Faymester

Oh that's nifty, I like that.

TripleL

Thanks for the great review mmarshall

Until the new (2nd Gen) CTS came out, the STS was my Favorite Caddy! I've always liked the looks of the exterior and I do agree the interior is better, but does have room from improvement. I'm glad you reviewed the V6, that was always my preference for that car (w/ AWD of course ) and with the new DI V6 there really isn't huge need for the V8.

Given the new CTS's size, I would have to agree with those who feel there is no need for an STS and DTS. Do you have a sense, preference, for what the new car to replace both might be like? (aka FWD vs RWD, etc etc)

Thanks again
Larry

mmarshall

Sure. Anytime.

I agree with you. If I was buying this car, I'd get the V6 AWD (the engine can easily handle the weight/drag of AWD). The interior does in fact need improvement, but not necessarily in trim, which Cadillac has gotten down pretty good now. What it needs inside, now, is a number of ergonomic improvments.....I listed them in the review.

Here, I'm not sure I agree. The DTS, definitely, is needed...it has a mostly senior-citizen, but widespread and intensely loyal base. Cadilac has already messed up the DTS, to some extent, by making it a little stiffer-riding (something most of its customers don't want). Cadillac would slap those loyal DTS customers in the face if they got rid of this car (as Lincoln did by all but dropping the Town Car).

The STS has a smaller and less-distinct following than the DTS does (though I acknowledge the fact that you like it). Cadillac would lose some sales if the STS were dropped, but probably not the big loss the DTS would be.

As far as whether the new car should have FWD or RWD, I think it should be either FWD or AWD. Cadillac already has a rear-drive CTS (and CTS-V) for those interested in sport-sedan performance, and a RWD version of the Escalade as well.....I don't see any need to build the rest of the company's vehicles that way.

TripleL

Agreed with you here, but since the 2nd gen CTS came out, I would buy that before the STS. I don't need the extra size and I would get the same engine and AWD in the CTS with an interior that appeals more to me. But I'm sure opinions will vary on this!



Excellent points. I guess there is no easy answer, but drawing from your response, perhaps an option might be to drop the STS and then have a FWD DTS for its mainstay buyers and then also offer a 'performance' AWD DTS for those that might have purchased an STS? I guess we'll find out soon enough!!!

Either way, thanks again for this review and your responses!!

mmarshall

No arguments there on the CTS interior. The new one is head and shoulders above the El Cheapo plastic interior the first-generation CTS had, which, IMO, was a joke.

I sat on a CTS focus group, sponsored by local Cadillac dealerships back in 2001 when the car first came out, discussing the then-new CTS and making recommendations. I said back then that I thought the interior was unacceptable, and that if Cadillac didn't improve it on the first-generation model, they would surely have to in the future. The rest, of course, is history.



Right now, I don't see any overriding reason to drop the STS, but, if push comes to shove, and Cadillac simply doesn't have (or will not have) the money to keep it in production, then that will be another matter.

Slightly-higher-performing versions of the DeVille/DTS have been available for some time now, under names like "Concours" and "Touring". They have had slightly more tweaked Northstar engines and more aggressive suspensions, tires, and steering than entry-level and premium-luxury (De Elegance) versions of the car, and also slightly sportier trim inside and the lack of a hood ornament.

Sure. Anytime. That's what I'm here for.