CD Article: 2008 Cadillac CTS 3.6

[CD_Editor]

Today's Test Drive:
The new CTS "finally puts Cadillac on the same sport sedan footing as the established German brands," says Contributing Editor, Chris Chase.  "GM has been paying attention to what it needs to do to be successful in this segment."
 

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Read the article | View the photos | All The Test Drives

[Demosthenes X]

The six-speed automatic transmission (a manual is available with either available engine, the other being a port-injected version of the 3.6-litre) seemed a good match.

It should be noted in the review that the manual is available with either engine, but not with AWD.  Otherwise, a well written and informative review.    I'm especially happy that Chris is comparing the CTS with the 5-series and E-class, where it belongs, and not the 3-series/C-class.  The CTS does offer good value when compared to its rivals.

[mmret]

Everyone loves this thing. Even Steve might cheer for it.

[articsteve]

Steve who? 

[airbalancer]

I am 6-1 and have been in a CTS with a sunroof, I thought there was alot of head room.
They are a very nice looking car.
When does the wagon come out?
One thing about getting a CTS over other cars, is that in most towns there is a Caddy dealer

[safristi]

 Barrie's  STEVEadore........................

[Spheric]

Nice looking car.

However, I read an article somewhere with the CTS chief designer who admitted there was some kind of design fault with the CTS which cannot be fixed. I'll try and Google it and see if I can find it.

[safristi]

My guess if thats true he is NO LONGER CHIEF DESIGNER.........

[Scaerio]

I wonder how successful Caddy will be in attracting younger drivers with this car.  The two 1st generation CTS owners I know are both over 50...

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Spheric, believe that 'design fault' was the unbalanced 3.6L DI, creating a NVH issue that couldn't be completely solved.

The front valance is indeed VERY low. Lower in person than photos suggest, lower than BMWs perhaps too. It'd be a plow in the snow.

There's few areas I'd compare a CTS to a 5/A6/E/M. Remains a 3/A4/C/G competitor to me unless they added more headroom and legroom, besides the fact it doesn't offer a V8 like all those segment rivals (where the STS plays).

[articsteve]

For manual tranny buyers I don't see how ppl could overlook the 3 series Bimmer in favour of a Cadillac.  The CTS should be a good lease vehicle.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Not that it's a huge difference, but may like to restate the A6's price since their recent MSRP reduction to $59,900.

[Demosthenes X]

There's few areas I'd compare a CTS to a 5/A6/E/M. Remains a 3/A4/C/G competitor to me unless they added more headroom and legroom, besides the fact it doesn't offer a V8 like all those segment rivals (where the STS plays).

The CTS-V will offer a V8. 

For manual tranny buyers I don't see how ppl could overlook the 3 series Bimmer in favour of a Cadillac.

The CTS is priced significantly lower than the 5 series, which is what its designed to compete with.  The 3-series is too small for a lot of buyers, and the 5 is too expensive.  CTS is a great contender for those buyers.

[articsteve]

I realize the 3 series Bimmer is smaller than the CTS, but for manual tranny experience seekers the choice is obvious.  The CTS is a smaller and less expensive Cadillac and I think ppl should stop comparing it to the 5/A6/E et al.. for it's own good.  It should be marketed as a good deal/value assuming that is what it is.          

[Demosthenes X]

  It competes with the 5-series/A6/E class.  Of course people are going to compare them.  The upshot is, it does fairly well in those comparisons, while costing significantly less.  The choice between a 3-series MT and a CTS MT is obvious only if you can live with the size of the 3-series and the price premium you're paying for a smaller car compared to the CTS...

If you insist on comparing the two, you have to compare more than the transmission feel.  By that logic you should be comparing both to an S2000...

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Forgot about the CTS-V, but there's the M3 and M5 too 

The exterior size and weight of the CTS may match the 5, but the interior - especially the rear - don't measure the same. The 5 is comfortably larger, and just overall places in a higher league to me. The E-Class even moreso IMO. The 5/E/A6/Infiniti-M are executive cars of appropriate size to shuttle clients, and I don't get that from the CTS.

The G35 likely provides just as much go and handling with more interior space. And it's priced well too.

We clearly don't share the same opinion, and doubt either of ours will be changing. Yours and Chris' is the one Cadillac was going for so I'm sure they're thrilled 

[Mitlov]

Nice looking car.

However, I read an article somewhere with the CTS chief designer who admitted there was some kind of design fault with the CTS which cannot be fixed. I'll try and Google it and see if I can find it.

Yeah, Motor Trend blew that way out of proportion.  If a little noise and vibration from the engine is a "design flaw" instead of just the character of the vehicle, every G35 ever made is flawed.  It's not like the CTS's engine had snapping camshafts or anything.

[Mitlov]

The exterior size and weight of the CTS may match the 5, but the interior - especially the rear - don't measure the same. The 5 is comfortably larger, and just overall places in a higher league to me. The E-Class even moreso IMO. The 5/E/A6/Infiniti-M are executive cars of appropriate size to shuttle clients, and I don't get that from the CTS.

I see the CTS as somewhere between the 3-Series and 5-Series in terms of balancing spaciousness, affordability, and handling.  For some buyers, neither the 3 nor the 5 offers the right balance, and the CTS offers a more preferable combination.  There are a lot of people out there who want a sporty RWD sedan, with more room than a 3-Series, but don't want to drop the (massive) cash for a 5-Series.  For other buyers, the 3 offers the perfect balance.  For yet others, the 5 does.  I think the continual efforts to paint the CTS as a 100% 3-Series competitor or a 100% 5-Series competitor are kind of pointless.

The biggest threat to the CTS is not a BMW, but the Infiniti G35--which also offers more space than a 3-Series in an affordable package.  Between the two, the Infiniti will win with the hardcore sports enthusiasts, while the CTS will win with those who value comfort and great interiors in their sporty sedans.

Although the CTS is not what I'd buy if I was going to drop $35-$40k into a sport sedan, I really respect it for what it is.  I think it will do very well for Cadillac.

[Wolfe]

Forgot about the CTS-V, but there's the M3 and M5 too 

If the rumours are true the CTS-V will have 20 more hp than the mighty M5.

[Demosthenes X]

Word is the CTS-V is supposed to be putting out 525HP...  nuts.  That said, there's more to a super sedan than engine output.  We'll have to wait and see see how they compare on a track with corners.