and it has pinstripes. Meh. Worse, the stripes announce "4X4" on the hood- and even the most brain dead person knows a Wrangler TJ is 4WD...


"Meh ?" Channeling Sandy is cool in my book.

Michaell

abacomike said:

Just heard on the news that it was 34 years ago today that John Lenon was shot in NYC by that Chapman guy.  What a loss of a genius song writer.

Ah, yes ... December 8, 1980. My 17th birthday. I was (and still am) a huge Beatles fan, even though I was too young to see them. I remember being in my parents' living room watching Monday Night Football when it was announced that Lennon had been shot. I had always hoped for a reunion, but of course that never happened.

A friend of mine sent me a link to Paul McCartney singing the Beatles classic song "Birthday" today. The video was of him in Moscow with a band (not Wings) playing the song.

Such a loss ... he was just getting turned around on his solo career when it was cut short.

graphicguy

ab348 said:

driver100 said:

abacomike said:

Driver, did you find that teaching program for the Voice Command?  Do the two tutorials (numerals and commands) and your voice command will work fine.

Mike, I did the two tutorials. How is any normal human being even supposed to know you can do that? I hope the GPS lady can now understand what I am saying.

Heh. I found a Cadillac CUE app for the iPad that is basically just tutorials and videos. The videos are mostly useless but the tutorials at least show you how to do certain things. The problem, as you say, is that nothing seems particularly straightforward or intuitive. It is like using a Blackberry as opposed to an iPhone. You do figure it out eventually, but it takes time.

AB....that Cadillac app allows you to set up service appts on line with your dealer. It shows where your car is parked. It also links to your Remote Link account.

The Remote Link communicates with the car and has info available on your iPhone that includes your MPG (current tank and lifetime), status of your remaining oil life, amount of gas left in your tank, mileage range. It also can remotely start your car, send navigation addresses to CUE (like from your address book), in addition to contacting roadside assistance. Pretty slick apps.

On a separate note, I want to offer my apologies to those who like aftermarket stereos in their cars. I released my mouth brake before I engaged my brain gear.

After market stereos are fine. I'm not a fan of those who put in trash stereos worth more than their cars with sub woofers that distort more than your face drinking vinegar.

Maybe I'm just getting to the point where I'm an old curmudgeon. But,I don't understand why one driver thinks everyone else needs to hear their poor stereo install that rattles so much it makes their rusty quarter panels flop.

Those of you who have done an after market install, I apologize. There was no need for me to lump everyone into the same camp.

Michaell

graphicguy said:

ab348 said:

driver100 said:

abacomike said:

Driver, did you find that teaching program for the Voice Command?  Do the two tutorials (numerals and commands) and your voice command will work fine.

Mike, I did the two tutorials. How is any normal human being even supposed to know you can do that? I hope the GPS lady can now understand what I am saying.

Heh. I found a Cadillac CUE app for the iPad that is basically just tutorials and videos. The videos are mostly useless but the tutorials at least show you how to do certain things. The problem, as you say, is that nothing seems particularly straightforward or intuitive. It is like using a Blackberry as opposed to an iPhone. You do figure it out eventually, but it takes time.

AB....that Cadillac app allows you to set up service appts on line with your dealer. It shows where your car is parked. It also links to your Remote Link account.

The Remote Link communicates with the car and has info available on your iPhone that includes your MPG (current tank and lifetime), status of your remaining oil life, amount of gas left in your tank, mileage range. It also can remotely start your car, send navigation addresses to CUE (like from your address book), in addition to contacting roadside assistance. Pretty slick apps.

On a separate note, I want to offer my apologies to those who like aftermarket stereos in their cars. I released my mouth brake before I engaged my brain gear.

After market stereos are fine. I'm not a fan of those who put in trash stereos worth more than their cars with sub woofers that distort more than your face drinking vinegar.

Maybe I'm just getting to the point where I'm an old curmudgeon. But,I don't understand why one driver thinks everyone else needs to hear their poor stereo install that rattles so much it makes their rusty quarter panels flop.

Those of you who have done an after market install, I apologize. There was no need for me to lump everyone into the same camp.

GG, we're all getting older and, perhaps, less tolerant of the younger generations.

All this talk about your new CTS and ab's ATS has me thinking about an ATS coupe ..

stickguy

Local used place by me has a gorgeous red CTS coupe listed. Loaded AWD. A 2011. Very sharp.

graphicguy

Michaell said:

graphicguy said:

ab348 said:

driver100 said:

abacomike said:

Driver, did you find that teaching program for the Voice Command?  Do the two tutorials (numerals and commands) and your voice command will work fine.

Mike, I did the two tutorials. How is any normal human being even supposed to know you can do that? I hope the GPS lady can now understand what I am saying.

Heh. I found a Cadillac CUE app for the iPad that is basically just tutorials and videos. The videos are mostly useless but the tutorials at least show you how to do certain things. The problem, as you say, is that nothing seems particularly straightforward or intuitive. It is like using a Blackberry as opposed to an iPhone. You do figure it out eventually, but it takes time.

AB....that Cadillac app allows you to set up service appts on line with your dealer. It shows where your car is parked. It also links to your Remote Link account.

The Remote Link communicates with the car and has info available on your iPhone that includes your MPG (current tank and lifetime), status of your remaining oil life, amount of gas left in your tank, mileage range. It also can remotely start your car, send navigation addresses to CUE (like from your address book), in addition to contacting roadside assistance. Pretty slick apps.

On a separate note, I want to offer my apologies to those who like aftermarket stereos in their cars. I released my mouth brake before I engaged my brain gear.

After market stereos are fine. I'm not a fan of those who put in trash stereos worth more than their cars with sub woofers that distort more than your face drinking vinegar.

Maybe I'm just getting to the point where I'm an old curmudgeon. But,I don't understand why one driver thinks everyone else needs to hear their poor stereo install that rattles so much it makes their rusty quarter panels flop.

Those of you who have done an after market install, I apologize. There was no need for me to lump everyone into the same camp.

GG, we're all getting older and, perhaps, less tolerant of the younger generations.

All this talk about your new CTS and ab's ATS has me thinking about an ATS coupe ..

Michaell....those ATS coupes are really sharp cars. I've seen them up close and personal.

As AB will attest, they are loads of fun to drive, which being good LUX cars.

I test drove the sedan, and I kept telling myself "this is a bunch of fun".

I know that Cadillac has been down in sales, but I'd be hard pressed to explain why. They're building some of the best cars I've ever driven. They're put together well, and are on the leading edge with tech, high quality materials in and out, and can compete with anything it their segments.

Cadillac was throwing a bunch of trunk money at both the '14s and '15s. End of year coming up...can't think of a better time to throw out some crazy offer and see if any of the dealers bite.

henryn

graphicguy said:

On a separate note, I want to offer my apologies to those who like aftermarket stereos in their cars. I released my mouth brake before I engaged my brain gear.

After market stereos are fine. I'm not a fan of those who put in trash stereos worth more than their cars with sub woofers that distort more than your face drinking vinegar.

Maybe I'm just getting to the point where I'm an old curmudgeon. But,I don't understand why one driver thinks everyone else needs to hear their poor stereo install that rattles so much it makes their rusty quarter panels flop.

Those of you who have done an after market install, I apologize. There was no need for me to lump everyone into the same camp.

There is a coin operated car wash about 6 blocks from my house, which I sometimes use for a quick rinse only. This part of town (close to downtown, low income, mostly black) you see a lot of cars rigged up as rolling “ghetto blasters”. Most of those are very low quality sound, they just use big amps and even bigger sub-woofers to make the quarter panels (and windows in nearby houses) rattle. But there are a few who actually have good sound, loud, but decent sound reproduction, not just bass.

If I stop by there on the weekend, there will usually be someone set up in the back by the vacs, playing DJ. Mostly hip-hop, thank goodness, not rap. Once when I was there, there was a young man in an older Town Car (about a 98?) with the loudest car stereo I have ever heard. And he was playing Neon Moon. Very, very weird.

isellhondas

I just want a set of those "spinner" wheels that keep spinning after you stop!

A set of those, a white padded top with landau bars, white walls and an add on continental kit and I'll be set!

Look good on my CRV, right?

roadburner

In my opinion, the problem Cadillac has is that perception has yet to catch up with reality. The ATS and CTS are very good cars but most of the people shopping in the sport/luxury niche still think "Catera"-or worse-when Cadillac is mentioned- and it doesn't help that some dealers still have no clue whatsoever about how to sell a car to people who still have all their own teeth and don't wear plaid pants, white shoes, and belts.

Now, the suits at Cadillac think that their cars are just as good as their European competitors(true) and they believe that pricing them similarly is appropriate and will build up the brand as a legitimate competitor. The problem is, most people think "Why would I buy a Caddy when I can get an Audi/BMW/M-B for the same money?" so Cadillac has to resort to rebates, subvented leases, 0% financing, etc to move the metal.

I'm thinking that Cadillac should take the same approach that Toyota took when Lexus was introduced; price the cars very aggressively and gradually ramp the prices up as a strong customer base is being built.

driver100

graphicguy said:

ab348 said:

driver100 said:

abacomike said:

Driver, did you find that teaching program for the Voice Command?  Do the two tutorials (numerals and commands) and your voice command will work fine.

Mike, I did the two tutorials. How is any normal human being even supposed to know you can do that? I hope the GPS lady can now understand what I am saying.

Heh. I found a Cadillac CUE app for the iPad that is basically just tutorials and videos. The videos are mostly useless but the tutorials at least show you how to do certain things. The problem, as you say, is that nothing seems particularly straightforward or intuitive. It is like using a Blackberry as opposed to an iPhone. You do figure it out eventually, but it takes time.

AB....that Cadillac app allows you to set up service appts on line with your dealer. It shows where your car is parked. It also links to your Remote Link account.

The Remote Link communicates with the car and has info available on your iPhone that includes your MPG (current tank and lifetime), status of your remaining oil life, amount of gas left in your tank, mileage range. It also can remotely start your car, send navigation addresses to CUE (like from your address book), in addition to contacting roadside assistance. Pretty slick apps.

.

All that app stuff has my head spinning. I may not be able to buy a new car ever again because I don't have any apps, and I am not sure what they do or how to make them work. As we are getting older we are losing track of the score in tennis....one guy said they need to invent an app that would keep score for us.

Soon we'll need apps to tell us when to eat or have a shower. What is the world coming to? I calculate my own mpg.....miles driven divided by number of gallons=mpg.

I see in AARP magazine they have cell phones for us older guys, big numbers and limited gadgets. Now AARP has to offer us a car we will be able to drive.

jayrider

All that app stuff has my head spinning. I may not be able to buy a new car ever again because I don't have any apps, and I am not sure what they do or how to make them work. As we are getting older we are losing track of the score in tennis....one guy said they need to invent an app that would keep score for us.

Soon we'll need apps to tell us when to eat or have a shower. What is the world coming to? I calculate my own mpg.....miles driven divided by number of gallons=mpg.

I see in AARP magazine they have cell phones for us older guys, big numbers and limited gadgets. Now AARP has to offer us a car we will be able to drive.

driver100

roadburner said:

how to sell a car to people who still have all their own teeth and don't wear plaid pants, white shoes, and belts).

What's wrong with those things?

Just joking, I basically agree with your comments about Cadillac, but they have their backs against the wall. They have to get across they are making cars comparable to the competition, but pricing is tricky. They have done a good job of making cars that are good enough to sell at premium prices, now it's winning people over, and pricing is a science. Even Hyundai got into the market based on price - quality was poor, but then they improved the quality, and slowly they are raising the price to match their competitors - I guess you need credibility. It's a long slow road, and that is why in business, it is easier to keep loyal customers than it is to go out and find new ones.

fezo

My fear for Cadillac is that they are going the Oldsmobile route. They have nothing for their traditional buyers and the buyers they want to attract are slow in coming. Not that we haven't done our part in here...

I like roadburner's approach - price them aggressively. The buyers will come and as they start realizing what they have will come again for the now pricier replacement.

stickguy

The XTS seems like traditional caddy. No one makes fleet woods any longer!

abacomike

The wheels and tires they ordered for my new E400 have not yet arrived at the dealership. They ordered two front 245/35R19XL's and two rear 275/30R19XL's for the new 19" rims in Continental Conti's ultra high performance tires. As for the wheels, I sure would like to hear your opinions about them.

If you go to MBUSA.com, click on "build", and select the E Class Sedan and then the E400, on the first page of the build, it's the first optional wheel they show (the only 19" wheel there) under the exterior colors. Let me know what you think of the design. Your feedback would be much appreciated.

stickguy

With the bomb crater roads up here, I doubt a 30 series tire would last a week in the winter. I want all the sidewall I can get!