2008 Cadillac CTS

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Comments

  • plektoplekto Member Posts: 3,738
    Well, toss the nanny-ized and over hyped AWD and you're much closer to the target price of $40K. Plus, invoice plus $500 is more of a reality with the GM vehicles, or will be in a few months when the hype dies down. The same can't really be said for a 5 series.

    Note - price aside, the dimensions of the CTS are within 1-2% of a 5 series, so it's a 5 series/midsize luxury sedan. GM makes a smaller Cadillac, but doesn't sell it in the U.S. yet, because it's in need of some major work to even compete with the 3 or even an IS250 from the sound of it.

    The G35, otoh, is a big problem as it is squarely in the same sweet spot that the CTS is trying to conquer.

    And, yes, AWD that's not on all the time is essentially a useless yuppie bling feature. Subaru and others have videos on YouTube about this. AWD systems that aren't on full-time/typical transfer types react too slow to be useful.

    We're talking monstrous fishtailing and spinning out of control, plus 0% ability to climb dirt hills. Total and absolute failure at highway speeds due to the reaction being magnitudes too slow or the computers being brain-dead. It's not 4x4 and it's not traction control, either. Um... rear wheel ABS in pickup trucks comes to mind. Sounded good, works not at all.

    Currently, BMW, Audi, Mercedes, and Subaru make AWD system that work. Everyone else is junk that flat out doesn't work properly. Subaru doesn't make luxury sedans, so they're out.(shame, too since their system is the best) Basically what these four do is full-time 4X4. This is completely different than "all-wheel-drive" and should be noted as such, IMO.
  • bingomanbingoman Member Posts: 373
    What you folks fail to realize is that Cadillac is not building a car for you. They are building a good road car for the average driver. All the power and control features are marketing hype. They do have to sell cars. They are there so that the average driver thinks they make him a better (hotter) driver. They are not there for the all out performance driver. If that is what you are looking for get a V.

    In my personal opinion they are building the best damn mix of performance and luxury, and I expect I will soon be trading in my fully loaded 'o3 CTS for an si auto tran equiped FE2 level '08 in Brilliant Bronze. But then I am an old geezer of 74.
  • mdchachimdchachi Member Posts: 275
    > I use two cell phones because of the number of daily calls (70-100/day)

    By that logic, maybe you should consider getting another phone and use three cell phones!

    In any case, you are an atypical cell phone user. For the typical person who wants to use their (one) cell phone in the car -- especially for the people who don't want to put a thing on their ear -- a built-in system makes a lot of sense.
  • rdssatxrdssatx Member Posts: 5
    I ordered my CTS back in July. It was originally a dealer stock order, changed quite a bit and converted to a retail sale.
    Equipment
    CTS w/ 3.6 DI Engine
    Performance Collection
    Luxury Level One Package
    Luxury Level Two Package
    All Wheel Drive
    Bose 10 Speaker Surround Sound w/ 40GB Hard Drive
    Crystal Red Premium Paint
    18" Polished Wheels
    Sapele Wood Trim
    Performance Disc Brakes

    Total MSRP was exactly $47,000
    GM Supplier Price $43,388 less $500 Dealer Incentive
    Purchase Price $42,888 plus TTL
    39 Month GMAC Smart Buy at 7.3 %

    According to the invoice the car was built in mid August and was scheduled to be delivered to the dealer in early September. It did not actually arrive until late September. I was told by the dealer that the car had been "selected" for additional quality control checks and was delayed while they were completed. This was a pretty early AWD car so that may have had something to do with it.

    I picked the car up in San Antonio on Saturday at noon and by noon Sunday was in Kansas City. Nearly 1,000 miles later, the car is everything I had hoped for. I had very nearly bought a G35x and am very happy I changed my mind at the last minute.

    The ride and handling are right on for my taste. I have owned a number of "muscle cars" over the years and this one performs right up there with some of the quicker ones. At one brief point on the Kansas Tollway I had the car at an indicated 120 MPH (with more throttle to go) and the car was very stable with no scary movements at all

    For the trip I averaged 27.3 MPG and around town so far it is averaging 17.5 MPG. This is the first new car I have owned where real world economy exceeds the manufacturers rating of 17 city and 26 highway.

    Overall, I am thrilled with the car and am truly enjoying driving it
  • arby1arby1 Member Posts: 83
    You are lucky that you ordered the car early . I can't get AWD with the luxory package PDW now.
  • paopao Member Posts: 1,867
    Dealer here in Northern VA is already selling for 200-300 over invoice......selection is small..but Im sure you can order as well...another dealer as 20+ in inventory.....and I can get for 950 over invoice through my buying service....gonna see if he will match the other dealer's prices....this weekend....
  • Karen_SKaren_S Member Posts: 5,092
    Congratulations on your new CTS!

    I hope you'll take a few minutes to rate your dealer. Start here: http://www.edmunds.com/dealerships/drr/jump.html
  • rem506rem506 Member Posts: 13
    Am I correct in reading on the Cadillac website that the tires on the 2008 CTS are warranted for 4 years/50,000 miles. I must be misreading or not understanding something. That's a lot of distance for one set of tires. I doubt the sticky rubber of the PS2's would last that long with my Grandma driving, let alone being driven in the manner for which they were designed. Can someone please clear this up for me.
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    If those are summer tires I wouldn't ride on one set for more than 30,000 miles.
  • cosmo13cosmo13 Member Posts: 31
    I was able to get supplier discount but no $500.00 incentive.
    Was this $500. a GM incentive to all buyers? My dealer did not offer this to me.
    I noted in other messages that the dealers were charging up to $500. over MSRP.
  • cosmo13cosmo13 Member Posts: 31
    The information I posted was from my invoice. My CTS has the number 4 on right side of trunk and 360DI on left side.
    I ordered my CTS June 11th. What does your dealer say about AWD and 304 DI combination?
  • hildyahildya Member Posts: 8
    I have my dream car on order...hoping to get it in 2-3 weeks. However, I'm very concerned about this sunshade thing. I test drove it in San Diego, and we joked about the "cheesy" sunshade. HOWEVER, I live in the desert where the average temperature in the summer is 120 degrees (I know, I know). I need to be reassured that with the AC on, My head won't be getting too hot. I know this sounds like a small thing, but you have no idea how hot it gets. Does anyone have any reassurances for me? Is this something that could be fixed with a better shade in the future. HELP!
  • 150mphclub150mphclub Member Posts: 316
    The $500 is/was GM to dealer. Dealer under no obligation to give or tell.
  • arby1arby1 Member Posts: 83
    There have been posts about darkening the glass which should achieve your objective . I think that it was a commercial spray that you apply to the outside glass .
  • taxesquiretaxesquire Member Posts: 681
    I use two cell phones because of the number of daily calls (70-100/day)

    I also find this post a bit odd. If you had a car with bluetooth, you could synch 1 phone with your earpiece and the other with your car. Then you're totally hands free.

    I also don't quite get your commetn about the two phones fighting for connectivity - that must happen with your earpiece too. You can generally select which phone connects.
  • cptsullycptsully Member Posts: 18
    Hello all-

    I've been lurking here reading all the various posts as I've been considering my new car choices, and I'd like to thank all of you for your comments and insights, which have been a great help in my decision making. I have finally decided to go with the CTS. (It was neck and neck between a G35 and CTS :) )

    In my quest for the best deal, I have had several dealers offer to build one to meet my desires, which leads to my question. Does it typically cost more if the dealer build one for you? And, (not that I expect this to happen)if it is not exactly as I want it, I can still walk away from it, can't I?

    Thanks again!
  • cdnpinheadcdnpinhead Member Posts: 5,610
    No. It should cost less.

    The dealer has it sold before it even gets on the lot -- no flooring charges.
    '08 Acura TSX, '17 Subaru Forester
  • arby1arby1 Member Posts: 83
    It should not cost more to order . You have to realize that when you order a car , the lease is not truly finalized till 8 weeks later , so in theory the rates can change .I have not had that happen to me , so my quote on what the monthly payments would be always stood in place .
  • beancounter7beancounter7 Member Posts: 1
    According to Edmunds the 304hp is not available in the '08 AWD. :confuse: Did I miss something?
  • arby1arby1 Member Posts: 83
    That is old information . Just go on line and check dealer inventory and you will see AWD with the DI engine . It may not be combined with some of the options .
  • bingomanbingoman Member Posts: 373
    Every 'build your own CTS' site has some error in calculating possible option combinations. Even the official GM Cadillac site. At every site that I have tried to calculate the price of my ideal CTS an option combination that I know to be available was disallowed or an option was not shown.

    One option which I know is officially disallowed, but which I do not understand, is the combination of the performance brake option with the IS engine, automatic transmission and all season tires. It is allowed with the above and the all wheel drive transmission. It is also included with the summer performance tire option, which is not available with the IS engine. Why would Cadillac want to deny superior braking on the car?
  • cosmo13cosmo13 Member Posts: 31
    My 2008 CTS us in my garage with DI and AWD.
  • knotemknotem Member Posts: 62
    The customized Caddy will include a unique paint job, wheels, and other modifications. The site plans to unveil it online during the 2007 SEMA Show in Las Vegas later this month from 10/30 – 11/2/07.

    I wonder if the customized CTS has that awkward sunroof shade.

    http://blogs.automotive.com/6218684/miscellaneous/2008-cadillac-cts-gets-wi-fica- rscom-treatment-for-sema/index.html
  • readerreaderreaderreader Member Posts: 253
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  • sevenfeet0sevenfeet0 Member Posts: 486
    My dealer is having a "CTS coming out" event scheduled for this Thursday evening (10/18/07). Are there any questions about this vehicle that any of the rest of you want answered (like ordering information)?
  • texasestexases Member Posts: 11,070
    Which option/package gets me the mid-level (FE2?) suspension?
  • paopao Member Posts: 1,867
    seems that is national coming out event so to speak....my dealer here in Northern VA is doing the same think...test drove one this past Sat......got a quote at almost 3k off MSRP......DI engine, performance collection, navigation, luxury one, chrome wheels, paint...MSRP 44,330, my price 41,495
  • arby1arby1 Member Posts: 83
    PDR
  • texasestexases Member Posts: 11,070
    Arby1 & pao, thanks for the info!
  • 150mphclub150mphclub Member Posts: 316
    An explanation of PDW including price.
  • nextone1nextone1 Member Posts: 15
    That's literally my car posted above. Here's another photo that didn't appear. This is a White Diamond RWD 3.6DI with polished 18-inch wheels and the FE2 package.

    image
  • hildyahildya Member Posts: 8
    Hey...is there anyway you could post the window sticker...I think my configuration is the same as yours and I want to make sure I get the best price. I ordered it without a price...long story..it was coming to the dealer anyway, so I just made sure I'd get first shot at it. I don't want to overpay, though. I think the configuration I have comes out to that 44,330 price like yours. How did you get the price down? Was there any dealer incentives they extended to you? Thanks.
  • cosmo13cosmo13 Member Posts: 31
    My dealer offered free hand painted pin striping. I declined for now, but still have option of having pin stripe done later. I think the 2008 CTS looks good without pin striping. My 2004 CTS looked better with pin striping.
    Anyone have their 2008 pin striped?
  • paopao Member Posts: 1,867
    no window sticker as it will be an customer sold order.....no incentives.....used several buying service options and one dealer offers simply no haggle pricing....his price is $569 over invoice.....was quoted 43,432 out the door including TTL which includes DI, NAV, All Season performance collection, luxury one package, chrome 18 inche wheels, and paint, $99 dealer processing fee and VA sales tax (3%) and VA titling ($82)......but believe he is off about $900 on the invoice pricing per my calculation....so I ask him to relook his figures.....so Im anticipating $42,500 drive away.....

    Im simply looking at several dealers in the immediate area....I started at $950 over invoice and working down from there....
  • paopao Member Posts: 1,867
    FE2 suspension package comes with the all season tire performance package...FE3 suspension package comes with the summer tire performance package upon further review...
  • puckspucks Member Posts: 47
    but believe he is off about $900 on the invoice pricing per my calculation....so I ask him to relook his figures

    I bet the difference is advertising costs.
  • paopao Member Posts: 1,867
    you are correct....they are charging 871.70 as an advertisement and adjustment fee, I totally disagree with it called an adjustment fee, I know that advertisement is normally added in and you dont see it at MSRP, but you will see it at invoice...its normally a % calculation of MSRP price before destination charges.....beleive GM normally uses around 2% which is added to the dealers invoice price not to be confused with the manufacturers invoice..the problem with Edmunds is that it doesnt calculate this advertising price in to its invoice price..thus some confusion....thus you get a 900 dollar difference.....
  • puckspucks Member Posts: 47
    I was quoted an almost identical advertising number - 2% before destination.
  • bingomanbingoman Member Posts: 373
    Even on a car which is specifically ordered for a customer the car must be delivered with the window sticker in place. The purchasing customer must remove the sticker, by federal law.
  • cptsullycptsully Member Posts: 18
    Hello everyone-

    I just took delivery of my brand new 08 CTS! :) (8(o) woo-hoo! I love it!

    It is black raven, with ebony interior, with the premium luxury package, and 18" all season tire performance package, and the upgraded polished aluminum wheels. I think the only thing it doesn't have is AWD, which I didn't want.

    My purchase method was done mostly via the Internet, and pretty much matched the one recommended in the Car Buyer Guide I bought on CarSqueeze.com. After informing the dealers that I was aware of their invoice price, knew the amount of the dealer holdback, and manufacture to dealer marketing support, I asked multiple dealers for their best price. (I never said anything about my trade-in.)

    Some refused to budge from MSRP. but most responded with a price somewhere between invoice and MSRP. I finally went with a Jennings Cadillac in Chambersburg, PA,who offered me 2k under MSRP, and the standard $500 Active Duty military discount.

    While not a GREAT deal, it was the best offer I had received, and they had the exact car I wanted on the lot, which in itself was a rarity. After accepting the offer over the phone, I drove to the dealership for the paperwork, and negotiate a price for my trade-in, a 1999 BMW 528i with 180k miles on it. Much to my surprise, my salesman informed me that GM was running another incentive, called "Luxury Conquest", where if you were trading in a BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, etc, on your new CTS, you got an additional $1000 off the price!

    So- Bottom Line: $42,295, 5k for my trade, to $37,295 and out the door for $39,649. My salesman was a no B.S., very knowledgeable and helpful guy who had been with the dealership about 8 years. At no time did I feel like I was being rushed or bullied, or anything. Of course, I really attribute a lot of that to the fact that I had REALLY done my homework on the car, and conducted the hard negotiating via e-mail, which renders most tricky sales tactics ineffective. Plus, I had arranged a GREAT financing package (5.29%, Pentagon Fed Credit Union) beforehand, which left the dealer with no way to make more profit on me that way.

    I am taking my new wheels on a long business trip next week, (2-500 mile legs) and will let you all know how it works out.

    I hope this information was helpful!
  • plektoplekto Member Posts: 3,738
    I always wondered where people like you are when I'm looking for a car. A 9 year old 5 series for 5K??? I can't get a nine year old Accord around here for that little money.

    Mote - to others who are interested in trading in your cars - take that price the dealer offered you and at least sell it to someone locally for the same money as a service. I guarantee that it will sell in 48 hours and you'll have helped someone out.
  • paopao Member Posts: 1,867
    it doesnt have to be affixed to the car..but beleive it has to be given to the buyer as part of the paperwork...my last car I ordered...06 solstice..never had the window sticker affixed to the car...but it was given to me as part of the paperwork package which I still have....its in pristine condition.....
  • sevenfeet0sevenfeet0 Member Posts: 486
    Well I went to my dealer's CTS party last night. There were about 200 guests who showed up. Wine, beer and hor deorves were served including seared tuna, marinated beef skewers and a wonderful shrimp skewer with sauce. Out in the service bay was a cigar bar...nice touch. Music was provided by an acoustic guitarist.

    There had 5 cars on display although none of them were the fully optioned up cars...all of them are either not staying on the lot or were ordered cars for customers. An interesting indicator of early adopter tastes, all of the 3.6 DI cars were gone.

    I couldn't find out specific ordering information since no one was really setup to do that. Someone did tell me that FE3 orders are being held up for a short bit to deal with a tire wear issue.

    One thing I had never done at the dealership was test iPod connectivity so I brought along a 2nd-gen iPod Nano in order to try it. One thing I didn't expect (but should of) was that you standard iPod USB cable won't work with the system. The iPod just goes into disk mode and the system doesn't know what to do with it. Once you use the GM supplied cable, a GM logo appears on your iPod and the system recognized my device. One surprise was that the supplied cable had both a USB connection and a mini-plug connection. Basically the USB connection is only to control the iPod but music still plays through the mini-jack. This may be a problem for the recessed jack for iPhone users (although I have no idea if the iPhone or iPod Touch is even recognized by the system). If the system recognizes an iPhone, then you'll need a mini-jack adapter from your Apple store.

    One more note about the radio...I had forgotten that the mid-option radio also comes with the hard drive so you don't need to pay for the Nav system to get that feature (or the Tivo-like features as well).

    My dealer was nice enough to share some CTS-V, wagon and coupe details with me, but I'll respect him and keep it under embargo unless I see it printed elsewhere. But what little I learned will make people happy.

    Overall, it was a nice and classy event, something that Caddy should do more often.
  • rayainswrayainsw Member Posts: 3,192
    "My dealer was nice enough to share some CTS-V..."

    You ARE a tease...
    2022 X3 M40i
  • jpennjpenn Member Posts: 68
    "Shared some CTS-V, Wagon and Coupe info but..."

    OK, SevenfeetO, if I tell you what I heard will you give in? My dealer told me that the coupe will be available in Spring 08 as an 09.

    So come on, is this accurate info or just salesman's smoke.
  • sevenfeet0sevenfeet0 Member Posts: 486
    The person I was talking to wasn't a sales rep or the sales manager. That doesn't leave too many people left in a family owned business. :)

    Having said that, I had not heard about delivery dates (I didn't ask either). But given how car companies normally handle these things, I wouldn't be surprised. Cadillac has some momentum with this product and would probably like to see it increase. To that end, if you have several variants of a model in the pipeline, you generally don't introduce them all at once but incrementally. That keeps people like us talking about them and gives the factory time to get the kinks out of every new product one at a time.

    So I wouldn't be at all surprised to see a CTS coupe debut in the spring. That would mean that we would see a "prototype" as early as the Detroit Auto Show although I think everybody knows that Cadillac will debut a crossover concept at the same show. You could in theory wait until the New York auto show but that would compress the time between unveiling and debut severely if you wanted a spring delivery date.

    I'll also go out on a limb and say I don't expect the wagon to debut in the US at all. Considering the real market for that product is likely Europe, I wouldn't be surprised if it was introduced in Geneva in March '08 with a delivery in the usually late summer model turnover time period. That would leave the CTS-V to debut last late in '08. That combined with an early '08 launch for the 'Slade hybrid will make the next calendar year a busy one for Cadillac marketers.
  • bingomanbingoman Member Posts: 373
    The Monroney bill specifically requires that the sticker be attached to the window and be removed only by the purchaser. If your dealer chose to break the law it's his problem. If anyone complained he would probably be fined.

    I have usually removed the sticker with a razor and saved it with my other car papers.
  • thebugthebug Member Posts: 294
    150mphclub - I finally found the price for the PDW package on an off Cadillac website. It list at $2875 (which is the individual price of LL1 @ $850 and LL2 @ $2025), it requires PDR @ $3300. You can't get the navi system going this route, but it's the only way to get LL1 & LL2 together without getting the sunroof.

    That's the way I placed my order. I would have liked to have the navi system,(because it looks good) but I don't do sunroofs so I had to compromise. Anyway, my car should be here the first week of Novenber. Can't wait.

    thebug...
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