2008 Cadillac CTS: Likes and Dislikes

Analog clock, no thanks. 300C has the same issue. I don't think it comes across as classy, just as a pain. Its one of the few interior features I don't care for in this car. Agree with all other author points.

Analog clock, no thanks. 300C has the same issue. I don't think it comes across as classy, just as a pain. Its one of the few interior features I don't care for in this car. Agree with all other author points.

I thought the analog clock was a infiniti and upper-crust thing....you get used to reading it fast (what do you guys use for wrist watches, anyway?)

Joe

Doesn't the Nav screen have a digital clock?

Yep, you can blame Infiniti for the analog clock - they started it with the first Q45 TV commercials circa 1990, with that snobby British dude talking about the center mounted analog clock for everyone to see. Since it was a snobby British guy speaking, it must be classy... and the rest of the luxury automakers all adopted it too.

The analog does look classier, but I agree a digital clock is easier to read, especially at night.

Does the NAV screen have a digital clock too? My Infiniti G35's NAV did, but the pop-up screen blocked the analog clock, so it kind of needed to have it on the NAV too.

Actually stingray Rolls-Royce and Bentley have been using analog clocks in their cars for decades, that is where the whole idea came from and that is why it is considered a luxury item. I personally don't mind it, the analog clock in my car is easy to read and beautifully detailed.

Back on topic, the CTS continues to impress me. I still think it has some build quality issues for a car of this price, but it is engineered with so many thoughtful little touches it gives me hope that GM really can become the world-standard again.

Mercedes has been using the clock in the center dash since the 50's.

And, why doesn't the screen automatically dim down at night? Mine does that when the auto lights turn on.

The RR and Bentley analog clocks are in the instrument panel where the tachometer belongs, right? I think I've seen some newer Mercedes with it there too. Anyway, I'm sure there's a digital clock somewhere in the CTS, on the stereo or nav screen perhaps.

Also agree that it would be nice if the nav switched from day to night mode with the automatic headlights. BUT I also like having the manual override so easily accessible, because very often automatic headlights come on and dim the dash well before I would have done it myself. Or if the headlights are on but you're still wearing sunglasses (driving toward the setting sun), you might want other things on the dash to remain more brightly lit. It's all about control and simplicity.

I believe the primary reason they decided to put the clock in the car was to waste space. Imagine how awkward it would look if there was just a large open space there.

Great points. I like the immediate attractiveness of an analog clock, but that quickly wears off when you have to read it while driving. It also got a bit ridiculous when the Fusion SEL had one...

This post sums up one thing that bothers me with the improvements domestic cars are making. They get these great little touches like the individual climate controls right and its a big step in front of everyone else, but then all the basic things like window switch placement that should just be a given gets messed up. That one step forward meets another step backward.

re day/night button: Its actually a day/night/AUTO button. The Auto setting reacts to ambient light and will gradually dim or brighten the screen.

I disagree that the screen should dim when the auto headlights come on. In this price range, the brightness level of various displays should be determined by a light sensor measuring the interior ambient light, and dim accordingly. The headlights being on or off should have no relevance. If you've ever been driving at sunset with a very bright sun directly behind you you'll understand what I mean. The headlights need to be on AND you need maximum brightness on your screens to avoid washout.

Per the above post it's good to see the CTS has the light-sensing active dimming feature.

My $300 Garmin portable GPS switches from day to night mode automatically based on the time and location, so not so impressed by this feature in the caddy.

"My $300 Garmin portable GPS switches from day to night mode automatically based on the time and location, so not so impressed by this feature in the caddy."

That's super but how does that have any relevance to the actual level of ambient light in the vehicle? Can the Garmin determine if you're in a valley or in a field? Under trees? In a parking garage? Which direction the sun is hitting you? Cloud cover?

My friend had a '97 or '98 Jeep with auto lights that could change instrument panel brightness separate from the headlights. For example if the lights were automatically turned on because the wipers were on but it wasn't dark, it would not dim instrument panel lights until ambient light levels went down. Same thing if the lights were turned on manually.

"That's super but how does that have any relevance to the actual level of ambient light in the vehicle? Can the Garmin determine if you're in a valley or in a field? Under trees? In a parking garage? Which direction the sun is hitting you? Cloud cover?"

My point is that it's not such a luxury feature as people are making out, if an inexpensive device that plugs in to your accessory outlet can switch screens. No one said the caddy NAV switches due to ambient light either, or when in a parking lot, it may be based on time also. If it does, that's nice, but not that impressive. My 1998 Lexus GS would auto dim or brighten the instrument panel lights automatically. That was 10 years ago.

Don't you think it would be distracting if your NAV screen adjusted every time you passed under a tree or overpass?!?

"No one said the caddy NAV switches due to ambient light either, or when in a parking lot, it may be based on time also."

c5thunder pointed it out above and I responded to his comment.

"Don't you think it would be distracting if your NAV screen adjusted every time you passed under a tree or overpass?!?"

I've owned cars that have had active light-sensing nav screens continuously since about 2005. They're anything but distracting. The only time I've actually ever perceived the dimming is when driving into a dark parking garage on a sunny day. Otherwise, it just simply works perfectly - you look at it, and it's at the right brightness level for the given conditions.

I prefer analog clocks. Then again when I grew up, there was no such thing as a digital clock. I can read an analog clock with less distraction than a digital one.

I prefer the controls in the door. Maybe because I've become quite accustomed to it in just about any car that I've driven.

Anyway, if these are your complaints about the car, I'm even more impressed with it.

"Actually stingray Rolls-Royce and Bentley have been using analog clocks in their cars for decades, that is where the whole idea came from and that is why it is considered a luxury item. "

I didn't say Infiniti was the first with an analog clock in a center dashboard. They simply took an old idea and made it a new trend through advertising.

Similar to the Lexus commercials where they proclaimed the "LS400 features airbag terminals plated in gold...", like it was some super-expensive and exotic touch that only Lexus would provide. What they didn't tell you is that ALL airbag terminals MUST be plated in gold to prevent failure caused by corrosion, and the amount of gold used costs about 90 cents. That's right, even a Hyundai Elantra has airbag terminals plated in gold.

But, the Japanese (and Germans) know there are plenty of stupid gullible Americans that eat this stuff up.

Has anyone in the CTS noticed there's no way to tell if your doors are locked? No post by your shoulder, no lever by the handle, no LED. Nothing. Odd.