Announced in todays newspaper the Cadillac CTS will be marketed here in 2008. Only selected Holden Dealers get to sell the CTS. Cadillacs were first imported to oz in 1909. They then started building them in South Australia in 1930, before ceasing production after WW2. Some independant dealers imported them up to the late 1980s before importation stopped. The CTS will be powered by a version of the 3.6 litre V6 used in the VE Commodore. Seems GM are getting more global everyday. Hummers and Saab are alreadysold through Holden dealers here and the CTS is another string to the bow.

With the right set up, they look pretty good in person, but they get spendy when they look good.

It's a pricey car when well optioned. It's one car I'd look at if it wasn't for the G8.

It's a pricey car when well optioned. It's one car I'd look at if it wasn't for the G8.

Agree. Looked at both. The CTS handles great, looks great and the interior will just blow you away, it is so elegant, especially with optional wood.

But ordered a G8. For $8k less than a similarly optioned CTS, you get the big V8, more room.

Both are good choices. But the G8 is a better deal.

I just rode in them back-to-back today, after driving them both back-to-back on Tuesday. I have to say, the CTS interior is really nice. After riding it, the G8 red displays and radio bugged me. And the caddy was much smoother and more refined.

Strangly, when I was behind the wheel I didn't notice that much difference. I guess I was mesmerized by the small block. And they both handled great. Optioned they way I want the CTS is $9k more though, that's darn hard to justify.

I drove them back to back to. The CTS optioned the way I wanted it was 46K. That's a lot more then 9k difference. The CTS was nicer inside except for getting into the back seat was a bit awkward and there was about 3 inches less knee room. The CTS was peppy once you got it over 4k but was pretty slow off the line. The dash was very clean and layed out just right. The front seats seemed a bit hard or something. For 46K vs 32, I'll take the G8.

Did I mention you can lease a loaded CTS cheaper than a G8 GT? LOL

I drove them back to back to. The CTS optioned the way I wanted it was 46K. That's a lot more then 9k difference. The CTS was nicer inside except for getting into the back seat was a bit awkward and there was about 3 inches less knee room. The CTS was peppy once you got it over 4k but was pretty slow off the line. The dash was very clean and layed out just right. The front seats seemed a bit hard or something. For 46K vs 32, I'll take the G8.

Yeah, that's the problem I'm having. Once I put just a few options on the CTS I'm at 40k, and then that darn nav is tempting me up to 43. And there are still so many goodies left to check. The G8 is doing me a favor by not offering options. But I'm afraid I'll be looking at those awful red center console gages for 6 years wishing I was looking at that CTS center stack. I'm sure I'll come to my senses before I buy. Or myabe I'll take so long to decide I'll save enought for that CTS-V with the 550HP V8!

Best lease deal I could find on a loaded CTS was ~660 for 39 months with 3000 down. That's not better then a G8. Maybe you looked at an entry level CTS without DI?

Best lease deal I could find on a loaded CTS was ~660 for 39 months with 3000 down. That's not better then a G8. Maybe you looked at an entry level CTS without DI?

yes, my Cadillac guy offered $610 + $1000 down for a loaded $46K CTS he had on his lot.

I passed.

For that money, you are getting near owning the G8, not just renting it for 39 mos.

Price comparison CTS and G8:

G8 with premium package:$31,395

Similarly equipped CTS (3.6 DI engine, performance package, seating package (leather seats), machine finish wheels): $39,590

Difference: $8,195 + tax

Heh I'm driving a loaded AWD DI and the lease is $50 less a month than the GMS lease I was quoted for a G8 with LESSER terms IE I have 15K/Yr on the CTS and 12K/Yr on the G8 :D

G'day there all. First post and the site does have a very familiar feel to it...lol.

I see the CTS will come here, but I fear that it will simply be too expensive for us here and will only be a very limited seller.

We already have the Holden Commodore Calais/Calais-V in the locally produced 'luxury' sedan market, at around AUD$60k. I cannot see the CTS being sold here for under AUD$70k.

Have to wait and see I 'spose.

Cheers,

Macca

G'day there all. First post and the site does have a very familiar feel to it...lol.

I see the CTS will come here, but I fear that it will simply be too expensive for us here and will only be a very limited seller.

We already have the Holden Commodore Calais/Calais-V in the locally produced 'luxury' sedan market, at around AUD$60k. I cannot see the CTS being sold here for under AUD$70k.

Have to wait and see I 'spose.

Cheers,

Macca

I thought I recently saw a Calais was priced around 48K? Or was that for the V6 5-speed only? Add perhaps 4K for the 6.0 6 -peed combo?
Anyway 32K for G8GT versus 40 CTS DI means a 4:5 ratio (in the US, and I know straight Maths doesn't always apply); apply that ratio in reverse to $48K that takes a CTS price in Oz to about $60 ($52K to 65K if the V8 Calais was the higher price).

Maybe they'll price it higher than that to position it higher in the market-place but they better not expect to move many if they do - Aussies are known for our pragmatism and an overpriced unknown quantity will be a hard sell.

Yep, you may be right, I was making an assumption on the Calais-V with V8, figuring that at least high-50s would be the go.

It will be interesting to see how the Cadillac is priced, but I reckon they'll market it as a prestige model and the price will reflect that. Luxury car tax will also apply.

Cheers.

Fancy seeing you here Macca:driving:

With the USD being so weak, I wonder if they'll price the CTS lower in Australia? I mean, we already pay less for the G8, compared to the Holden right?

With the USD being so weak, I wonder if they'll price the CTS lower in Australia? I mean, we already pay less for the G8, compared to the Holden right?

Good point. No reason a CTS should sell for more than $50K tops in OZ. with the OZ$ = .93 US$, a $40K decenttly equipped CTS would be $43K.

Unless GM tries to stick it to the Aussies like they are doing to the Canadians!:wink2:

Now if you get the CTS-V that would be worth the cash. Did you see the 7:59:32 at the ring? GM even posted the video on their website. I love the change in attitude.

Good point. No reason a CTS should sell for more than $50K tops in OZ. with the OZ$ = .93 US$, a $40K decenttly equipped CTS would be $43K.

Unless GM tries to stick it to the Aussies like they are doing to the Canadians!:wink2:

I'm sure GM have us lined up for a good old fashioned reaming...

I own a G8 Gt (V8) and rented a base model CTS for a few days out in California last week. The CTS is cramped in both the front and rear seats. The shape of the center console looks great but wrecks the knee room. I am only 6" tall, and could not live with this car. The back seat is tiny and impossible to climb into. The interior looks cool, but the ergonomics are terrible. The steering wheel is too fat. The heater controls are by your knees. The window switches are a reach down and forward on the door, you must lean forward to use them or the door lock buttons. The radio and AC buttons are a cluttered mess. The build quality is decent, fancier than the G8 but not more solid. The seat cushions are tiny.

The CTS feels peppier in traffic than my G8 even with the smaller base engine. The CTS transmission is much better (software) and the steering feels nicer, less nervous. The ride is great as well.

I like the G8 better overall.

I went through the same debate about a month ago and decided to go with the CTS over the G8 for a couple of reasons.

1. The Caddy dealer was much easier to deal with than 3 Pontiac dealers I spoke with. The Caddy dealer was also willing to give me $2-3K more for my trade and discount the CTS by $1500 w/o much pressure.

2. For some reason the CTS seemed to fit me better especially with a sunroof. The G8 w/ a sunroof didn't have enough headroom for me while the CTS did. Also I rarely have more than one other person in the car so I didn't need the larger backseat.

3. Gas mileage. so far I'm averaging 23 or so with mixed driving in the CTS.

4. Interior While the G8 interior is nice, the CTS is w/o question a step up.

I went through the same debate about a month ago and decided to go with the CTS over the G8 for a couple of reasons.

1. The Caddy dealer was much easier to deal with than 3 Pontiac dealers I spoke with. The Caddy dealer was also willing to give me $2-3K more for my trade and discount the CTS by $1500 w/o much pressure.

2. For some reason the CTS seemed to fit me better especially with a sunroof. The G8 w/ a sunroof didn't have enough headroom for me while the CTS did. Also I rarely have more than one other person in the car so I didn't need the larger backseat.

3. Gas mileage. so far I'm averaging 23 or so with mixed driving in the CTS.

4. Interior While the G8 interior is nice, the CTS is w/o question a step up.

I went with the G8 over the CTS for mirror image reasons 1 and 2. Damn Caddy salesman wouldn't even give me a price after I asked him two separate times and brought my family to test drive the CTS (AND I already had leased a 2004 CTS as my old car)...arrogant b@$t@rd seemd to think that I should pay through the nose since I got a good deal last time. Pontiac dealer was up front to give me supplier pricing and GM card no problem at all...Then GM added the loyalty rebate while I was waiting for the car.

YOur reason three sounds nice, until you realize the $9K I saved by buying the G8 will pay for a lot of gas. And I get the V8 acceleration which will fry the CTS.

CTS interior is def nicer, but smaller, tighter.

Now if you get the CTS-V that would be worth the cash. Did you see the 7:59:32 at the ring? GM even posted the video on their website. I love the change in attitude.

I thought about getting a CTS-V until I saw the price. I can buy a second G8 and put a turbo kit on it and still be ahead. Granted, it won't handle like the CTS-V or have the interior/whiz bang options but I can live with that.

I'll bet the Caddy will be closer to $70k. They will put it up against the Statesman and the 300C.