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I'd like to hear from those who predicted it would flop, simply because it was not an imported car.
I had few choices for wheels on my 95 Eldorado ETC seems Cadillac uses its own bolt circle specs
I also thought that it was quite fair.
One comment: The reviewer complains about the horn honking when the alarm is set or turned off. I hate that too in other cars, but that's a programable feature you can opt to turn off in a CTS. Very clever those Delco engineers! It's in the least read book in the world: THE OWNER'S MANUAL. But for the CTS, the Owner's Manual is an absolute MUST READ. There is far too much stuff to learn about all the new computerized goodies NOT to read the Manual. You'll find that you'll learn something new EVERY time you read it. -Jerry:>)
"CTS has a firmer suspension but rides better than the Impala !!!" (I agree on the firmer suspension but I think the Impala rides better..softer anyway (I said "rides better", not "handles better"). But then, that's to be expected..Impala is a family sedan.)
CTS is quieter, rigid body structure, heavier steering(maybe artificially so). (For the most part..yes...but while CTS is quieter road noise wise, engine on the Impala is much quieter.)
"CTS is the bomb, Impala is the firecracker." (Ok, but the Impala (LS anyway) is pretty snappy for what it is.)
I don't guess I could have done any better for 21K 2 years ago. (No disagreement.)
Overall I don't recommend anybody test drive a CTS then get in a Impala. Quite a letdown. (This is totally objective and depends entirely on what it is you're looking for in a car. I remember when I first got my Impala, you were hardpressed to see them around. Now they're getting to be like the VW bugs of old...they're all over the place. I'm not saying the Impala is better than the CTS. CTS is certainly superior. But, there is that $10k price difference which, for probably a majority of people, can be a big deciding factor. I am a fan of both cars though. The Imp is holding it's own very nicely in it's "niche". Had I not found the CTS I was after, I'd be in a 2003 Impala LS today.
Ref: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedan/112_0208_sedan/index4.h- - - tml
The only changes are those which you'd expect would be needed to take it from 3.0L to 3.2L.
As for driving a 2003 Impala vs the CTS - there's a long, long list of vehicles out there superior to the Impala that undercut the CTS on price, everything from Accords to Camrys etc. Even the Altima is a far nicer mechanical package, though the interior's about as rude as they come.
Mine does. Chevy put too much jounce in the shocks.
The CTS was firmer but handled small bumps like expansnion strips, bots dotts, etc in a more composed way than the Impala does.
I have enjoyed the heck out of the impala and it is one hell of a highway car. 41K miles in 24 months.
Impala has a corser sound than CTS.
Impal will stay until the Summer is over because i will be taking older parents to the mountains, and the iMp has more room.
Are the 17s available in mirror polish.
How about some pics?
Let us know if there is a smoke silver on the lot and what you think of it.
No stoppage in work.
http://www.lsj.com/news/local/030616_fire_1b.html
I was surprised to find that only 800 workers build the cars!
CTS plant info is in the last paragraph of the story.
http://www.lsj.com/news/business/030612_gm_1a.html
Good news. CTS continues to be popular.
Did the new instrument cluster fix the clock problem?...and is your dash rattle free?
I'm thinking of trying to get my dealer to replace mine but am still paranoid that I'll end up with the same clock problem in addition to a rattling dashboard.
Another nail in the "CTS will fail" coffin!
Wagoner says they have raised the CTS' prices $790 since it was released.
While I can't come up with the $790 increase he seems pretty sure about it.
Read about halfway down the story.
http://www.freep.com/money/autonews/walsh18_20030618.htm
Can't really kill GM for the increase, especially with the 3.6L only $500 more for next year. And also, the way I see the options on Edmunds and KBB, I'd be able to spend considerably less and get the car I want (don't need to get one of the $2000+ packages just to get the Bose stereo) Now, lets hope the data is configured right on these websites!
The people I have talked to have said that the Bose is not that big of an improvement.
GM needs cars they can sell at BMW/Audi profit margins.
tyler80- Rochester Hills, MI
Pricing- I believe that now the base 04 with manual and 3.2 starts at $30835. So the base price has gone up since the CTS launched and many of the option prices have increased as well. $995 for the white diamond paint seems a little much in my opinion (think this was originally a $550 option).
Most colors aren't new, just recycled.
I think the base price is up about $140 over the late 2003's now on the lots.
Bingoman, San Fernando Valley
I am not talking about the size of the wheel but the design.
17" wheel is a STS design but the 16" wheel was clearly designed to go with the car.
I wonder what the 16" wheel would look like in the 17" size?
It was almost 3 months before one of us bought a CTS.
madjack1 was the first to order on February 8,2002, but shifty4 was the first to take delivery. Way to go shifty4!
5998 of 8120 Am I the first? by shifty4 Mar 27, 2002 (7:34 pm)
Took delivery today of my CTS. After I figure out how to set up all the gizmos and options I will provide a list of likes, dislikes, and minor annoyances. Out the door quality appears excellent. I have yet to find any flaws visually.
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#5999 of 8120 by fjk57702 Mar 27, 2002 (7:37 pm)
As far as I know, you are the first to take delivery and report her
#6000 of 8120 Shifty 4 by wwhite2 Mar 27, 2002 (7:45 pm)
How is the car speced out?
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#6001 of 8120 Way to go, Shifty4! by peachtree103 Mar 27, 2002 (7:48 pm)
Glad to see someone take the plunge. I hope the CTS works out great for you with many happy miles. Hope your prepared for your role as Cadillac's ambassador to the "interesting" group that has assembled here. Enjoy!
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#6002 of 8120 YEAH!!! by b4z Mar 27, 2002 (9:37 pm)
We finally have a taker. Congratulations shifty4!
3 months after the CTS came out somebody has finally taken the plunge.
Keep posting, and let us know how it works out.
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#6004 of 8120 by teo Mar 27, 2002 (9:50 pm)
Congrats Shifty! Enjoy!
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#6008 of 8120 Woohoo! by vcjumper Mar 27, 2002 (10:04 pm)
A buyer.. One week short of a year after this topic started.
That doesn't mean that I'm right or that you might be wrong in what you are thinking. It just means that I'm happy with what I got. When I see a few CTSs on a lot, I still think the 17" wheels are the better looking design.
I believe you are still in the shopping mode. I'll give you a variation of my previous unsolicited advice on this thread... If you see one that you really like... whether it is a 2003 or a 2004... or whether it has 16" or 17" wheels...
If you really like it, buy it! The minor variations are just that... minor.
Our grandchildren's car seats are usually strapped into my wife's Accord, but I tried the LATCH system in my CTS and it's really a great improvement. Makes installation and removal a snap.
All the other '04 articles have used '03 pics.
http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=6071&sid=18- - 3&n=157
I'm reserving my final opinion on the '04 17"s until I can get a good up close look, but I do like how they've gone to a center cap --I think hidden lug nuts goes better with the rest of the car's look (I suspect the exposed nuts on the '03's were a big motivator for my wife's comment.) Unfortunately, center caps can be lost (see my earlier post). :-)
http://autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat_cod- e=carnews&loc_code=index&content_code=01610554
Ironicly, BingoMan, my 2003 CTS was originally delivered to Rydell Auto Group in the San Fernando Valley of Southern California. It became a Dealer trade to my Dealer when Rydell wanted a car in their inventory (my car was built 9/20/2002).
Like Jesse James on MONSTER GARAGE, I sure wish I could have had a FREEBIE!!! -Jer:>)
Insofar as the look of the car, I get most of my positive comments from the ladies out there. They REALLY like the MACHO and AGGRESSIVE look of the car. I agree! It ain't for the faint hearted!
And I agree with you that these folks who are going back & forth over what year CTS to buy, should look at the current crop. They are getting all the little bugs out like the Clock/Temp Gauge thing. I really liked the Sable Black with Ebony interior CTS Luxury Sport I saw the other day at the Dealer. I've always liked the STSs & DTSs in that color combo, and boy does it look good! But hey, buy the color you like. You'll love that CTS like the rest of us who bought one. Fantastic Car! -Jer:>)