Specifically this one





All things being equal, I'd rather support the home team, especially at a time when the industry is struggling and risks becoming extinct. Cars are possibly one of the last remaining products that we still make in this country and don't import. The death of the American auto industry will have huge ramifications for this country and its people.

In this particular case though, all things aren't equal. I believe the 08 CTS is the best product in it's class. The interior is absolute gold and the bold exterior styling could only come from America. No more bland, Japanese styling for me. It'll be good to drive an American car again after a few decades away.

 

Biggest question might be to pop for a CTS now or wait for the CTS-V and get a V8. Can't wait to see this car up close and personal.

 

My Mom was looking at those last night; turns out that a fully loaded CTS was $5000 more expensive than the fully loaded Lexus IS350. She likes both cars, but I reminded her of this: the Caddy is brand new this year. You really want to wait at least a year for them to work out the bugs; just like Lexus is doing now with the GS and IS. And once she saw the $5000 difference, it really made the choice easy, if she was to buy today.

And is the styling of the new IS really bland to you? I think it's almost as bold as the CTS.

 

specs on the CTS?

 

I posted my impressions here:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=305037

Very big thumbs up


Also, Karin'sGS3,
The CTS is slightly larger than the GS... IMO it should not be compared to the IS. Also, the CTS has quite a few options when fully loaded that are not available or at least unmatched by the IS350. In short, I think the reason the CTS was 5k more was that it's a bigger, nicer, and better equipped vehicle.

Does that make the IS a bad choice? No. But it just goes to show that depending on your priorities, the CTS might be a better bargain.

 

Having seen this car in person, I am not impressed with the styling and don't really find it "bold". Different? Yes. Bold? Ehhh...I don't really agree.

I feel as though Cadillac's "Art and Science" design language, even in this second generation, is going to hit a brick wall soon. When you limit yourself to hard edges and creases I have to wonder...how many bricks can you build? My point here is that the new CTS doesn't really look that much different from the old car, sans the new grille. Shape of the car and the details are all very much the same, just a little more streamlined. The STS, DTS, and XLR also all just look...old. When you refresh the same design cues over and over again, it doesn't ever really look all that new for very long.

That said, the interior does look to be best in class and finally, GM produces some competitive powertrains in the entry level segment.

 

I gotta weigh in on this one. I have seen quite a few in person on the roads around Detroit and I have to say I really like them. They look a lot better in peson, and they looks amazing in black. Definitely the best of the "Art and Science" design IMO. This the only american *car* that I actually wouldn't mine owning. I just hope it is reliable.

I'm going to keep my eyes on the CTS-V when it comes out. Perhaps in a few years get one. That should be one amazing car.

 

Driving around Detroit, Caddies look great compared to the low quality domestics that flood the streets

 

I love many american cars too..., but where's the touch start botton?

 

It's a great new car.

 

I think the CTS is one of the few domestic cars that seems ok. When you get right down to it, Most of the parts in that car are probably imported from somewhere else anyway. They are merely assembled here I think. Not sure, I stopped keeping up on domestic cars when Ford started manufacturing in mexico.

 

The CTS is made in American from mostly American parts. Most American cars have parts made from American suppliers.

American manufacturers have been forced to move abroad because of the UAW (union) plague. It's not like they chose to do that. If the UAW doesn't budge in the upcoming talks, they'll be forced to move even more manufacturing abroad.

Even now, they operate at a signifcant cost disadvantage compared to the non-Union imports. You could do a LOT with an extra $1500 per car. Infact you could do a lot more with 50 cents. So you see how hampered domestic companies are?

People talk about Japanese manufacturers building cars here. There's absolutely NO comparison between Toyota's 10 factories and GM's 54 plants. Plus, almost all engineering and most of the parts for American cars come from America. They just don't advertise it....well, because they're American.

But Toyota does play the "we're American" game better than anyone else with some very clever marketing.

If America's auto industry goes...it's hard to comprehend what might happen. It's not just the people directly employed by the car manufacturers who'll be affected, but also the HUGE number of people employed by all the suppliers.

That doesn't mean you have to compromise to buy an American. I wouldn't, that's why I drive a Japanese car right now. But when an American company comes out with a competitive product, I'm going to support it.

Furthermore, I've been less than impressed with Toyota's quality in recent years. Honda too. My mom's Accord (7th generation) was plagued with all kinds of issues.

 

Japanese styling is either bland, or derivative. It's the same with most Asian cars like Hyundai. You can't convince me otherwise. I say this being Asian and having lived in Asia for several years.

The styling on the CTS is BOLD with a capital B. It takes guts to come out with a car with styling like this at a time when everyone else was doing curves. The front fender alone is a work of art.

The new CTS just came out a few days ago. My dealer still doesn't have any in stock. Where did you see it?

 

rosskoss - I just want to say I think it's really great that you're not only open to buying a U.S. designed and built vehicle, but that you're strongly considering it and are concerned about the economic ramifications of the potential withering and dying of U.S. auto manufacturing.

I completely agree with you that for a long time it was really hard to consider one though with the shoddy design and construction.

But now? To NOT at LEAST consider something domestic is a bit short-sighted, as Ford and GM in particularly have improved by leaps and bounds in both design and manufacturing over just 10-15 years ago. Chrysler I still find a bit too cheap looking, although the Jeeps are good.

I now own 2 Fords and a Mazda. All have been absolutely great. I also don't mind Ford oil changes being only $23 at my local very friendly dealer! Haven't had the MX-5 serviced yet - I did an oil change myself to learn how to do it.

Anyway, thanks for keeping an open mind!

 

i want my next car to be a LS430 or a IS350