What Improvements Would You Make to the Future DTS Replacement?

kgm777 · 02-29-2008, 11:10 AM

Improvements to be made to future DTS replacement:

1) Resurrect Cotillion White (offered since 1969 -- I had a '76 CDV in Cotillion White) as the current “flashy” whites are not acceptable to me (one of these “whites” actually looks like a very light Mary Kay pink). Plain old black and white should always be available. The dealer did find me a Cotillion White DTS, but the salesman said it will shortly only be available on livery package cars.
2) A tilt and telescope steering wheel should be offered on all DTS models, even if it’s manually operated.
3) The next car should have the trumpet horn of the '70s not the current tone that sounds like its out of a 1971 Vega.
4) The next car should have the power trunk lid pull-down feature.
5) The next car should have the old vacuum parking brake release feature.
6) All models should have automatic dimming interior and exterior rearview mirrors as standard.
7) One of the most egregious omissions on the DTS is the lack of a remote fuel door release. I thought all cars now have this feature and was unaware the DTS did not until the salesman did the delivery walk-around with me. With fuel prices going up, fuel thefts will most probably increase.
8) Further reducing NVH levels and increasing refinement. I still find the levels of road noise to be excessive in the current DTS, especially when compared to the Town Car, Mercedes Benz S Class, and Lexus LS models. Also, there is still too much NVH feedback through the steering wheel, shift lever, and pedals.
9) A couple of times, when making a sharp U-turn, a surge was felt in the steering wheel as if the drive belt slipped resulting in the temporary failure of the power steering.
10) So far, the only annoyance in the DTS is a squeak caused by the front seat back rubbing against the stationary center armrest console when encountering road irregularities. Cadillac knows of the problem since the inside of the seat bottom cushion contacting the console is covered discretely in fabric. More clearance between the parts or maybe some additional strategically placed fabric will solve the problem. I stuffed a paper towel between the parts and it seems to work. This item should not be an issue with the front bench seat option.
11) The plug in offered for MP3 players is great, but it should also recharge the player while it’s operating. I have to take the player out of the car and plug it into my laptop in order to charge it. Better yet, make a 10-20 gigabyte hard drive with a USB port standard in the car and allow direct downloading from a laptop or from CDs containing MP3 files.
12) I would like a six disc CD/Mp3 player without having to purchase the sunroof which decreases headroom.
13) The automatic transaxle needs to be updated by featuring 5 or 6 forward speeds to be competitive.
14) The heights of the accelerator and brake pedals should be more close to enable heel and toe operation.
15) The aft end of the door armrests are 1-2 inches too low. I like to sit high so a sunroof is out of the question.
16) If Cadillac is not planning to resurrect a RWD “Fleetwood” or “Brougham,” I would like to see the current DTS wheelbase stretched 3-5”, equipped with nicer seats and door panels, and called the “Sixty Special” or “DSS.” This car might feature some retro touches from the Fleetwood Broughams of ‘60s and ‘70s, such as the reading lights, hood ornament, seat style with a brocade/leather combination, a more formal roofline, foot rests, rear tables, lamp monitors, etc. A RWD Brougham does not have to be as large as the previous iterations, just slightly larger than the current DTS.
17) I like the new Buick Park Avenue made for the Chinese market and will likely consider this car the next time if it makes it to the US. It should have the North Star V-8 as an option. I will also seriously consider the Lincoln MKS and the Town Car (if Ford ever decides to update it).

What would you want in the forthcoming DTS replacement?

wescoent · 03-01-2008, 01:11 PM

For starters, we can look at the Buick Park Avenue from China as a kind of "starting point" for the next Cadillac Large Sedan. It will be Zeta, RWD, and basically a stretched Commodore under the skin.

schmallz · 03-01-2008, 01:24 PM

The next Gen. DTS should have been on a streched Sigma II Chassis.

Like the Chinese SLS

The Fleetwood or FTS should be Cadillac's personal limo, on it's own platoform. designed to take on the LS600, 7xxLi, A8L and LWB S Class.

plane · 03-01-2008, 02:46 PM

I would manufacture it in Nagoya and put a Lexus emblem on the front and a big bowtie around it.
And then I would run condescending ads showing that women clearly have a deep sexual need for this vehicle, but are too afraid to purchase it, evidenced by the boyfriends and husbands that buy the damn thing at Christmas for the obviously clueless lady.

Other than that - 9 speed DSG, AWD, DI standard, more of the new world-class GM interiors.

Note to self: I'm trying to reach across the aisle even if it destroys our country and makes it look like greater Detroit.
At least then I can be friends with most people at GMI.

2002 Caddy · 03-01-2008, 05:01 PM

If it can't be had with a 32V V8... then don't IMO bother with the car...

**mgescuro** · 03-01-2008, 10:28 PM

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