So I have a Cadillac XTS for a loaner...

6481 Views 33 Replies 13 Participants Last post by ral1960, Nov 19, 2014

Sal Collaziano

Discussion Starter · Oct 28, 2014 (Edited)

I'm getting my transmission beefed up by Renntech and have a Cadillac XTS for a loaner. I drove it home last night, to the gym this morning, to the mall this afternoon and I just got home. I like it. It's nearly 100% traditional "Cadillac". Even the engine feels kinda traditional in a late 70s / early 80s sense (it can't move out of it's own way). Around town power is perfectly adequate. The ride is smooth but it still handles well (though not floaty like a traditional Cadillac). The engine feels very smooth unless you need passing power or need to merge into traffic moving over 40 miles per hour - then it's a bit loud and it sounds like it's struggling. I'm sure the twin turbo XTS - even with it's reduced torque - is great. The seats are 110% traditional Cadillac. There's no support but that's fine with me because this car isn't for carving corners. It's pretty quiet inside. I don't like the capacitive controls but it only took me about ten minutes to get used to. No big deal, really - but I definitely prefer normal controls. The car feels roomy from the front seats - I haven't sat in the back of an XTS in a long time. The materials inside are fine.

Altogether I like it (though I wouldn't buy it) and I do believe there's a place for it in Cadillac's lineup - one single car of it's kind is good. However, if an upcoming RWD car comes to replace it - that wouldn't bother me. I can't say I really feel "good" driving it like I did my LS460L or my current E63 AMG. But I think the target audience for the XTS has a nice car if they want a Cadillac.

I still feel the XTS should have been named DTS because that's essentially what it is...

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Envoy4Life

· #21 · Oct 30, 2014

XTS looks like a shiny ovular potato going down the road.

DTS looks like something a villain in a movie would drive.

It's imposing. It just has a certain presence that the XTS lacks.

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Jesda

· #22 · Oct 30, 2014

Sal Collaziano;4393690I don't know. I do like the DTS but on the other hand said:
DTS wishes it had AWD and 420 or whatever horsepower...[/B]

No it doesn't.

It just needs "enough" power, a long well-proportioned body, and large, cushy seats. The DTS is a very elegant way to see America by highway.

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Jesda

· #23 · Oct 30, 2014

Envoy4Life said:
XTS looks like a shiny ovular potato going down the road.

DTS looks like something a villain in a movie would drive.

Even Cadillac wasn't happy with the way the XTS exterior turned out. In response to complaints from journalists and the public they promised that that final version would have a longer wheelbase to offer a more proportional, less awkward look.

The budget wasn't there and this is what we got. It's very nice but it's weird looking.

Envoy4Life

· #24 · Oct 30, 2014

Jesda said:
Even Cadillac wasn't happy with the way the XTS exterior turned out. In response to complaints from journalists and the public they promised that that final version would have a longer wheelbase to offer a more proportional, less awkward look.

The budget wasn't there and this is what we got. It's very nice but it's weird looking.

Yup. The XTS, as a vehicle, is much better than the DTS. No contest.

Exterior design? The DTS is hands down better than the XTS IMHO. No contest.

Reactions: 1

Sal Collaziano

Discussion Starter · #25 · Oct 30, 2014

johnls_39 said:
How long you plan on keeping it?

I don't know, honestly. I love the car. Probably at least a couple of years...

As for the quote below - the one picture I 'quoted' looks great. THAT car has road presence. But most XTSs do not. They're very bland. The one pictured here is pretty nice. I haven't seen one look that good on the street yet. Or anywhere - besides this picture...

megeebee said:
I have read a few times here, and I think it's been made official, that there is a second generation under development.

The XTS has loads of presence, and it has a kinetic poise and a grace that the DTS never could.

megeebee

· #26 · Oct 30, 2014

Jesda said:
"Road presence" is a weak point for the XTS. It looks like a Dodge Intrepid with Cadillac bits glued to it. It's tall, inelegant, and ungainly.

A matter of opinion, granted.

Dequindre

· #27 · Oct 30, 2014

I think both the DTS and XTS look great, but I can see where Envoy is coming from.

The squared-off look definitely looks more classic Cadillac American luxury. Luckily for us, it looks like the CT6 will end up being a DTS replacement, boxy styling and all.

Sal Collaziano

Discussion Starter · #28 · Oct 30, 2014

Dequindre said:
I think both the DTS and XTS look great, but I can see where Envoy is coming from.

The squared-off look definitely looks more classic Cadillac American luxury. Luckily for us, it looks like the CT6 will end up being a DTS replacement, boxy styling and all.

I'm also a fan of that squarish styling as well. I feel Cadillacs SHOULD have hard edges. But I also like chrome...

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ral1960

· #29 · Oct 30, 2014 (Edited)

Envoy4Life said:

Hey, that's my car!
I thought about buying a late 30's Cadillac hood goddess for it, because I miss my Deville's hood ornament.
I would rather have the Performance wheels from the lower pic you posted.

The XTS front seats pinched me in the butt. Short-legged people would find the side bolsters difficult to climb over.

Andrew L

· #30 · Oct 30, 2014

Envoy4Life said:
I really like the Seville too:

IMO the DTS was a bit too bland and I never cared for the front end. The XTS has odd proportions to me I think it would be better if it was lower to the ground and didn't have such a coupe like rear window.

I LOVED the styling of the STS above probably my favorite recently Cadillac design by far.

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nferr

· #31 · Oct 30, 2014

Andrew L said:
IMO the DTS was a bit too bland and I never cared for the front end. The XTS has odd proportions to me I think it would be better if it was lower to the ground and didn't have such a coupe like rear window.

I LOVED the styling of the STS above probably my favorite recently Cadillac design by far.

I like the 92-97 body style even more. A bit more angular and dramatic IMO. They nailed the looks with that generation.

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ponchoman49

· #32 · Nov 19, 2014

Envoy4Life said:
The XTS WISHES it could be the DTS. The DTS was just a cool, badass car. It was outdated, outclassed, whatever, but it was just awesome. Something about it was just awesome.

Something about it…

Glad you like the XTS though. I wouldn't buy one personally. The CTS is just so much better for basically the same coin.

A proper Cadillac that GM let rot on the vine way too long. At least they could have updated the transaxle to the 6 speed currently found in the W-body Impala. You know the very same trans axle that everybody insisted wouldn't fit in the old W and G body based cars. That at least would have increased MPG a little and given the Northstar a little more flexibility. They also could have used the VVT 320 HP version of the Northstar for more power and plenty of torque unlike the weaker 3.6 LFX in the current and not as cool XTS.

Sal Collaziano

Discussion Starter · #33 · Nov 19, 2014

ponchoman49 said:
A proper Cadillac that GM let rot on the vine way too long.

It's only the name that actually rotted. The XTS is the new DTS and some people like it - some people don't. They could have badged it DTS or DeVille and it wouldn't change anything. The next DTS was going to become the car the XTS is one way or another.

ral1960

· #34 · Nov 19, 2014

ponchoman49 said:
A proper Cadillac that GM let rot on the vine way too long. At least they could have updated the transaxle to the 6 speed currently found in the W-body Impala. You know the very same trans axle that everybody insisted wouldn't fit in the old W and G body based cars. That at least would have increased MPG a little and given the Northstar a little more flexibility. They also could have used the VVT 320 HP version of the Northstar for more power and plenty of torque unlike the weaker 3.6 LFX in the current and not as cool XTS.

The VVT Northstar probably would not fit transversely.

In the month I owned a 6 speed STS, it seemed like it was always in too high a gear, and I had to wait for a downshift or two to accelerate. The 3.6 could use more low-end torque, so I'm glad Omega will have the 3.0TT (if it won't have a V8 standard).

My 04 Deville felt a little lazy unless you put your foot down. The Performance DTS is geared & tuned for immediate throttle response, and I pay for it with about 3 mpg less than the Deville. Neither car "hunts" for a gear like the STS did. A fifth gear on the DTS might be nice for more efficient highway cruising, but I prefer less shifting.

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