I just bought a new Blackberry 2006 3.6 that I’ll be picking up soon and have some questions.

I think I got a pretty good deal. The car’s a stick with 17” sport package, luxury package, and sunroof with an MSRP of $37K. In addition, the dealer’s installing the following add-ons as part of the deal:


Sports grille including painting the parts and the chrome hood strip
Performance appearance package rear fascia and spoiler including paint work
Adding the Bridgestone tires from the performance package to 18” 12-spoke performance appearance package wheels that got I from someone here (thanks Rolio!)
17” winter tires to go on the take-off 17s that came with the car
Window tint
Winter floor mats
Smokers packageMonthly payment on a 39 month 10K mile lease is $359 (plus tax) with $651 drive-off. Based on what I’ve seen, I think I did pretty well.

Anyway, some questions…


What’s the difference between the regular rear fascia and the performance appearance rear fascia? I’m guessing that the latter sweeps up in to the spoiler. Anyone that’s seen both care to comment.
The car doesn’t have Bose. I rented a CTS from National recently and the standard stereo seemed fine. What’s everyone’s opinion of the stock stereo? Is there an aux input? What’s everybody doing for iPod integration?
Should there be any problems with the 18” performance package take-offs on a car that came with 17”s? The tire sites say that the “one up” tire size from a 17” should be either 225/45-18 or 245/40-18. I’m guessing/hoping that’s just because the 225/50-18s are such an oddball size. Anybody here using the 225/50-18s on a car that came with 16s or 17s? Does it screw up the speedometer/DIC? Are there different calibrations for the speedometer/DIC depending on tire size?
How does the car do in the snow with dedicated winter tires? The BMW I’m replacing didn’t too well.
How’s the Corsa exhaust? I have it on my V8 SRX and it’s killer. Is it worth it on a V6? Especially one that’s leased?Thanks for all your help guys and sorry for such a long first post. This forum was incredibly helpful in figuring out how I wanted the car configured. I’ll post some pics of all the plastic surgery the car’s going through when I pick it up in a couple of weeks.

Welcome aboard Barry, some answers to your questions.

I dont think their is a difference between the regular rear fascia and the "performance" rear fasica, that might be some dealer BS.

The CTS does not have an AUX, input their are several ways of integraging the ipod, however. You may want to wait until october, as GM will introduce an ipod integration kit manufactured by GM to play with your oem stereo, same concept as the "Acura Link", availabe on the TL.

You shouldnt have any problems with the 18"s.

Just out of curiousity, what is the buyout option on your car?

I dont think their is a difference between the regular rear fascia and the "performance" rear fasica, that might be some dealer BS.

I actually told the dealer that I wanted the "performance" rear fascia. This is a quote from the dealer order guide describing the sport appearance package: "(T43) rear spoiler and (VGE) custom rear body-color fascia." Since it had an option number and it said custom I just assumed it was different than on a standard CTS. It would be interesting to hear what somebody that's seen both side-by-side thinks.


The CTS does not have an AUX, input their are several ways of integraging the ipod, however. You may want to wait until october, as GM will introduce an ipod integration kit manufactured by GM to play with your oem stereo, same concept as the "Acura Link", availabe on the TL.

Do we know that this works on one or more of the CTS radios? Doesn't the current radio design(s) date back to 2003? It would be great if it works - I've had it on a Volvo and a BMW.

Just out of curiousity, what is the buyout option on your car?

I'll find out when I pick-up the car and sign the papers. I was really shopping for payments so the residual's unimportant to me as I have no intention of keeping the car post-lease. I have a history with the dealer so I know they're not out to screw me.

Nice car! Hey you do know that those wheels I'm selling are just the wheels...no tires as I'm keeping them for my new wheels. If you misunderstood my post LMK and I will send you back your deposit. :)

Should there be any problems with the 18” performance package take-offs on a car that came with 17”s? The tire sites say that the “one up” tire size from a 17” should be either 225/45-18 or 245/40-18. I’m guessing/hoping that’s just because the 225/50-18s are such an oddball size. Anybody here using the 225/50-18s on a car that came with 16s or 17s? Does it screw up the speedometer/DIC? Are there different calibrations for the speedometer/DIC depending on tire size?

Use this site to check tire sizes. It is a neat site. :)

Tire size calculator (http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html)

Nice car! Hey you do know that those wheels I'm selling are just the wheels...no tires as I'm keeping them for my new wheels. If you misunderstood my post LMK and I will send you back your deposit. :)

I know it's just the wheels. The dealer's putting the tires on as part of the deal. Blackberry wasn't my first color choice. It'll be interesting to see how it looks with the sports grille, spoiler, and tinted windows.

I know it's just the wheels. The dealer's putting the tires on as part of the deal. Blackberry wasn't my first color choice. It'll be interesting to see how it looks with the sports grille, spoiler, and tinted windows.

Ok thanks! My wheels should be here tomorrow. I hope they fit if not I'm going to be pissed! The last set they got me they (Discount Tire) swore they would fit. Well they did not clear the calipers. :rant2: They swear these coming in will fit. I'm crossing my fingers. :)
Man you got that dealer to throw in A LOT of stuff! I couldn't get my dealer to tint the car for me. I guess I don't blame them since they sold it to me for GMS minus all the other promotions going on. Atleast they got me the car I wanted. They found it in another state and had it shipped in. This is the first time I've gotten a car 100% exactly like I wanted. Most of the times it is missing an option or 2 that I would of liked to have had.

Welcome Barry, with it being a lease you might want to consider a V exhaust instead(about $150 - $175 installed - but you must find a $100 or less donor first). I look forward to seeing some pics as you don't see many on the road in that color. I haven't seen one with sport grille and the 12 spoke wheel combination, should look great.

Great deal.....great color....welcome to the fun :)