2006 Cadillac CTS Sport Package

[91 s-10baja]

2006 Cadillac CTS - Review / Road Test
By Craig Howie

Cadillac CTS next to Redondo pier

Finally, it worked a charm. The third time lasplash.com took out a splendid Cadillac CTS to snap its usual live pictures, the skies above Los Angeles cleared and the temperature soared briefly into the, er, 60s.
So much rain and miserable, foggy weather had proved troublesome for your average motoring photographer to get great shots of the Caddy’s fine lines, but for me it gave a chance to compare the CTS to four separate cars in a short space of time, after a week spend driving it about in the drizzle the month before.
Twice within two weeks I drove the CTS the day before and after stepping into two other, remarkably different vehicles, each one of them more than competent in its own way. The CTS was the only manual shift among them.
First week, I took out the CTS between a Mercury Mariner hybrid and a Lincoln Zephyr; second week the Caddy was sandwiched between a Ford Mustang and a Buick Lucerne. And guess what?
Finally, a day for the beach

The CTS remained the one I would most likely, and most like to, buy at some stage in future – though with a serious nod to the Mustang, a full review of which will appear next week.
It’s not difficult to see why the CTS rates so highly. It’s compact, well-designed inside and out, sporty and luxurious, and comes with a seriously prestigious badge. It has the BMW 3-series in its sights, so it has to match the best of German precision engineering and its appeal to a seriously loyal fan base.
LA and its surrounds are of course a prime market for the luxury brand, as is clear on any drive round Manhattan Beach or Redondo or further south into Orange County, where disposable income has rocketed alongside house prices (and perhaps home-equity loan rates).
This combination of badge, luxury and design has propelled the CTS to the top of the luxury-car bestseller lists not just out west, selling almost 54,000 across the nation last year, or a 6% increase year on year, and it now makes up a quarter of Cadillac’s sales alongside the slightly-larger STS, the DTS flagship and Escalade SUV, (the latter two of which also make the luxury-car top ten in terms of sales).
Trunk can carry three sets of golf clubs

Prestigious front grille, sculpted headlights

But back to the comparisons, and really where the CTS stood head and shoulders above the field was in terms of its roadholding: its handling and ride.
Far from Cadillac wafters of old, which were primarily used by senior types to take long drives to see the relatives Arizona, the CTS grips the road like our governor does a barbell, or a political lifeline. And that means it just doesn’t let go.

It’s quick but not spectacular through the gears (save the serious acceleration for its sister CTS-V, which has a Corvette 6-liter engine shoehorned under the hood), and the Hydra-Matic five-speed box itself is a joy to change quickly up and down. It doesn’t quite have enough torque or horsepower (210 hp @ 6,500 rpm/194 lb.-ft. at 3,300 rpm) to get serious traction if you put the foot down in the wrong gear, but then again you should be in the right gear to begin with.
The Sigma chassis employed across the whole Caddy range and honed on Germany’s Nurburgring is tight and well-sprung., bringing to mind that of Stuttgart’s finest, Mercedes, headquartered within 150 miles of the famous German track. Power assisted rack and pinion steering keeps it nicely on the straight and narrow.
Possibly the finest line in its class

Inside is all leather and roomy with power everything, expected of its class. It came with satellite radio but no satellite-navigation console, perhaps the only disappointment. Safety ratings between four and five stars ease any worries when sitting comfortably behind the leather-clad wheel.
But when you’ve been spoiled for choice, a price tag of just over $29,000 for the standard and $32,690 for the 3.6 liter stands above most of its likely competitors - form an orderly queue now, behind me.
Plush leather interior

Easy to use and well-designed ergonomics

Long view of the South Bay

http://www.lasplash.com/Vehicles/200..._Road_Test.php

[megeebee]

The 2008 model has a hard act to follow, doesn't it?

[01cavalier]

I've loved these since they came out.

[91 s-10baja]

Originally Posted by 01cavalier

I've loved these since they came out.

me too!!

[Kheiron]

Glowing review for an excellent vehicle, it does have some flaws (See: interior design) but for the last year of the first generation product cycle, its a fairly attractive package. The gauge cluster is clear, concise, and elegant. I'm excited for the next generation CTS, which, by the way, do we know when it will be coming out?

The sport appearance package really dresses up the CTS, the rims are the most noticeable difference, imo, and elegantly dresses the car as opposed to the "bling" look.

[dawtcalm]

GLOWING review... I've enjoyed my CTS for the past 2yrs, and will probably keep it for several more. (nothing else on the market has enticed me yet), although we'll see when the 2008 comes out!!
Still think its the best looking sedan out there!

[91 s-10baja]

Originally Posted by dawtcalm

GLOWING review... I've enjoyed my CTS for the past 2yrs, and will probably keep it for several more. (nothing else on the market has enticed me yet), although we'll see when the 2008 comes out!!
Still think its the best looking sedan out there!

Likewise, I promised myself I would keep my car at least through the end of the warranty. That was two years ago last month, and I now think I will either get the next CTS, or last year current gen V. Such a hard call.

[kodos78]

We LOVED our CTS. Unfortunately had to get rid of it with two kids. Can't fit a double stroller in the trunk . It's the first and only car my wife has missed, and when we first started to date -- was aghast at the thought of owning a Cadillac (had visions of old Texans I think) when I mentioned I liked the CTS. Now, she hates that she had to give it up.

Oh well, I told her in a few years we may pick up a CTS-V that we can enjoy once the kids are out of a stroller. Looking forward to the next CTS!

[91 s-10baja]

Originally Posted by kodos78

We LOVED our CTS. Unfortunately had to get rid of it with two kids. Can't fit a double stroller in the trunk . It's the first and only car my wife has missed, and when we first started to date -- was aghast at the thought of owning a Cadillac (had visions of old Texans I think) when I mentioned I liked the CTS. Now, she hates that she had to give it up.

Oh well, I told her in a few years we may pick up a CTS-V that we can enjoy once the kids are out of a stroller. Looking forward to the next CTS!

Do I dare ask what it was traded in on?

[keyjack5024]

The CTS with the sport package is a nice car. I'm looking forward to getting one pretty soon. I've seen the.., relatively, nice reviews it has gotten from the press. The only weak link seems to be the interior. But I can live with that.

Just think.. This car sells well and it is up for replacement real soon.

[TaHoE]

WOW! What a a great shot:



Ya know, I never really liked the CTS in Silver before this picture...it looks spectacular. The spoiler is well done as well. This car has such as nice toosh too:

[megeebee]

Originally Posted by keyjack5024

The CTS with the sport package is a nice car. I'm looking forward to getting one pretty soon. I've seen the.., relatively, nice reviews it has gotten from the press. The only weak link seems to be the interior. But I can live with that.

Just think.. This car sells well and it is up for replacement real soon.

I've had 2 CTS's. I fell in love with it on sight, and got one of the early production examples in March of 2002. When the lease expired, I got an '05. The interior is not what it could have been, perhaps. It was attempt to make the interior as ground-breaking as the exterior. It is true that there are some low-rent bits here and there. But I think you'll find that the bulk of materials are of a very high quality. They just don't look it on first inspection. When you live with it for a period of time, you'll feel differently.
Its also worth noting that, despite all the whining about the interior of the CTS, it's high sales numbers would indicate that the buying public either doesn't care, or actually like it.

[TaHoE]

Originally Posted by megeebee

I've had 2 CTS's. I fell in love with it on sight, and got one of the early production examples in March of 2002. When the lease expired, I got an '05. The interior is not what it could have been, perhaps. It was attempt to make the interior as ground-breaking as the exterior. It is true that there are some low-rent bits here and there. But I think you'll find that the bulk of materials are of a very high quality. They just don't look it on first inspection. When you live with it for a period of time, you'll feel differently.
Its also worth noting that, despite all the whining about the interior of the CTS, it's high sales numbers would indicate that the buying public either doesn't care, or actually like it.

Finally...someone who gets it! Excellent Post.

[CADILLACSIXTEEN]

Next gen is going to be sweet....

[TaHoE]

Those are some sweet wheels on that CTS Spyshot.