I am the proud and overall satisfied owner of a 2008 CTS in France. I have to report squeeky front seats (just by gently pushing down on them) which seem to be generated by the hard plastic seat base and squeeky console. Has anyone noticed the same problems ?

Nav system is good, but very few streets appear on the screen and compared to my previous CTS (2003) there aren't as many POI available (or I haven't found out how to programme the system), No Golf courses for instance.

I have an I Pod, that I connect through USB, what would the GM cable enable me to do more than with the Apple standard USB cable.

The automatic headlamps are still as absurd as before (20 seconds to switch on in tunnels !! and then 20 seconds to switch of !) and surely in such a high tech vehicle, Cadillac could have fitted a power boot opening and closing system.

Thanks for your comments

Hi, Alex.

The CTS is Cadillac's entry level luxury sedan - as such, it is not going to have all the features available on higher-end Cadillacs (power boot/trunk).

I do not have a squeak in the dash, but I did have a seat squeak - more like a groan actually. They replaced the plastic seat back and it went away completely.

I don't know that we have any other CTS owners in France on these forums, so you may not get a good response regarding the NAV system's seeming inability to show all streets in France. I think most USA owners would agree that the CTS NAV system shows most all streets in the US.

As for the lack of golf courses as a POI - I don't know what to tell you there...it would be nice for some, but since I don't play golf it doesn't bother me at all.

In my opinion, 2008 CTS is good generally. However, they need higher Quality control Passing Percentage(%).
I found these minor cosmetic issues on my CTS. These are not major problem but we really do care about these kinds of issue. GM does not get it what they need to do to match with CARS from German and Japan.

These minor issues must be detected in QA and corrected. Maybe they know but they passed....


1. DI Noise (Check if you hear unacceptable clicking sound - turn off your radio and use regular octane gas)
2. Heating/Cooling Fan Noise(Check if you hear some noise - change air flow to front and max fan speed)
3. Rear Door Lock(Check if you can unlock fully with one click on your key remote when outside temp is around 32F)
4. Outside door handle(Pull your door handle and check the paint quality - inside door handle, I am too pickkkky but this part should not be painted? You can see it......
5. I think GM use good leather on the seat, but some bad job on trimming & putting good leather on the seat. Also, some badddd job when they put rear seat on the car...
6. Trim (Open your rear door check gap between body part, it fits but does not look good - I don't think this is any problem but the body part should be fit tight?)

Hi,

Thanks for your answers. I know that in the States, the CTS is an "Entry Level sedan", but here in France it is quite Luxury (with the $ as low as it is now, it is worth almost 84.000$...). There aren't too many around here and this is quite nice for me (not for Cadillac). I only saw 3 or 4 of my previous CTS over the 4 years I had it.

But the new CTS has enough features to beat some of the famous German makes, so the boot would just be a nice extra.

Regarding the seat, mine is a squeeky noise and when I press the front of the seat, I think it rubs against the plastic base. But Cadillac France have said they would look into this.

As for the Nav, I was just wondering if as many POI were available as I used to have in my previous CTS (Golf Courses where just one of them), and if not, if uploads could exist. Re the streets, as you mention, could be different in the States and in Europe, but although all the streets exist in the sytem if I set a destination, most streets names do not appear on the map as I am driving along (If I was in NY for instance, I would have a grid of streets and one way streets indications with arrows, but no or hardly any street names, not even the names of town are mentioned on the Map when driving in the countryside (just to know what towns are in the area you are driving through for instance).

Anyhow thanks for answering previously

Alex,
where are you in Fance? I am in Toulouse during the week.
Still got the 06 CTS and waiting for the coupe in 09.

Noticed the big differences with the previous NAV as well (did a 24h test drive). Some things in the new NAV needs some playing around, some things are missing compared to the old NAV.

Did you get the AWD?
What color?

For the Nav, each year, they update the map database including POI. Anyone knows how old the map data in 2008 CTS? My house was built about 2 years ago but not in the map database yet.

Hi,

I totally agree with you the CTS would be a great car if only quality control was tougher and little things carefully thought out. Grab handle above the Passenger door for instance, Automatic Headlamps, paint finish, refridgerated can compartment or glove box, special glass for windows for better insulation (options on German cars and even !!! some French cars (yes we make cars !!!)). But overall the CTS is extremeluy pleasant to drive and I hope that it stays that way for the next three or four years, when I will change for maybe a new Cadillac...

Hi, I've got the 3.6 DI but not 4WD. It is Light platinum with ebony inside. I'm in Paris.

Yes the set up of the Nav is a little complicated maybe, but I hope they upgrade it with some features. Although it is better than the old system in some ways, my wife's Toyota system is brilliant and should be an example for all manufacturers.

Richard

Paris is too far for me.
Got a light platinum 06, but with black interior.

http://www.pichotel.com/pic/3273LP0k7/152501.jpg

http://www.pichotel.com/pic/3273LP0k7/152498.jpg

http://www.pichotel.com/pic/3273LP0k7/152323.jpg

would love to be able to mod the coupe. I am just not sure what color I would get.
Silver and black are the most comon car colors in Germany. I noticed in Toulouse there are more white cars.

I am the proud and overall satisfied owner of a 2008 CTS in France. I have to report squeeky front seats (just by gently pushing down on them) which seem to be generated by the hard plastic seat base and squeeky console. Has anyone noticed the same problems ?

Nav system is good, but very few streets appear on the screen and compared to my previous CTS (2003) there aren't as many POI available (or I haven't found out how to programme the system), No Golf courses for instance.

I have an I Pod, that I connect through USB, what would the GM cable enable me to do more than with the Apple standard USB cable.

The automatic headlamps are still as absurd as before (20 seconds to switch on in tunnels !! and then 20 seconds to switch of !) and surely in such a high tech vehicle, Cadillac could have fitted a power boot opening and closing system.

Thanks for your comments

I have the same problem with my drivers seat. The back plastic pulled away from the seat and squeeks when I lean back.

On a different but related subject, I'm curious what the French think of the new CTS. Do people ask you about it? Do you receive admiring and/or curious looks from passers by?

Probably better reaction to it now that Sarkozy is in office...

Hey 70Eldo,

I've said it before, I'll say it again...those wheels are amazing! Your CTS is beautiful. Same color as mine. I contacted Irmscher some time ago, the wheels would cost almost $550 at today's exchange rate...ouch! but great none the less. I hope they do something similar for the '08.

By the way, have you noticed how those rims look so much like the "new" 20" rims on the Jaguar XF Supercharged? It seems Jaguar saw the Irmscher rims and took a cue.

:thumbsup:

I would like that 06 a lot better if you would turn down the Photoshop. Looks like a cartoon. Too saturated and too posterized.

Thanks Caddyhills!
Mind you, many kits are just as unreachable for me as this one for you. In fact, most mods are very expensive, because I have to import them from the US. Imagine what I have to pay for a body kit...

Southern, the pictures are taken with 3 to 5 different exposures. They are then layered and combined with a special rendering software. The technique is called HDR (High Dynamic Range) and you can create this effect to appear more depth. Of course, you can exaggerate in many ways, but it is a lot of fun to play with.

Check it out:
http://www.hdr-photos.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_dynamic_range_imaging

Hi,

Yet heads do turn around in the streets and I get lots of questions from people when I stop. In fact it can sometimes be dangerous as drivers stare at the car and forget to look in front of them or speed up to see the front of the car. Nevertheless when I invite friends for a test drive they are impressed by the popwer, the looks and the apparent finish (until they hear the squeeky noises from the seats at the front and the center console). As I said it is unacceptable in any car, whatever the price, but it is really annoying having to hear time and time again : nice looks but terrible american finish !! You'd think that Cadillac could really make sure their cars live up to their quality expectations, especially if they want to sell a few more cars in Europe. I have to admit that for the moment you can't beat the Germans or Lexus (in France).

At least for that money, you have a lot less BMW or Lexus... ;)

BTW, I hope you get that Squeeking fixed. I wouldn't even have excepted that in the 03-07 CTS! I have no squeek or rattling in my 06!