Drew Dowdell

the circa '04-'05 Subaru Legacy GT 3.0 sedan, couldn't get it configured the way I wanted without going to an Outback sedan which I didn't want. Was nearly the car I got instead of the CTS The Infiniti G-coupe, dislike the sedan model very much. The previous generation Jaguar XJ The VW Phaeton - I'd buy a used one, but I hear they are maintenance nightmares The first Bangle 7-series - the one my Gram had. No one seems to like the face on these, but I do. The Chevy Volt - no one here seems to like it

The problem with the MKS dash is that all those buttons you see are from the Fusion, Taurus, or F-150. The plastic is hollow sounding, kinda like the plastic in a Lucerne. Sure it's all sewn together tightly, but for $63k, there are a lot better choices out there based on interior alone.

I think it is fair to say that I'm one of only three on this website who have sat in the thing. The styling is dead on for me and I have not been this smitten with a car since the original CTS was shown in 2002. If Cadillac gets even 75% of the concept car's interior into production, they'll have an extremely strong contender on their hands. We already know that the center stack, steering wheel, and gauge cluster are making it into production. Cadillac XTS Concept interior: Cadillac CUE System - Featured in a Cadillac SRX

Oh really? The folks at Holden do RWD right, I have zero faith that any other part of GM could take that over effectively. RWD development should stay there. Case in point: The lowly Opel Omega. GM gave it to Holden and to Cadillac (GMNA). GMNA created the much maligned, and unreliable Cadillac Catera - and nothing else. Meanwhile, Holden took that same platform and created an entire line of sedans, coupes, wagons, and Utes. They developed AWD versions, won races, and exported the cars globally. All on a relative shoestring. Then they created Zeta, and the Camaro. I rest my case. The Camaro development was done mostly by GMNA using the Aussie platform. The Catera's downfall was NOT it's handling (in fact they handle very very well, it was the engine that they were given that was the letdown). Cadillac had no budget and was consigned to taking Germany's leftovers while Australia was able to build there own cars there. GMNA also came up with this: Furthermore, Zeta was developed in Australia when Mark Reuss was in charge of things down there. Notice where he lives these days.

About the Lacrosse Edmunds: Those looking for a traditional, plush Buick ride will be pleased. However, so will most anyone who enjoys driving, as those who venture onto twisting two-lanes will be amazed at how nimble and sure-footed this 2-ton sedan feels. It's not exactly a sport sedan, but it is leaps and bounds ahead of the Lexus ES 350, while giving up nothing in terms of ride comfort. Winding Road: Then there is the actual ride it self. It is very soft, but the suspension does a good job of keep body roll and vertical movement in check.

Ok. Sorry. You've really got me stumped now with these hairbrained ideas. What property of a FWD car would cause it to body roll more than a RWD car? The XTS will be quieter because, as you are so fond of pointing out it is "just a Lacrosse" one of the quietest cars in its segment. I don't doubt that Cadillac could make the CTS quiet. They just don't make it super quiet like the Lacrosse is. You seem to forget that Cadillac and Buick send me cars to drive. I've had a Lacrosse twice (2 weeks total) and 3 different versions of CTS (3 weeks total) I think I'm smart enough to know which one I liked better for my personal tastes.

It really depends on what your definition of "better" is. You seem to think that everyone out there shopping in the $45k - $55k range takes along their stop watch, lateral g-force meter, and helmet. If if were my $50k to spend, I almost certainly would go with the XTS over the CTS because, as much as I like the CTS, I prefer quiet and comfortable.... two traits that I'm certain the XTS will be better at. I'm already not adverse to either RWD or FWD, but I would opt for AWD for reasons of climate and terrain that I know you understand first hand. The reason I can make this prediction on my spending habits is that if it were my $38k and the choice was between a Lacrosse or CTS, I would still go with the Lacrosse. No old man is going to be able to operate Cadillac's CUE system just like they can't operate iDrive.

Alpha is the zeta replacement.

I think they'll be closer to the MKX

To the 4-cylinder doubters, look at those power numbers. Northstar like HP and Torque at a lower RPM than the actual Northstar itself.

Edsel's luxury division

Ute

How about increasing sales of the mainstream stuff first.

if it was made in a 3door, would Ocn buy?

Land Rover HAS a performance brand. It's called Jaguar. If Jaguar performance types are the letter R, then Land Rover should be the letter J. I really wonder about these executive and marketing types sometimes. Do they live in a bubble?

gladly

No, call it something other than Verano.

You have no idea what the powertrain is in the XTS yet. However, using the Lacrosse CXS as a bare minimum, the Lacrosse V6 is more powerful than the 528i by 50 horsepower and 30 ft-lb of torque and equal in horsepower to the 535i though behind in torque (but should be no surprise that the turbo BMW has more torque than the non-turbo Buick). Simply turbo-charging the HF V6 will make the engine at least identical to the BMW in power if not more. The biggest downfall for Cadillac would be the lack of an 8-speed transmission, but that is a GM problem not a platform problem.

you just pointed some of them out. Pedestrian impact standards (euro) and rear impact standards (US) GM not bringing Zeta sedans here had nothing to do with government standards and the proof is that GM is selling Zeta sedans here today. Just because they won't sell one to you personally... don't blame the government. The address you want to complain to is: The Office of Dan Akerson Renaissance Center Detroit Michigan

The orientation of the engine has nothing to do with how mainstream or not the car is. Subarus have north/south engines. Dodgefan's Intrepid has a north/south engine. The last generation VW Passat had a north/south engine. The Geo Tracker and Kia Sportage had north/south engines and they were way more mainstream than the SRX ever will be. The Camaro is going to sell close to 100k copies this year... do they have to be careful not to go over that or it will suddenly become "mainstream"?