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I just hit 10k on my new CTS. Specifically, a 2014 Cadillac CTS Vsport Premium in Phantom Grey Metallic, jet black interior with carbon fiber trim.
HIGHS:
First off, I have not any anything go wrong like nsap did with his ATS (http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f21/9-000-miles-later-2013-ats-175769/). If anything, the build quality and quality of materials on this car is superb and just as good as, if not better than, my '07 BMW 335i sedan that I traded in for the CTS.
The three driving modes (Tour, Sport, Track) and well suited for any driving situation. Putting the car in Track mode and using the paddle shifters is a blast. There are times I simply cannot believe that a car this big drives like a smaller sports sedan. The Alpha chassis is a real winner. The CTS feels like a bigger version of my old 3 series, which is exactly what I wanted in this car.
I get a lot of compliments and people asking me about the car, especially because they're interested in the new Vsport line. My wife's colleague got a ride in the car a few weeks back and he was shocked how much nicer the CTS was in design and materials quality versus his E-Class (admittedly a 2007 E-Class).
The twin turbo 3.6 is a powerhouse. Smooth, noisy in all the right ways, and it really feels like it has more to give. The ATS-V will have no problem getting more out of this engine.
Looks: Damn good looking car in my opinion. Makes me proud to own a CTS. Sure the rear could be more exciting, but I still think it looks handsome.
The seats: Best seats I've ever owned. The real test for me was after a 7 hour road trip up I-95, I got out of the car feeling great and was comfortable the whole way. I couldn't say the same for any of the other cars I've owned. I love taking road trips with this car.
Fuel economy: 21.2 mpg for the first 10k. Doing 75 on the highway and keeping it out of boost easily returns 27mpg. Even when I get on it hard, mpgs stay in the mid/high teens. I'm pretty impressed for a 420hp sedan.
CUE/hepatic touch: I like it. I can’t understand all the complaints I read about this system. It works bug free for me. I don’t miss real buttons or knobs either. In fact, I think it looks better without them.
LOWS:
Ok, this is me being very picky. The highs far outweigh the lows, but here they are:
Perception: When I got this car, my friends and coworkers were shocked I left BMW for Cadillac. I've had to do a lot of convincing that my car is not a bloated luxo barge and I didn't suddenly age 30 years and start collecting social security checks (I’m 32). A test drive is the most convincing people need to believe me. Cadillac needs to be like BMW and offer driving events. I do 2-3 BMW driving events a year at my local dealer and I have a very favorable opinion of BMW because I have spent so much time in their cars. Cadillac needs to get butts in seats to win customers over!
Rattles: the power rear sunshade is rattling around in the rear parcel shelf. It’s noticeable if I have the radio off and I’m driving down a less than perfect road. I guess this is what I get for getting all the bells and whistles…..they tend to make noise.
Exhaust note: This has bothered me since day one. It’s a raspy, tin-like, buzzy noise. From inside the car it sounds like there is a lawnmower running in my trunk. I’ve heard better six cylinder exhaust tuning. This is the #1 thing I would change about this car.
Shift programming: The car gets way too shift happy in sport mode. It will eagerly downshift for me, but it also eagerly upshifts. But to be honest, I also have the same complaints about 8 speeds in other cars in other brands. I kind of dread the upcoming 10 speed transmissions. How many gears are too many?
MY OPINION:
We’ve all got our opinions about why Cadillac sales are down this year, the sense of the new naming scheme, and marketing relocation to NYC. But after 10 months and 10k miles on my CTS, I believe that Cadillac has excellent product on the market right now, they just need to get people into the cars and let the product sell itself. I seriously love this car and look forward to driving it every day.
HIGHS:
First off, I have not any anything go wrong like nsap did with his ATS (http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f21/9-000-miles-later-2013-ats-175769/). If anything, the build quality and quality of materials on this car is superb and just as good as, if not better than, my '07 BMW 335i sedan that I traded in for the CTS.
The three driving modes (Tour, Sport, Track) and well suited for any driving situation. Putting the car in Track mode and using the paddle shifters is a blast. There are times I simply cannot believe that a car this big drives like a smaller sports sedan. The Alpha chassis is a real winner. The CTS feels like a bigger version of my old 3 series, which is exactly what I wanted in this car.
I get a lot of compliments and people asking me about the car, especially because they're interested in the new Vsport line. My wife's colleague got a ride in the car a few weeks back and he was shocked how much nicer the CTS was in design and materials quality versus his E-Class (admittedly a 2007 E-Class).
The twin turbo 3.6 is a powerhouse. Smooth, noisy in all the right ways, and it really feels like it has more to give. The ATS-V will have no problem getting more out of this engine.
Looks: Damn good looking car in my opinion. Makes me proud to own a CTS. Sure the rear could be more exciting, but I still think it looks handsome.
The seats: Best seats I've ever owned. The real test for me was after a 7 hour road trip up I-95, I got out of the car feeling great and was comfortable the whole way. I couldn't say the same for any of the other cars I've owned. I love taking road trips with this car.
Fuel economy: 21.2 mpg for the first 10k. Doing 75 on the highway and keeping it out of boost easily returns 27mpg. Even when I get on it hard, mpgs stay in the mid/high teens. I'm pretty impressed for a 420hp sedan.
CUE/hepatic touch: I like it. I can’t understand all the complaints I read about this system. It works bug free for me. I don’t miss real buttons or knobs either. In fact, I think it looks better without them.
LOWS:
Ok, this is me being very picky. The highs far outweigh the lows, but here they are:
Perception: When I got this car, my friends and coworkers were shocked I left BMW for Cadillac. I've had to do a lot of convincing that my car is not a bloated luxo barge and I didn't suddenly age 30 years and start collecting social security checks (I’m 32). A test drive is the most convincing people need to believe me. Cadillac needs to be like BMW and offer driving events. I do 2-3 BMW driving events a year at my local dealer and I have a very favorable opinion of BMW because I have spent so much time in their cars. Cadillac needs to get butts in seats to win customers over!
Rattles: the power rear sunshade is rattling around in the rear parcel shelf. It’s noticeable if I have the radio off and I’m driving down a less than perfect road. I guess this is what I get for getting all the bells and whistles…..they tend to make noise.
Exhaust note: This has bothered me since day one. It’s a raspy, tin-like, buzzy noise. From inside the car it sounds like there is a lawnmower running in my trunk. I’ve heard better six cylinder exhaust tuning. This is the #1 thing I would change about this car.
Shift programming: The car gets way too shift happy in sport mode. It will eagerly downshift for me, but it also eagerly upshifts. But to be honest, I also have the same complaints about 8 speeds in other cars in other brands. I kind of dread the upcoming 10 speed transmissions. How many gears are too many?
MY OPINION:
We’ve all got our opinions about why Cadillac sales are down this year, the sense of the new naming scheme, and marketing relocation to NYC. But after 10 months and 10k miles on my CTS, I believe that Cadillac has excellent product on the market right now, they just need to get people into the cars and let the product sell itself. I seriously love this car and look forward to driving it every day.
