Reader Review of the Week: 2008 Cadillac CTS

"First-Time Cadillac Owner," from St. Louis, admits to being entranced by the advertising and promotion for the 2008 Cadillac CTS and maintains that it is a great-looking car. However, a few small repairs and a low ride height started to wear on the ownership experience. Read the review to find out specifically what went wrong with this Cadillac owner's car-buying experience. Then head here to post your own car review.

“I have to admit it: I was dazzled by the marketing campaign and the fact that it was the Motor Trend ‘Car of the Year,’ among other reviews.

“It's a beautiful car inside and out and great to drive until coming to a stop. The brakes have squeaked when stopping since very early on. One service person told me that was ‘normal.’ Another changed the rear brake pads, but that hasn't stopped it either.

“I've had electrical problems with the driver's seat, parking assist and other miscellaneous things. I returned to dealer and then found that the wiring under the driver's seat had been worn from the seat moving back and forth when entering and exiting the vehicle. They repaired the wiring and put tubing around it to prevent from reoccurring. Just one thing after another. A beautiful-looking car, but the front end is so close to the ground that it requires backing into parking spaces to keep the vinyl piece from hitting the concrete stops.

“The front seat is very comfortable, but the rear seat is pretty tight for passengers. I splurged on the $8K option package, and it has great features, but in retrospect, that's way too much money.”

Comments

[DL]

great review -- just what I'd feared. the quality (or the lack thereof), even on such a new car, already shows through. too bad, i really really wanted to buy one. G37 looks better and better. and Cadillac is kidding itself when it thinks people think of the CTS as a 5-series fighter.

[DL]

oops, meant to say, "GM is kidding itself when it thinks that people will think of the CTS as a 5-series fighter/alternative."

[Cj]

09 TL is even better

[DL]

'09 TL has got that... proboscis that, although I as a driver will only occasionally see, seems to be a little too much. otherwise it's an excellent machine like many other Honda products -- but does not elicit much excitement...

[Cj]

when driven it does ;)

[ppellico]

Look, I fully understand the ride height problem. But this is the same for all these so called sports sedans.
I solved the situation by buying the new MKS.
But for those who just demand power, wait for the ecoboost turbo this spring

awesome gm quality at a great price!! please you will spend more in the reapair shop with that piece of crap!!!

[matt]

I love it. Someone who does not know where the front of his cars is and all of the sudden everyone is jumping on the I Hate American Car Companies band wagon. It is a first year car and they sometimes have problems. The X5 was recalled 5 times its first year out. And a wiring problem and squeaky brakes hardly make me believe the car is a piece of junk. If you don't want a car that is low to the ground get an SUV.

[SouthTX]

"A beautiful-looking car, but the front end is so close to the ground that it requires backing into parking spaces to keep the vinyl piece from hitting the concrete stops"... hello, welcome to the world of sports cars, I have a coupe and I have the same problem, but I have learn the lenght of my car...

The G37 and the Tl? Come on guys, be serious... talking about looking cheap...

[DL]

i think all cars in their first year of production after a MAJOR revamping will have more little problems. even Lexus or Honda or whatever your most reliable brand is. that's the price you pay for the hot new model. i think buying a car 3 years into the run is nicer. so, 2010 CTS, that's my bet. ;)

[DL]

and i agree with ppellico and matt on the ride height thing. this is one of the reasons my family don't like to ride in my car. they wallow around in their SUVs. disgusting things (those SUVs) ...
some people like to roll over, some like to stay planted on the ground. should have thought about it before plunking down that money.

[David Thomas]

On the front spoiler problem: I don't know how any person takes a look at that grille and doesn't think it might be hard to park, or maybe they should be careful with it when pulling up to stone barricades in a parking spot. Sheesh.

[Jack]

Dave,
I'm with you and frankly as much as I love my 5 Series if I had a CTS and the front lower grill was banged up here and there I wouldn't really care. It's a fine car and meant to be driven!