2008 Cadillac CTS: Tell Me Why I'm Wrong

The problem with the way cars are priced anymore is it is hard to get past the fact that to get an 'equipped' car you have to endure about 50% more than the base price. It can be hard to swallow paying half again as much for all the goodies.
They come out and advertise the car as "starting at $32,000" but if you don't want to sit on vinyl in your so called 'high end' car it is going to start out more like $35,000 and from there it just keeps climbing.
Want a sunroof? Then you need this $3,500 package that includes a lot of junk you don't want. Oh you want the memory for the seats too? That is a different package that is $5,000.

I don't think the Genesis is after Cadillac... It's more after Mercedes. At least that's the way I see it, although it sure looks and according to the write up on it, it sure is one heck of a bargain.
 
But I still think I would go for the Caddy. I have always like the CTS. Not that I would ever be able to afford one (maybe a used one in a few years). I have always wanted a 3 or 5 series, but now I want the Caddy. I never thought I would say that, but I like the Caddy better. It looks better and performs as well or better than both the 5 and the 3 and is less expensive.

I really do not think the 5 series is a "me-too" car. I had the pleasure of driving my friends 2008 535i again on a weekend road trip, and while I like my 3 series I love the 5. I do not think anyone can argue the 5 series is the best all around vehicle out there, not to mention, the best driving.

And that's the problem with American consumerism. The average American consumer can't afford to spend $30,000 on a new car, yet because they want the 'image' and 'prestige' that comes with a luxury nameplate, they are willing to take out another mortgage on the house to satisfy their desire to look wealthier than they are. Its all about appearances.
 
What, all gimmicks aside, can this Cadillac do that a... hmm... V6 Accord, Camry, Altima or Sonata can't?

I much prefered the looks of the original CTS to this new one. The design was fresh and innovative, striking even. Sadly they overdid it on the redesign. The front looks swollen and over inflated now. imo of course.

Bryan, way to make strong statements in the hunt for comments. "Think the CTS is too expensive? It's not. These days to get a really nice car you've got to spend $30,000 plus, to get something special you've got to spend more than $40,000. Am I wrong?"
 
Well, you won with me :)
 
I don't agree. First off, I bought a 2008 Legacy GT for under $25k (albeit, that's about 4.5k under MSRP). Real perforated leather, heated seats, power seats, AWD, decent stereo, powerful engine, fold-down rear seat standard (take that BMW!), nice looking, etc.
 
How do you define "nice" anyway? You can get used, of course....a "nice" CPO car for well under 30k when it originally cost around 40k.
 
As far as special under 40k? VW GTI. Pontiac G8. Infiniti G35. Mini Cooper S. Volvo C30.
 
Fun cars with varying degrees of luxury/sport. Non-bland cars. All under 40k.
 
Joe

"I do not think anyone can argue the 5 series is the best all around vehicle out there, not to mention, the best driving."
 
OK, I'll bite - I used to think that before the latest iteration. I can almost get past the looks, and maybe squeek by the iDrive (I know, you love it, many do, I don't), but then the poor side crash protection did it in. I basically had my checkbook in hand...

Joe - I will admit the Legacy is an exception but the Mini and Volvo C30 are not special - G8 is decent but again lacks that certain special something. It's a great $32k car though, that's the car i had in mind with the statement NICE - cool, fun and a slight cut above an Accord but ultimately not execptional.

Did you just say something bad about my friend's Chevy Aveo?
 
You people have no sense of politeness.
"All cars are wonderful. Your car there is so beautiful. I really like its stubby nose. That's very cute. No place to put your feet and waist? Oh that's a feature. It helps us with our dieting by gently nudging us if we get too fat. I love those plastic covers too. They're great for protecting the wheels from scratches.

Texases - The current iteration 5-series uses the same chassis as the previous gen (it was stiff enough already). I agree that the side crash test rating was dissapointing, but in that case I do believe it was a freak incident. I wonder if the testing institute has a measure whereby a manufacturer can appeal and request a re-test?
 
Brian - Your last statement clearly shows that "something special" is a personal opinion. I think my 06 Civic SI is something special (though I want to trade it in already!)...I think an e30 BMW 325is 5-speed is something special.
 
I think a last generation Mazda Miata is something exceptional....especially the Mazdaspeed variety.
 
I could go on.. .:)
 
Joe

The CTS is too expensive for my tastes, but its not overpriced in this segment. The E class starts at about $50k and is the same size as the CTS. The 5 series STARTS at over $44k as MT pointed out when they made CTS car of the year. If you dont like the idea of a car coming without all the goodies you need to buy a non luxury car or an Acura. BMW and MB do the same thing with their cars, offer a nice starting price and lot of pricey options that can add 30%+ to the sticker.

"I'll pass on the "me too" 5-series, especially in black or silver."

While tooling around in Mission Viejo CA yesterday, just for kicks I counted Accords and 5 series. The BMWs outnumbered the accords by a small margin. Same goes for C- and E- class Mercedes. I do like the CTS because it is a little different, but I would be concerned with residual value over time with a GM product vs. import.

As I age an expensive new car becomes less important (not that it was ever very high). I agree with Joe, there are a LOT of nice cars out there under $40, and even some under $30. A car doesn't need to be expensive or have a German badge to be fun to drive.

"I do like the CTS because it is a little different, but I would be concerned with residual value over time with a GM product vs. import."

In Karl's blog about the Genesis he says the projected residual value of the CTS is up there with the Lexus GS according to ALG. Even if the CTS wasnt quite as good as a German or Japanese car I would think the difference would be rather small.

You're not wrong. You've got a preference. A car is worth what you pay for it. If you like the CTS and can swing the price, then it's the best car for your money.

I think the CTS and all Cadillac products are quite ugly. I'm a "me-too" guy because I love the 5-series.

PS why are the comments no longer numbered? I thought that was a nice feature.

I thought the CTS competed with the 3-series, C-Class, G35, etc, not the 5 series and E-class? I looked up the specs for the CTS compared to the G35, and the exterior dimensions were slightly larger for the CTS but it didn't have any advantages in terms of interior space.

So if I'm comparing this to the smaller competitors, I don't think it's a good value. If I'm spending 46K, I'd get a 335. If I wanted to spend less than 40K, I'd get the G35.

Cadillac is definitely headed in the right direction, but I don't think they're quite there yet. I rode in a new STS (same interior as the CTS), and something wasn't quite right. Visually, I liked the design, but the overall presentation just didn't feel luxurious to me. I'm guessing this was mostly due to materials quality and fit/finish, but it's kind of difficult to describe. When you're sitting inside a Benz or Lexus, you KNOW you're in a luxury car. I just didn't get that same feeling in the Caddy, although it's difficult to qualify exactly why.

I love the styling, comfort, upscale-ness, and feel of the CTS. I was looking forward to getting it; I test drove it and loved it so much!

Then I test drove a 335i and a 135i. All of a sudden I understood why everyone seems to love BMW. Personally, I value driving over comfort, so the choice was clear.

For a person who loves driving, the Germans have everything you could want plus a respectable amount of luxury. For a person who prefers comfort and luxury, the CTS is perfect (it's still powerful though, especially with the DI engine!). Apples to oranges.

Also, CTS competes with 3-series, G's, C-Class and the like. STS competes with E-Class, 5-series, M's, etc. At least thats how I always thought it was?

The STS and CTS definately do not have the same interior. In my opinion, the STS interior is miles behind the CTS--in materials, design and fit and finish. I honestly believe the prior STS (I had an '02) was much nicer inside than a 2008 model. Just an opinion.

bloodyr

The CTS and STS have nothing in common on the inside. In fact, I don't think they share a single visible part. The G35 has an upright albeit narrow body lending to better space efficiency. If that's the look you want, than by all means... However, the CTS is dimensionally similar to the 5series and E class. The STS is dimensionally similar to a short wheelbase 7 series.

The CTS is expensive fully loaded and even if I had the beans, I wouldn't buy it new. That's why I'll be getting mine off lease in another year to 18 months.

PS- the STS' center stack is shared with the Escalade.

"Cadillac is definitely headed in the right direction, but I don't think they're quite there yet. I rode in a new STS (same interior as the CTS), and something wasn't quite right."

They do not have the same interior at all. The STs interior isnt as nice but its very high quality. The materials are soft touch and the build quality is excellent. This is especially true of the Platinum and STS-V models with the cut and sew interiors. Cadillac is definitely there in terms on interior quality. The CTS' interior is on a different level than the G35.

The CTS and STS are almost the same size so its pointless to say the CTS only competes with the 3/C class and the STS competes with the 5 and E class. Both cars are competitors for midizers from other luxury brands. The STS has a little more rear legroom and two optional V8s but other than that its very similar to the CTS.

"When you're sitting inside a Benz or Lexus, you KNOW you're in a luxury car. I just didn't get that same feeling in the Caddy, although it's difficult to qualify exactly why."

The difference is a Benz or Lexus dont have a Caddy badge. The STS interior is as good as that of the E class. In fact its more modern looking. The GS has a nice interior but from a materials standpoint its no better than that of the STS. The STS has great wood and leather inside.

Anyone think a Hyundai Genesis will win any CTS customers?

I don't think you're wrong. There is a big difference in the base model stripper model that stickers in the low $30's and a fully loaded model like Edmund's has. As long as you use, enjoy, and appreciate the options, then they are worth it.

When I buy vehicles, I usually buy them fully loaded, with every option (unless its an option I know I will never use much), and I'll keep them for a long time (typically 7 to 10 years). I find this way an economical way to enjoy a car, as all the options and features helps me enjoy the car for longer, and not be bored or disappointed with it, plus I get more use for the options I paid for (expensive options take more of a depreciation hit usually). I'm more apt to trade in a car sooner if it was less expensive and missing options, because I'll always wish "it had that option", and it'll bug the hell out of me the entire time I own the car. When I buy a car fully loaded, I know I'm getting the maximum possible enjoyment from it, and I didn't leave anything on the table that I feel I'm missing out on. And that's worth the price.

That's my philosophy anyway, and I'm sticking with it. When I buy a 2010 CTS-V, it will be fully loaded.