Test drove an 08 STS 3.6 DI

[RoccoTheHammer]

Today I test drove an 08 STS with the new DI 3.6 engine. The car was the base model, black, with cashmere leather. The only options it had was the wood inlay ($250) and a moonroof ($1200). The car listed for $44,600 something.

I like the remote start and the push button start. I'm a huge fan. I also like that when you walk away from the car it automatically locks as long as you have the key fob with you. The new styling is very nice. The fender vents are nicely done. The new grille has alot of great detail in it up close. The wheels were a high polished 7 spoke design that accented the chrome on the door handles and grille very nicely.

The interior still has some cheapness to it, but the feel is vastly improvement. I was disappointed that the car did not come with a 6 disc changer standard. The new steering wheel has a nice feel to it. It gets thicker at the 10 and 2 position for good driving feel. The buttons on the steering wheel for the audio and onstar felt high quality. The new stalks are a huge improvement.

Since this was a base model it did not have the bite that the performance model would. The ride was soft and comfortable. There was a bit of body roll in turns, and the steering feel could have been more communicable. The 17" tires did howl to let me know they were reaching their limit. The Stabilitrak did not kick in during an evasive manuever I had to make, but I didn't feel that system intervened too quickly or abrputly. The new DI 3.6L V-6 was downright fast. It is very smooth and quiet at cruising speeds, and when you hit the gas it has a nice growl to it that doesnt reverberate through the entire cabin. It just lets you know that its there. I can't see buying a V-8 unless you want the prestige of having one, and if you like more trips to the gas pump. The DI 3.6 is rated at 18 and 26 on the sticker.

Overall I really liked the vehicle, there are some changes I would make to improve the equipment levels and value of the car, but this is a Cadillac and most of them are going to be more equipped than the one I drove. After the new CTS comes out, I expect that all the STS's on the lot will be equipped to keep their price above the CTS. Of course, with the CTS also having the DI 3.6. The STS will be the lame duck until its replacement arrives, hopefully in 2010-2011.

[TheGeneral]

6 disc should be standard in a cadillac but not youth models no.

[jry]

Rocco, will this have AWD?

[JBsZ06]

Could be the needed to have a few miles on it to loosen up.

According to car and driver? the STS 3.6 runs to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds.

Thats pretty quick. I'm somewhat surprised you didn't think it was quick.

[Mikejesmike]

He said it was downright fast.

[jry]

Originally Posted by Mikejesmike

He said it was downright fast.

Did he?

".......but I didn't feel that it The new DI 3.6L V-6 was downright fast."

Maybe he can clarify.

[Mikejesmike]

I think it's a case of goofing up. Like forgetting a word to end a sentence before starting a new one. Happens to me sometimes.

[RoccoTheHammer]

I edited the first post for more clarity. Sorry about that. My fingers got ahead of my brain when I was typing that message. I guess I was still feeling the vapors from the leather in that Cadillac. Sorry guys.