[b00001]

I have a tough decision here. I am an on-road salesman. Constantly on the interstates going from customer to customer. I recently purchased a '09 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with the 5.3 and Six Speed trans. Got it loaded up, LTZ package and White Diamond! Initially I liked the way it drove. Love the quietness of the cabin and of course the nice seats, the high up view, etc. My first big trip I found the fuel mileage not what I had hoped, and it was a pretty rough, choppy ride. Big surprise, right? HA! I know, it's a truck.

So, I found a '08 STS Loaded with everything, Lux/sport pkg, HUD, Heated/cooled seats,etc. I can trade in the truck plus a few k and be in the STS. This STS only has 330 miles on it. How can there be an '08 loaded like this with only 330 miles on it. I carfaxed, etc and it seems legit. It is at a cadillac dealer as well. They say it will be sold pre-owned but has never been titled. Warranty in service date was march'09 so I would have remainder of 5 year 50k bumper to bumper warranty.

Do I suck it up and drive the truck and never look back, or do I take a bit of a hit and get into a smoother, more gas friendly vehicle like STS (or I have looked a bit at the buick Enclave)?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[c5 rv]

How many miles a year do you drive? I suspect it is over 30K, maybe as high as 50K. A Cadillac Certified Pre-Owned car would be best, with the 100K warranty. An 08 STS would be a good choice, but I would recommend buying a bit older vehicle with low miles. Also, consider 06-07 DTS Performance which offers plenty of room and has a more planted ride than a standard DTS.

 

[b00001]

Thanks! Yes, in a year 40-50k miles.

I will look again at DTS. I like the styling and interior room, etc, but did not like the FWD and the MPG. I used to run a mid 90's eldorado. Ran great, super plush. I did not care for the FWD though.

Thanks again!

 

[c5 rv]

I suggest using KBB and autotrader to model different scenarios given your annual mileage and expected depreciation. For me, I drive about 25-27K per year. I think a 3 year old car with between 20-25K miles, sold shortly before the CPO warranty expires will work best for me.

 

[ECha3]

When the dealer said it would be sold pre-owned, they may not have included the Certified Pre-Owned warranty. With as many miles as you drive, you need 100,000 miles of warranty CPO offers.

If your travels take you into the North, be aware that the STS can have traction issues in snow. You also might not like the stiffer ride of Magnetic Ride Control.

On the other hand, it's a dream on the road. Some complain about a tighter interior than some cars but I like being to reach everything without having to lean forward or stretch. The keyless entry and remote start are great features when traveling. I was in Appleton, Wi during a snowy cold snap (sub-zero) and it was great starting the car before a quick breakfast and going out to a warm car with clear windows & mirrors.

 

[b00001]

Thanks for the input. Do all STS have the Mag Ride Ctrl? or is that an option?

No snow for me. I am all South.

 

[WillySTS]

I have a tough decision here. I am an on-road salesman. Constantly on the interstates going from customer to customer. I recently purchased a '09 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with the 5.3 and Six Speed trans. Got it loaded up, LTZ package and White Diamond! Initially I liked the way it drove. Love the quietness of the cabin and of course the nice seats, the high up view, etc. My first big trip I found the fuel mileage not what I had hoped, and it was a pretty rough, choppy ride. Big surprise, right? HA! I know, it's a truck.

So, I found a '08 STS Loaded with everything, Lux/sport pkg, HUD, Heated/cooled seats,etc. I can trade in the truck plus a few k and be in the STS. This STS only has 330 miles on it. How can there be an '08 loaded like this with only 330 miles on it. I carfaxed, etc and it seems legit. It is at a cadillac dealer as well. They say it will be sold pre-owned but has never been titled. Warranty in service date was march'09 so I would have remainder of 5 year 50k bumper to bumper warranty.

Do I suck it up and drive the truck and never look back, or do I take a bit of a hit and get into a smoother, more gas friendly vehicle like STS (or I have looked a bit at the buick Enclave)?

Thanks for any advice!

I know you said the Caddy was loaded, but what engine are you talking about? With all the driving that you do, you might need that DI V-6 instead of the V-8 for the mileage you might expect.

 

[b00001]

Sorry, yes it is the V6. I drove it, it had decent pick up to me, trans felt fine. Take the TC off and it even kicked the back end out a bit. Could definitely feel the weight of the car with anything close to aggressive driving though. Another thing I felt was that the seats definitely took a nose dive compared to the seats in my Eldorado. Thinner, stiffer, not as plush. Not too sure about the "new" cadillac.

 

[TulsaVic]

Re: MRC. Only the DTS Performance has it. The gearing and shift logic is also different with the Performance model. Engine turns faster so gas mileage is lower on the highway--I get 22-23mpg at 70-75mph, and also lower in the city, mainly because it stays in 3rd gear until around 40mph for quicker engine response.

I entered the Cadillac dealer looking at the CTS, found it too (make that toooo) tight inside. Then focused on the STS...until I drove the DTS Performance. Didn't like the "in the bathtub" feel inside or the high center console in the STS, and the seats in the V8 model felt too firm and flat bottomed. As for the FWD vs RWD, I was coming out of a RWD '05 300C and I don't care how wonderful the stability control system was in that car, it was hell to drive in winter, even here in OK. The DTS is super, even on ice/slush roads. And as for handling, the MRC takes up some of the slack between the RWD and FWD. You should try to find one to drive.

 

[bbshriver]

Not to de-rail this post, but are the V8 seats different than the V6 seats??
I know they are heated and memory as standard, but as far as comfort?

For reference to the OP, my 05 (5 speed versus newer 6 speed) V8 with the 2.73 rear end returns about 25mpg on highway driving. I just got back from a 1200 mile trip to michigan in a weekend and loved the car, other than a slightly sore rear end (see: firm seats).

I would like some big cushy seats like the older Devilles etc had. Not a big fan of the seats in my grandma's 2002 SLS though.

Re: MRC. Only the DTS Performance has it. The gearing and shift logic is also different with the Performance model. Engine turns faster so gas mileage is lower on the highway--I get 22-23mpg at 70-75mph, and also lower in the city, mainly because it stays in 3rd gear until around 40mph for quicker engine response.

I entered the Cadillac dealer looking at the CTS, found it too (make that toooo) tight inside. Then focused on the STS...until I drove the DTS Performance. Didn't like the "in the bathtub" feel inside or the high center console in the STS, and the seats in the V8 model felt too firm and flat bottomed. As for the FWD vs RWD, I was coming out of a RWD '05 300C and I don't care how wonderful the stability control system was in that car, it was hell to drive in winter, even here in OK. The DTS is super, even on ice/slush roads. And as for handling, the MRC takes up some of the slack between the RWD and FWD. You should try to find one to drive.

 

[GarryW]

Traveling salesman here too, but not as much on the road mileage as in the past. If your a rep you probably carry a lot of stuff like me and the trunk space on an STS is not what I'd call cavernous. Mileage on my 2008 STS -4 is about 24 on the highway. And gas prices have a greater chance of going up and staying there versus the other way, so that's something to consider too.

 

[c5 rv]

One of my neighbors is also a traveling salesman who carries industrial abrasive samples in the trunk. He's on his second new-style Taurus and has never seen the dealership for service except for routine maintenance. I noticed that he got a new one because he went from black to tuxedo black with the silver highlights. He's concerned that the 2010 Taurus will get the same useless trunk opening that's on the "stylish" MKS.

 

[b00001]

Traveling salesman here too, but not as much on the road mileage as in the past. If your a rep you probably carry a lot of stuff like me and the trunk space on an STS is not what I'd call cavernous. Mileage on my 2008 STS -4 is about 24 on the highway. And gas prices have a greater chance of going up and staying there versus the other way, so that's something to consider too.

Those are a couple of the reasons I was looking STS. the V6 felt adequate for me and 26mpg vs my now 18 would be a welcome relief. I looked at CTS but focused my search on STS as I liked the fact that STS had a little more room. Front seats, back seats as well as trunk. I usually can beat the EPA HWY mileage on the vehicles I drive. I have seen some posts of 28-29 on hwy.

Thanks!

 

[TulsaVic]

Re Seats: Not sure if the seat padding varies V6 vs V8 model, but there might have been a difference in the leather quality. On the test drives I took with the V6 STS, the seats felt fine and supportive, though it was a one car test drive. I noticed the seat difference on the day I first drove a DTS Performance and then immediately switched to a V8 STS. In comparison, the STS seats felt, well, not as good, as though they were constructed with ample side bolsters but with flat bottoms and back and with a bit less give. The DTS seats though felt fully contoured and amply padded. When taking a sharp turn, I actually slid around less in the DTS seats. (I also liked the more upright seating feel of the DTS....).

There's a lot of old in the DTS aside from the image (my secretary calls it the old fuddy-duddy's car)...like 4 speed tranny, needing a key to start... But it does a lot of things really well, like cruising. It's the Caddy I didn't want to buy...but ended up being the right one for me....

 

[bbshriver]

If the DTS had been RWD I probably would have wanted that rather than the STS. Here's an interesting question... will DTS seats fit in an STS??

Re Seats: Not sure if the seat padding varies V6 vs V8 model, but there might have been a difference in the leather quality. On the test drives I took with the V6 STS, the seats felt fine and supportive, though it was a one car test drive. I noticed the seat difference on the day I first drove a DTS Performance and then immediately switched to a V8 STS. In comparison, the STS seats felt, well, not as good, as though they were constructed with ample side bolsters but with flat bottoms and back and with a bit less give. The DTS seats though felt fully contoured and amply padded. When taking a sharp turn, I actually slid around less in the DTS seats. (I also liked the more upright seating feel of the DTS....).

There's a lot of old in the DTS aside from the image (my secretary calls it the old fuddy-duddy's car)...like 4 speed tranny, needing a key to start... But it does a lot of things really well, like cruising. It's the Caddy I didn't want to buy...but ended up being the right one for me....

 

[WillySTS]

No, I'm certain of it.

 

[ECha3]

IMHO the 2007 seats are better than the 2006. Maybe not much but noticable. My earlier mileage comparison with my wife's car was pessimistic. I recently got my first oil change in the 2006 AWD and I think the dealer had dinosaur oil in there. With Mobil 1 mile has improved.