Topic: First Drive: 2014 Cadillac CTS

[Autos_Editor]

Cadillac is once again raising their standards with the new CTS, now solidly mid-sized and competitive with other executive sedans, but is that enough to win back customers from the reigning German brands?

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[GTeye]

Can we see a pic of this rear-view mirror mentioned in the article?

[hemusbull]

Listening every time that "this time" blah blah blah...Cadillac is nowhere in terms concept. If GM had it, they should dictate the game; instead all Cadillac products are followers. This isn't bad on an emerging market niche, but in most established luxury segment where the players are known long ago, it is a shame Cadillac can't find the build the right competitive cars... 

[Snowman]

Listening every time that "this time" blah blah blah...Cadillac is nowhere in terms concept. If GM had it, they should dictate the game; instead all Cadillac products are followers. This isn't bad on an emerging market niche, but in most established luxury segment where the players are known long ago, it is a shame Cadillac can't find the build the right competitive cars...

  The CTS is very competitive in this segment.

[Rupert]

   Unfortunately I will never qualify for one of these...anyway I find the car to be plenty nice from the outside...inside I don't know and will never be there. Price is out of my range but seems reasonable in lower trims. Strange that we are looking at 2 L. in this category but turbo power is always sufficient...a sign of the times I suppose. I am not a fan of cycle fenders on any car. Kind of hard to design a striking vehicle in this echelon I suspect . Perhaps 'elegant' might be the only mantra to aim for.

[Solstice2006]

For example, in 2012 Cadillac sold just over 2,600 cars in total, for the year.

Took me a sec to figure out, those numbers are the ATS, CTS, and XTS.  Because the Cadillac brand did 6644 for 2012.  And has already past that number for 2013.  In Canada it doesn't come close to the German competitors or Lexus, but same range as Infiniti and Acura, and past Lincoln and Chrysler. 

Sure this is a Canadian forum, and Cadillac may need to advertise a bit better here to improve sales.  But they are doing pretty good in the US, and often surpass the German competitors, and with this new CTS, that is even more likely. 

Also the ATS may seem like it's not selling great, but it's achieving the same success when the 2nd generation CTS came out.  Averaging about 3000 sales TYD (Canada)

http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2012/10/cadillac-brand-sales-figures-usa-canada.html

I suspect Cadillac doesn't do as well as it's German competitors in Canada, is because of Buick.  Canadians are far more frugal with their money than Americans, and Buicks quite often meet their needs.  Combine Buick and Cadillac sales, and they beat the Lexus brand, and Audi.

http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2012/10/buick-brand-sales-figures-usa-canada.html

[Weels]

Really like the looks of this.
Issue for me appears to be the same as the '13 I sat in... namely the seats.  They are designed for someone about 250 lbs, which I am nowhere near.
This picture looks like the 2014 is no different.

[aquadorhj]

looks good outside and sounds like it's made with quality materials inside.

too bad it's gotten so expensive now.  \

50k for base 2L turbo(not even HID at this price still), but 61k for 2L turbo with performance pack?

overall i like the car though.

[Northernridge]

A huge step forward. The previous CTS never interested me in any way but this new car at least seems to belong in the segment. Most notable thing to me in the review is that Cadillac may have increased their attention to detail where Mercedes has clearly been looking at cost cutting details (I can see it in my current car vs. my previous gen. E).

The VSport model is priced the same as my car but has monster performance chops by comparison

Looks like the CTS has a +/- $15k price advantage over the Germans.

I'd like to to drive one.

[Solstice2006]

I think the design is a huge step forward. It still maintains that distinctive "Art and Science" Cadillac look but it toned down or less gaudy....which is a huge plus for me.

I noticed that as well, but for me it's the opposite.  I liked it sharp and edgy, kept if very different. Now it's less different, but it's the price you pay to fit in, and get more sales...

[whaddaiknow]

Dump the CUE and shiny piano black that hurts my eyes, and they may see me in the showroom.
The front looks best in class to my eye. The back is meh.

While definitely an improvement, it came with a hefty price hike. 60k for a 2.0T equipped as I like it is no chump change. I would have to find a lot of goodness in this Caddy to pick it over a FGC or the GS. At least with those, I know the resale is going to be very strong. But that would make this Caddy a strong CPO buy a couple of years down the road if it holds up well.

We heard a lot of boo-ing when BMW equipped the 5-series with a 2.0T. Guess people are slowly accepting it. I don't mind it.

[jamesautos]

I have an ATS and I am surprised to see the SAME dash and dials in the CTS as my lower spec'ed ATS...I know you can get the full LCD guages but that is a little bit cheap

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Resale isn't an issue.

Take a base 2009 CTS ($39990) and BMW 528i ($56200).

The average Black Book currently shows them worth the same.
Even if you had stepped up to the 535iX ($68k new), it currently black booked at $30k.

[Vanstar]

Listening every time that "this time" blah blah blah...Cadillac is nowhere in terms concept. If GM had it, they should dictate the game; instead all Cadillac products are followers. This isn't bad on an emerging market niche, but in most established luxury segment where the players are known long ago, it is a shame Cadillac can't find the build the right competitive cars... 

They review the CTS Vsport in my current Car and Driver and have essentially nothing but rave reviews. More or less it's finally a true competitor and the twin turbo six is excellent.

I think it has really grown up....in all areas - engine, looks, interior, handling.....all top notch.

Indeed, the buff-mags rate the new Cadillacs as fine cars. Of course the were not wined, dined and entertained to write positive reviews. Car makers never do that...

Indeed, Cadillac is "top notch," except in sales. GM supporters really need to go out an buy one. The ATS is not selling well.

[Vanstar]

Resale isn't an issue.

Take a base 2009 CTS ($39990) and BMW 528i ($56200).

The average Black Book currently shows them worth the same.
Even if you had stepped up to the 535iX ($68k new), it currently black booked at $30k.

The cost of ownership of all these performance luxury cars is very, very high. Really, only the truly wealthy can afford to lose $10,000 + in depreciation every year. The TCO on a car like would be close to $20k in the first year. NADA rates a base 2013 CTS at a five year TCO of over $59,000. Then again, a 528i runs $64,000 for five years.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Resale isn't an issue.

Take a base 2009 CTS ($39990) and BMW 528i ($56200).

The average Black Book currently shows them worth the same.
Even if you had stepped up to the 535iX ($68k new), it currently black booked at $30k.

The cost of ownership of all these performance luxury cars is very, very high. Really, only the truly wealthy can afford to lose $10,000 + in depreciation every year. The TCO on a car like would be close to $20k in the first year. NADA rates a base 2013 CTS at a five year TCO of over $59,000. Then again, a 528i runs $64,000 for five years.

Absolutely. I'm not sure how the myth that high end cars have good resale persists.

I looked at the Black Book for a 2009 Lexus GS350 ($51k new) and it's sitting at $28k. Better, but still a pile of depreciation.

[ChaosphereIX]

Resale isn't an issue.

Take a base 2009 CTS ($39990) and BMW 528i ($56200).

The average Black Book currently shows them worth the same.
Even if you had stepped up to the 535iX ($68k new), it currently black booked at $30k.

The cost of ownership of all these performance luxury cars is very, very high. Really, only the truly wealthy can afford to lose $10,000 + in depreciation every year. The TCO on a car like would be close to $20k in the first year. NADA rates a base 2013 CTS at a five year TCO of over $59,000. Then again, a 528i runs $64,000 for five years.

Absolutely. I'm not sure how the myth that high end cars have good resale persists.

I looked at the Black Book for a 2009 Lexus GS350 ($51k new) and it's sitting at $28k. Better, but still a pile of depreciation.

the higher up the model scale you buy, the more your pocketbook bleeds...fact of life

I am impressed by this car, huge improvement

[hemusbull]

Resale isn't an issue.

Take a base 2009 CTS ($39990) and BMW 528i ($56200).

The average Black Book currently shows them worth the same.
Even if you had stepped up to the 535iX ($68k new), it currently black booked at $30k.

I just compared the real asking prices at Auto Trader on both '09 CTS and 5-series in GTA. This isn't representative statistic 'cause the small number of cars (about twenty total for each model), but shows a view on the market. CTS prices are between 17 an 25 grand with most cars at about 20 grand. %-series start fro 19k and goes up to 32 with most cars about 25 grand.
And something more -  Vanstar is exactly on the point - the sales are suffering...

[Vanstar]

Resale isn't an issue.

Take a base 2009 CTS ($39990) and BMW 528i ($56200).

The average Black Book currently shows them worth the same.
Even if you had stepped up to the 535iX ($68k new), it currently black booked at $30k.

The cost of ownership of all these performance luxury cars is very, very high. Really, only the truly wealthy can afford to lose $10,000 + in depreciation every year. The TCO on a car like would be close to $20k in the first year. NADA rates a base 2013 CTS at a five year TCO of over $59,000. Then again, a 528i runs $64,000 for five years.

Absolutely. I'm not sure how the myth that high end cars have good resale persists.

I looked at the Black Book for a 2009 Lexus GS350 ($51k new) and it's sitting at $28k. Better, but still a pile of depreciation.

High end cars have, and have always had, atrocious resale. That is why I always buy my cars two years old with low kms. It saves a lot of money.

[Vanstar]

Resale isn't an issue.

Take a base 2009 CTS ($39990) and BMW 528i ($56200).

The average Black Book currently shows them worth the same.
Even if you had stepped up to the 535iX ($68k new), it currently black booked at $30k.

I just compared the real asking prices at Auto Trader on both '09 CTS and 5-series in GTA. This isn't representative statistic 'cause the small number of cars (about twenty total for each model), but shows a view on the market. CTS prices are between 17 an 25 grand with most cars at about 20 grand. %-series start fro 19k and goes up to 32 with most cars about 25 grand.
And something more -  Vanstar is exactly on the point - the sales are suffering...

This stuff is all leased and the lower residuals of the CTS are going to mean higher payments. The only way for a brand trying to break into an exclusive market is with price. GM's pricing strategy is still locked in 1980.