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Racing a Cadillac? Would they even do it? I read that the Northstar race car served its three year life and now Caddy has quit racing. WHAT, you learn all you ever need to know in three years and you're done? Seems like old habits at GM do die hard.
You mean "RACED in LeMans". Cadillac gave up when they didn't have immediate success. I think they underestimated what it would take to be truely successful in that race, and their focus has changed anyway. That's been one BAD problem with Cadillac in recent years, knowing when to give up on a BAD idea, and knowing when to stick WITH a good one.
And to the best of my knowledge, the Lincoln LS was never offered with the V8 and manual trans. They did offer a V6 w/manual and a V8 w/auto, but I am not aware of any V8 w/manual. I think the LS is a beautiful car but everyone I know that has one, has been dogged by recurring mechanical/electrical problems, and bad dealers.
There is no direct competition for all the Cadillacs from Lincoln. Lincoln has stated publicly that Cadillac is NOT their REAL competition. Probably a good move since Cadillac is having enough trouble building their reputation as a true player in the Luxury/Ultra-Luxury car market. If you want to be taken seriously, you should pick a more respected target like MB, BMW, etc.
And Scourge, I agree with you, I've always liked the Catera and felt it got a raw deal from Cadillac.
The Lincoln LS only offers the manual transmission with the 6 banger. If they offered the V8 with the 5 speed, I might be a player. I must admit that I have looked at them, but I prefer the manual tranny. The LS is a good looking car, but they need to step it up to attract the younger sporty crowd.
It seems that the almighty engineers in Detroit think they know whats best for the public. They don't know diddly! Cadillac killed the best looking car on the road, and now Ford is ending the Continental.
I like the CTS, but hated it when it first came out. It kinda grows on you, and the CTS-V is a very positive move. Look for it to be phased out in a few years if the almighty engineers have anything to say about it.
I would love to park a CTS-V in my garage, but will have to wait for the prices to fall like all American cars do. I'll let some unlucky sucker take the hit up front, while I pick it up for about $25,000 in a year or two. I would not buy an American Luxury Car new off the lot due to the fact that they lose value so soon. I might pick up a 04 CTS for my wife in the next year, but I'll have to wait for the CTS-V to come down.
Brett,
Glad you got some bucks for having to put up with some Lincoln Bozo's, but why did they pay you? Don't Shrinks cater to lincoln owners in your neck of the woods?
You mean "RACED in LeMans". Cadillac gave up when they didn't have immediate success. I think they underestimated what it would take to be truely successful in that race, and their focus has changed anyway. That's been one BAD problem with Cadillac in recent years, knowing when to give up on a BAD idea, and knowing when to stick WITH a good one.
In fairness, this is a GM motorsport issue, not to be pinned on the Cadillac division. (If indeed there is a GM motorpsort division.) But GM has developed a bad habit of cutting and running, rather than spending the money and hiring the talent needed to win. Sorry but winning in NASCAR doesn't matter from an engineering stance.
GM ran away from the competition in CART to the IRL. They are loosing to start up Honda and Toyota in the IRL who followed them over. They are even asking Cosworth, which is owned by Ford, for an engine to use in that series. They quit Le Mans because Audi was too hard for them to beat.
As you can see, I have no respect for GM's recent racing heritage. In fact, I question the premise that GM even has racing heritage. Ford can point to F1 and Le Mans victories, as well as drag racing and NASCAR. What does GM point too?
They need to take a look at their divisions and the demographics. Then look at a racing series that fit the brand. Pick 3 of each and spend what it takes to win. Until then, GM motorsports sucks.
Wow, three Tennesseans in a row here. The old guard at GM dies hard. I remember reading in Business Week that due to poor GM mismanagement over the past 3 decades, the company's long term financial underpinnings were not as solid as a cursory glance would suggest. Their deal with the retirement packages also comes to mind as a severe problem. Ford damn near caught GM and might have if not fo the Explorer/Bridgestone debacle. GM seems to have its head up its ass about NASCAR. NASCAR only appeals to a certain group of people. The rest of us or bored silly by that series or repetitive round-a-bouts. GM racing is not respected around the world and I don't see that changing soon. GM motorsports reminds me of Harley motorsports - lazy, cheap, and pathetic. Its not a question about whether or not American designers have the ability, its about their abilities being supressed in the insane pursuit of mediocrity.
Wow, three Tennesseans in a row here. The old guard at GM dies hard. I remember reading in Business Week that due to poor GM mismanagement over the past 3 decades, the company's long term financial underpinnings were not as solid as a cursory glance would suggest. Their deal with the retirement packages also comes to mind as a severe problem. Ford damn near caught GM and might have if not fo the Explorer/Bridgestone debacle. GM seems to have its head up its ass about NASCAR. NASCAR only appeals to a certain group of people. The rest of us or bored silly by that series or repetitive round-a-bouts. GM racing is not respected around the world and I don't see that changing soon. GM motorsports reminds me of Harley motorsports - lazy, cheap, and pathetic. Its not a question about whether or not American designers have the ability, its about their abilities being supressed in the insane pursuit of mediocrity.
Hey we agree! And it's about race cars! Who woulda thunk it.
Seems like old habits at GM do die hard. 
FORD 
