Anybody cross shop the Cadillac CTS?

[TexasJim]

I like both these cars. The CTS looks sharp, but is a bit smaller in the back and its MSRP is much higher. However, the Caddy dealers are blowing out the 2014 models and there are deals to be had.

Anybody cross shop both models and have any opinions?

 

[Genesis2015]

I shopped the XTS which is similar in size but a lot more money for the same features

 

[Aquineas]

Love the look of the front of the CTS. I know it's gimmicky and I'm ashamed to admit I like them, but the styling of their daytime running lights implementation looks kinda cool

 

[dgray996]

I considered the CTS coupe until I realized that the model was discontinued for 2015. It seems GM is steering shoppers to the ATS coupe for 2015 and doesn't come close to the looks of the Genny in my opinion. I didn't deep dive beyond this general premise.

 

[pusaterkm]

I cross shopped them. I am really impressed with the 2014 SRX that I bought for my wife. So I looked at the CTS as well. I think that it is a great car and you will not be dissappointed if that is what you choose. For me it came down to bang for the buck. To get the same power and features in the CTS that I have in the 2015 5.0 Ultimate I would have to get the CTS-Vsport with a sticker over 70k. Buying the Genny got me more car and features and the sticker was around 56k.

 

[dc20133.8]

I have done this with the CTS and STS; took me about 4 months to make up my mind. Dollar for Dollar - Warranty for Warranty - Feature for Feature, with a slight tilt toward the sportier ride/interior feel out of the CTS, I went with the Genesis sedan without remorse.

 

[Breadmen]

I have done this with the CTS and STS; took me about 4 months to make up my mind. Dollar for Dollar - Warranty for Warranty - Feature for Feature, with a slight tilt toward the sportier ride/interior feel out of the CTS, I went with the Genesis sedan without remorse.

As attractive as everyone may think the Cadillac looks (myself included), give it a year or two and you'll see it doesn't "age" well. There are plenty of reports online about the service issues most Cadillac's have, especially the CTS, even in their first year of ownership not to mention the squeaks, rattles and the inherently inferior build quality when compared to the Genesis.

I am also of the opinion Cadillacs are way overpriced for what you get when you compare them to German imports that are far better. Who wants to pay close to $60K for a "loaded" CTS when you can get a real fully LOADED Genesis for way less or if you are so inclined you get a nice M-B E Class for that price...

In my case, although I was tempted, I didn't buy the E Class, I bought the Genesis AWD Ultra instead and glad I did. I love having all that money I saved in MY pocket

 

[dc20133.8]

I am also of the opinion Cadillacs are way overpriced for what you get when you compare them to German imports that are far better. Who wants to pay close to $60K for a "loaded" CTS when you can get a real fully LOADED Genesis for way less or if you are so inclined you get a nice M-B E Class for that price...

In my case, although I was tempted, I didn't buy the E Class, I bought the Genesis AWD Ultra instead and glad I did. I love having all that money I saved in MY pocket

Amen to that. A buddy of mine has a new E550. I test drove used C and E classes as well but when it came to maintenance cost, I quickly threw those off to the side for now. I only have the base model but when he drove it, he was very impressed with the ride and car in general compared to his "overpriced" as he stated MB

But if he gave me his 550, I wouldn't turn it away

 

[TexasJim]

Personally, I am not really impressed with the E350, both in drive and in looks. It seems kind of dinky.

I'd rather have either the Genesis or the CTS than the E350.

 

[lobsenza]

I test drove the CTS twice, each time for 2-3 hours and about 70 miles (the same as I did on the Genesis). I really liked the CTS. It definitely handled better than the Genesis and i liked the ride better. Those were the 2 big plusses. But, there were many minuses:

To get a comparable CTS to the Genesis 5.0 ultimate, the prices was about $18,000 more. I think I probably could have reduced the difference a little, but it would have still ended up at $15,000.

The rear seat room on the CTS was much worse. Not nearly as comfortable to ride in.

The CTS V Sport required premium fuel, it is optional on the Genesis.

The safety rating on the CTS was not as good. They are currently trying to update the CTS to improve the small offset crash test (Caddy pulled it right before it was supposed to be tested). Crash safety was very important to me. I do not think there is a vehicle sold that has a better crash test rating than the Genesis, especially with the tech package.

The CTS did not have a spare tire. This bothered me.

The features, navigation system, etc were better on the Genesis.

I also test drive the Audi A6, but liked the CTS and Genesis better. I also looked at the Lexus GS and the BMW 5 series (which did horribly on the small offset crash test).

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[jimb100]

I would have looked at the CTS but my wife would literally have flipped out.

We had an STS a few years ago and it was in the shop every other month. And not for little things. The engine was torn down, the trans was rebuilt and a million small things needed fixing. I got rid of it as soon as the warranty expired.

On the plus side, it was a very good handling car, especially for front wheel drive. The Northstar engine made good power and the interior fit and finish and quality of materials was very good. A nice looking car, too.

But mechanical reliability was just awful and its hard to get past that.

I might have taken a chance for the V or VSport but the price difference to the Genesis was just to great.

I spent more time looking at the Audi A8 than the CTS and while its a spectacular car I couldn't see $100k for the Audi when the Genesis offers at least 80% and maybe more for $55K.

If money didn't matter I'd be driving the Audi and never give the Genesis a thought but $100k is serious money.

 

[Midnightsun]

I looked at the Caddy lineup but just not my style. They somehow manage to combine star wars and grandpa into 1. Really hate the exterior styling, interior was pretty nice though. Price with less features was more than my Genesis. Power was on par with the Genesis V6 unless you go with the V which kills the pricing. Their Q system is terrible and this is well documented everywhere. Overall though the car is very well rated and right up their with the Audi A6.

 

[FlySwatter]

I looked at the Caddy lineup but just not my style. They somehow manage to combine star wars and grandpa into 1. Really hate the exterior styling, interior was pretty nice though. Price with less features was more than my Genesis. Power was on par with the Genesis V6 unless you go with the V which kills the pricing. Their Q system is terrible and this is well documented everywhere. Overall though the car is very well rated and right up their with the Audi A6.

Hey, I resemble that remark!

Seriously, how many of us here saw the original star wars in a theater as a "kid" and are now grand parents? (raises hand)

 

[Midnightsun]

Hey, I resemble that remark!

Seriously, how many of us here saw the original star wars in a theater as a "kid" and are now grand parents? (raises hand)

Funny as when I was typing the post I though to my self that Grandpa and Starwars do fit time wise. I saw it at a drive thru when nobody knew what it was. Actually took quite some time before it became a sensation.

 

[DFWGenny]

Funny as when I was typing the post I though to my self that Grandpa and Starwars do fit time wise. I saw it at a drive thru when nobody knew what it was. Actually took quite some time before it became a sensation.

That may have been the case up in the great white north , but in Chicago, it was an instant hit. I was working second shift, so my wife and I could go to the weekday matinee and the line was still around the block!

Star Wars in a real theater with a 70mm projector, those were the days.

As an aside, we saw Jurassic Park in one of the few remaining theaters with a 70mm projector in Dallas when it came out. The amount of detail on the screen was phenomenal!

 

[DFWGenny]

We had an STS a few years ago and it was in the shop every other month. And not for little things. The engine was torn down, the trans was rebuilt and a million small things needed fixing. I got rid of it as soon as the warranty expired.

On the plus side, it was a very good handling car, especially for front wheel drive. The Northstar engine made good power and the interior fit and finish and quality of materials was very good. A nice looking car, too.

That was the thing about GM in the 90's, you could get a great car, or you could get one that would drive you crazy. Let's not even talk about my 1980 Chevy Citation!

I have a 1995 Cadillac Sedan Devile which has been a great car, it was my Dad's. My Dad was Buick/Cadillac man most of his life and I got to drive a lot of their products from 1965 to present day. Had a '65 Buick LeSabre that had over 100,000 miles and back then, that was an accomplishment. He bought a '72 LeSabre that was a POS. It seemed to be the luck of the draw.

They had this "great" idea a few years ago that they could assemble their engines without matching the piston to the cylinder as they did in the past. Yeah it saved time, but Google GM piston slap.

I have owned 8 GM cars, I will never buy another GM product.

 

[jimb100]

I have owned 8 GM cars, I will never buy another GM product.

I've owned several Corvettes, all were very reliable with few mechanical issues. Fit and finish was another story. Of course, the bean counters had less influence over the Corvette than other cars.

Also the trucks and truck based vehicles like the Tahoe, Suburban, Escalade were pretty reliable.

Todays Caddys are better but still not up to the standards of the better German cars. Benz C class, BMW 3 series, even Lexus IS are built to a price point and corners are cut somewhere. Even the E class and A6 are not giving you a lot for their lofty prices.

 

[YEH]

I've owned several Corvettes, all were very reliable with few mechanical issues. Fit and finish was another story. Of course, the bean counters had less influence over the Corvette than other cars.

Fit and finish on the C7 is supposed to be pretty good but the new - no longer budget interior plays a part in that.

Wish Cadillac made the greenhouse and rear of the CTS more befitting the aggressive front end, but the CTS (esp. in CTS V-Sport trim, until the new CTS-V launches) is supposed to be the segment leader when it comes to handling/driving fun whereas the Genesis is more on the opposite side of the spectrum - more of a luxo-cruiser.

Tho based on MT's figure 8 test, the Genesis (w/ HTRAC) is no slouch in the handling dept.

 

[TexasJim]

Ended up buying the Genesis.

 

[Gary casey]

Did the same comparison. Bought the genny. Could not be happier. Ride, comfort, and a total lack of GM squeaks rattles and rolls. My opinion..... Can't beat it in my book.