What to pay attention before taking delivery

[lordbaby]

CTS shipped to dealer, what to pay attention before taking delivery ?
No bs allowed , serious question.

[Southern]

Check each wheel for "curb rash". The wheels are quite wide for these tires and the tires do not bulge out on the sidewall to protect the wheel.
Try to look at the body from several different angles and in the sun and in the shade looking for swirls in the paint where the make ready guy screwed up.
When the sales guy shows you how to check the TPMS, check the tire pressures. Sometimes manufacturers over inflate the tires (<>50 lbs) for shipment and the make ready guy has been known not to set them at the reco OSI (35 for FE2).
Remember to check the Synchronized Stators on both sides of the engine for balance........Oh sorry, you said no BS.......

[NOT ON MY WATCH]

1) Check all interior trim for unusual gaps or differences from side to side. I didn't notice gaps on mine until about 500 miles (not sure if they were there before or not) - and I have major gaps on both sides of the center console between the wood trim and the outside plastic (on the sides of where the wood trim and plastic meet up with the seat heat/cool controls). I believe a couple other folks noticed trim problems on some of the pillars.

2) Check steering wheel for vibration - especially from 60 to 65 mph. I thought I had a problem with this, then thought I didn't - now I know I do have some kind of steering issue for sure. Might be an alignment issue on mine, as the steering wheel has some play on the right side close to center, but I haven't hit any potholes, speedbumps, or curbs.

3) Check cupholder door, glove box door, center console hatches, and rear folding seats for proper function. Might sound silly - and in all the cars I've owned before, there has never been a problem - but my cupholder door was not working from day one.

4) Check headlights for moisture. Mine had this when I picked it up from the dealer (they had just washed the car). The dealer said it would go away, but I have been too busy lately to monitor this.

5) Check paint very closely in good lighting conditions.

6) Check compass for proper function.

7) Check radio (AM, FM & XM) for proper reception and quality level.

8) Check spare tire area for proper equipment: spare tire, fix-a-flat, or pile of cash.

That probably covers most of the issues some people have experienced - so if you check those at the dealership, you ought to be fine out of the gate.

[lordbaby]

Originally Posted by Southern

Remember to check the Synchronized Stators on both sides of the engine for balance.

How to check the synchronized stators for balance? not too sure what are they... thanks

[bryson17]

On delivery my sunroof was making a bunch of noise at ~60mph. Make sure there's no whistling or wind noise while it's closed. The dealer said that it was an easy fix. They aligned it and it hasn't made any noise since then.

Make sure you get an iPod cable. Some weren't receiving it earlier, but it should be there (if you have a usb port).

Make sure both keys work.

Open and close all doors, trunk, and hood.

Go over the features with your dealer even if you think you know all the features. It can still be very helpful.

Take pics and post them in the sticky thread!

[Clarkster]

Originally Posted by lordbaby

How to check the synchronized stators for balance? not too sure what are they... thanks

Methinks Southern was jerking your chain lordbaby! Read what he said right after that again.

[malcolm]

The car will look perfect at the dealer. As soon as you take posession and only then will you begin to see things that will annoy you.

[JackB]

You also may want to ask the sales rep, who will be hovering over you, to leave you alone with the car for a few minutes as you check the above items. It is much easier to check out the car by yourself without any time pressure or someone thinking you are too anal.

[The Tony Show]

Don't stress out- look the car over for anything obvious, and if there is a problem you have a 50,000 mile warranty to take care of it.

[Macdad]

With the low front valance you might want to check to make sure it isn't scratched-up. Mine was, but my salesman had already noticed it and had ordered a new one.

[lordbaby]

Originally Posted by NOT ON MY WATCH

1)

2) Check steering wheel for vibration - especially from 60 to 65 mph. I thought I had a problem with this, then thought I didn't - now I know I do have some kind of steering issue for sure. Might be an alignment issue on mine, as the steering wheel has some play on the right side close to center, but I haven't hit any potholes, speedbumps, or curbs.

is the vibration obvious if there is one? or some sudden changes when it hit 60-65.. and it'll start vibrating?

[NOT ON MY WATCH]

Very obvious, lordbaby. No problem at lower speeds and no problem at 75+. Definite vibration in between.

[bobber]

New member here.
I noticed the following on my 08 CTS the first night.
Compass had not bee set, no big deal. The AM and FM bands did not work although XM was fine. After a day and a half back at the dealer they found that a wire had been 'pinched' behind the dash during assembly.
Anyway it was fixed but I though that someone should have caught these things before I picked it up.

[hanapa]

Pick it up during the day in sunlight. You won't see the DISO (Dealer Installed Swirl Option) under the service lights at night.

[Trijicon]

Check the rear doors also to make sure they close properly without too much effort. I just walked from my back lot checking on some that just now came in and one had a rear door (drivers side) that when you shut it, it did not seat itself properly unless I used more than normal force. I already drove it up to service before it gets out on the lot.

All other posts are relevant above as well. These are not Toyotas and you are paying good hard earned money for a Cadillac, if your dealer is worth their salt they will make it perfect for you!