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Cadillac DeVille
Welcome to the continuation of the Cadillac
DeVille topic. Those of you joining us from that
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L8_Apex
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DeVille topic. Those of you joining us from that
topic are welcome to continue your discussion.
If you're new to this topic, you may want to
follow the above link for additional archived
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L8_Apex
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Well, let's get back on track now and talk about the DeVille and other Caddies if appropriate.
ttcad, it would be interesting if you could share with us a one month "snapshot" of the age demographics of the buyers of Caddies sold at your dealership. Just for the heck of it, you know, to see what the ages are? Certainly, just one month might be skewed high or low, but what the heck?
It would also be intersting to see what the age breakdown is by model (STS, SLS, DTS, Escalade, etc.)
If you can share this please do.
a base Deville with 8000 miles (program car).
I've been shopping around for a long time and had looked at Lincolns, Lexus, and Acura. I'm very pleased so far-------
Demographic info: 52 years old.
Purchased at: Colonial Cadillac, Virginia Beach, VA
Good point philly, where did he go? Must be still be counting the number of times Toyota is stamped on his car. 47...48...49
FYI front end protective bras are available IN EXACT COLORS from an outfit in Bothell, WA. I ordered one for my DTS and they weren't satisfied with the color description from the CAD brochure (Sterling Silver) they requiredthe numerical description of paint color from the data under the apare tire cover. The match color EXACTLY. Their website is www.carbrasby perfectfit.com . When you visit the site I think you will find they make a quality product. Two month lead time on colored bras.
I don't know why they compare a DTS against the cars that had a sport package like the 740il sport, S500 sport, and other cars with sport tires and vice versa.
They criticize about the DTS tires of being cheap and said that the rims look cheesy looking. They gave the rear seat room a low grade compared to the competition and said that they wish they like the car better. But they did say they had positive comments about the body style and gave it a grade better than the 2001 LS 430. Did you heard that, lxowner.
Motor Trend insisted Cadillac to make the DTS CVRSS standard on all Deville trims, have the DTS with 18 tires with a 5 speed manumatic and have better seats. Too them, the seats were too cushy for their tushes. Any comments?
Personally I am not surprise that the DTS was the least favorite with them. I found the comparison unfair. Does anyone agree with me? It would been equal if these cars did not had a sport package or sport tires.
In my opinion, if Cadillac had an option Sport package like the 2001 STS, I say have a DTS Sport with a lot beefier tires/rims, tauter suspension setup, the body structure 30% stronger than it is for better ride isolation, there you have it, an American version of the S500 sport.
However, I did agree when they said that the major price between the DTS and S500 sport determine the better car. I think the DTS is a very damn good car but comparing to a car and you pay $30,000 dollars for the car, it should be a better and well equipped with more technology.
Also, I notice the oil dipstick usually indicates 1/2 qt low on oil every 3 weeks or so. Any body else have to top off that much? Or is that "normal".
Re oil usage: I have had previous Devilles (not Northstars) and found on two of them that after oil change or "topping off" to full that in short time (perhaps 200 miles) oil would show 1/2 quart down. I learned that those two cars ran 1/2 qt low all the time. After dropping to that level it remain there for 3-4000 miles without going any lower. Suggest you not add when 1/2 qt down and see what happens. It may just stay there. Regardless, your engine has 8 quart oil capacity so running 1/2 qt down for awhile shopuldn't be problem. Let us know what happens.
ps
No *silly* comments about Lexus or MB's thank you.
I drive an STS ('99), and while I would strongly consider a DTS for my next ride, I can tell you that the STS definitely feels smaller and more agile behind the driver's seat than the DTS. The DTS definitely handles very well for a car that size and it for sure provides more interior room, especially for rear seat passengers, than the STS.
I am 37 as well, BTW, and this is my second STS. My first one was a '94. You can't go wrong either way, in my book. You should proably go down to the dealer, have them park each one next to the other to let you compare for a while, and then take each out for a spin, one right after the other.
Tough decision, bud, but there are lots of people out there who'd love to be in your position to be deciding between these two babies!
At 35, I'm picking up my 4th Deville (DTS) in a row in January. I am so happy that Cadillac finally built a Deville with the attitude of a STS but with the cubic feet I need on the inside.
Good Luck Craig. Either way, you won't go wrong, unless you waste your money on a (well,you know)!
On the STS, I feel you will have a tad bit more performance, a tad bit better handling and sportiness since the car is a luxury performance sedan while the DTS has the STS characteristics with more room and with a presidential look. So, you have to decide if the chic magnet look or the presidential look suits your needs.
If you were looking at more options, then the DTS would be easier to decide on over the STS if they (DTS) had the DHS options like rear seat massage/lumbar, power sunshade and manual rear sun shade on left and right side of the windows and other host of stuff.
Anyone have any ideas?
http://www.theautochannel.com/content/vehicles/new/reviews/2000/gap0026.html
We had been in the market to buy a high-quality, luxury sedan and, beyond any doubt, Cadillac's DeVille DHS completely outperformed the competition in every category in our opinion.
Last Thursday (August 31), we purchased a 2000 cashmere DHS and were very happy with the purchase process (paid $44,073) and overwhelmed with the DHS. And this is our first GM product!
After several weeks of intense research, we wholeheartedly recommend the 2000 and/or 2001 DeVille line!
It is interesting that you chose the DHS over the DTS. Welcome to this site and discussion board. You are yet another example of the "down-aging" of Cadillac buyers.
50% holdback: $ 800
Dealer cash: 2000
Dealer flooring assistance: 650
Total: 3450
Now, that is before you factor in the profit in my lease return which the dealer will be able to buy at auction prices ($18,000) and sell for retail used at about $23,000.
My sales rep. (a personal friend) couldn't stop laughing until I told him that a dealer in another city agreed to my terms. Now, he is not laughing any more.
I think that this is a fair deal, don't you?
This is what it says. "DHS models intended for export to Japan will offer television reception as an added feature with the navigation system. Additional equipment is involved, including an integrated TV tuner, a diversity TV antenna integrated with the backlight, an amplifier and selector for the TV antenna and an auxiliary stereo audio and video adapter." Weird, huh.
I put my '93 Allanté back in the garage after some refreshing top-down driving these past few months. My wife has been driving the DTS and won't give it up. Wimmin! At first she didn't like the car (too big) and now she can't say enough good things. Though must of her comments come to me indirectly from clients and business acquaintances. *I* still have a Lexus 430 on order for a "whenever" delivery date. But for now, I'm driving the Suburban.
Footnote: A few weeks ago we drove to La Costa (north of San Diego) for the weekend. The car performed flawlessly (as it should) and got some long glances while driving. Even in Southern California there are not that many white DTS' on the highways. In addition, there has been no mechanical problems worth mentioning and the car has not burned one ounce of oil. Considering it is one of the first couple hundred off the assembly line, kudos KUDOS goes to Cadillac. I'm impressed.
Demographics: Satisfied 38 year old "fart" with a wife, a "write-off" on the way and a golden retriever who wants to get intimate with my Suburban's muffler.
As far as the dealer cash, it is only on 2000 models, not 01's. Again, I have to be honest, if you came into my store and wanted that price on an 01 DHS, ordered or not, I would shake your hand and thank you for coming in. Now, ask me how much I would sell an Eldorado for
Philly7, again, I didn't mean to come across as harsh as that sounded and I'm sorry. Jeff
Most interesting to hear that the wife has become a bonafide fan of the Caddy (even if in a "closet-fan" sense), having previously openly not liked it. It would be interesting to know what about the car, specifically, she has taken a liking to, having now driven it for a while. Presuming she is also in her mid-late 30's, that would be interesting gender and age demographic data..."what does a 30-something women like/find attractive in the Cadillac DTS?"
Sorry about the problem with your dog and the Suburban tail pipe. Good thing he hasn't taken to the back end of the DTS...the FOUR orifices back there would for sure confuse and frustrate the you-know-what out of 'em!
So you are going for the LS430? I am sure sales of that car will increase over the "old" 2000 model, however IMO it still lacks its own unique character (in the looks/style dept.). Even Motor Trend says the front end looks alot like an S-Class and DTS, and the back end looks like the Acura RL (it sure damn does!). What I found most disturbing was in the photo on page 44 of that same magazine, where clearly the wood trim on the passenger door is way out of alignment with the wood in the dash board. Regardless, I am nothing but confident that it is a solid, quality car.
I notice, too, that for the first time that I know of, the LS will have same-color lower body panels as the rest of the car. I had always noted that all Lexus cars had different color lower body panels (by design), until the late model GS series. With the GS, Lexus has had problems with the light colored paints not matching up properly, and they have had customer complaints about this. Hopefully Lexus has resolved this problem.
I am also amazed that more manufacturers have not implemented the engineering and styling approach of "hiding" the front passenger airbag and designing it to deploy out of an already existing seam between the dash and wood trim. Caddy first did this neat trick back in 1996 on the Seville, and it sure cleans up the top of the dash, plus, that "trap door" on most other cars usually never seems to match up in color and grain/texture with the rest of the dash, even on those high end luxo cars. Another Caddy innovation that truly "works"!
Go Caddy! With four "new" automobiles coming out over the next three years, things should certainly continue to be exiting for Caddy fans of all types...old and young, long-time and new.
Now to the issue at hand, I have engaged in this argument with many different people and from many different view points. So I hope you won't take any offense regarding my opinion.
First, what I do with the plumber, the butcher, baker or candlestick maker has nothing to do with my purchasing a vehicle. That is a red herring argument that they teach you guys in dealership 101.
Next, your industry's long and well deserved reputation for trickery and deception have earned the heavy handed tactics the I am forced to use when negotiating deal. My plumber has never tried to screw me.
Finally, I simply can't see why "the dealership" should earn 10% (or even 5% for that matter) of MSRP when all they are doing for me is filling out some paperwork. If I needed to be "sold" on a vehicle and took up a lot of time taking test drives and asking a zillion questions then I can understand factoring in a larger margin. However, by their own admission, I know 10 times more about this car than anyone in the dealership.
So, yes, the system forces me to deal with you folks like prostitutes. I will use what ever means necessary to get the best deal and I am not loosing any sleep over it.
Now, my turn to disclaim. At no time am I suggesting "you" personally or anyone else on this forum. My comments are strictly in a general sense. And, while I am sorry that this may sound harsh, this is the way I see the condition of the system and unless it changes drastically, I don't intend to modify my approach.
What would you say is BETTER about the Caddy than any of those imports, and what would you say is Lacking/not as good as any of those imports. I should think that you represent a very important piece of the customer demographic Caddy is trying to win over; Young, and an Luxury Import owner/leaser.
I do find it interesting because based on some of the import car topics I read here in the Sedans category, most of those folks are so absolutely brainwashed they cannot think anything other than their brand is far superior and Cadillac is nothing but GM crap that is inferior in every way.
So, what's your take on that notion?
In other matters:
>So, yes, the system forces me to deal with you
>folks like prostitutes. I will use what ever >means
>necessary to get the best deal and I am not
>loosing any sleep over it.
Well, that's one way to get serviced -- in the animal husbandry sense.
If you still don't think you are getting the "Cadillac of service" at your dealership, go to another one. The place I got my car seems to be chronically short staffed and out of breath like any econo dealership, so I go to another dealership, that's got chandaliers, leather recliners/big screen to wait in, ceramic tile floors in the write up area UNDER THE CARS THRU THE SERVICE WRITERS DESK AREA TOO! No appointment needed for oil changes, and you feel unrushed, and that your business is appreciated... Yes Sir, Thank you Sir etc! What a Dog and Pony Show! ...But you feel good!
This applys to service as well as sales in terms of cars. I treat my sales rep. very well. We go out to lunch or dinner every couple of months. I pick up the check at least 2/3 of the time. I get him tickets to Mariners and Seahawks games. Same with my Service Consultant. I got tickets for him and his wife to see Phantom of the Opera for their wedding anniversary last year. As a result, I have never had a service problem with Cadillac. Not when I lived in NYC and not out here either.
Some people have a problem with this sort of approach. They feel it is some kind of bribery or unfair to those who wouldn't give the service guy the time of day. I wonder what kind of person lives in and enjoys the fruits of a capitalist society with such leftist and (well, cheap) views of commerce.
The unfortunate thing is that the service levels and customer experiences seem to vary depending on the dealer. This is true, based on what I know from talking to friends as well as from what I have read here in Edmunds in other topics, not only at Cadillac but also at all other top luxury car dealerships.
Here in Southern California we are fortunate to have several Caddy dealerships all within reasonable driving distance. This translates into having choices when it comes to both purchasing and getting your Caddy serviced. This same proximity of dealerships also works in the consumer's favor by providing increased competition among the Caddy dealerships. As such, they know that they have to work hard to earn your trust and your business, and to KEEP it.
When I use to drive the Cimarron (still drive it but Mom has it), I was the center of attention with my dealership service because of its rarity nowadays.