Hello everyone, my first post here. I am in the market to lease an 08 CTS, and spent 3 very frustrating hours in the dealer today trying to find an example with the options I am looking for (certainly not the dealer's fault, he was very patient). I wanted a blue chip/cashmere with the performance group and lux 1, etc but there arent any in the Northeast. The best I've found is a red AWD with Lux I and II and Nav with no perf pkg. I really wanted the perf package for the wheels and foglights, I think it makes the car look better. So, to my question, if I go with this model has anyone attempted to retrofit the foglights? From an installation standpoint it should be easy, but logistically with switching, etc I'm not sure....

Thanks

Good question, and while on the same subject, I wonder if the HID active headlight modules that come with the FE-2 18" wheel package can be retrofitted in the standard FE-1 set up. I would think they would not use 2 differnt wiring harnesses, but I don't know. There has to be the signal wire for the movement of the headlights, but whether that is there on all cars and whether or not the BCM has to be programmed to send the signal is a guess. If someone knows that would be great. Ideally I want the smoother FE-1 suspension but I love the look of the light pipes in the FE-2,3 headlights, and also the chrome foglights. It was really really stupid for Cadillac to force a rougher suspension and really sensitive sterring ratio on people who want the safety oriented HID active headlights and fog lights.

Here's a thought, why don't you simply order one the way you want it?????

Here's a thought, why don't you simply order one the way you want it?????

In the end, that's always best...because aside from wait, you have a PERFECT car that you don't need to try and add things to or be sorry it's missing something or has something you never wanted.

Here's a thought, why don't you simply order one the way you want it?????

The reason why I can't order one is because Cadillac is currently offering up to $2000 to get me out of my current BMW lease, and I must take delivery by April 7th. I asked, and they wouldn't commit to the car arriving by then...and I'm not interested in having 3 cars on my hands (my "fun" car is a 2005 Porsche Boxster). Secondly, they are offering me "Luxury Conquest Cash" of $1000 that ends of February 29th. Therefore, if I could simply find the model that I desire in existence, I could take advantage of these offers.

Now, back to my question...anyone else thought of retrofitting the fogs? :bouncy:

The reason why I can't order one is because Cadillac is currently offering up to $2000 to get me out of my current BMW lease, and I must take delivery by April 7th. I asked, and they wouldn't commit to the car arriving by then...

It seems like the turn around for many people is around 4 weeks right now - that'd get you a car before April 7th. I'm not a dealer, but I'd think as long as you received a VIN by that date, they'd be willing to honor those terms.

The reason why I can't order one is because Cadillac is currently offering up to $2000 to get me out of my current BMW lease, and I must take delivery by April 7th. I asked, and they wouldn't commit to the car arriving by then...and I'm not interested in having 3 cars on my hands (my "fun" car is a 2005 Porsche Boxster). Secondly, they are offering me "Luxury Conquest Cash" of $1000 that ends of February 29th. Therefore, if I could simply find the model that I desire in existence, I could take advantage of these offers.

Now, back to my question...anyone else thought of retrofitting the fogs? :bouncy:

Just FYI... The blue chip color is now discontinued, according to a few sources on this board. So taking that into account, even ordering won't get you EXACTLY what you want... You'd have to find one already out there somewhere. And good luck with that. They're just not around.

As for order wait times... I ordered mine a couple days after Christmas and should hopefully have it by the end of the week... Event code is something after 3800 by now. But my point is this... If your dealer doesn't have an allocation available to get the car pushed up the line a bit, you wouldn't have it till after that April date. This is something you'd want to ask them. I learned about allocations the hard way.

What little checking I have done indicates to me that the retrofit of fog lights is not as simple as snaping them in and plugging in the harness. I too would like to put the fog lights in since the car I bought did not have them. I asked and the accessory guy showed me that there is no fog light switch setting on the light stalk (attached to the steering wheel). So it appears that you would have to install a swith somewhere to turn the lights off and on. Other than than I don't see why you couldn't do the upgrade. No idea of what the cost is or if they are available. Keep us posted on your findings.

What little checking I have done indicates to me that the retrofit of fog lights is not as simple as snaping them in and plugging in the harness. I too would like to put the fog lights in since the car I bought did not have them. I asked and the accessory guy showed me that there is no fog light switch setting on the light stalk (attached to the steering wheel). So it appears that you would have to install a swith somewhere to turn the lights off and on. Other than than I don't see why you couldn't do the upgrade. No idea of what the cost is or if they are available. Keep us posted on your findings.

Thanks for answering the original question Ron....but the point is now moot for me. I have found my car! After spending hours checking dealer's inventories within 100 miles of my house, I found a Blue Chip/Cashmere DI with Perf Pkg, Nav, and Lux I. I also got it for $500 below supplier cost, and Cadillac picked up the remainder of my BMW lease ($2000). So for those of you who want to take advantage of the current incentives and don't want to wait 10 weeks, keep the faith! Your car is out there :)

The reason why I can't order one is because Cadillac is currently offering up to $2000 to get me out of my current BMW lease, and I must take delivery by April 7th. I asked, and they wouldn't commit to the car arriving by then...and I'm not interested in having 3 cars on my hands (my "fun" car is a 2005 Porsche Boxster). Secondly, they are offering me "Luxury Conquest Cash" of $1000 that ends of February 29th. Therefore, if I could simply find the model that I desire in existence, I could take advantage of these offers.

Now, back to my question...anyone else thought of retrofitting the fogs? :bouncy:


Wow, I didn't realize they were doing that. It must be working if you're looking for a CTS. I hope you find one you like. I already have a '05 CTS and there are several months left on my lease. I may buy it at the end of the lease and keep it until the Coupe comes out, or simply get a 2008 or 2009 sedan.

The fog light units are certainly attainable through the parts department, I would think. But they are probably very expensive. Add to that the installation and wiring and I suspect it may seem prohibitive. Try this: go to each dealer and tell them what you want and perhaps they'll either put them on for you to seal the deal, or even swap them off of another car in stock. It might be worth trying. Cadillac headquarters is putting pressure on the dealers to keep sales up, so you might have some luck. Here's an article from Automotive News:



Cadillac challenges dealers to boost sales

Jamie LaReau

Automotive News | February 18, 2008 - 12:01 am EST


SAN FRANCISCO — Cadillac leaders challenged dealers to ride the momentum of the new CTS sedan and bring the brand's annual sales back to the 2005 level of 192,000 retail sales.

"I laid out the sales challenge because we've got to turn this around," Jim Taylor, Cadillac general manager, told Automotive News after the make meeting.

Dealers are up for the challenge, saying they'd like to reach 210,000 units sold by year end. One dealer says that given the brand's strong product lineup with the new CTS and the Escalade SUV still in demand, reaching 192,000 should be possible.

"It's just one more a month, and we're there," said Lynn Thompson, owner of Thompson Sales Co. (Buick-Pontiac-GMC-Cadillac-Saab) in Spring-field, Mo.

Highlights
• Raise sales back to 2005 levels of 190,000 plus

• Emphasis on edgy future product possibilities

• Boost brand's prestige with a CTS coupe, new Platinum series


Cadillac also teased dealers with talk of a CTS coupe variant similar to the concept vehicle shown at the Detroit auto show, dealers say. Cadillac did not indicate when the vehicle might be built.

"They talked about the CTS coupe coming, which is just awesome," Thompson said. "We will do really well with that. It's for the person who doesn't have any kids and wants something stylish."

To continue the brand's image boost, Cadillac pushed dealers to emphasize the Platinum series. Cadillac will offer a Platinum series this spring on the Escalade similar to the one it has on the DTS sedan.


SOURCE: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080218/ANA04/802180313&SearchID=73309849043614&template=printart