Long-Term Road Tests

The press has convinced automakers that firm rides are compliant and that super stiff rides are only mildly annoying. I can tell you that on the potholed roads of the east cost the Aura's ride is extremely firm but no review I have come across has criticized the car for this. I shudder to think what the Accord rides like if it truly has a firmer ride than the Aura and Malibu. I can't imagine having a "family" sedan with a stiffer ride than the Aura. The media criticizes any car that doesnt ride and handle like a sports package equipped BMW but the reality is there is nothing wrong with a nice ride. I had a rental lacrosse and that thing rode over bumps with grace. The handling may not have been Altima sharp, but it was definitely acceptable for most drivers. Naturally a car like that is slammed in the press for being too soft and lacking the razor sharp reflexes of a 335i. Since most folks dont drive the way magazine editors drive I see no reason for them to dismiss any car that has a compliant ride.

That's why I love optional suspensions. My 76 year neighbour has a base CTS and it rides great but too soft for me.
 
The FE2 sounds great to me but I bet my kid brother would only be happy with the FE3.
 
If you try to please everyone you end up with a sad compromise. Options (and well educated sales staff) are the way to go.

huyracing-
 
I couldn't agree more. Cadillac created the FE3 setup for these track craving magazine writers. It got great reviews but auto writers tend to be out of touch with the way the majority of people use their cars. I'd reckon less than 10% of people ever drive on a track.

Every time I see the CTS's interior I just keep thinking "WOW, GM did a hell of a job." The interior is not only on par with the class, but it EXCEEDS most. I must say that I'm liking GM (especially Cadillac) more and more every year...

On the other hand, with open track days becoming more common, having a car that can both perform and serve as a comfortable daily driver is becoming more important. This is an enthusiast's blog and therefore caters more to people likely to take their cars out on the track every so often.

That's true. Even Buick with the LaCrosse has de-boatified it's cars.
 
The Town Car has gone away now, so what are old people going to buy?

^ that is how it always is. Most family sedan buyers don't care for Nurburgring tuned suspension and crap. they want a smooth ride. this is really lacking in today's market, i still remember old accords and camrys being so soft you can barrel over speed bumps like nothing and taking fast turns results in so much body roll its like you're on a bike dragging knee. i appreciate the firm ride and control of today's cars, but only because i am a racer. to most others, it is seen as a harsh ride.

The problem I have with a lot of the times with car comparisons is that the writers feel like every car needs to be a race car. If I buy a family sedan I am not buying a race car I am buying a car to comfortably and heaven forbid stylishly seat 4-5 people. If I want to drive a race car I'll go drive my race car.

I miss the CTS rental I had for 2 weeks on vacation. The ride was on the firm side, but I only felt what I needed to feel on the road. The only thing I hated was a poor sounding stereo, array of buttons wierd symbols on them, and rear window visibility