| I've had my DTS for about 15 months now. I bought it new in January 2002. It has every option except the sunroof (I wanted more headroom) and the cellular integration package (wouldn't work with my phone). I got the adaptive seating, night vision, navigation system, zebrano wood trim package, side airbags, etc etc. The first thing I did was have the interior gutted, and I added 432 square feet of noise damping material, along with a few layers of acoustic foam. The car is dead silent. 63 Db at 70 mph. It gained a little weight, but performance didn't seem to suffer too much. I did experience a couple of problems (before the modifications, so those can't be blamed on the modifications). The navigation system has worked great with one exception. Maybe once or twice a week, I start the car, and all I hear is a buzzing sound from the stereo. It's loud, and annoying and it won't go away untill I turn the car off for about two minutes. Other than that, no problems with the nav system. I had a little trouble with brake squeal, but I got over that by trying to drive more like an old man. I had to have a wheel speed sensor replaced (under warranty) and one factory recall (again, no cost). Overall I've been happy with the car and the service I've received.
The acceleration isn't quite "fast" but "authoritative" wouldn't be a bad discription. Braking is a little weaker than I'd like and it could use some more grip in the corners, but in general it handles very well for a car of it's size and weight. I drive my cars hard. This car is NOTHING like my Z06, but when pushed to the limit it has a nice feel to it and the stabilitrac does a good job of keeping things under control if you get a little crazy. I plan on replacing the tires with something wider and stickier, which will hopefully improve my cornering. I'm also seeking thicker sway bars to quell the body roll.
Performance in the snow is fantastic, easily allowing me to go out under almost any conditions I've seen in my area (Massacusetts).
I've done several road trips with it. I haven't found a car that's better for long drives in terms of comfort an smooth easy cruising (although I sat in the new Rolls Royce, and i'm pretty sure that'd be one hell of a road tripper). Much nicer on long trips than my brother's Audi A8L. However at high speeds (say over 115) it feels too mushy. Not enough grip, and not stiff enough suspension....especially when the car is loaded. But if you plan to cruise at even vaguely legal speeds it's fantastic. There's plenty of room for four in the car. Five is ok if the third person in the back is small, or you aren't travelling too far. Trunk space is generous, but not mind blowing. Interior appointments are excellent, and everyone likes the seats (nice leather in my opinion), the seat heaters, the multizone climate control, and the reading lamps that are well placed to prevent glare to the driver. The trim impresses most people, but there are a few pieces that get on my nerves. The plastic panel surrounding the climate controls and the nav screen is really cheap and doesn't fit flush. Some of the controls on the dash look and feel cheap (although ergonomics are great) and the center console isn't as rock solid as those of other high end cars (it creaks if you lean on it).
I've got 24,000 miles on the car now and I've driven it under virtually any sort of circumstances. I've been please over all with the car and with all of it's features. Even the night vision has made itself useful, saving me from a definite collision with pack of three moose on one occasion and several times with deer. If I could change a few things about the car, this is what they'd be:
1. Dual pane windows...a good bit of the cabin noise comes from the windows
2. Another 50 hp
3. Stiffer swaybars
4. Slightly better interior trim
5. Slightly stiffer suspension
6. 255/45/18 tires (I think that'd be about the right width and would maintain enough sidewall to be comfortable.
If anyone has any specific questions about my car or my experience with it, feel free to ask.
Scott |