[SilverCTS]

I have 2 more years on my lease, but I'm already thinking about my next car.

I love my CTS, but I'm not entirely sure I'll get another one. When I got my '05 CTS, the BMW 3 series (E46) didn't compete well. Neither did the Lexus IS. IMO, the only serious competition at that time to the CTS was the FWD Acura TL.

But things have changed. What are the odds of the Cadillac CTS leap frogging these 2 cars just in time for me to get another one???

The new BMW 3 series (E90) is substantially better than before (E46 model).
Plus, BMW might replace the 330i with a 335i (bigger engine, more HP and torque).

Lexus IS 350 has 306 HP and world class instrumention and interior.

 

[Caddy Man]

I think the IS beats all other smaller cars hands down. The one advantage I think teh BMW has is the BMW name. Some people are big on name and heritage etc. But for overall cost over ownership and a lot of features and options the Lexus IS is hot.

 

[Planediveguy]

I think the IS beats all other smaller cars hands down. The one advantage I think teh BMW has is the BMW name. Some people are big on name and heritage etc. But for overall cost over ownership and a lot of features and options the Lexus IS is hot.

Can't argue on the quality of those cars... but in my opinion the CTS still has an edgier design... but again that is only my opinion

 

[Caddy Man]

Can't argue on the quality of those cars... but in my opinion the CTS still has an edgier design... but again that is only my opinion

i agree, the lexus IS might be the best entry level luxury sedan, but for some reason, I can never see myself owning a Lexus no matter how good of a car they come up with.

 

[Planediveguy]

i agree, the lexus IS might be the best entry level luxury sedan, but for some reason, I can never see myself owning a Lexus no matter how good of a car they come up with.

Lexus are great cars...my brother in law has a highly mod LS 430 that is 9 years old and never gave him any maintenane issues... I am willing to give GM a chance and hope they get serious about reliability...

 

[spaceman78]

My Nexet Caddy Sts I am A Cadillac Person .Keep American People Working.......

 

[MikeB066]

I looked at the Lexus IS300 when it first came out. Lexus threw an event where you could drive a few different cars on a closed track to showcase the handling and performance differences between the IS and the BMW 3-series, Audi A4/S4, Acura TL, etc. Back then the IS was great, this was 4-years ago. So when it came time to go buy a new car I headed straight to the Lexus dealer and took an '04 IS300 out for a drive. It drove nice and all, but the car is tiny inside, the backseat is miniscule! I haven't been inside the '06 model but if the previous generation is any indication it is sized closer to a Civic than any of the competition. Lexus has a great design, engine, and suspension but they just need to make it bigger so it can compete with the CTS and the others. I love the amount of interior space in the CTS and trunk, so the IS is just too small.

 

[AsAkAs]

The CTS is getting old, both thoose cars are brand new, a few models aside most redesigns are almost always better than thier predecesors. I belive the next CTS will most certainly match if not outright beat the competition in terms of performance, interior design and styling. As the Car and Driver competition $35,000 sport sedans (i belive) said: "Each year the CTS gets better and better, which makes us eager for the next iteration"

The E90 and the IS are amazing cars both excellent vehicles in thier own right, but I expect Cadillac is paying close attention to the CTS and it's competition for the 08' model. Since you have 2 years left in the lease, you'll be able to wait and see. Test drive all 3 cars just before your lease is up and decide.

 

[B Hoth]

The interior is larger then the car it replaces. However no full sized individuals will want back there for long trips as the leg and especially the head room is tight. I'm 6 foot and my head rests right up to the headliner and at 250lb's comfort to the lower part of the torso puts you right up on the door. However, the interior materials are best I've seen in this class, the instrumentation is best in class. The front seats are a very inviting place to be, and allthough I have yet to drive one, look at 306hp, six-speed auto w/paddle-shift,the Mark Levenson 300 watt-14 speaker surrond sound stereo and smart access with push button start(items we don't have access to) plus all the items they offer that we do. It'll be a ride you would want to look at. However, I still prefer our more distinct styling, and more interior space and I will still wait for the upcoming revised edition. I for one am still very happy with what I have and I look forward to see what GM comes up with.

 

[AsAkAs]

(items we don't have access to) plus all the items they offer that we do....However, I still prefer our more distinct styling

I agree on both points, I especially liked the Heated and Cooled seats, they are so comfortable it's ridiculous. That said though, I wish I could get all that in a package that looks Cadillac....

 

[FSU_Noles]

By the time your lease is up the new CTS should be out. My next driver will probably be an STS.

 

[jteolis]

I miss my Allante (ragtop) so I want a CTS convert or a USED xlr, once I see an XLR under 40K, I'll probably pounce on it!!

 

[skepticman]

I miss my Allante (ragtop) so I want a CTS convert or a USED xlr, once I see an XLR under 40K, I'll probably pounce on it!!

I saw an XLR on the road for the first time yesterday. I noticed a nice black car that I thought was an Infiniti G35 coupe at first in my mirror as it came up from way back behind me. As it got closer, I saw the grille and knew right away that it was an XLR. I just stared as it passed me in the lane to my left. :: Drool ::

There'd be one in my garage right now if I could afford one. I may have to settle for a Saturn Sky, maybe a Red Line coupe with a turbo and 250 HP if I can bring myself to spend the $$$.

 

[tonelocdog]

I don't think neither of those cars has the design in which the cts is noted for. JMHO

 

[bladehack]

The new Lexus IS350 is gorgeous, but cannot be had with a manual transmission...reason enough to not buy it

 

[05CTS]

I do like the Lexus & BMW but I really like Cadillacs style with fat front ends. I like the big Cadillac grills. Sloping front ends just make me see... rice burner. I'm very happy and thankful for my purchase but my next one will not be a 3.6, it will be a V.

 

[RobertCTS]

I never even look at foreign manufacturers when considering a purchase.
I'll be ready for a new car in 2007. It will be either another redesigned CTS or STS.

 

[haute_heir]

I saw an XLR on the road for the first time yesterday. I noticed a nice black car that I thought was an Infiniti G35 coupe at first in my mirror as it came up from way back behind me. As it got closer, I saw the grille and knew right away that it was an XLR. I just stared as it passed me in the lane to my left. :: Drool ::

There'd be one in my garage right now if I could afford one. I may have to settle for a Saturn Sky, maybe a Red Line coupe with a turbo and 250 HP if I can bring myself to spend the $$$.

I think the XLR is ugly...BARF!!! Sorry you guys, but it really looks odd with the top up, a bit better with the top down... Something about that car is just not right with me... An SL or 6-series would be a far nicer choice IMO.

Also by the time your lease is up, the new C-class will be rolling out, and from the looks of whats in the works, it going to be a REALLY hot car (watch out BMW for all the biased magazine editors!). I've owned my current C320 for just over a year, and can honestly say its the best car i've ever owned. It performs very well, looks awsome when dressed up in the sport package, and has superior service and dealerships when compared to the competition. My C has also been virtually problem free and now with 20,000kms on her, it has ZERO rattles and squeaks... unlike my CTS with half the kms. I guess I will see how good the cars stands up in the next year or 2 before I trade them both in... But in all honesty, at this point Mercedes wins it for me, I would seriously look at the new IS (Lexus ownership experience is supposedly the best), as for the Bimmer, meh, they're going to be a dime a dozen just like they are now, so how special do you feel owning what everyone else on your block already has?

 

[RobertCTS]

I think the XLR is ugly...BARF!!! Sorry you guys, but it really looks odd with the top up, a bit better with the top down... Something about that car is just not right with me... An SL or 6-series would be a far nicer choice IMO.

Also by the time your lease is up, the new C-class will be rolling out, and from the looks of whats in the works, it going to be a REALLY hot car (watch out BMW for all the biased magazine editors!). I've owned my current C320 for just over a year, and can honestly say its the best car i've ever owned. It performs very well, looks awsome when dressed up in the sport package, and has superior service and dealerships when compared to the competition. My C has also been virtually problem free and now with 20,000kms on her, it has ZERO rattles and squeaks... unlike my CTS with half the kms. I guess I will see how good the cars stands up in the next year or 2 before I trade them both in... But in all honesty, at this point Mercedes wins it for me, I would seriously look at the new IS (Lexus ownership experience is supposedly the best), as for the Bimmer, meh, they're going to be a dime a dozen just like they are now, so how special do you feel owning what everyone else on your block already has?

Haute,
Don't visit the Lounge today. We've been beating up on the Japanese and German imports.

 

[darrelld]

IS350 performance is the best in class...
http://media.putfile.com/IS350-Burn-Out