[vfaninva]

Dealerships have been discounting CTS's (along with other models) for months, not just end of year discounts, but because of a bloated surplus, much higher than the Gen 2's ever experienced. They were overpriced from the beginning and the sales figures back that up.

"Light years" is a gross exaggeration in comparing any aspect of the Gen 3 CTS with the GEN 2 CTS. Better in many ways to the Gen 2, yes. Aesthetically the Gen 2 is the winner in my opinion.

Of course the V Sport is faster than the Gen 1 V. It has nearly the same HP, less weight, superior chassis/damping, etc...
If it weren't faster that would be surprising.

I agree that the new V will be amazing. It's the next iteration in a superb line of high performance luxury vehicles

 

[pat2t2f]

Most cars are dated after a couple of years, especially with technology so if that's your mindset you will be buying a new car every 2 or 3 years and will never be satisfied.
All the V's are great cars and since mine is apparently 1 of 506 it's not going anywhere.

 

[CTSVsport]

They were overpriced from the beginning and the sales figures back that up.

"Light years" is a gross exaggeration in comparing any aspect of the Gen 3 CTS with the GEN 2 CTS. Better in many ways to the Gen 2, yes. Aesthetically the Gen 2 is the winner in my opinion.

Of course the V Sport is faster than the Gen 1 V. It has nearly the same HP, less weight, superior chassis/damping, etc...
If it weren't faster that would be surprising.

I agree that the new V will be amazing. It's the next iteration in a superb line of high performance luxury vehicles

"Overpriced" is a difficult word. The Gen3 cars, by function (brand aside), are equivalent or superior to the German competition and are priced accordingly. Actually, features to features, the Cadillacs are a little cheaper due to the Germans downright predatory options pricing.

Cadillac currently has a bit of a branding/pricing issue. No matter how good the cars are, they can't seem to currently command the price they are worth. This has been extensively discussed by people who know a lot more about consumer buying practices than I do:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2014/11/why-cadillac-cant-sell-more-cars-according-to-forbes/
http://www.forbes.com/sites/kbrauer/2014/11/11/2015-cadillac-ats-why-cadillac-cant-sell-great-car/
http://www.fool.com/investing/gener...al-motors-cadillac-needs-more-than-a-new.aspx

That said, I DID have to wonder if I was in the right place to buy a top tier sports sedan when rap music was playing in the showroom and all the magazines were "Ebony" and "Jet".

By every objective measure, and by just about every reviewer out there, the Gen 3 is significantly better than the Gen 2, the culmination of which is, yes, " light years" better. I get the impression you have not driven a Gen 3, and I would recommend that you do ... I have driven both specifically to compare.

The gen 3 CTS-V is much more than an evolutionary step. It is going to annihilate the Gen 2 "records". My only concern is if the stiffer roll bars and spring rates are going to lead to it being a bit uncomfortable on regular roads. Frankly, the Vsport in Tour mode could use a little softening up.

 

[vfaninva]

As I said previously, the Gen 3 CTS and other Cadillac models are overpriced with regards to what people are willing to pay. Are they as good as their European competitors? In my opinion, yes they are. And I believe they are worthy of the higher price tag too.

The issue continues to be the perception most have of Cadillacs being poorly built, overstuffed, underperforming pensioners cars.

Actually I have driven the Gen 3 CTS. The handling was noticeably lighter and the interior was certainly improved over the Gen 2. "Light years" ahead? Hardly. I've read quite a few articles as well and have not seen where anyone said "light years". If you can find one, please provide the link. Until then we'll agree to disagree.

Who knows how much better performing the V3 will be compared to the V2? GM, but there not letting that info out. Yet. With 84 hp more and about 100 lbs less, and improved MRC the V3 will undoubtedly best the V2.

Annihilate is a pretty strong word. How would you define annihilate as it relates to performance? 10 seconds quicker around the Nurburgring? 20, 30? The V2 made it in 7:59.32. My completely amateur guess for the V3 is 7:40, maybe a tad quicker. About the same amount of time the V2 bested the V1 by. Not an annihilation, but certainly a significant improvement.

BTW I have not driven a V Sport yet, but would surely like to. I've followed some of the posts in their forum and have been impressed by the reported performance.

 

[Trapspeed]

I know it's only an opinion but I don't think the 2nd generation looks dated.

Neither do I. Far from it. Apparently neither do the people I still see craning their necks in traffic.

 

[CTSVsport]

I think 7:40 would be about right as the 2014 Camaro Z28 (similarly equipped car to CTS-V as I understand it) apparently did 7:37. One has to assume that Cadillac stayed to test until they thoroughly trounced the Panamera, and probably won't be allowed by GM to post numbers better than Corvette - not sure if Z28 gets those same privileges.

My only question is if GM has a good enough driver - Porsche certainly did with Rohrl. I don't know who "Adam Dean" is that drove the Z28.

... And, yes, 20 seconds at these levels is HUGE.

 

[vfaninva]

Agreed, 20 seconds is huge. No doubt the V3 smashed the Panamera's record too. I wouldn't be surprised if the V3 comes within around 5 seconds of the C7 Z06.
Found an interview article with Adam Dean where he discusses his Nurburgring run in the Z28 and a video.

http://bridgetogantry.com/2/index.p...iving-that-lap-of-the-ring-in-the-camaro-z-28

 

[joeyrans]

As an update to the thread- I test drove a 2014 cts 2.0 awd (black) and bought it. The recent price drop made it comparable to a used 2nd generation and after test driving them side by side the third gen is head and shoulders better than the 2nd gen.

 

[vfaninva]

I heard it was supposed to be "light years" ahead.

 

[Movinon]

The new generation CTS looks like an old mans car compared to the 2nd generation CTS. I think Cadillac figured the younger buyers would go for the AtS and the older buyers the CTS.

 

[gaduser]

Most cars are dated after a couple of years, especially with technology so if that's your mindset you will be buying a new car every 2 or 3 years and will never be satisfied.
All the V's are great cars and since mine is apparently 1 of 506 it's not going anywhere.

I also like my V2, a 2011 Black Diamond Edition Coupe, one of 172 like Vs that year. When I get it out, each Spring, it seems better than new. Some of us enjoy the sounds of the machinery so much that we rarely turn on the radio.

regards,

gad

 

[thebigjimsho]

I heard it was supposed to be "light years" ahead.

Depends on whose head and shoulders. If it's yours, this would not apply...

 

[tdyguy2k]

I personally think the V2 is a much better looking car than the V3. It looks edgier, meaner. That being said, I still plan to own a V3, probably after my V2 is paid off so I can have both.

 

[HeavyH20]

I recall similar threads when the new V2 arrived compared to the V1. That aside, I believe the new design will grow on me. I really love my V2 and will keep it but would consider a V3. I have seen them on the road (V Sport) and the stance and headlights make it look pretty good. I can imagine that the CTS-V will look lower and wider.

 

[caddyhills]

My two cents -

I have owned a 2004 CTS, a 2011 CTS Performance and now a 2014 CTS V Sport - I have sat ring side front and center at/on/in the evolution of these cars. The 2014 CTS V Sport is all the business: fast, a sure footed monster, technologically relevant and a looker. I personally do not think that its price tag was too much given what it is. Would I have liked to pay less? Is the Pope Catholic? Of course! But the car is worth the beans and if they are not moving then I am glad that Cadillac is discounting them to get drivers into them as, again, they are great.

Now, I will absolutely admit that the 2nd Gen CTS V Coupe is a very very special car. You can browse my posts here on this site where I was back and forth between V2 coupe and the V Sport Sedan. I wish I had the money to buy both because I would. The V Coupe is such a lovely monster and my kids think (as I have said before) it rivals a Lamborghini in terms of style and design flare - and it goes like hellfire!! The V Sport lines are more design sophisticated (I won't argue if it is progress/ older crowd/ world market, etc.) but many agree. However I still love the strong and in your face design of the V2 Coupe.

Now, one thing that I ABSOLUTELY DO NOT like about the 3rd Gen CTS are the Tech nannies - they are driving me crazy and I long for a "dated" car to let me drive myself. I am constantly fighting the auto-brake feature that brakes in reverse and today did it in forward motion as it felt I was too close to the car in front of me. What a total pain in the rear!!!! Vibrating/beeping seat - stick it where the sun does not shine! For all of the greatness of this car, I find myself singing "Red Barchetta" by Rush (for those who do not know or care, a song about a young man driving a "dated" classic against modern air cars for the love and the thrill of the interaction of man and machine on the road) as it is how I feel driving this highly tech integrated/ assisted car. That said it is still great...and still, the V2 Coupe is simply a great looking open and honest beast.

So, I ask, are there any losers here?

None.

Also, about the whole dated look for Cadillacs - the one unquestionable thing that Cadillac has definately achieved - as thoroughly proven by this thread, is that Cadillacs now are only dated by other Cadillacs, not by other cars...and that may be the greatest design achievement of all!

----------

Also, the 3rd Gen interior materials are night and day against 2nd Gen - but if you can buy a 2nd Gen V for a sweet deal and then aftermarket theSanctus V interior posted on this website in another thread into the 2nd Gen V...well, then...very nice, very nice indeed!

 

[jzips]

I bet your negative opinion will change when you drive it. I bet it's an incredible incredible incredible drive.

 

[vfaninva]

My two cents -

I have owned a 2004 CTS, a 2011 CTS Performance and now a 2014 CTS V Sport - I have sat ring side front and center at/on/in the evolution of these cars. The 2014 CTS V Sport is all the business: fast, a sure footed monster, technologically relevant and a looker. I personally do not think that its price tag was too much given what it is. Would I have liked to pay less? Is the Pope Catholic? Of course! But the car is worth the beans and if they are not moving then I am glad that Cadillac is discounting them to get drivers into them as, again, they are great.

Now, I will absolutely admit that the 2nd Gen CTS V Coupe is a very very special car. You can browse my posts here on this site where I was back and forth between V2 coupe and the V Sport Sedan. I wish I had the money to buy both because I would. The V Coupe is such a lovely monster and my kids think (as I have said before) it rivals a Lamborghini in terms of style and design flare - and it goes like hellfire!! The V Sport lines are more design sophisticated (I won't argue if it is progress/ older crowd/ world market, etc.) but many agree. However I still love the strong and in your face design of the V2 Coupe.

Now, one thing that I ABSOLUTELY DO NOT like about the 3rd Gen CTS are the Tech nannies - they are driving me crazy and I long for a "dated" car to let me drive myself. I am constantly fighting the auto-brake feature that brakes in reverse and today did it in forward motion as it felt I was too close to the car in front of me. What a total pain in the rear!!!! Vibrating/beeping seat - stick it where the sun does not shine! For all of the greatness of this car, I find myself singing "Red Barchetta" by Rush (for those who do not know or care, a song about a young man driving a "dated" classic against modern air cars for the love and the thrill of the interaction of man and machine on the road) as it is how I feel driving this highly tech integrated/ assisted car. That said it is still great...and still, the V2 Coupe is simply a great looking open and honest beast.

So, I ask, are there any losers here?

None.

Also, about the whole dated look for Cadillacs - the one unquestionable thing that Cadillac has definately achieved - as thoroughly proven by this thread, is that Cadillacs now are only dated by other Cadillacs, not by other cars...and that may be the greatest design achievement of all!

----------

Also, the 3rd Gen interior materials are night and day against 2nd Gen - but if you can buy a 2nd Gen V for a sweet deal and then aftermarket theSanctus V interior posted on this website in another thread into the 2nd Gen V...well, then...very nice, very nice indeed!

Well said, clearly spoken from the heart of someone who really appreciates today's Cadillacs (and apparently has a bit of a V coupe crush).

Too bad the fog of sleepiness set in when you wrote the last paragraph.

 

[RVC]

Look, here's my 2 cents. There is NO mistaking the CTS-V Coupe.....for any other car.....at all. When I see a Gen 3 CTS I have to look a few times to see if I'm looking at an XTS, CTS, or ATS. I do like the interior of the Gen 3. Do this, take your VSport, (which is a really nice car by the way) and take a V Coupe and drive them around together. See which one gets neck breaking looks and questions at Wawa or the gas station. The new caddies are too bland and just blend in with other cars. The Gen 2 CTS is still a fine looking car. Wide in the back, with a high trunk, sharp lines, and good strong presence. The Gen 3 has saggy butt syndrome, but looks good coming at you. Just my opinion but I will keep my V Coupe.

 

[Movinon]

IMHO, one of the problems with the 3rd gen CTS-V is the extra 6" in length. It degrades the overall look of the car. I consider the 2nd gen. to be just about the right size for my needs and taste. The Chinese think the larger the rear set area the more prestige the car has. Cadillac figured by adding enough length they could move up a class in size and charge more even though there is not any noticeable difference in front seating or trunk space.

 

[Cadillac'er816]

Is it just me???!!! I waited for months for the release of the new generation CTS because I was such a fan of the 2nd generation CTS. When Cadillac released photos of the third generation CTS design, I was in awe. It looked incredible....Then I saw one in person. I have to say, the design, to me, seems boring and a bit cheap. I particularly hate the black behind the grille, doesn't it look like cheap plastic back there. The rounded back end looks like a more boring version of the new cls. It also seems overly stretched and narrow to me. This is Motortrends care of the year??? WTH???

Then I read the reviews and decided I must be wrong. Every article had nothing but praise for this car, particularly when it came to its styling. Also, the performance is apparently amazing. Well this made me happy because the 2nd generation CTS was a bit slow when you compared it to something like a 535. Oh wait, so is the new CTS- 6-6.1 0-60, and that's only if you use the RWD; I have yet to see AWD numbers. So this "amazing" sports sedan is right on par with a Honda Accord V6, great. To be fair, all the praise was for the nice shifting and great handling. However, lets not forget, this is an American sports sedan. European cars have traditionally been better at handling because in America we like to punch it on the onramp and fly down open highways, not twisties in the French country-side. I do appreciate good handling but I would also appreciate decent acceleration numbers in Motortrends car of the year.

I was still convinced I was wrong and this new CTS actually looked nice. Then I saw a 2nd and 3rd generation CTS driving on the highway next to each other (both black). There was no comparison for me, the 2nd generation CTS looked bolder, younger and sized appropriately for someone under 60.

One last complaint- It annoys me that Cadillac switched their design philosophy to exactly that of the Germans. So instead of driving a Cadillac we are simply getting Cadillac's take on the 5series, EClass and A6. I very much appreciated how the CTS went in between the 3 and 5 series. The 3series always seemed too feminine and dainty while the 5series always had a 40 year old and up vibe to it. The CTS filled that void nicely, but no more.

Finally, before I am ridiculed for being so completely wrong, and I must be wrong because everyone who has reviewed this vehicle disagrees with me, I have to point this out. If this car is soooo great, why don't it's sales reflect it. The luxury marked this year is up 14 percent, yet Cadillac sales are down 5%. In the business world that is cause for major concern.

Please, tell me where I am wrong. Make me see why this car is beautiful and amazing. Otherwise I am going on the cheap and getting a 2nd generation CTS or joining the masses of D-bags and getting a 535, because I think these cars at least look good.

I totally agree with you! Time has shown that third generation models just look as sleek as the 2nd gen. Sure, there are features that have exceeded expectations and I admittedly have a Luxury Package so I don't have all of the bells and whistles. Regardless, wherever my car is parked it out classes most of if not all of the other vehicles in the lot.

The lights on the newer CTS are nice but it does look a bit stretched when it comes to body design and subtlety. I think the Second Generation has a firm advantage there. This seems like a nice place to insert the fact that I love timeless looks and discontinued styles. This is due in part to the exclusivity of discontinued models but there are reasons why a style is discontinued to begin with.

The Second Generation CTS did extremely well and so Cadillac naturally looked to capitalize and could have done so without so much overhaul on the aesthetics . The newer models look like different cars and to be honest I am happy that I was able to get a Second Gen that was treated really well at a decent price!

I know the newer models are newer but they feel older to me. I totally agree Second Generation is a smoother looking, chick magnet, everybody wants to give a compliment type ride where as the newer models are much more stiff, look what I spent, type rides.