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smk4565

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Everything posted by smk4565

  1. smk4565
    I think the GS F-sport should be $75,000, if people are foolish enough to pay $60,000 for it, they'll pay $75,000 because it says "Lexus" and "F" on it. That F should stand for "Fail." It can be the sedan version of the Acura NSX, $75,000 and you get a 300 hp V6. The CTS-V will need awd to get the 0-60 time down, they can put all the power in the world under the hood, unless you can get it to the ground it doesn't matter. Look at the Nissan GT-R as an example, it gets the power down and grips like no other.
  2. smk4565
    I wasn't talking profit margin, on that GM gets killed by the luxury brands. I stated total dollars, so price of the vehicle doesn't really matter when GM sold nearly 10 million cars in 2013. But if you divide it up they sell about 2.4 million cars per quarter, if they made $913 million, last quarter that is about $380 per car. So if Cadillac, GMC and pickups are really such big profit centers why only a $380 per car average? They would have to be losing money on every Chevy and Buick sedan sold, and maybe they are. To Lamar's question the E63 has AWD, but is is default 67% rear bias. Audi of course does, the M5 and XF-R are rear drive only and Lexus has no performance sedan, unless you call the GS F-sport with yesterday's 305 hp V6 and 6-speed auto sporty. I think the big question is the V-series going to be worth the price premium over the V-sport? The car magazines and tv shows all love how the V-sport drives and the handling and driving dynamics, and it does 0-60 in 4.5 seconds which is pretty quick. The knocks are on CUE and interior, which will be the same on the V-series. The CTS-V has to do something more than just take .5 seconds off the 0-60 time.
  3. smk4565
    But GM only made $3.8 billion in profit in 2013, while Daimler made $12 billion. Mercedes-Benz cars division alone made $1.9 billion in profit in 4th quarter 2013, while all of GM made $913 million. If GMC is such a profit machine, and Cadillac is about making money and Buick is so hot in China, where is the money going that Mercedes car division alone can out earn all of them plus Chevy. Cadillac's problem is similar to Acura's and Infiniti's, they have no halo cars. At least Cadillac and Infiniti have rear drive platforms and try to break away from the corporate FWD platform (something Acura and Lincoln don't do), but there is still some lower end parts bin in both brands. Infiniti and Cadillac are a lot alike, the cars are good, but the SUVs are just based off a Nissan or Chevy. Neither have a big flagship sedan or a sports car or super car, neither have mass global appeal and they lack that upper echelon prestige. Cadillac needs to fill out the lineup, otherwise they'll always be like Infiniti.
  4. smk4565
    Cadillac needs entrants into all the luxury segments, but they can't just try to copy what everyone else already did, they need to innovate on some level. What they do need to copy are things like diesels and 8-speed transmissions and come up with some technology and new engines to set them apart. Digging into the Chevy parts bin or making a half-ass attempt like the STS or XLR were won't get it done. The do need a sports car, either something like the Audi TT, Z4 or SLK or else something more expensive like a Jag F-type or XK. Cadillac needs a more diverse product line than 3 sedans and a couple 4 door SUVs, you can't compete with 5 products when some of these German brands have 15-20.
  5. smk4565
    I don't think it should be less than the Z06 just for the sake of being less so the Corvette can have the highest number, but I could see GM doing that. If the engine has less just because of the way the intake and exhaust work or for vibration or noise reasons, that makes sense. I do think they'll want 600 hp for advertising purposes.
  6. smk4565
    AMG haters are just jealous. They have more than one engine too, the 2.0 turbo, the 5.5 N/A in the SLK, the 6.2 N/A which is soon to be phased out, but a 4.0 bi-turbo is replacing it, 5.5 bi-turbo V8, and the V12 bi-turbo. So that is 5 engines, and they'd still have 4 if the 4.0 replaces both the 5.5 and 6.2. I don't think Cadillac should copy AMG, just like they shouldn't copy BMW and BMW doesn't try to copy Mercedes/AMG. Each brand has to have something unique, because people don't want to buy the copy when they can get the original version. What Cadillac should strive towards is a broader lineup of V-series cars. The problem is Cadillac doesn't have many body styles of cars, or no true sports car in the line up and their SUVs aren't conducive to turning into a V-series. Making coupe and convertibles out of the ATS and CTS is a start, but they still need a roadster of some kind, whether that be like the Z4 or the F-type or the SL, they need a sports car. As far as the CTS-V goes, I am predicting Z06 engine tuned down a little to 580-600 hp, rear drive, 6 speed auto or 7 speed manual. But I think it should have an 8 speed auto, and an all wheel drive option. I prefer rear wheel drive, but with that kind of power the back end is going to be wild if you are putting all the power on 2 wheels. I am going to guess $89,795 for price.
  7. smk4565
    AMG does a lot, AMG was once it's own company, it isn't just a trim level. AMG designed the SLS, there isn't a V-series or M team designing a whole car. The E63 has a different engine, transmission, and the awd system is unique to AMG, it isn't the same 4Matic on an E550, so a lot goes on there, they just co-develop so the product gets out faster. M-B is winning in almost every segment look at the sales charts, the CLA beats the Audi and BMW competition, in midsize and full size sedans and full size SUV Mercedes has the sales champ. Mercedes doesn't need to copy Audi by making fancy versions of a VW or copy Lexus by making the Camry or now Avalon into their #1 luxury car. Mercedes knows what they are doing, they are fine.
  8. smk4565
    I think 2015 model year should be doable for the CTS-V. It shouldn't take 2 years after the initial car comes out to drop a bigger engine in and add some trim. Model year 2 of the body style is reasonable, many cars are done like that, the base sedan comes out, in year 2 the coupe and sport version arrive, a couple years later a mid-cylce refresh. My guess is 6.2 liter supercharged V8 again, GM sticks with what they know, and it is what they have in the parts bin. I doubt they go with the 625 hp of the Z06, and who knows if air intakes and exhaust are factors, but I think they'd like to have at least 580 to improve on the old car, and my guess is it will come in at 600 hp. But if it is rear wheel drive they won't be able to get that power down and a 420 hp Audi S6 might beat it 0-60. You need grip, just look at the S65 and S63 for example, the S63 is faster 0-60 because of all wheel drive. I guess not.
  9. smk4565
    C63 AMG was 2008, E63 and SLS AMG were 2010, CLS63, SLK55 and SL63 were 2012, S63 was 2014, C63 will repeat in 2015. They have done 6 new AMG cars in a 5 year span, and the nice thing is the AMG model is available the same year as the normal car. Plus they did a new ML and GL in that time span also and they have AMG models. The new S-class is out, the S63 is already available, and the S600 and S65 will follow this spring which is only about 6 months later. But they don't release the S-class, then make you wait 2 years to get an AMG S-class.
  10. smk4565
    My E550 has premium 2 package and the designo package and I'd take it over a CTS. I think the current E-class has more features, but I like the interior layout of mine a bit more, and I like a traditional shifter, which Mercedes has gotten rid of. I think the build quality is still there, the new S-class is a level above every other brand, and the 2015 C-class looks like it will bring it too. The current CLS is really nice on the inside also and I like it more than the BMW Gran Coupe. I don't see Mercedes slipping on interiors, if anything they are getting better because they actually are putting some design into them rather than the utilitarian functionalism that the cars of the 80s and 90s had.
  11. smk4565
    Ever notice that BMW doesn't have to give the M3 breathing room and hold back an M5, or Mercedes doesn't have to limit power on a E63 because they are afraid people won't pay more for an S63? They are different products targeting different buyers. I never understood why GM gets worried about competition from within. It is like the old "it can't be faster than a Corvette" logic, but what if Mercedes, BMW and Audi had a car faster than a Corvette? Should Cadillac not try to match their competition, or should they make the CTS-V slower than a Corvette because they are afraid of making the Corvette look bad. The E63 does 0-60 in 3.4 seconds, that is what Cadillac should shoot for and if they make the Corvette look bad, then too bad for the guys that designed the Corvette, plus they aren't really comparable vehicles anyway.
  12. smk4565
    2016 seems far off, you'd think they could have it out by this fall to be a 2015 model. I doubt that grille is what they will use, it is probably just on there to throw people off, it doesn't fit Cadillac at all. I wonder if it will have AWD with launch control since that is what a lot of others are doing.
  13. smk4565
    I wouldn't trade my E550 for a CTS, I think the build quality in my car trumps anything Cadillac has. My car for example has 3 anchor points to latch the hood, the CTS has 1. The CTS is improved, and probably the best Cadillac has ever done, but there is too much shiny black trim on the dash, a touch screen that will get full of fingerprints and the leather feels similar to what is in a Buick. The CTS interior is better than the disaster that is the Lexus GS, but it isn't best in class. I don't like Audis, and the CTS materials may be as good as the A6, but the A6 has some good build quality and tight panel gaps. I do have to give credit to the A6 on fit and finish.
  14. smk4565
    Haha, classic. Only GM could take a good looking concept car, then put a horrible powertrain in it and price it out of reach, and then put it on sale and think they could sell it. The ELR is going to make the Allante look successful.
  15. smk4565
    I don't get how Lexus is so good. I can see if they are #1 but not when they have only 2/3 the problems as the #2 brand. I can see why problems have gone up though, the electronics have really increased, even mid size family sedans now have heated and cooled seats, heated steering wheels, sat-nav systems, etc, then through in all the turbos and DI in the engines and technology on that side. Cars are better equipped than ever and more powerful and more fuel efficient too.
  16. smk4565
    A trend I don't like is the high hoods, high belt lines and lowered roof lines to make a sleek look, you can't see out of a lot of these cars. It all different manufacturers too. But everything is designed for crash safety and wind tunnel performance on a computer, so they all look the same.
  17. smk4565
    How much nicer than the CTS? I sat in a CTS luxury and a V-sport at the auto show and while it is better than previous Cadillacs, I think it is on par with the Infiniti Q50 and is not up to A6 or E-class level. One odd thing about the CTS is the back seat bottom cushion is really short and ends then a carpeted section sticks out past that, it wreaks of poor design and cheap construction. The doors on the CTS also have the same handles as the Malibu and they sound like a Malibu when closed. A Cadillac should not have the same door handle as a $20k Chevy. The other question is if they have nicer and better materials than what are in the CTS, why didn't the CTS get those materials, because it could use them, why waste them on a car that won't sell.
  18. smk4565
    The air suspension is only in the rear I assume. My Aurora had the air suspension in the rear and never a problem.
  19. smk4565
    Worst car list: Oldsmobile Achieva was pretty awful, especially near the end of the life cycle. Pontiac LeMans from the late 80s. The only thing that car had in common with cars that raced at Le Mans is that is had 4 wheels and a steering wheel. Buick I would say is a toss up between the early 80s Skyhawk and Skylark,
  20. smk4565
    Perhaps it would also be interesting to come up with the worst car each brand ever made. Cadillac is easy, Cimarron Chevy Vega The other brands might be harder.
  21. smk4565
    The Cyclone and Typhoon are good ones for GMC. The 66 Toronado is as well. The Cyclone and Typhoon would be so easy to recreate now too.
  22. smk4565
    I thought an interesting topic would be come up with the best car throughout history from the primary GM divisions, Chevy, Cadillac, Buick, Pontiac, GMC, Oldsmobile. Saturn was pretty short lived, so not too many cars to choose from there. It should either be a game changer, or car way ahead of its time or maybe just best best car that brand ever made or that you want want to see return. I'll start with my nominations. Buick: 1987 GNX It is fast by today's standards, for 1987 it was insane, and menacing looking in black. Chevrolet: 1969 Camaro and 1963 split window Corvette Stingray. Cadillac: 1953 Eldorado GMC: 1937 to current Suburban/Yukon XL Since this is one of GM's longest running nameplates and a vehicle with few competitors over the years. Pontiac: As much as I like KITT, I have to go with the late 60s GTO. Oldsmobile: Both Auroras. I am biased but I think the Aurora took Oldsmobile to a higher level and had more technology than other cars of similar price.
  23. smk4565
    It is 56 inches tall, which is as tall as an ATS and it is as long as a Buick LaCrosse, so I doubt it is that poor on interior space or visibility. It does have a bit of a high belt line, but many cars do now.
  24. smk4565
    A friend of mine and I were talking the other day. We agreed the best M3 was the E36, and the best 5-series/M5 was the E39. Similarly, the best 7-series we thought to be the E38 750iL that James Bond drives in Tomorrow Never Dies. So basically all of BMW's best cars were from the late 1990s, at the same time Mercedes was at it's weakest. It seems now that BMW has a bunch of fat oversized cars that are trading performance for quiet ride, and trading steering feel for 1 mpg. Not a good thing for BMW when the S-class and E-class are the gold standard of their classes, and the new C-class looks ready to dethrone the 3-series.
  25. smk4565
    There is no direct competitor other than the Bentley Continental GT, so if you want a big luxury coupe, this is what you have to buy. BMW, Audi, Jaguar and Lexus don't have anything in this class. The ability to lean the car going into corners sounds interesting, adding that element to active body control could make this car corner really flat.
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