TAG and Mrs.TAG have a question the car nuts might be able to answer

[TFord]

Originally Posted by Muscle Master

P.S. notice how Funny the GM lovers trying to get people to buy american cars lol, GM, Chrysler, and Ford just cant offer somethings (GET OVER IT) like the others, i'm sure the in-laws consider the CTS already

Americans do need to start buying more American cars! sorry Muscle Master you got my heart rate up . dont wanna have another stroke...lol

[BumbleBee]

CTS-V

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by TFord

Americans do need to start buying more American cars! sorry Muscle Master you got my heart rate up . dont wanna have another stroke...lol

Take a breath...we wouldn't want that to happen again!.....
fwiw, I agree eleventy-billion percent.


TAG, so they do like it? That's GREAT news!! But seriously....how could anybody not like it?
Bring a dog-toy with you to the Acura dealership... Make it squeak.

[Silverado]

I'm not sure any of those you mentioned are good choices if rear seat room is much of a factor.

As someone else mentioned, Lexus builds, in my opinion, probably the best quality car on the road (I know, that is somewhat of a nod to Toyota, but, I have to say it). I worked at various dealerships in town, and the Lexus was by far the best car out there.

With that in mind, get them to look at the ES series, not the IS (no backseat room at all in an IS). However, do not bother looking at the ES330 since they would all be used. Look at the ES350. Fantastic car. Great handling, power, room, gas mileage, etc. Can't get any more luxurious either. Quality is top notch, as is service at the dealerships. Lexus also has the best resale value (my Dad is looking at trading in his ES330, and his accountant has told him if he likes the car, he might as well stay with the brand because the resale value is insane for these cars).

I would definitely say get them to at least look at the CTS but some other options are:

-the Malibu or the Aura, although, they may not be luxurious enough for them
-the Lincoln MKZ is nice too, although the back seat may not be quite big enough for them
-the Audi A6 should be plenty. Audi's interiors are often used as the benchmarks for quality and style, while the A4 might be more fun to drive, it is quite a bit smaller. AWD is also available.
-if they want to look into MB, then check out the CL's. They are supposed to be awesome (my father-in-law just ordered his C63 AMG, and it's due in in August), but I've never driven one.

Hope that helps.

[BumbleBee]

Originally Posted by Muscle Master

P.S. notice how Funny the GM lovers trying to get people to buy american cars lol, GM, Chrysler, and Ford just cant offer somethings (GET OVER IT) like the others, i'm sure the in-laws consider the CTS already

There's nothing wrong with wanting to help out your own economy... and if people demanded American oil like they demanded American cars gas prices wouldn't be $4.00+ a gal.

[3whiterag]

Originally Posted by TAG UR IT

My in laws (Mrs.TAG's parents) are looking to trade in their Acura TL which is a few years old. Apparently, there are a few rattles and minor issues that repeatedly arise. They are looking to get into a new car and were interested in the following comparable models. They mentioned back seat space was a factor (car seats for the kids), but not much else.

If anyone has any experience w/ the following vehicles, or knows something specific on why one would out perform, out class, and all else over another, please let me know. I'd like to go back to them and be able to give them some advice (or heads up) about the vehicles they are interested in.

And...For those responding, please don't let exterior styling play too much of a role in the opinion of vehicle. I'd like to focus on overall build quality, amenities (bluetooth which they want), performance (mpg's), and interior space. Again, if anyone has experience w/ any of the cars, please add your two cents!

Thanks!

Veh's being considered:

1. BMW 3 series
2. Infiniti G35
3. Mercedes (C300 series? Really don't recall...but it was a 4 door like the others)
4. Lexus IS series
5. Acura TL

**If there are any other models you think they should consider which are comparable to these, please let me know. I appreciate everyones help on this in advance!!! Thank you!!!

***Poll has been added for your top pick. I can't edit the poll, so BMW is the 3 series and Merc is the C300 class.

I am disappointed. Very disapointed! Not a domestic in the choices.:(

[3whiterag]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

Specifying.

My "Other" choice would be to get the 2009 Cadillac CTS. My experience is paper-based only. It is superior to all of your choices in almost every way.

First off, the 2008 Cadillac is the winner of numerous awards and accolades; one of which being the Motor Trend Car of The Year.

Nobody who has driven this vehicle has come back with any regrets so far as I have read. And usually, if there's something that is even 'iffy' about a vehicle; online reviewers, and magazines would pick it up instantly.

On to tangible comparisons.
The CTS costs about the same (we're talking hundreds of dollars) as the BMW and the Infiniti, and is thousands of dollars less expensive than the Mercedes, Lexus, and Acura.

It has more headroom than the Lexus, and Mercedes; more front head AND legroom than the BMW, and Acura.
The CTS also has considerably more cargo room than ALL the other listed vehicles.

The BMW gets 2 more mpg than the CTS, and the Acura gets 1mpg better fuel economy. However, both of these vehicles (in fact, all of the listed vehicles) require premium 91 fuel. The CTS doesn't even recommend premium fuel. You can run it on regular-grade 87 Octane. The other three vehicles fall short of the 17/26mpg rating that the CTS delivers, while still requiring premium.

The 2009 CTS will be offered with Bluetooth connectivity, a 40GB media harddrive, and pop-up navigation system. So the interior can keep a nice, clean look when you're not using it.

In regards to craftsmanship, this is what GM has to say about it:
But primarily, and possibly most important...The Cadillac comes standard for a year with OnStar; which includes automatic crash response, remote door unlock (in case you lock your keys inside, roadside assistance, and emergency services (contacting the police if you get into an accident and don't respond).

If nothing else, the new CTS is definitely worth a trip to the dealership to check it out. Don't let the fact that it's not a Lexus, or a BMW stop you from considering it, because as shown above; it is better than the others in many, many ways.






Thanks for asking TAG, and Mrs. TAG.

Thank You, Thank You very Much!!

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by 3whiterag

Thank You, Thank You very Much!!

You bet.

Don't be too hard on TAG, after all - he DID get them down to a Caddy Dealership for a test drive.

[1bad67camaro]

cts caddy is the way to go

[SilverTurtle]

if you've got money to burn, the CTS is the car to have.

[TAG UR IT]

Originally Posted by Silverado

I'm not sure any of those you mentioned are good choices if rear seat room is much of a factor.

As someone else mentioned, Lexus builds, in my opinion, probably the best quality car on the road (I know, that is somewhat of a nod to Toyota, but, I have to say it). I worked at various dealerships in town, and the Lexus was by far the best car out there.

With that in mind, get them to look at the ES series, not the IS (no backseat room at all in an IS). However, do not bother looking at the ES330 since they would all be used. Look at the ES350. Fantastic car. Great handling, power, room, gas mileage, etc. Can't get any more luxurious either. Quality is top notch, as is service at the dealerships. Lexus also has the best resale value (my Dad is looking at trading in his ES330, and his accountant has told him if he likes the car, he might as well stay with the brand because the resale value is insane for these cars).

I would definitely say get them to at least look at the CTS but some other options are:

-the Malibu or the Aura, although, they may not be luxurious enough for them
-the Lincoln MKZ is nice too, although the back seat may not be quite big enough for them
-the Audi A6 should be plenty. Audi's interiors are often used as the benchmarks for quality and style, while the A4 might be more fun to drive, it is quite a bit smaller. AWD is also available.
-if they want to look into MB, then check out the CL's. They are supposed to be awesome (my father-in-law just ordered his C63 AMG, and it's due in in August), but I've never driven one.

Hope that helps.

Actually, it did help. I'm going to fill them in on a few more key points next time I see them.

Originally Posted by 3whiterag

I am disappointed. Very disapointed! Not a domestic in the choices.:(

I know. Not my choices, though. Those were the cars they mentioned. I said the same thing....."No domestics!??!" hehe....which began my quest to get them to a Caddy dealership. And so far, ... push push, nudge, nudge. We'll see how their visit went to the Acura dealer today. If it did no good, they might trade it in.

[Silverado]

Tag, I forgot, there is a Volvo that they might like, I just can't remember which one it is...check out a dealer or volvo.com to look it up. Or, go to Edmunds and do a compare. I'm sure you can figure out which one it is that way.

Also, if they like Infinitis at all, then have them check out the M45...much more room than the G series.

The Jaguar XF is pretty sweet too...if they're up for the price tag, it would be a solid choice. Although, the back seat may be too small for what they're looking for.

What about the Genesis?

The new Passat CC looks nice too.

Other than what's been said, the only other domestics that I think they could look at would be the Buicks. Good quality, decent room, and American made, but they get beat in looks, power, performance, and mpg by almost everything else.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by Silverado

the only other domestics that I think they could look at would be the Buicks. Good quality, decent room, and American made, but they get beat in looks, power, performance, and mpg by almost everything else.

Unless they want to wait a little bit for the Invicta.....THAT I'd say could give the CTS a run for it's money.

[Silverado]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

Unless they want to wait a little bit for the Invicta.....THAT I'd say could give the CTS a run for it's money.

True, if it comes out in concept form. Even then, if it comes out for the US. Remember, China has been the major market for Buicks while the good ol' US consumer believes Buick to be a boring, old-man's rent me brand.

If we get the Invicta, it will be a ways down the road. They may be looking at trading in this one (CTS...another plug for the Caddy) by the time that happens.