Long-Term Road Tests
2008 Cadillac CTS V6 DI
October 8, 2008
You know how people claim that goose-neck trunk hinges are a sure sign of inferior quality and cost cutting, while struts are more expensive and therefore better? Well, here's a reason why that's wrong.
The struts shrink the size of the trunk opening, particularly on our Cadillac CTS. As the below video shows, it requires a bit of finagling to fit wider items like golf clubs through the opening. Once in, the battery compartment prevents you from fitting the clubs perfectly width-wise (which they did in a Chevy Cobalt nearby). This makes loading multiple golf bags or other items with the golf clubs more difficult. And since this is a Cadillac, how it holds golf clubs is certainly important.
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- Posted by: JRiz October 8, 2008, 3:16 PM
- Categories: 2008 Cadillac CTS V6 DI
October 7, 2008
Remember when I said I could see the outline of my apartment building on the Scion xB's navigation system? Well, the Cadillac CTS tops that. This navi adds little 3D animated versions of really tall and/or noteworthy buildings. As you can see from the photo above, the digital version is pretty darn close to the actual thing. If you scan left on the map, another similar building down the street is shown along with a digital rendering of one of the LACMA buildings.
Although this mostly seems like a "Hey, look what we can do!" feature, it's probably not a bad idea to have renderings of notable landmarks to assist in navigation.
I really want to know how they do it, though. Does someone go around taking pictures of random, big buildings and then hand them off to 3D animators to create the buildings? And what does Manhattan look like? I'll have to check that sometime.
James Riswick, Automotive Editor @ 14,157 miles
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- Posted by: JRiz October 7, 2008, 5:01 PM
- Categories: 2008 Cadillac CTS V6 DI
October 2, 2008
Above is a shot taken this morning of the multi-media screen in our long-term 2008 Cadillac CTS. Everything is normal here.
Last night, though, the audio emitted nothing more than the sounds of flatulence, complete with little pauses and ripples just like the real thing. Changing channels, cranking the volume, switching among AM/FM/XM... nothing curbed the poop.
So many fart jokes to choose from that my mind is frozen. One might say... constipated.
Jason Kavanagh, Engineering Editor @ 13,280 miles.
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- Posted by: Jay Kavanagh October 2, 2008, 2:37 PM
- Categories: 2008 Cadillac CTS V6 DI
September 24, 2008
Recently, a long-time friend informed me that he rented a 2008 Cadillac CTS in San Jose, CA, drove it to Santa Cruz on Highway 17, and loved it. This is a friend who has never owned a domestic-brand car. He's not really even into cars, but he has three requirements for the next car he buys:
1. Rear-wheel drive
2. Sharp handling (up to a point)
3. Able to accommodate his 300-lb bodybuilder frame
The CTS is the first moderately-sized sedan in a long time that he's been able to drive comfortably. (Sedans like the BMW 3 Series and Infiniti G35 have been struck from the list because they pinched his shoulders and restricted arm movement.)
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- Posted by: Erin Riches September 24, 2008, 12:04 PM
- Categories: 2008 Cadillac CTS V6 DI
I was thinking the other day (always a dangerous proposition, I know) and wondering how all the current (or really, really recently departed) Edmunds/Inside Line long-term vehicles stack up against each other in fuel economy, at least the fuel economy we've been recording during their time with us. So I made a list. For you and for me. In case we were both wondering.
The only current vehicles missing from my list are the Audi R8 and the Dodge Grand Caravan, and that's because no one has entered any fuel data into the tracking spreadsheet for those vehicles yet. The very top and the very bottom of the list aren't going to surprise anybody (I don't think), but the middle is kinda interesting. Seeing the Rondo and the WRX so close to each other made me raise my eyebrows. Ditto the Ford GT's spot above the Veracruz. Ready to check it all out? Follow the jump with me.
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- Posted by: Bryn MacKinnon September 24, 2008, 10:06 AM
- Categories: 2002 BMW M3, 2004 Toyota Prius, 2005 Ford GT, 2005 Volkswagen Jetta GLS TDI, 2006 Lexus RX 400h, 2007 Chevrolet Silverado LT, 2007 Ford Edge SEL, 2007 Honda Civic GX, 2007 Honda Fit Sport, 2007 Kia Rondo, 2007 Saturn Aura XR, 2007 Toyota Tundra SR5 Double Cab, 2008 BMW 135i, 2008 BMW X5 4.8i, 2008 Buick Enclave CX, 2008 Cadillac CTS V6 DI, 2008 Ford Focus SES Coupe, 2008 Honda Accord EX-L V6, 2008 Hyundai Veracruz SE AWD, 2008 Mazda CX-9, 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300 Sport, 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X MR, 2008 Pontiac G8 GT, 2008 Scion xB, 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion Coupe, 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, 2009 Ford Flex Limited, 2009 Nissan GT-R
September 12, 2008
Earlier this week, after a brief stopover at the Romans estate (above left), our long-term 'Lac and I headed for Land Rover's Off-Road Driving Experience in Carmel, roughly 6 hours north of L.A. If it's trail-busting tales you want, you'll have to wait for next Friday's Weekly Top 3 post over at the Strategies Blog. But if you're jonesing for a fragmentary yet hard-hitting assessment of the CTS qua road trip companion, you've come to the right place.
Stuff That Doesn't Work
The automatic triple-blink turn signal function when changing lanes to the right. Push up on the stalk and...nothing -- not even a single blink. You have to click it into place, as if you're turning at an intersection, and then click it back.
Stuff That's Annoying
Squeaky seats. Wonky driving position. Crude power window switches. And a navigation system that takes an extraordinarily long time to calculate your route -- we're talking upwards of 30 seconds in some cases, which can be a bit harrowing if you've just plugged in your address and find yourself approaching a key intersection with your electronic copilot still deep in thought.
Stuff That BMW Should Be At Least A Little Nervous About
The steering -- I really like it. It's virtually slop-free, there's a pleasant weightiness at speed, and the effort builds progressively around bends. And the body control -- it's really good, which is all the more impressive given that our car lacks the maximally sporty FE3 suspension. I took route 198 on the way up and route 58 on the way back (both highly recommended for enthusiasts), and the CTS delivered a command performance, faltering only in the tightest corners, where the Caddy's imposing heft and compliant suspension tuning conspired to upset its composure.
Stuff That Lincoln Should Be Petrified About
Everything. The CTS positively pwns the MKS in every significant way, except maybe Sync. Best American luxury sedan under $50k? It's not remotely close.
Stuff That Kicks A**
Rear-wheel drive, defeatable traction control, 300+ hp, and a gravel turnout in the middle of nowhere. Warning: gleeful doughnuts may cause scenic vistas to become temporarily obscured.
Josh Sadlier, Associate Editor, Edmunds.com @ 12,310 miles
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- Posted by: S.B. True September 12, 2008, 1:33 PM
- Categories: 2008 Cadillac CTS V6 DI
September 5, 2008
Unlike the CX-9's window switches, those in our long-term Cadillac CTS are working just fine. The problem is the way they feel. It's hard to tell from the picture, but the top edge of each switch is sharp in an unfinished sort of way. I can't think of another car in which this is the case -- power window switches always seem to have rounded edges, because (duh) fingertips prefer rounded to sharp.
This wouldn't be particularly remarkable in, say, a Cobalt XFE. But in a luxury sedan with a sticker north of $46k? Ouch. If Cadillac wants to build a world-beater, it's got to dot its i's and cross its t's. Magrath's fit-and-finish observations (most of which I can confirm) and this window-switch gaffe have got me thinking that The Mechanic has a point.
Josh Sadlier, Associate Editor, Edmunds.com @ 11,493 miles.
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- Posted by: S.B. True September 5, 2008, 10:48 AM
- Categories: 2008 Cadillac CTS V6 DI
August 26, 2008
I noticed the CTS tail lamps over the weekend for the first time. The press kit calls this lighting element a LED "light pipe" for the rear marker lamp. But for me and a few others here, it looks like an incandescent or fluorescent bulb; LEDs are pretty small. The Engineering Editor said that perhaps there are several LEDs distributed throughout, but the illumination seems too uniform for that. And the Director of Vehicle Testing said the pipe reminded him of this thing. In any event, the light pipe looks good and conveys the vertical styling theme of the tail lamps. Another great styling detail on a sharp car.
Albert Austria, Sr Vehicle Evaluation Engineer @ 11,461mi
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- Posted by: Snake Doctor August 26, 2008, 10:39 AM
- Categories: 2008 Cadillac CTS V6 DI
August 18, 2008
It's been about three months since I've been in our Long Term 2008 Cadillac CTS and I think that it's spent that entire time being driven over cobblestones. Even with the radio on, the slightest road imperfection causes the CTS to erupt with noise.
Here's a list of things that squeak or rattle in our CTS.
Driver seat (this is particularly bad when turning, braking or accelerating. Or entering / exiting the vehicle)
Passenger seat
instrument cluster (chrome surrounds buzz and rattle)
rear seats
sunroof
center console
Shift lever
Nav screen (intermittent when rising)
The driver seat-back also feels as if it's sagging down slightly to the right.
Mike Magrath, Vehicle Testing Assistant @ 10,943 miles
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- Posted by: Mike Magrath August 18, 2008, 3:04 PM
- Categories: 2008 Cadillac CTS V6 DI
August 15, 2008
(Photo courtesy of General Motors Corporation)
We should have waited. Our 2008 CTS has a lot going for it; looks, driving dynamics, kick-ass features. But it lacks a certain something. A certain wagonness. Trunks just don't do it for me. Not enough space, difficult access and stunted looks. Wagons are cool and I want this one. With a six-speed manual of course.
Click the link for the news story and more photos.
Mike Magrath, Vehicle Testing Assistant
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- Posted by: Mike Magrath August 15, 2008, 8:41 AM
- Categories: 2008 Cadillac CTS V6 DI
July 24, 2008
Our long-term Cadillac CTS looks pretty bad, in Michael Jackson's sense of the term. Bad enough that I'm tempted to do the gangsta lean when I'm behind the wheel. Trouble is, the CTS has other ideas, thanks to its unfortunate dead-pedal-to-throttle relationship. Forget the gangsta lean -- the "CTS lean" is what our Caddy imposes on its drivers. (Photo explanation after the jump.)
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- Posted by: S.B. True July 24, 2008, 2:56 PM
- Categories: 2008 Cadillac CTS V6 DI
July 22, 2008
Although the Cadillac CTS is a supreme highway cruiser, it really enjoys the city life. The sharp, agressive styling stands out in the metropolitan streets, and imparts a sense of urban cool on its owner. "Where's my car?" I asked the valet after already waiting for 15 minutes. "Sorry, sir, what vehicle was that?" he said. I proudly replied, "Red Cadillac." Ten years ago, perhaps my response would have carried some embarrassment. But no longer. It was nice to not answer the valet with the trite BMW/Benz/Lexus response. The CTS confidently plays in the bigs with this trio. My only styling beef is with the wheels: they scream "Geez!"
Albert Austria, Senior Vehicle Evaluation Engineer @ 9744 mi
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- Posted by: Snake Doctor July 22, 2008, 10:00 AM
- Categories: 2008 Cadillac CTS V6 DI
July 21, 2008
I went up to San Francisco and Laguna Seca in the CTS this past weekend for the MotoGP race. I covered just over 1100 mi and got 25.0 mpg on the nose in a mix of highway, city, and curving road driving. It's a terrific highway cruiser and city car: great ride, decent handling, very good powertrain, and fantastic exterior / interior styling. I would choose the CTS over the ES and C-class, but not the 3-series and IS - they're better handlers. The CTS is a legitmate alternative to any of them. Several Edmunds/IL members were in MotoGP attendance, because they, like you, really love performance, whether on two wheels or four. You motobikers out there already know about that. Unless, of course, you ride a Harley...
Albert Austria, Senior Vehicle Evaluation Engineer @ 9298 mi
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- Posted by: Snake Doctor July 21, 2008, 1:55 PM
- Categories: 2008 Cadillac CTS V6 DI
July 16, 2008
The oil level on the CTS was low at only 9075 miles, (it was within the lowest OK mark on the fussy dipstick shown above), so I added 1/2 quart of Mobil 1 5W-30. It calls for that oil right on the filler cap. The Inside Line Executive Editor just drove back from an Aston intro in San Francisco, and it's taking me to the MotoGP U.S round at Laguna Seca this weekend. Stay tuned for more.
Albert Austria, Senior Vehicle Evaluation Engineer @ 9075 mi
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- Posted by: Snake Doctor July 16, 2008, 4:36 PM
- Categories: 2008 Cadillac CTS V6 DI
July 3, 2008
On the eve of Independence Day, I thought I'd peruse our garage for the most American metal. Amongst the many long-termers presently in the long-term fleet, we have quite the selection of cars built by domestic makers. Some are excellent representives of this great land, others ... not so much. And that's not counting the pretty cool American cars that reside in our editors' own garages: Trans Ams, Challengers, Corvettes and Schmidt's big ol' F-150.
Of course, what constitutes an American car these days is up for debate given the Focus is hecho en Mexico and our Hyundai Veracruz is hecho en Alabama. But I'll leave those determinations up to you. And the nominees for our Most American Car are...
Buick Enclave
Cadillac CTS
Chevy Silverado
Dodge Caravan (oh dear god, I hope not)
Ford Edge
Ford Focus
Ford GT
Pontiac G8 GT
Saturn Aura
James Riswick, Automotive Editor
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- Posted by: JRiz July 3, 2008, 9:12 AM
- Categories: 2005 Ford GT, 2007 Chevrolet Silverado LT, 2007 Ford Edge SEL, 2007 Saturn Aura XR, 2008 Buick Enclave CX, 2008 Cadillac CTS V6 DI, 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT, 2008 Ford Focus SES Coupe, 2008 Pontiac G8 GT
July 2, 2008
Another night in our 2008 Cadillac CTS went without a hitch. It's a very nice car in nearly every way. My wife has never considered herself a Cadillac person, except perhaps in the rockabilly Kustom Kulture ironic sense. But she surprises herself for liking this one. "If only it didn't have so much cheesy chrome..." she mused, pointing to the plethora of shiny rings and bezels inside.
On another note, yesterday I had to approve a purchase request submitted for the renewal of the XM subscriptions in our CTS (yes, there are two) and it got me to thinking about subscription services in general.
On top of the car payment and the cost of filling the tank with gas, the CTS has no less than 4 subscriptions to renew if you want to keep all of the electronic toys up and running.
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- Posted by: Dan Edmunds July 2, 2008, 8:32 AM
- Categories: 2008 Cadillac CTS V6 DI
July 1, 2008
I admit that this post on the 2008 Cadillac CTS hasn't got a lot of meat on its bones. But anyone who has ridden in the car with me for more than an hour or so has asked the same question: "What's this thing do?"
It happened again last night. I had no answer except, "Nothing, apparently."
My best guess is that it hides a portal that, once opened, would reveal a black hole and catapult us all into another dimension. Either that or it hides a bolt that holds the console in place.
I'm tempted to pry it off, but I fear I'll break something. The owner's manual is no help, but a quick read did eliminate the "shift-lock override" theory.
Any other bright ideas?
Dan Edmunds, Director of Vehicle Testing @ 7,733 miles
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- Posted by: Dan Edmunds July 1, 2008, 1:29 PM
- Categories: 2008 Cadillac CTS V6 DI
June 30, 2008
Our Long Term Cadillac CTS is well worth the $46,000 as equipped sticker price. It's fun to drive, has plenty of cool gadgets not to mention it is a really attractive car. Looks aren't everything but I can't stand having something that everyone else has, that's why I like the CTS. I find my self looking over my shoulder or out the window just to get a glimpse...
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- Posted by: Brian Moody June 30, 2008, 1:59 PM
- Categories: 2008 Cadillac CTS V6 DI
June 19, 2008
As much as I dig the Cadillac's fancy-pants infotainment system there is one aspect of it that I just cant get used to: The alphabetic layout on the destination entry screen.
Now, I'm sure a lot of you are going to ask "what's the problem? Everyone knows where the letters of the alphabet are!", but if you ask this via our blogs, and you aren't using a Maltron or a speech-to-type system, then you've just proved my point. QWERTY makes sense in a keyboard layout, we all use it every day...
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- Posted by: Mike Magrath June 19, 2008, 3:55 PM
- Categories: 2008 Cadillac CTS V6 DI
June 13, 2008
With the July 1st hands-free mobile-phoning law just around the corner here in California, I thought I'd get acquainted with our 2008 Cadillac CTS Bluetooth pairing procedure. I exhausted all the intuitive hands-on paths within minutes and called (with a headset) back to the Mothership to ask if our CTS was even Bluetooth capable. "Nope, don't think so, but you should RTM and make sure before you post on it."
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- Posted by: Cee-Dubya June 13, 2008, 2:09 PM
- Categories: 2008 Cadillac CTS V6 DI
June 8, 2008
This weekend our long term 2008 Cadillac CTS took a little oil and left a little rubber.
Official numbers are:
1) 1.3 quarts of Mobil 1 5W-30
2) 38 feet
Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief @ 6,647 miles
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- Posted by: Scott Oldham June 8, 2008, 9:23 PM
- Categories: 2008 Cadillac CTS V6 DI
June 2, 2008
On the commute to and from work I found one aspect of the hard-drive Bose audio system in our 2008 Cadillac CTS to be invaluable: I can pause, rewind and resume playing any radio program. I can skip commercials. It's radio Tivo, folks (well, not actually Tivo brand, but you get the idea.)
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- Posted by: Dan Edmunds June 2, 2008, 1:39 PM
- Categories: 2008 Cadillac CTS V6 DI
May 30, 2008
Eureka! The *accessory iPod cord we ordered for our 2008 Cadillac CTS came in. Boy does it transform the iPod experience.
Load times take about as long as it takes me to reach up to the touch screen after I snap my iPod onto the cord--in other words, negligible. And the GM logo now appears on my iPod's screen.
None of the tracks end up in the gibberish "No Info" file--they're all where they are supposed to be. Menu choices for "Playlist" and "Podcast" are now here (although the latter is one menu level down under "Genre" instead of being at the top level as it is on an iPod--no big deal).
*more like replacement--read on ...
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- Posted by: Dan Edmunds May 30, 2008, 1:42 PM
- Categories: 2008 Cadillac CTS V6 DI
May 28, 2008
Right on the front page of the Cadillac CTS webpage, a list of key features is touted. Number 5 on the list is "Full MP3 and iPod connectivity." Well, our 2008 Cadillac CTS has the optional 40 Gb hard drive and USB port necessary to gain "full iPod connectivity," but it ain't that simple.
Why? You can't use your iPod's own USB connection cord. Even though it seems to plug in properly to our USB jack, it doesn't work right. Warns against doing so in the manual, too.
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- Posted by: Dan Edmunds May 28, 2008, 2:27 PM
- Categories: 2008 Cadillac CTS V6 DI
May 27, 2008
I spent this past Memorial Day weekend in our 2008 Cadillac CTS. I hadn't spent much time in the CTS since I attended the launch of the car in Germany about 10 months ago, where I drove a 6-speed manual equipped FE3 on the Nurburgring.
My wife and I didn't take it anywhere near as spectacular, as we stayed in-town this weekend--too many races to watch on the Tivo and whatnot. But even on the freeway cruise to Griffith Park Observatory and on the roads around my neighborhood, the new CTS was still impressive.
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- Posted by: Dan Edmunds May 27, 2008, 1:51 PM
- Categories: 2008 Cadillac CTS V6 DI
May 22, 2008
I couldn't wait for us to get our Cadillac CTS. I eagerly pestered Phil Reed about what color we were getting and what items we would be adding to the options list. After my initial drive of a short-term car, I walked away very impressed by the solid driving manners that established a new sport sedan formula that is distinctly American. Most of all though, I loved the CTS' high style marks inside and out, high-quality interior materials and intelligent electronics interfaces that set it apart from the pack. This would be the car I'd buy in this price range.
But then I drove the LT car several times, and although my initial impressions held up, a few major negatives started to de-cloud my initial glee, which led me to the conclusion that I just couldn't buy one.
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- Posted by: JRiz May 22, 2008, 2:10 PM
- Categories: 2008 Cadillac CTS V6 DI
May 20, 2008
Why does the latest CTS look so much better than the previous version? Take a look at those front fenders. They not only add a few curves to the front quarter panels, they give the whole front end a more hunkered down, planted look. The fact that the wheels almost completely fill the space beneath them helps too...
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- Posted by: Ed Hellwig May 20, 2008, 3:13 PM
- Categories: 2008 Cadillac CTS V6 DI
May 13, 2008
Our Cadillac CTS's interior is noisy. It's fine when you're driving in a straight line. (Well, except for the wind noise.) But when you're making a turn the leather creaks loudly. You hear "Creak, creak, squeak creak." Read that part out loud, it's my best onomatopoeia...
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- Posted by: Donna Derosa May 13, 2008, 5:09 PM
- Categories: 2008 Cadillac CTS V6 DI
May 9, 2008
The FE2 suspension is the midlevel choice among three different suspension tuning options for the 2008 Cadillac CTS. I know we were keen on getting the max-attack FE3 package when looking to buy a CTS, but I think the (equipped) FE2 is the way to go.
I did two one-way trips in our CTS, each about 250 miles and four hours in duration. Based on this, I know I wouldn't want any more suspension stiffness than the FE2 provides if I had to drive our CTS every day...
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- Posted by: Brent Romans May 9, 2008, 11:42 AM
- Categories: 2008 Cadillac CTS V6 DI
May 5, 2008
It's hard to document this in a photo, but the CTS's rear visibility just plain sucks. The C-pillars are quite thick and the rear deck is high. In absolute terms, there are certainly worse vehicles. But as midsize sedans go, the CTS is below average...
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- Posted by: Brent Romans May 5, 2008, 9:14 AM
- Categories: 2008 Cadillac CTS V6 DI
May 2, 2008
The 2008 Cadillac CTS is available with a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. Our test car has the latter. While most of us around here prefer manual transmissions for the more precise control they provide, the CTS' automatic does earn extra points thanks to its rev-matching downshift ability.
If you place the transmission in manual-shift mode and select a downshift, the transmission's controller will automatically raise engine speed (rpm) to match wheel speed for the lower gear. The result is a smooth downshift, just like a heel-and-toe downshift on a car with a manual transmission.
I've been playing around with the manual-shift mode. Its shifts are reasonably quick and the rev-matching feature is very cool. Of course, rev-matching for an automatic isn't new – some cars from Infiniti, BMW and Mercedes-Benz's AMG come to mind – but having it on the CTS certainly buffs the car's sporting credentials.
A (very) amateur video demonstrating our Cadillac CTS doing it's rev-matching 'thang follows after the jump.
Brent Romans, Senior Automotive Editor
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- Posted by: Brent Romans May 2, 2008, 10:14 AM
- Categories: 2008 Cadillac CTS V6 DI
April 28, 2008
When I first started working at Edmunds, the company was about a year into its first long-term evaluation of a Cadillac, a 1998 Seville STS. I remember that Seville having plenty of power and gizmos, but it was unreliable and marred by awful build quality. MSRP was $52,337.
Almost a decade later, we have a new CTS (with a $46,690 MSRP) in our fleet. You'd hardly know these two cars were from the same company...
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- Posted by: Brent Romans April 28, 2008, 10:00 AM
- Categories: 2008 Cadillac CTS V6 DI
April 21, 2008
I thought I noticed this before, but I wasn't sure because it wasn't happening all the time. But now, it seems that every time you use the right turn signal to change lanes, it doesn't work. Nothing happens. Not great when you are driving on the freeway...
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- Posted by: Donna Derosa April 21, 2008, 12:07 PM
- Categories: 2008 Cadillac CTS V6 DI
April 3, 2008
As our G35 prepares to depart the Edmunds Long Term fleet, I was initially struck with..., well I didn't really care much. It's a great car and all but I'd never get the Sport version and the six-speed manual only appeals to me when I picture myself living in Nebraska or Montana or anywhere that's not Los Angeles.
Just as I was all set to not care about the car leaving, I had a glance at the window sticker - $37,400 including Premium Package and Navigation. For that price our car has a Bose stereo w/ hard drive, Bluetooth, real time traffic info for the nav system, sunroof, power memory for seats, mirrors and steering wheel, heated seats and one touch windows all around...
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April 2, 2008
The CTS is not a perfect car, there are a few things I wish it didn't do. None of them are enough to get me to dislike the car overall. Cadillac's excellent 3.6 liter direct injection V6 is all the reason I need to recommend the car.
This engine is smooth, responsive and has plenty of punch when you need it...
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- Posted by: Brian Moody April 2, 2008, 1:28 PM
- Categories: 2008 Cadillac CTS V6 DI
March 31, 2008
When I was a kid, I remember my grandfather taking great pride in his Cadillac DeVille. That car just seemed to go on forever lengthwise but it was deluxe. Ever since then, every time I think "Cadillac four-door," I can't help but think "old man." I'm sorry, but that's just what I associate it with. So when I was given the keys to our new 2008 Cadillac CTS, I naturally thought, "OK, I'll be an old man for the weekend."
And when I jumped behind the wheel of this huge red sedan for the first time?..
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- Posted by: Caroline Pardilla March 31, 2008, 10:26 AM
- Categories: 2008 Cadillac CTS V6 DI
March 20, 2008
No, we haven't decided to move our test track to a large dirt pitch. Rather, a certain Vehicle Testing Assistant forgot his camera and was graciously loaned a pretty CTS shot from one Mr. Mike Schmidt.
Click the "continue reading" link below to see how our CTS V6 (with direct injection) fared (at a paved track) in all of your favorite tests! 0-60, 1/4 mile, 60-0, skidpad, and slalom, all there for your reading pleasure.
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- Posted by: Mike Magrath March 20, 2008, 1:39 PM
- Categories: 2008 Cadillac CTS V6 DI
March 18, 2008
It's always comical when you hear or see commercials where the product promises to help save time by "getting you through the traffic" in your area. Sometimes the commercial in question is for an aftermarket GPS nav system, sometimes it's for a radio station's frequent traffic reporting system, and sometimes it's for a vehicle's nav system. But in all instances, it's total B.S. With regard to our long-term 2008 Cadillac CTS, the car can most certainly inform you of traffic conditions in your local area.
But as far as getting you through these traffic conditions? Unless there's a teleporting or flying mode I'm not aware of on our CTS, I don't see this information actually helping someone save time in their daily commute across Los Angeles...
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- Posted by: Karl Brauer March 18, 2008, 9:40 AM
- Categories: 2008 Cadillac CTS V6 DI
March 11, 2008
I love that the Caddy's front seats slide back so far but there's a price to pay. I slide the seats farther back than I normally would because..., well, because I can. The result is a lot of kicking and front seat backs that are frequently dirty. Hopefully, this will turn out differently with adult passengers...
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