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My father bought a new Ford or Mercury every 2 years back then, until he bought his Granada (Actually the Mercury one, forget what they were called).
He didn't like the handling or the ride, felt it wasn't that safe, so after buying about 12 Ford products in 20 years he switched to an Oldsmobile Omega.
He hated that even more....said it was unsafe. Brakes grabbed on wet surfaces, and later he was proven right.
After that he bought Camry's and loved them.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
My dad bought a new Granada in the mid 70s. What a piece of junk! I still get shivers thinking about it.
We are here in Williamsburg. Just got in a few hours ago. In answer to stick - our route isn't any shorter and time-wise it's actually longer but for an hour and a half you just hang out on the ferry and you do get to do the bridge-tunnel through the Chesapeake and you avoid CD. Of course you run right through Hampton Roads which is no picnic to drive though either.
Yes, it was a Monarch, and they looked alright in their day, but they look pretty dated now.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I always get a chuckle out of ads that suggest you might confuse their car with some luxury or sports model. Perhaps if you are under the age of 10.
I remember when my now 21 year old son got all excited when he saw a Neon with those two big stripes down the hood. He doesn't make those kind of mistakes these days.
In our household, my Father was a Lincoln (and Mercury) man. My Mother loved Caddys.
The Cadillac in question was the last car my Mother bought, a couple of years before she passed away. It was an STS. She only had it a few months, when her eyesight began getting progressively worse, and she couldn't pass the Driver's License renewal test.
I there was ever a more loaded car, I've never seen one. I'm not sure what the current status is of the STS these days, but I think aside from an Escalade, you probably couldn't buy a Cadillac with more "options" at the time.
Knowing my Mother, I knew there was no way she had any idea what half the options did on the car (it had a surround sound system in it....she mostly listened to talk radio). There was a certain part of me that felt the dealership really took advantage of her as she was just beginning to lose some of her "sharpness" at the time.
But, if it made her happy, far be it from me to tell her differently.
Anyway, after failing the Driver's Test, TWICE, she had had enough. She asked me to drive it as she obviously could not.
When she had the car, the battery had run down on it, at least twice that I'm aware of, maybe more. She said the reason for the battery problems was the mere fact she didn't drive it that much. Sounded plausible.
Low and behold, a few days after I start driving it, the battery dies again. That made no sense, given I had been driving it daily.
I call whatever the Cadillac service number is, and have it jumped. I'm back on the road. Well, over the course of the next couple of weeks, this happens 2-3 more times, until I just have them tow the car to the selling dealer. They slap a new battery in. A couple weeks later, it happens again. Tow it back, they put another battery in it.
By this time, I inform the service dept that something else must be wrong with the car as it's chewing up batteries as quickly as it's sucking down gas. They inform me that Cadillac authorized a new battery as a fix. Nothing more. I guess they felt it wasn't worth their time (or they didn't get paid for 9t) to diagnose what the cause might be.
Fast forward another week or so.....the car had remote start. It was particularly cold and snowy one morning. I decided to "pre-warm" the car before taking off. I open the garage door, point the remote at the car, press the remote start button....and "KAPOW". I didn't know what the sound was. So, I go out into the garage to see the back window had totally blown out into the back seat.
I call the dealer, livid. They send a tow truck which towed it to them.
That's it. I begin the process of filing for a buyback. Even with all the problems, all the batteries, the blown out window, Cadillac fought me tooth and nail....every step of the way. The car wasn't even a year old, yet.
I told my Mother about this ordeal. By this time, she was really starting to slip into dementia. She really didn't care. In one of her more lucid moments while I was visiting her, she gave me the title that she had signed over to me and said it sounded like the car was an ordeal (it was, but I wouldn't tell her that). She said to just get rid of it.
Finally, the Cadillac regional guy came up with a plan to take the car back, but only if I agreed to buy something else of equal value. I explained that my Mother could no longer drive so she just needed a refund. They fought me even more over that plan.
My Mother was doing very poorly and I just didn't want to mess with this. She eventually said to do whatever I wanted with it. She didn't care about the car, nor the money.
So, I agreed and looked at something I might be able to use. That's how I came into the Tahoe (which was a wonderful vehicle).
My Mother passed away less than a year later. After the way they fought me (and how the dealership took advantage of an old lady in failing health), I'll never have a Cadillac.
IIRC, at about the time your Cadillac was draining batteries, Cadillac/GM found that certain modules weren't going to sleep properly--akin to a computer going into sleep mode or hibernation mode rather than draining power. I seem to recall that it was a case that under certain conditions they did go into sleep mode properly, so the dealerships didn't find that problem when testing. But in the field if people did certain steps the module kept on draining power when they should have shut down. The module controlling windows comes to mind.
My point is that all those computer controls and modules were indeed the etymology of the problem.
The rear window was likely just another bad experience among bad experiences with a dealership that wasn't up to speed.
What year was the STS?
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Had it not been for my wife who fell in love with the SRX, I would never have considered another Cadillac. I still can't believe that we purchased one. Still, the SRX has been a wonderful vehicle with no problems at all during the last nine months. Let's hope that this good fortune continues. I, too, loved my Tahoe---a great vehicle.
Richard
Richard
I will try to keep you updated if there are any changes..but I don't expect you will have any problems. I would caution you that there is always heavy traffic and a lot of big trucks on I-70 between St. Louis and KC. Nothing that you can't handle but just a heads up. That situation improves greatly from KC west.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Not to mention when they go to sell it to a dealer or private party. I laugh at the Craigslist ads that claim: "AC just needs a charge" or "it's just a $20 part" and my favorite "needs a tune up". Every time I read these things I think about how you have told the same story from the other side.
Did you ever ask those trade-in customers why they didn't just install that $20 part before they brought it in to trade?
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Funny, I didn't figure you for a car burning kind of guy. :P
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
As I recall you had a problem with a parasitic drain that killed the battery every few days. When I bought the old 1993 Caddy for my son it had a similar problem. Remembering your fuitless search for a cause I just had the garage yank the wire for the security system (who'd steal a 18 yo Caddy?) and the problem was solved.
Now, how do you reset the "change oil soon" monitor on this car? :confuse:
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Ah, I see my memory was correct.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Really, it's how the issues were handled that really made me steamed. There were so many opportunities to make the situation right that they could have seized, but refused to do so.
I actually would like to look at a CTS. Won't do it though.
If I still have the paperwork, I'll look it up. But, IIRC, the STS was either an '04 or '05!
Richard
2005
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I was in Jackson Hole with my family back in the summer of 77. Didn't seem to be much of a town in those days, but it wasn't ski season. I do remember that we ate in town at some kind of bar/restaurant with real saddle bar stools. They also had a dance floor in back and at one end there was a diorama worked into one wall that contained a stuffed mountain lion pouncing on an antelope or deer with a painted backdrop resembling the Tetons. It was covered by glass and looked like something you might find in a college natural history museum. Not quite sure how it would inspire customers to get up and dance, but if it's still there maybe Richard can tell us.
Gogiboy
And, we got tricked too. Sometimes, the leaking air conditioner was "fixed" by the customer throwing in a can of freon before bringing it in. They already knew that they had a 1000.00 repair that needed to be done but they "solved" it by adding a can of freon.
Problem solved! At least until the next day when the freon leaked back out.
" Just needs a tune up" usually meant a bad engine.
I would think on my campus that a 19 or 20 year old guy driving the 04 would be pretty much undateable unless he looks like a movie star and/or has wads of cash protruding from his pants pockets as he exits the car. Still, the young man is probably a step up from someone like me who doesn't even have a motor on his main mode of transportation. I keep thinking of that kid "Toad" and his Vespa in American Graffiti. Might as well have an "L" tattooed on your forehead. With the 05 a underclassman might not be a complete social pariah.
By the way, scooters are huge on college campuses these days even in cheap oil states like OK. Erratic gas prices over the past few years must be having an impact.
Gogiboy
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Gee, I actually like the looks of the 04 better. Guess that makes me an old fart. Better keep your distance.
So driving the big boat model would make you undateable? I better tell my son because he drives this:
http://images.dealerrevs.com/pictures/40739195.jpg
Not his car but just like it except his is silver. In his circle of friends anybody with a RUNNING car is considered hot.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Richard
If you want to see a real model difference in just one year, look at an '09 SRX (mine) and the 2010 SRX. You would never know that they were even remotely related cars. I like mine so much better for the visibility and roominess as compared to the 2010.
Rcihard
Richard
1993 Deville touring. Just over 85K miles. I bought it last year with about 80K on the odo for $1200. I love it. It's like driving down the road in your easy chair.
The best thing is it was built before the industry went crazy over crash resistance so the weight is about the same as a new compact. 28mpg on the highway.
The only down side is the electrical gremlins that these cars are prone to but you can forgive a lot more with an 18 year old $1200 car than you would with a new $50K one.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Nothing like the smell of napalm in the morning...for me it is burning gas and rubber. Things seemed to have quieted down and people here feel really badly about what happened.
My rental car is an Impala...I asked for a GM but there were only Impalas and Elantras.
All I can say is they tried to spruce up this big lug of a car. Dash isn't too bad if you don't mind real phony looking wood. Loosey goosey steering, if you want to know what the opposite to "feel of the road" this is it!
Instruments are minimal, not even a trip odometer.
It is smooth and quiet and has a fair bit of power, but that engine works pretty hard to get the car moving, gas mileage probably won't be great.
Also, seats are big but not comfortable, no support. Things like the parking brake are extra cheap, push pedal down and push it down again to release....metal parts are showing, looks unfinished. I can't find a trunk release button on the inside. This wasn't a great car when they first came out, they aren't much better now.
I really prefer the Fusion.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Something isn't right about that 2004 Imid. Try looking up 2004 Cadillac CTS and you get this one...almost the same as 2005.
Wikipedia shows this to be the 2004 to 2007 version.
CTS 2004 to 2007
I think your 2004 is actually about a 1994 maybe or an STS :confuse:
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I was looking for the STS. I wasn't clear which year the changeover to a new design occurred. That helps explain some time to troubleshoot the gremlins that don't show up in the test vehicles. Too bad GM couldn't make acmodel to sell for 3 years in another country to troubleshoot things, and then introduce them here as if they were perfect models in the minds of customers like some foreign brands are able to do.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
It is really too bad that your Mother had to have that much aggravation over a new very expensive luxury car and the dealer and GM just left her without even trying to help.
It sounds like that failure to cut the power is the likely culprit of the problem which should have been fairly simple to diagnose, especially when we are dealing with a new expensive car, a Cadillac no less!
The dealer and GM and Cadillac did not treat your Mother fairly at all. I am really upset, because that is shameful for any customer to be treated like that, let alone someone who is not well. Your Mother shouldn't have to worry that her new luxury car can't even start when someone wants to use it.
In human terms, as bad as Richards experience was, this was really worse because it directly affected somebodies health and emotional state and there was no need for this to happen.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
It's the dealer and their interest even on minor problems (and these weren't minor) that make a car experience worth a lot.
My longtime Buick dealer no longer has their Buick franchise. Chev and GMC only. But if one of my Buicks had been having the repeated problems, the service manager or tech would have been driving it home each day so the problem would happen to them. I would have had a loaner car for however long it took to troubleshoot.
It's my recollection that the Cadillac dealer was a longtime dealer in an older part of near downtown Cincinnati that had been a thriving sales area at one time for their franchise without much effort on their part. But things had changed by 2005. The dealer hadn't adapted to actually serving their wealthy customers to compete with the other luxury brands gaining by then.
IIRC Richard's car had more varied problems on it.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Richard
Richard
So Richard is getting all set to check things out with Houdini out there when I'm only hours away.....
Have a good time with it. I hope you guys get together. We're fine here other than some sibling fatigue....
Richard
Richard
After several phone calls, a couple of letters, and contact with Cadillac corporate, the General Manager actually called to tell me he wished he'd never sold my Mother the car and that he was tired of dealing with me.
That was the point I decided no matter what they did, there would not be another Cadillac to touch my driveway.
The general manager is blaming your mother for buying a car from him!!!!!!
It's like the BP guy saying he is sad there was a giant oil spill because his life has been disrupted ,not because, people were killed and wildlife was dieing, peoples livlihood had been ruined.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Sibling Fatigue! Does that mean what I think it means? Is that like one reason we said we really want a one bedroom house, ............so relatives can't stay over night?
Is it like the saying, you can choose your friends but you can't choose your relatives?
There could be lots of meaning in a few words.
Also, that lease was ridiculous. I hope the salesman who sold your Dad that expensive lease gets paid back in the next life....may he drive around forever in a Lada.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Oh those siblings. I thought you were meeting up with your siblings. That situation could be worse.
This holiday is working out well so far. We are on Pacific time so we are watching Wimbleton this morning, and it is only 8 am. The people back home have been working for 3 hours and we just had breakfast and can watch tennis.
No wonder every one is so laid back on the west coast.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
This could have long term consequences. Your 18 year old may deprive you from being a grandfather. :P
Richard
Richard
My watch stopped at 8:10 am, I guess the battery died after 5 years. It was 11 am when someone said that was the time. I thought it was still 8:10, hadn't noticed the watch stopped 3 hours earlier.
I was wondering why I was getting so hungry and it was only 8:10.
Also, I was writing to our office and said it was wierd, they were almost ready to eat lunch and I had just finished breakfast...but they were mid afternoon and it was almost my lunch time.
Speaking about books. I read a book by G.M. Ford lately. He is becoming pretty popular, and his name is car related.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
If you give it to someone who doesn't know how to handle money they will just lose it. I, on the other hand, would really know how to spend it to get the most enjoyment out of it !!
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Talking about books, we are thinking of getting 2 eReaders. We really prefer reading from a book, but we are going on a 12 night cruise in September, and the only practical way to take enough books will be by using an EReader...they hold about 3000 books.
We have read a lot about the Kindle, Kobo and Sony readers, but it seems the Kindle has a slight advantage overall....if any one has any information to share it would be appreciated.
We go to a book show in London in September. Then we get a flight to Barcelona and go on a cruise to Nice, Florence, Rome, Salerno, 2 nights in Venice, Ravena and Dubrovnik Croatia, back to Barcelona and direct flight home from there. Royal Carribean which is pretty good!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I received a new Kindle yesterday for Father's Day and although I've onlyu downloaded one book, I love it!
So easy to read and so lightweight! go for it!
My wife got it for me and paid $350. Now, the new improved model costs about $100.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
There is an incredible difference. The 535i drives great. The 300 hp/300 lb ft of torque turbocharged "N55" I6 delivers plenty of power throughout the rev range. You don't like the music blaring out of the Mustang GT next to you? No problem, see you later pal. Merging onto a highway uphill with an angry semi trailer in the right lane hellbent on not letting you in? Buh-bye. It is what the quinitisenntial $60K sport sedan with the blue & white roundel should drive like.
The 550i is on another level. It's got 2 extra cylinders, 100 more horsepower & (I think) 100 more lb/ft of torque. There isn't an adjective to describe how fast the 550i is. Torque is instantaneous. "Trooper, I'll admit to speeding, but there is no way on god's green earth I was going THAT fast. Besides, what took you so long?" The 550i is everything you'd ever NEED & WANT from a sport sedan.
I've told this story before: I have a customer who's Range Rover broke down in North Carolina on the way to Florida. Instead of footing the repair bill, he impulsively bought a brand new Porsche Panamera 4S. 2 Weeks later on his way home from Florida, he got stuck in the same town during a snowstorm. Walked into the dealership & saw a Porsche Panamera Turbo that he "had to have" & dumped his 2 week old Panamera 4S.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460