Cadillac XTS....LOL!!!
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 803
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From: Staten Island, NY
2010 MB S550, 2017 MB SLC 300
Mike I definitely agree with you on pricing. The price point is killing them. At the price of a Platinum CT6, most people will go with MB or BMW because many potential buyers do not feel a Cadillac is worth an $80- $90K price tag. GM is definitely trying to compete with the Mercedes Benz S Class and BMW 7 Series with the CT6. I drove the base model as a loaner a couple of weeks ago because the dealer was trying to convince me to purchase one. The car is not bad although I had the most underpowered version in the lineup which made the car very sluggish and I would need to drive a car equipped with the new 3.0 Turbo V6 and fully optioned to give the car a fair assessment. A car that large needs more than 285 hp and 295 lb. ft. of tourque. I do not think the 2.0 Turbo 4 cylinder should even be offered, however, just like MB and other brands, GM is offering some trims at a lower price point to afford everyone an opportunity to own one of these cars.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 643
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From: Southern California
2007 CL550
Cadillac has had several disasters in the past that discourage new customers. Remember the Cadillac diesel fiasco and how about the 8-6-4 V8 that disabled cylinders for improved MPG. Both of these engines failed and left customers with useless vehicles.
I was invited to a focus group where we were shown a prototype Elmiraj coupe along with a BMW 6 series, Mercedes CL, and Bentley coupe. Were were asked how well we thought the Cadillac would compete. The consensus was the Cadillac was a non-starter.
Among the complaints were the mile long hood reminiscent of the 1980's which served no useful propose. The speedometer was extremely small, less than half the size of the other vehicles. The front seats were similar to Eames recliner chairs with wood paneling on the back (not very crash friendly for back seat passengers). The GPS display was a small pop-up display similar to the Mercedes "C" class.
It is amazing that Hundai (who 20 years was known as a company that produced cheap junk has undergone a tremendous improvement in quality and product design) is able to produce and sell a respectable higher priced luxury vehicle, yet GM who at one time was one of the best car manufactures continues to lag. At one time, the Cadillac name held a lot of prestige.
I was invited to a focus group where we were shown a prototype Elmiraj coupe along with a BMW 6 series, Mercedes CL, and Bentley coupe. Were were asked how well we thought the Cadillac would compete. The consensus was the Cadillac was a non-starter.
Among the complaints were the mile long hood reminiscent of the 1980's which served no useful propose. The speedometer was extremely small, less than half the size of the other vehicles. The front seats were similar to Eames recliner chairs with wood paneling on the back (not very crash friendly for back seat passengers). The GPS display was a small pop-up display similar to the Mercedes "C" class.
It is amazing that Hundai (who 20 years was known as a company that produced cheap junk has undergone a tremendous improvement in quality and product design) is able to produce and sell a respectable higher priced luxury vehicle, yet GM who at one time was one of the best car manufactures continues to lag. At one time, the Cadillac name held a lot of prestige.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2014
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From: Chicago burbs
2015 S550
It is amazing that Hundai (who 20 years was known as a company that produced cheap junk has undergone a tremendous improvement in quality and product design) is able to produce and sell a respectable higher priced luxury vehicle, yet GM who at one time was one of the best car manufactures continues to lag. At one time, the Cadillac name held a lot of prestige.
The current Cadillac CTS and ATS are killing it. They are beating BMW, Benz, and Audi for performance, price, and reliability in their respective classes. Styling is hit or miss, depending on the buyer....while the Germans take a more traditional/conservative/non-offensive approach to style. Cadillac has made a Hyundai type transformation over the last 5+ years. The death of the Northstar engine is the best thing that ever happened to Cadillac.
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 803
Likes: 74
From: Staten Island, NY
2010 MB S550, 2017 MB SLC 300
Yes, Hyundai builds very respectable cars now that compete very well against Honda and Toyota for a lower price and similar build quality and reliability.
The current Cadillac CTS and ATS are killing it. They are beating BMW, Benz, and Audi for performance, price, and reliability in their respective classes. Styling is hit or miss, depending on the buyer....while the Germans take a more traditional/conservative/non-offensive approach to style. Cadillac has made a Hyundai type transformation over the last 5+ years. The death of the Northstar engine is the best thing that ever happened to Cadillac.
The current Cadillac CTS and ATS are killing it. They are beating BMW, Benz, and Audi for performance, price, and reliability in their respective classes. Styling is hit or miss, depending on the buyer....while the Germans take a more traditional/conservative/non-offensive approach to style. Cadillac has made a Hyundai type transformation over the last 5+ years. The death of the Northstar engine is the best thing that ever happened to Cadillac.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Chicago burbs
2015 S550
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 803
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From: Staten Island, NY
2010 MB S550, 2017 MB SLC 300
Outside of my Auora's engine seizing for some crazy reason (cam broke) I never experienced those issues on the 4 cars with Northstar motors that I and my family had. I know the issues exist. I know people who had them.
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 101
Likes: 10
From: Midway, GA
2011 S63 AMG Designo Performance P3
Unfortunately I know all too well about the woes of the Northstar engine. I remember when that engine came out, it made the Ward's top ten list a few years in a row and was touted as a masterpiece; it was a pretty advanced engine for its time but it has several design flaws.
I do not know who thought it was smart to build a two piece engine with a heavy duty sealant in the middle. The engine is prone to half case seal leaks which I have right now on my DTS which is my daily driver. It is in the shop for repair as we speak.
I had a 1996 Sedan Deville that was an awesome car that I purchased with 20K miles and maintained it meticulously at the dealer and at 87K I kept noticing a burning oil smell but nothing was leaking and after several visits to the dealer they finally pulled everything apart and told me that there was a puddle of oil on top of the manifold that had been building up and burning off but never enough to fall to the ground. They let me know that my head gaskets needed to be replaced. $3K later I was on my way.
The engine runs great but it has design flaws and GM did themselves a favor by getting rid of them.
I do not know who thought it was smart to build a two piece engine with a heavy duty sealant in the middle. The engine is prone to half case seal leaks which I have right now on my DTS which is my daily driver. It is in the shop for repair as we speak.
I had a 1996 Sedan Deville that was an awesome car that I purchased with 20K miles and maintained it meticulously at the dealer and at 87K I kept noticing a burning oil smell but nothing was leaking and after several visits to the dealer they finally pulled everything apart and told me that there was a puddle of oil on top of the manifold that had been building up and burning off but never enough to fall to the ground. They let me know that my head gaskets needed to be replaced. $3K later I was on my way.
The engine runs great but it has design flaws and GM did themselves a favor by getting rid of them.
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Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: NorCal / Latin America
'72 Fleedwoot
Best comparison for S-class is BMW 7 series, Audi 8, in terms of style and (un)reliability. MB has had their fair share of engine issues, which I find troubling since that was once such a great core competency for the brand.
We'll see how Cadillac does with the new CT6. They are demolishing everyone in performance and handling with the CTS-V and ATS-V. Maybe a CT6-V is coming?
We'll see how Cadillac does with the new CT6. They are demolishing everyone in performance and handling with the CTS-V and ATS-V. Maybe a CT6-V is coming?
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Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Vancouver, BC
CLS55 AMG
I dont think the XTS was meant to compete with an S-class... maybe an E-class? although, it seems that the CTS is more of a direct comparison to the E-Class. Anyway, here in Canada, a fully optioned XTS V6 Turbo Platinum is almost $110k. A fully optioned S400 4matic is $140k. By fully optioned, I mean all boxes checked off, including rear seat package, Burg stereo, etc. A Base S400 can be had for around $110k. I think most people would much rather take a base S-class than a fully loaded XTS
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2014
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From: Chicago burbs
2015 S550
I dont think the XTS was meant to compete with an S-class... maybe an E-class? although, it seems that the CTS is more of a direct comparison to the E-Class. Anyway, here in Ctanada, a fully optioned XTS V6 Turbo Platinum is almost $110k. A fully optioned S400 4matic is $140k. By fully optioned, I mean all boxes checked off, including rear seat package, Burg stereo, etc. A Base S400 can be had for around $110k. I think most people would much rather take a base S-class than a fully loaded XTS
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 803
Likes: 74
From: Staten Island, NY
2010 MB S550, 2017 MB SLC 300
I dont think the XTS was meant to compete with an S-class... maybe an E-class? although, it seems that the CTS is more of a direct comparison to the E-Class. Anyway, here in Canada, a fully optioned XTS V6 Turbo Platinum is almost $110k. A fully optioned S400 4matic is $140k. By fully optioned, I mean all boxes checked off, including rear seat package, Burg stereo, etc. A Base S400 can be had for around $110k. I think most people would much rather take a base S-class than a fully loaded XTS
I narrowed it down to a nicely equipped E class and a fully loaded STS. I asked yet another friend who is my conscious when it comes to car buying what he thought and he said he would rather have the nicely equipped Mercedes over a fully loaded Cadillac. I agreed and here we are today.
