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Is Cadillac's Image Dying and Does Anyone Care?

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  • sls002sls002 Member Posts: 2,788
    They charged me about $200. But they only needed a repair kit since I noticed that the pump was beginning to leak and was still repairable. Of course this is not San Francisco. My 2000 square foot town house is only worth $200,000 instead of $2,000,000 to $10,000,000.
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    Yeah, and if it was a Saturn Xb, you'd call it the ugliest monstrosity on wheels. An AM-General postal truck has infinitely more style than the Xb. What did the designer use - nothing but a T-Square and triangle and trace a yen coin for the wheels?
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    If it was a Saturn xB it would have poorly aligned body panels, goofy 4 spoke wheels, and a playskool interior...

    Many Saturns and the Aztek must have come from the same design-by-braille stylist. Having those ugly monkeys hanging on your back is another obstacle for GM...they aren't ancient history.
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    My Camry might not look so pretty now, but you should've seen it when I was drinking!
  • autoboy16autoboy16 Member Posts: 992
    The SRX should be a lambda. that 3rd row "seat" doesn't cut it. Its a mat with a backboard sitting directly on the floor. At lest with a lambda, the SRX will be a true 7-8 passenger vehicle and still have room for that sweet v8. The panoramic roof is already there. Perfect evolution IMO. The only downsides are it going to FWD(AWD is always available), not looking odd anymore from the rear and it may steal Escalade sales if priced right.
    -Cj
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    Heck, the 1970s were even WORSE for Japanese cars. They'd collapse into piles of iron oxide dust after two northeast winters. The summers would take care of the interiors that would warp and split.

    Speaking of the 1980s, I recall the Accord with the flip-up lights being very popular around here. Danged if I can find one now. However, there are still plenty of 1980s domestic cars.

    Funny how recent immigrants are more proud to be Americans than Americans. I know a guy who came over from China who exclusively buy Chevrolets. Another Asian fellow is fond of Mopar products.

    I just hope they won't abuse me for being patriotic when they divide it up and take over because they own everything because we can't pay the bill.

    Hey, maybe we'll meet when our Japanese masters have us both building a railroad bridge in Burma?
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    Well in this country mediapusher we only have "ONE STANDARD OF THE WORLD" and we all are aware it is Cadillac

    Darn right!
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    Any suggestions to GM/Caddy? No? Anybody? Hello?

    Just double checking here...

    Back to our normal scheduled "Toyota Bashing" programs.
  • sls002sls002 Member Posts: 2,788
    The New X5 is not much different than the old one, but does have a third row, but is still 10 cubic ft less than the SRX in cargo capacity. If the CTS gets a wagon, then I would guess the SRX may become a lambda, probably around 2010. The bad thing would be that it will be a big, clumsy people hauler, like a streched DTS.
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    ...yet I know people with 10 year Toyota Camry's whose water pumps are still kickin.

    Yeah? And I know a guy with a new Camry whose water pump quit in 17 days! The guy was practically in tears as he truly believed Toyotas don't break. Guess he was living in a fool's paradise.
  • sls002sls002 Member Posts: 2,788
    I did wonder about your "high heels" remark...can you explain?
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    eah? And I know a guy with a new Camry whose water pump quit in 17 days

    Okay, but I know many Camry and Accord owners are happy with their 7-plus-year-old cars still get them from point A to B without a problem every single day. Including my family.

    I also know many Taurus owners whom can say the same thing.

    So what's the F*****G point here?
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    I did wonder about your "high heels" remark...can you explain?

    I was referring to the style. Although style is purely subjective but I would like to see the next SRX being more traditional SUV looking. The current one TO ME looks like a station wagon on high heels.

    I am sure there are different opinions out there.
  • autoboy16autoboy16 Member Posts: 992
    my accord gets me from a to b through z fine. Its a 1995 ex v6 with 117k miles. Only problems i have are the slow power windows.

    -Cj
  • autoboy16autoboy16 Member Posts: 992
    or cts chassis, a lambda body, and the new 3.6l v6 with 255hp and the current v8. At least then i'd be a true 7-8 passenger with decent looks all around. The way cadillac is going, they might as well only sell it in europe too with a diesel.

    -Cj
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    autoboy, I had that same problem (slow power windows) too with my previous 1997 Accord. It's especially slow during rainy days. My sister still has the car but she found a used motor and replaced the driver-side one.
  • sls002sls002 Member Posts: 2,788
    this is a traditional SUV:
    http://www.autoseekandsell.com/userimages/Suburban%20side%20View.jpg
    I don't see that this is different:
    http://www.babez.de/cadillac/srx2007/newtitel.jpg
    The SRX is much smaller than a suburban.
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    As I said, I am sure there will be different opinions.
  • sls002sls002 Member Posts: 2,788
    I think what you are getting at is the ground clearance. But an AWD vehicle like the SRX should have enough ground clearance to get through some snow, or venture off road a bit. The SRX is only a light duty off road vehicle though. The SRX's basic body design is a squared off rearend much like the Suburban. Now the X5 is more like the Murano/Infinity with a less squared off look and 10 cubic feet less cargo space.
  • autoboy16autoboy16 Member Posts: 992
    1 quick thing, the SRX isn't an escalade and has lower ground clearance. IMO, AWD should be mandatory for the SRX in the snow belt since the SRX is RWD.

    BTW, the murano and infiniti aren't related in anyway other than both belonging to the Nissan Motor Company. The Murano is FWD and the FX has an optional 320hp V8 and is AWD.

    -Cj
  • tlongtlong Member Posts: 5,194
    I want something that has between 160-220hp and only the acura tsx fits that description. Then i saw that beautiful cadillac BLS. But upon reading that it wouldn't be introduced in the us, i was heartbroken.

    I agree with you. Some might think I'm anti-Cadillac but I really just want to see the domestic cars improve substantially. I don't like big cars and I think the BLS looks really nice. I can't speak for its quality or driving, but this is the kind of car I would be interested in if it were sold here. I had an Audi A4 and I want a smaller, luxurious car that handles well and exudes quality. If Cadillac could provide an American make that met these qualities then I'd be very interested. And they'd be doing our whole country a favor by trying to get people interested in some smaller cars (=less foreign oil consumption).

    Cadillac should bring the BLS to the states and make sure it has a high quality interior, good handling, and price it around the TSX price.
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    So you don't have to be perfect to be #1 in the car world, you just have to be better than anyone else.

    Not necessarily true. Think of the #1 and #2 restaurant chain is their food better than everyone elses? No its not.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    I would love to own a cadillac but the cts is to big for me. I want something that has between 160-220hp and only the acura tsx fits that description.

    The 2.8 liter V6 in the CTS is 210 HP.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    Well the LR2 is not a Range Rover it is a Land Rover. Land Rovers are always down market interior and exterior wise from the Range Rover.

    Owners "Completely Satisfied"
    In two proprietary surveys of 2003 Range Rover buyers, buyers were asked:
    "On a scale of 1 to 10, rate your overall satisfaction with the 2003 Range
    Rover." Their answer was 9.2 (mean score) with 10 being "Completely
    Satisfied" and 1 being "Completely Dissatisfied."
    2003 Range Rover owner demographics reveal a younger, more affluent owner
    group as compared to owners of the previous-generation Range Rover.
    Specifically, the average buyer is just 42 years old, and even more impressive
    is the fact that the range of ages is exceptionally wide -- from 24 to 71
    years old. A full 11 percent of the buyers are in their 20s, and 27 percent
    of the buyers are in their 30s. The average annual household income of all
    2003 Range Rover buyers is $463,000, with more than a third of the owners
    citing an annual household income of more than $500,000.

    Source
  • autoboy16autoboy16 Member Posts: 992
    I agree. To test what the driving experience may be, test the saab 9-3. I don't want to yet since I like the BLS and will wait for the BLS. But if i get bored....

    I'M WAITING ON THE B.OB L.UTZ S.PECIAL! I wish they'd bring it now...Diesel and all....

    -cJ
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    CTS is a much longer car than the TSX (7 inches difference) and is neither AWD nor FWD which is important for people living in the snowbelt. I would love to see either one of the following 2 options come true:

    1. Offer AWD on all CTS (or at least on the base model CTS), reduce its size a bit so it's more comparable with the 3-series.

    2. Bring the BLS over and offer AWD as option (FWD standard). Make it Caddy's compact luxury sedan then move CTS upmarket to compete with the 5-series/E-class/GS
  • autoboy16autoboy16 Member Posts: 992
    I said the CTS IS A LITTLE TOO BIG FOR MY TASTES!!! My current car is FF so it makes no difference to me. I want a TSX (TL to powerful) but i can wait. Not in the slightest rush (until we get BLS so i can compare).

    -Cj
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    Offer AWD on all CTS (or at least on the base model CTS), reduce its size a bit so it's more comparable with the 3-series.

    I would say thats not the best thing, the 3 series is to small, so small that I cannot drive the thing.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • autoboy16autoboy16 Member Posts: 992
    BLS= TSX/is/328i/s40
    CTS= Tl/g35/s60
    STS= 5/E/s80/RL/gs
    DTS= 7/S/RL/ls

    -Cj
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    Test drove the 9-3 couple weeks ago. Wasn't a bad drive, handling is on par with other FWD sport sedans. Although not much kick from the engine but is sufficient enough to smoke 70% of the cars on street. The downside of the 9-3 is the interior. Cheap plastic all around and the steering wheel is so large it seems odd in a sport sedan. Someone is going to call me crazy but I've seen better interiors in Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and Mazda6 than the 9-3.
  • autoboy16autoboy16 Member Posts: 992
    Are you like 7ft tall! Cant fit xB, cant fit 3...

    Bls dimentions are similar to that of my current car(as is tsx) so its a natural change for me. CTS=TOO BIG! 3= no value in the 328i.

    I'll take the BLS or tsx Diesel.

    -Cj ;)
  • autoboy16autoboy16 Member Posts: 992
    You're not crazy ;)!
    -Cj
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    Agree with the STS but I think for BLS and CTS should be like this:

    BLS = TSX/IS250/328i/S40
    CTS = TL/IS350/G35/335i/S60

    Also, don't see RL and (current) DTS compete with 7er/S/LS. Acura needs a full size luxury sedan and Caddy needs to make DTS RWD and more upscale.
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    Are you like 7ft tall!

    nope not that tall but closer to that than the vast majority of people are, or closer to that than the average height of a person. One on my main problems is not head room but room to my left. In both the xB and the 3 the drivers side door is way to close and gives me no room for my left arm. In the xB head room is fine, just that I don't like the door pressed against my side.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    Don't know how big you are but I am 6'1 and 185 lbs. Was very comfortable in both the 3-series during test drive and my own IS350, which is smallest of them all.

    I personally don't like anything larger than the 3er. TSX/G35/IS has the perfect size for me.
  • autoboy16autoboy16 Member Posts: 992
    I'm 6'1 and 210lbs. I fit fine in my moms 02miata but its not practical for me as a student. TSx, is what i want and the tsx/accord/xb/tC is practical for me. BLS diesel seems to fit fine as i'm not in a carb state. VIVÁ MIAMI!!
    If I can endure the 3rd row of a SRX, I can endure almost anything!! sc430 REAR IS MY NEXT TEST...

    -Cj :)
  • 62vetteefp62vetteefp Member Posts: 6,043
    You know my opinion. You are blind as a bat. :P the SRX (which we have coming) is a tall station wagon and has little in the way of truck like styling or traits. It uses a CTS interior!
  • autoboy16autoboy16 Member Posts: 992
    And CTS's platform. They even look similar and both got interior refreshes for 2007.

    -Cj
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    It's better than all the other junk food places they are competing with...either it tastes better or the prices are better or the variety is better or the marketing is better....something is better.

    Of course, in any business, being first out of the gate counts for a lot. More's the pity that Cadillac lost this advantage, that is, the first truly mass production luxury car manufacturer in the world.
  • 62vetteefp62vetteefp Member Posts: 6,043
    It's better than all the other junk food places they are competing with...either it tastes better or the prices are better or the variety is better or the marketing is better....something is better.

    Or perhaps it fills a slightly different need with a slightly smaller market. Those from market 2 would be unhappy going to business 1 (the largest) and those from market 1 would be unhappy to go to business 2. So should business 2 dump its customers and go after market 1? Probably not if it is happy with its profit.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Well sure...a company doesn't have to be "the dominant one"...it can skate as #2 or #3 in a hot market...look at APPLE...but in a very mature, saturated market (like the automobile market in the United States), you can only bleed market share for so long, even if you are a goliath like GM.
  • bumpybumpy Member Posts: 4,425
    I would like to think that 75,000 would be a good life expectantcy. However, my 98 Aurora's water pump started to leak after 50,000 miles.

    I would think 175,000 would be a good life expectancy. 50,000 miles is simply inexcusable. The water pump should last the life of the vehicle.

    Please note that the Japanese cars usually get a new water pump when the timing belt is changed at 60,000 or 70,000; whenever the belt life is expected to go.

    Not in my experience. The water pump is sometimes changed every second time the belt is changed, and sometimes not. Timing chains are the trendy thing to use these days, but a kevlar belt will last until doomsday.
  • bumpybumpy Member Posts: 4,425
    Speaking of the 1980s, I recall the Accord with the flip-up lights being very popular around here. Danged if I can find one now. However, there are still plenty of 1980s domestic cars.

    I still see them around, looking much better than the clapped-out deathtrap Corsicas and Berettas that were supposed to be their competitors. The flip-up Accords are present in something like a 10:1 ratio compared to those, and the succeeding fixed-light Accords are in a 25:1 ratio. Certainly nothing like that ratio of sales when they were new.
  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    Yeah obviously this...

    image

    Is so much better then this. image

    or this...
    image

    Yeah the E-type is a dog compared to the CTS... :sick:

    And if you want to make it fair and just restrict it to modern cars well then Aston Martin makes the sexiest modern vehicles.

    image

    Vanquish
  • bumpybumpy Member Posts: 4,425
    Is that first one supposed to be the '08 CTS? Oh yuck. :sick:
  • autoboy16autoboy16 Member Posts: 992
    Thats why i like the BLS. It looks MUCH better than the new CTS.

    image
    image

    And us americans don't get it because of some B.S. excuses... mostly like COST SAVING!! A LOSS FOR GM

    -Cj :mad:
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    Is that first one supposed to be the '08 CTS? Oh yuck.

    Nice wheels though.

    What's up with Cadillac and those grilles?
  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    Supposed to be yeah.

    How anyone can think that design is sexy makes me think they have beer goggles on.

    Its an alright looking car but not sexy.

    image

    That is sexy...

    image

    I wouldn't throw that one out of bed either...

    image
  • rockyleerockylee Member Posts: 14,017
    Snake,

    Thats debatable

    Snake, you will at least want one ;)

    honestly that is overkill, I have 400 HP and thats rarely used.

    That is true but 200 more isn't a significant amout is it ?

    I hope you enjoy yours too. But to be honest I am not interested in the super V.

    You may not now but perhaps in a few years you might. :)

    The next "V" will be a 6-speed manual but 5th gear is the "power overdrive" while 6th is a double over-drive reserved for cruising at 70-80+ mph.

    M3's and M5's are really no issue for my V right now (unless I mess up the shifting).

    LOL, heard dat :D

    Rocky
  • rockyleerockylee Member Posts: 14,017
    I can see GM destine to be doomed if the top dogs are surrounded by bunch of cheerleaders like a certain member of this board.

    LOL, so I'm just a chearleader ?

    Obviously you haven't read enough of my posts ?

    Rocky
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