The O.C.

.....or drive so poorly.....or have such a gruff, underpowered V6.....or have such tacky interior trim, fit, and finish.....or try to be an "SUV" built off of a minivan platform....

I've always thought the 7.2sec time from C&D was suspect. I'm more inclined to believe Edmund's 8.2sec......why? Well, C&D timed a CTS Sport (alot lighter, AND with a manual tranny) from 0-60 in 6.9sec. The SRX with an auto should not be that close to the CTS Sport in acceleration.....??????

The BMW. I've sat in both.....and the Infiniti seems too "generic-Japanese" for me. I much prefer the kind of stark, teutonic appearance of the 3-series interior. Plus it feels like it's solid as a rock...

Uh.....have you driven an X3? It's most likely THE best-handling SUV ON THE MARKET.....(at least numbers-wise) C&D tested one when it first came out with the Sport package.....and yes the ride is tough.....but the X3 pulled 0.88g (!) on the skidpad....performance wasn't that bad with the "old" 3.0L pulling 0-60 in 7.4secs with the 6-speed manual tranny.... I drove my friend's X3 that she just got.....with the base suspension and automatic and was amazed at how nimble it was even without the sports package....and how little body-roll there was.

Yeah but the Pontiac G6 development team will tell you that not's that important.....

First of all, the grey X3 interior is the previous-gen dash. Next, the X3s interior, for better or worse (I think better) follows relatively closely to BMWs current design language as represented by 3, 5, 7, and the new X5. BMW isn't trying to give the X3 an RX330 Lexus-like interior. That's not what BMW interiors are supposed to be like.

BMW = Real wood. Chevy = Fake wood. BMW = Soft-touch plastics (especially more now with the '07 redesign.) Chevy = Lots more hard-touch plastics BMW = Manufacture of the various interior parts/console/door panels/lids all feel like they are carved out of granite. Chevy = Floor console you can wiggle back-and-forth for example....glovebox door that "clangs" when you close it instead of "thunks" like the BMW's does. BMW = Clear, concise, easy-to-read gauges. Chevy = NASCAR-inspired red and grey flash to the instruments (SS at least) BMW = Wonderfully-supportive seats with (optional) leather that FEELS like leather. Chevy = Woefully flat seats with (optional) leather that feels more like vinyl. Just some examples.

I know this is CA.....but S-Classes and 7-Series are a dime-a-dozen here. I believe the new S-Class starts at around $90K and the 7-Series starts at around $80K. Maybe the numbers aren't huge nationally, but our market here shows that when people of a certain wealth aspire to a luxury automobile that costs close to six figures, Mercedes-Benz and BMW are filling those needs quite effectively.

Okay here's MY personal opinions on the STS (as a move-up for me) coming from my own ownership of a CTS Sport..... To me, STS is bland-beyond-bland. Unattractive? No...not at all. However, compared to the CTS, the STS does nothing for me to get me excited to shell out, say $62+ for a NorthStar Sport STS. Interior materials are not up-to-par.....certainly for the STS's price-range. I've argued that CTS's materials seem cheap too.....but at least CTS has a uniquely-styled driving environment. To me, the STS interior looks like someone said "...let's make it look like a Lexus interior but use inferior materials and workmanship..." Finally is the drive. Every STS I've been in has a solid chassis but is far from a sport-luxury sedan. I got to test drive the top-notch V8 "sport" package with 18-inch wheels and it still felt quite soft and uninvolving. The CTS Sport is much further along where I feel this type of car (trying to appeal to import owners) should be. When you move from a 3-series BMW to a 5-series BMW to a 7-series BMW.....they all feel like they were created from the exact same strands of DNA. Same thing goes (good or bad) for a C-class Benz to an E-class Benz to an S-class Benz. Cadillac doesn't offer that. It goes from really damn good (the least-expensive, bottom-of-the-range CTS) to really quite archaic (DTS) and STS falls somewhere inbetween the two in my opinion. That's not how Cadillac's lineup should look......

First of all.....CTS-v is a niche product (6-speed manual only, yadda, yadda) and a range-topper for the entire CTS line. Similar to going from 3-series to M3. Regarding the CTS - to - STS debate, let's look at the oft-used BMW example. Compare the 3-series to the 5-series. For someone that is a fan of BMWs, the step from a 3-series up to a 5-series is a significant one in terms of vehicle size, amenities, and prestige. The STS is barely larger than the CTS.....doesn't seem to have ALL that much more room inside......arguably doesn't have the same "knife edge" styling that made CTS so popular (and controversial.) So how can you look at a car that is almost the same size (built on the same platform actually) and actually has a less-striking design (subjective but I bet most would agree with me) as an "upward" move?

If someone at GMNA had their $h! together 5-6 years ago, we'd be looking at the new Corsa (with a Chevy badge) sitting in Chevy showrooms instead of the Aveo. Complete and utter lack of forsight on GM's part (and Ford for that matter too....where's the european Fiesta?) is the cause for this. The new Aveo sedan IS an attractive update. BUT, when most of the small-car market tends to be five-doors, why didn't the Aveo5 be the one to get the new updates first.....THEN the sedan?? I think the interior is mostly sharp-looking.....but I think they really missed the exterior styling. Yes, it's handsome.....but somehow it looks TOO "grown-up" for a market segment that looks to be more successful with a funky and trendy styling character (Fit? Scion?)

Was it really that bad? Because I tend to trust your opinions quite explicitely...... I haven't explored a new Silverado extensively, but I was pretty impressed with materials and switchgear in the GMT-900 SUVS I've sat in..... My biggest bitch with the new pickups is the bland and uninspired exterior styling.....I don't think they've moved the game along far enough.....

Are you kidding? My CTS was $41K and it's a V6. I could have had a Charger or 300C SRT-8 for about that much money or not alot more. Truth be told....if I could have gotten a manual tranny in either of those, I'd be in an SRT-8 LX car right now. I think the value for the money is HUGE with the SRT-8 models...!

LOL you are right....I DON'T. It's tough to see at this angle......but I've never liked the top-down look of any hardtop convertible I've seen. The back decklid area looks to "disjointed" for me. This car looks to follow that trend....<ugh> Plus, I actually LIKE the look of a black, cloth, softtop when it's in the raised position. The current 3-series convertible is one of the prettiest soft-top convertibles I've ever seen. I think it's a true classic. The front and sides look great though.....as I'm a real fan of the new coupe. I don't think safety is as much of an issue because I'm sure most people that can afford this car won't be living in a high-crime area.....looks are subjective (you guys already know my opinion.)

Problem is......the "yuppies", young-to-middle-age executives, and all the other high-end import intenders are NOT (generally) going to be seen in something wearing a Pontiac, Buick, GMC, or even maybe Saab badge. Cadillac is GM's ONLY shot right now of seriously capturing the appeal of these consumers. GM is on the cusp of letting all of that slip away. It's true that I DO see in southern California a fair number of CTS drivers that would fit perfectly in a 3-series, C-class, A4, IS350, or G35 (this IS a good thing.) But what happens to those consumers when they decide after their three-year lease is up that they want to upgrade? Where do they go? STS? DTS? You've got to be kidding me. Those people are LEAVING Cadillac and moving to (or back to) BMW, Benz, Audi, Lexus, or Infiniti. Even I have to admit that my next car after my CTS will be either the new CTS, or the new 335i twin-turbo coupe. Point is....Cadillac (and GM) could lose me three years from now......unless the new CTS really IS spectacular....or they come out with a truly outstanding new STS.

Not really..... They still look and feel cheap...... But I have to stress.....I give it a pass because I really do like the DESIGN and STYLE of the interior.....and fit-and-finish looks to be superb. I just don't like the plastics.....and the nasty fake wood on the center stack.

Yeah it's been that kind of month <groan>

I AGREE.....! I much prefer any BMW interior to any Acura (or Lexus or Infiniti interior for that matter) Why? I like the German feel and look. To me, the asians are VERY well exectued with top-notch materials and fit-and-finish....but to me, they LOOK asian....and I don't like that feeling or look as much as the "teutonic" germans.

First of all, he has just as much right to post on this site as anyone else.... Second of all, you guys are not doing yourselves any favors by responding to his posts...! If you don't like his comments, IGNORE THEM and DON'T respond to them!

Actually you are incorrect.......money WASN'T the issue with the interior design. Lutz has publically stated that the CTS interior IS expensive and the materials used ARE costly. The problem is that the execution of the materials is lacking. The dimple-pimple &#036;h&#33; LOOKS cheap.....but it's not.....it's actually expensive. Somebody signed off on that interior that most-assuredly has no clue as to what denotes a high-quality look and feel to an interior. Did they even study the competition? One would think NOT.....

Well, I have to disagree. While I LOVE my car, and love the actual STYLING of the interior......the materials ARE pretty piss-poor. Controls, knobs, switchgear are all really nice. It's the damn plastics that cover every seeming part of the interior dash, console, door panels, etc. That pimple-dimple &#036;h&#33;. Every time I get in OCCarNut's '07 A4 3.2 Quattro, I get pissed at GM for the shabby interior materials on my CTS. Even the wood on the center stack is fake.....and looks it.....while the real wood on the wheel, shifter, and door pulls looks so much nicer.....it totally clashes with the center stack wood. That being said, i guess I can at least say that it IS a unique look and feel from the actual design. I'd rather have the CTS interior DESIGN but the Audi's MATERIALS.

But like Flint said, it doesn't matter about Mercedes' crossovers or SUVs......or Lexus' SUVs.....or BMW's "cheap low mile leases".... THEY are getting the job done.....increasing sales, growing marketshare..... I think this article is absolutely spot-on and I can't fault any of Jerry's comments or concerns. Can anyone argue that Escalade and CTS lead the way for Cadillac? Of course not....BUT.... .......can anyone argue that the current STS and SRX have been mediocre at BEST? Can anyone argue that DTS has no place in the supposed-new Cadillac lineup? Can anyone argue that Cadillac needed a 7-series/S-class competitor a LONG time ago? Out in CA, Escalades and CTSs get respect.....and many times you see young guys and gals driving them. Everything else in the Cadillac lineup? Almost exclusively blue-hairs.

I happen to be in Las Vegas right now and I have a Magnum R/T AWD with the HEMI. I really like the vehicle. It has a great big, solid feel to it but I'm surprised how nimble it feels relative to how nice the ride quality is. The HEMI of course is great and the five-speed auto shifts responsibly. The only thing I didn't like as much is the steering feel at moderate road speeds. It doesn't feel like it firms up enough. The interior was two-tone charcoal and grey.....and as usual, contrary to most people on here, I have no problem with the interior materials and/or fit-and-finish inside this LX car. Overall, I can understand why these cars do so well.

Isn't a loaded STS V8 about $63K....? <OUCH>

You are so totally clueless, it's not even funny. I truly feel sorry for you.... People on here with any smidgeon of knowledge of what the real world is like outside of the General Motors unbrella knows and understands the points I've been making. Your posts that I've read don't even make any sense relative to my comments... If MAYBE you had significant experience with non-GM products maybe you'd realize the difference in power delivery between GM's pushrod V6s (which most assuredly DON'T "rip to the redline") and most import engines. Get your head out of your ass.......