I’m glad to hear that we’ll be able to hear about the continued testing and development of these cars on this site even with the CTS testing complete for the 2008 model. I found this site very interesting to hear what goes on “behind the scenes” with these cars, as well that we get a personal perspective as to what goes into the development of some of these models. I look forward to continue visiting this site and read whatever you may have in store for us for future posts!

Hi Liz,

Just saw the RPO ordering guide on GMinsidenews.com. I'll be outfitting my manual CTS with the sport package... that is if I can get myself past that floor mounted parking brake - still might be a deal breaker for me, haven't decided. So, what I'm asking you to do is be sure you have that handling dialed in. If I drive a 3 series and this new CTS back-to-back, I'm hoping neither car stands out against the other...... to me, that would be the sign that you and GM have actually done their homework in the handling department. The old CTS just felt vague, big, and soft compared to a 3 series. I have 35 large to buy a car now. I've always wanted a BMW. But I love the style of the CTS and I've always said I'd go back to American cars if they can build a competitive product. Sell it to me, Liz. Get me past that floor mounted brake and the soft tuning of every GM suspension ever built. Based on your latest post you're really working hard to deliver what I'm looking for.

If the car's handling impresses me enough, you can mount the brake anywhere.

Hmm.

I for one hope the car *doesn't* have the rock hard suspension and seats of the 3-series. Yes it needs to handle better than Cadillacs of old but at least make sure the BMW style sports suspension (and it needs to be up to BMW standards) is an option so we can have a softer ride if we mostly want a comfortable commute as opposed to a canyon carving saloon.

We don't all live to drift sideways around a bend while screaming Power, Power, Power!!!

Joe,

I whole-heartedly disagree. The proper place for the parking brake is not on the floor. The first time you roll your new car back into whatever is behind you, as I did with my current CTS you will also surely agree. This is a gross oversight by Cadillac and it has no place on a sport sedan. The fact that it won't change on the MY'08 just shows the arrogance of this company. It is but one of the reasons that MY next $35 large will likely be spent on a BMW or Audi. There are many great things about my Cadillac, but it is also sadly plagued with far too many obviously low rent decisions. The absolute worst is the floor mounted parking brake. And no thanks, I don't want an automatic. I really wanted my next CTS to be a 6 speed with AWD. Fortunately, I don't need to make a compromise again and live with shoddy engineering and compromized designs - there are other choices available where performance comes first.

I agree that the parking brake handle should be on the console. But I've lived almost three years with the brake on the floor of my 2005 CTS-V and it's become an ingorable issue for me.

I intend to keep that V as my weekend fun car. For my daily driver, I'm hoping for a 2009 CTS-V that's equipped with an automatic. I always want to go fast; I don't always want to shift.

(And I pretty much never want to scream, "Power, Power, Power!!!" I just want to feel it.)

Ed,
I have an 2004 CTS with 3.2l engine with a 5 speed manual transmission. After the first couple of days to get used to the clutch position and the throttle by wire, I did not roll backwards very far when on a hill. Two Months after I got my car, I spent a week in San Francisco and did not have a problem on hills with tailgating traffic. Unless you are in to drifting, I do not mind not having a lever on my leg.
I had trouble finding a manual transmission sports sedan. I am very pleased with my CTS. 42,000 smiling miles including over 100 trips to Lake Arrowhead with winding mountain roads.
My Wife has a 2006 CTS and her suspension is different than mine. I believe they made it softer in 2005. If I had driven the CTS with her suspension, I would not have purchased it. I will look at the 2008 CTS. So far, I like what I see. Let us see how it drives!

Ed,

I think you may have taken my comments slightly incorrectly - my point was that I am VERY dissappointed the brake is on the floor, and I have posted my thoughts about it in another thread on this web site. I just said that if the performance of the CTS really blew me away, I'd be willing to overlook that detail..... but the performance would have to BLOW me away. I know people who have said it is a deal breaker for them to not have the brake on the console, and I agree.

I do agree with you on one point - GM is VERY arrogant and won't accept the possibility that other companies just make better products, and it is no shame to emulate what they do (so long as it is executed properly). Again, if the performance of the CTS is on par with a 3 series with the sport package, and the interior fit and finish is up to Lexus standards, I will give Cadillac a chance despite the preposterous parking brake location.

But if not, GM will loose me and countless other customers.

Joe,

A BMW 3-Series performance with a Lexus (or Audi) like interior would be a truly great car. But the General is a sad company that is strugging to make ends meet. Hence, cost is king, and 3-series perfomance with a very fine interior costs money that the beancounters won't approve. So even though the sticker price will be on par, I would venture to say that the rest of the car will fall very short of this high benchmark. COULD they do it? Of course they COULD, but not until GM stops being run by the beancounters.

Liz,
If its not too late to ask a question regarding future powertrains, how likely is it for the turbocharged 2.9l Diesel in the upcoming European CTS to make it to our shores?

Many on Cheersandgears.com have expressed a strong desire for smooth, torquey, and efficient Diesel powertrains in more passenger cars and in light of the efforts Mercedes is making in the field of clean Diesels, Cadillac can get its foot in the door early in the game. And I know alot of people talk about wants and desires with no intention of buying, but one of our members (a CTS owner already) has even said he'd commit to buying a Diesel CTS the minute its announced.

GM doesn't sell enough manuals to justify different parking brake locations. I miss the automatic brake release Cadillacs used to have.

Since you're offering sport suspensions and low profile tires, why don't you offer a cushy ride package for the middle aged who don't want the size of a DTS? I could no longer abide the hard ride of my Intrigue and got a used Deville, which is a little bigger than I like. An 07 CTS was pretty stiff on our bumpy roads.

I can't believe all this hipe about the BMW 3 series. I bought one of these "ultimate driving machines" in the late seventies. The car was so bad that I swore I would never buy another. How many of you guys have ever had a connecting rod go through the engine block? No, the car was never raced! This car had complete electrical failure more than once, it lost major suspension fasteners (bolts) on the road, making it extremely dangerous to drive. I even had to boost the new Bimmer with my 5 year old Caprice Classic on a regular basis because it didn't like cold weather. Today, I drive a 2003 CTS, a 2002 Escalade, a 1999 Corvette, a 1971 Corvette and a 1967 Corvette. Once you get past the hype of the overdone, overstated and overpriced BMW's, a GM product looks pretty good. I can hardly wait to get my hands on the new CTS, no matter where they place the "parking" brake.