The only thing im questioning is the durability and how many miles the motors and transmissions hold up to.

My 1977 had its engine replaced at 152,000 miles, because it was worn out to the point where it drove like a slug.

I also see that one of the new cadillac V8 engines were rated at 360HP @ 6,000rpm (cant remeber the HP for sure, but the rpm rating is 6,000) for a 400 and something cubic inch engine.


I have a toyota thats at 164,000 in-town miles, and the valve lifters arnt even ticking yet, doesnt even smoke.

Cadillac beat Toyota recently and the reasons include many new Toyota changes, models, development of hybrid technology, building a new factory etc. Toyota also slipped regarding long term quality. Cadillacs had fewer problems.

It will be some time before the Japanese cars are accurately perceived as being inferior to Cadillacs huge quality gains. The reputation will catch up with reality.

http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=7285&sid=175&n=156

There were also MANY complaints regarding the newly designed Corolla last year and a strange, unexplainable rotten egg smell in many new Toyotas.

The only thing im questioning is the durability and how many miles the motors and transmissions hold up to.

My 1977 had its engine replaced at 152,000 miles, because it was worn out to the point where it drove like a slug.

I also see that one of the new cadillac V8 engines were rated at 360HP @ 6,000rpm (cant remeber the HP for sure, but the rpm rating is 6,000) for a 400 and something cubic inch engine.


I have a toyota thats at 164,000 in-town miles, and the valve lifters arnt even ticking yet, doesnt even smoke.


what new caddy engine is rated at 360 hp?

these are the current model ratings out there as of model year 2004:

2nd generation N* = 320 hp,
ls-6 (CTS-V) = 400 hp,
3.6 liter v6 (CTS) = 255 hp,
3.2 liter v6 (base CTS) = 220 hp,
1st generation N* = 275 and 300 hp,
6.0 liter (escalade) = 345 hp.

im guessing the 77' was a caddy, right?
how many miles were on it when you bought the car?

that said, newer technology in engine dynamics have improved durability and output of the engines we have today. in 1977, cars were not always to par with these standards we have today. now none of this means that the engines were not durable, im just stating how things have changed since the olden days.

if you bought your car used, chances are the cars maintenance history was not well known. and if that's the case, who really knows why the engine needed replaced with 155k miles on the clock.

Must we have this Domestic vs. jap arguement again???

The simple fact is this:

1. We shouldn't be comparing Cadillac to Toyota (and by toyota, i mean camry, corolla, etc. NOT lexus) They're two completely different lines. Cadillac = Luxary. Toyota = Economical

2. Cadillac will beat out toyota because it is luxary and toyota is not. If we want a real comparison of cadillac, lets compare it to BMW, Lexus, Mercedes, etc. Then we can point out how bad/good Cadillac is compared to a REAL luxary competitor.

3. Japanese cars (those built in Japan, especially) are high quality/reliability because the simple fact is that Japanese people strive for perfection. They also LIKE to go to work; and everyone at work is like a second family - they all feel very proud of the product they make, so they work hard on it. Thats just their philosphy in life...

As soon as WWII was over, Toyota & Honda worked HARD over the next couple of decades to perfect their automobiles. By the time the 90's rolled around, they had surpassed Cadillac/GM simply because they were ambitious. They set a goal and worked hard to accomplish it. Meanwhile, lazy GM wasn't expecting the Japs to do what they did. So they kept making inferior automobiles - including some Cadillacs (we all remember the Cimmaron :nono: ) and it hasn't been until recently that Gm has stepped up to the challenge. New, better cars like the CTS, Chevy Cobalt, Pontiac G6, are all examples that GM realizes that they were bad and are trying to get better.

:tsucks:

Must we have this Domestic vs. jap arguement again???

Good observation! Perhaps the author of this thread could read the "Honda Vs. Cadillac" and the same would apply.


Now, whats this about "lazy" GM workers :confused: :tisk: :hmm:

Now, whats this about "lazy" GM workers

i wasn't specifically targeting the actual workers in the plants, more of the big-corporate guys who control everything. They thought they had a monopoly on the American car-buying scene (if you can call it that :p ) and weren't prepared/underestimated the Japanese auto-makers (especially Honda & Toyota).

But as for the plant workers. they wonder why their jobs get shipped overseas. wheras honda pays their plant workers normal wages, GM has to pay 'union' wages - $20 for screwing a screw onto a Cadillac :nono: ...so theres another reason honda was better than gm; they had more of a budget...

but the main point i was trying to make was more that the big-wigs at GM sat back when they should have been on the offensive...