smk4565

I've had both rear window regulators replaced. The front window broke for a different reason that I forget. And my car has 3 engine mounts, I have replaced all 3, and the mechanics say that the V8 lifts because of the torque and it bends the mounts until they break. Why didn't GM make a stronger mount then? I had to replace the AC compressor last year also, my second GM car in a row that had that break. I hope they have learned from these quality problems, because I like my car, but with the maintenance record I have had with it, I am hesitant to consider another GM car.

I like it, the XF is still my favorite Jag, but it is good to see them bringing out a lower priced coupe than the XK. I'd like to see them do the supercharged V6 plus the turbo diesel V6 (available already in Europe) on the XF to expand the range. The best thing is Jag is getting back to their sports car roots, I hope they put this on sale, if they can do it for under $50k base, that would be sweet.

The real one actually looks worse than the bad photo shop of a couple days ago. Perhaps this cross sharing can lead to Jeep getting a rear drive 2+2 sports coupe. There have been rumors of a Jaguar or Bentley SUV also, this is just so lame. If you are a sports car brand, build sports cars, don't build trucks.

ATS coupe on this platform, but I guess that doesn't really count as building something else on it. Camaro is likely, which should mean, smaller and lighter, which is a good thing. Rumor is the next CTS will be built on the Alpha platform also and get 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder power.

I think it depends on what you call quality. JD Power sees quality/reliability as fewest repairs, and in this case a Camry does great and a BMW maybe not so well. But if looking at how long a car will last, I think German cars do very well. Not only do the engines last, but the leather and interior trim pieces hold up well over time because they are using high grade materials to begin with. This is where Cadillac has to get better, Cadillac is probably doing just fine in keeping repair costs down. Cadillac may already beat BMW and Mercedes in repair costs, but BMW and Mercedes still whoop them in sales. I'll put my personal story into this. I got my Aurora with 26k miles on it 8 years ago. Now it has 135k miles, I've been good with all the maintenance on it, the engine still runs very well, although it does burn about 2 quarts of oil in between oil changes. But on that car I've had to have 3 power windows repaired, 3 engine mounts replaced, 2 wheels because they leak (and the 2 originals are leaking now) torque converter and obviously shocks/struts and tie rods which I expect after 100k miles on Pittsburgh's pothole filled roads. It hasn't been a cheap car to maintain. But what annoys me most is the headliner on the sliding sun roof cover is peeling back and falling off, and I don't even open or close it often. I just get the feeling when they built that car, they didn't built it to last more than 10 years. I still get that feeling from GM cars, they they aren't really built for the long haul. Even the calendar in my car stops around 2020, I mean didn't they think the car might last more than 20 years?

My only fear is it looks like there could be some Bangle-butt in the trunk. Other car makers have copied that recently, and I don't know why.

Or transaxles... FWD transaxles. They have Mini which has FWD transaxels.

It looks a lot like a C-class. If the headline said next-gen C-class caught testing, I'd probably believe it. But I like the proportions of the C-class, so I like the shape of this car too.

BMW has the ZF 8-speed in most models, and the 3-series is supposed to get it on the next generation, so they are set for transmission. I also don't see BMW selling their engines to a mainstream luxury car maker. They can do it to Fisker, or a company like Fisker, Spyker, even Lotus because those companies don't compete directly with BMW. I could see a share on range extender electric drivetrains, but BMW has the gas engine part down. And I don't know if a lithium-ion battery and electric motor is all that hard to engineer. I think BMW can handle it alone, but a team up with GM to work on powertrain for next Volt and i3 and i8 cars I can see happening also.

They didn't mention price or weight. Interesting how this car might be faster (in a straight line) than a more expensive CTS-V.

I think the Maserati SUV is a great idea. Sincerely,

Is that like the Cimmarron factor? I do get what you are saying, in that German sedans are so utilitarian in their design, that could turn some people away, especially those used to driving Fords or Chevys looking to move into the entry lux segment. But small luxury segment hasn't had an American car in it for 20 years and has been growing and thriving. I don't know if the American factor really helps much, there are a lot of import car buyers that still won't consider an American car. How they go about the refinement issue will be interesting, because the BMW inline 6 is the best in the world, that is a fantastic engine.

That is good question. From the video it sounds like they have the right idea, but the execution is what I wonder about. It does have to be spectacular, the 3-series has been dominating for 30 years. Plus it is a crowded segment, and a lot of challengers have come and gone over the past 25 years, yet the 3-series and C-class are still there on top.

Two things stood out to me, first was about starting from scratch on a fresh slate. Secondly that Cadillac can't just be about big V8s and supercharged motors and how they have to lead on technology and refinement. I think both are important for this car and the Omega car. Everyone always says their car has fantastic ride and handling, so I expected him to say that. But starting from scratch and putting refinement over big V8s are a bit different from GM, so I at least get the feeling that they understand the segment.

That sound is the nail being pounded into the coffin.

He should be concerned when 40% of the #1 selling vehicle in the country have that engine. But I'd agree that there isn't much he can say about it until the get a similar engine.

The 7AT couldn't handle the V12 torque even though it was much newer. I have to wonder if the 9AT will be built to handle more torque or if it's another "pull-it-out-and-see-whose-is-bigger" project. I could not find a torque rating for the 9G-tronic, but the 7AT can now handle up to 664 lb-ft so that transmission could work on the S600. Rumor is the S65 AMG will rise in power though, so the transmission will be interesting. 650 hp and 800+ lb-ft are capable from the V12. Regardless the V12 is a small part of the S-class line up. The rest will have 9-speeds, Audi, BMW, and Lexus have 8-speed. So even if Cadillac needs a new tranny anyway. Really, even the ATS-class is going toward 7-8 speed transmissions.

Go back and count the gears in the S600/S65 transmission and see how far away they've gotten from a 6AT. 9 are coming.

6 speed automatic? Really? The segment has already moved on from that, come 2015, Cadillac will look way behind. A 2007 Lexus LS had an 8-speed auto. Cadillac better aim really high, so they aren't shocked when the next-generation S-class goes on sale, because that car isn't far away.

A buyer of a $150,000 car isn't interested in ease of service and low maintenance costs. They want the best and they're willing to pay for it. True, but this car won't be $150,000. An S-class starts at $94,000, almost all the other competitors are $10,000+ less. I'd expect Cadillac to slot into the $75-95k range. Although buyers at that level still demand a lot.

The market has needed a car like this, before the Jetta was in the $20-30k range, but has since moved down market. Plus the Jetta was a stiff riding car with firm seats, there wasn't a car for people that want soft ride a some creature comforts that was small. So now we have to see how it sells.

Mercedes dropped displacement on the V8 (6.3 to 5.5 liter and 5.5 to 4.7 liter) and added a turbo and fuel economy went up. Power was up too, so it worked for them. Although most automaker gains are from going the ecoboost route when you are dropping cylinder count and displacement. If the transmission is limited to 551 lb-ft, then GM may have to develop a new transmission. The main challenge of this car is GM powertrains are really made for mass market cars. With the STS dead, the CTS is the top end sedan, and that is really made for the entry-lux class. The Corvette is a sports car, there isn't a lot from that can can translate to a $100k sedan. So almost everything for Omega really needs to be done from scratch. It will be incredibly expensive to do this car right. I think it is worth spending the money because this is a car they have to get right. They can't have another Allante or XLR-V that ends up a joke.

Chevy needs to promote "American" and "value." Even though the Camaro and Impala are Canadians. But Chevy has to push value and getting a lot for your money image.

I would agree that Cadillac isn't going after the Quattroporte, Rapide, or Panamera (which is ugly as can be). Even the Jag XJ is probably a bit sporty for Cadillac. The Lexus LS is for old folks, the Equus is cheaper. So A8/7-series/S-class is the target. Interior of this car will vastly important, they can't pull what they did with the STS-V and XLR. I see this as the primary challenge, because GM never did a really high end interior or a car where even the most minor details matter.

The high feature V6 sure did kill off the high value 3500 and 3900 V6s pretty fast. Even Buick is mostly 4-cylinder now, rather than pushrod V6 of just 5 years ago. Do the current Regal, Lacrosse, CTS, Malibu lack performance, economy, or ease of service compared to an 04 Lesabre, G6 or Impala?