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.

Brent Romans, Senior Automotive Editor

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.

Our car has rear parking sensors, and those certainly help. I'm a bit surprised that Cadillac isn't offering a back-up camera on the 2008 CTS, though.

Brent Romans, Senior Automotive Editor @ 4,978 miles

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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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. Scott Jacobs, resident photog, had this to say about the Seville at the time: "I knew this wasn't my kind of car when a kindly elderly woman at the car wash told me how much she liked my Caddy."

In contrast: When I was taking the CTS's blog post picture yesterday, a gaggle of loitering teens on bicycles stopped to watch. "Sweet ride, man," said one. In terms of design, style and youth-appeal, this is the best modern Cadillac I've experienced.

But if you still pine for the '90s, maybe you could track down a used Seville. Edmunds TMV, as of today, is – ahem – $5,107.

Brent Romans, Senior Automotive Editor @ 4,865 miles

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.

If you push the right turn signal all the way until it clicks, like when you are making a right turn around a corner, it works fine. But when you just want to hold it for a few seconds: nothing. The left one works just fine.

Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor @ 4,889 miles

 

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.

Here's where our Long Term 2008 CTS with DI comes in, it has similar features and is a similar kind of car only it's $9,000 MORE EXPENSIVE. I love our CTS but it's not $9,000 better than the G35. Granted the CTS has an $8,000 option package but that includes stuff like a Bose stereo w/ nav, XM traffic, heated leather seats, power tilt/telescope wheel, memory seats and an Ultra View sunroof.

I never realized what a bargain the G35 is. I don't  think I properly appreciated the car. Now, I'm sorry it's leaving.

 Brian Moody, Road Test Editor

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. Plus, am I imagining things or is there a bit of an exhaust note too? I'd gladly drive this car everyday. I'd gladly own one of these and I'm not old, I'm only.... uh, let's just say very late 30s - very late.

Brian Moody, Road Test Editor @ 3,900 miles

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? I'd be lying if I said that I didn't feel like an old man at all. I did, like an old man enjoying the fruits of his retirement.

I can imagine my grandfather enjoying this car. All the deluxe amenities that would have made him soo happy, like the 10-way adjustable plush leather heated/cooled front seats, keyless access where you just pull the door handle and it opens without hesitation, and that nifty nav screen that tucks away into the dash if you don't want to use the navigation function. Plus even with all the buttons on the dash, I was still able to figure out which button worked what just by looking at them. No need to read the manual. Imagine that!

And another thing I liked about our Caddy that I'm sure Grandpa would have appreciated, too: The quiet V6. I could accelerate and would only hear the quiet thrum of the engine.

Caroline Pardilla, Deputy Managing Editor @ 3,724 miles

 

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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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.

Karl Brauer, Edmunds.com Editor in Chief @ 3,204 miles