[robhersch]

We have also owned several Cadillacs over the years since 1969, and the only one with major problems was the 1982 H4100 engine. We now have a 1999 DeVille Concours 300HP - which is a beautiful auto but also not good for a big dog - and a 2005 SRX N*V8 320 HP RWD which we love. We note that the '99 4-speed has "free wheeling", but the '05 has the 5-speed "paddle shift" which seems to yield lower MPG both in city and freeway.
We drive from LA to Las Vegas several times a year; we find the '99 gets ~24-25 MPG at freeway speeds and the "05 ~19-20 MPG under the same driving conditions. City driving yields ~ 15-16 on the '99 and ~ 12-14 on the '05.
We have had no problems with either N*V8, drive train, body, etc since purchasing them new in 1998 and 2005.
Both are very comfortable, very quiet and good performers under our driving conditions.
Our friend's 2008 SRX V6 w/ 6 speed automatic does seem to have a bit more motor noise and seems to work harder - particularly in mountain driving - than our N*V8s with not much better MPG than our SRX V8.
We compared many "SUV/ X-overs" - MB, BMW, Lex, Dodge, Ford, GMC, etc, V6 to V6 & V8 to V8 - 2003, '04. '05 models and selected the SRX N*V8 RWD with the UltraView as the best for us; we could not be happier.
Good luck with whatever you choose.