CTS DI3.6L + Performance Package min $40K?

[Bruce Nunnally]

Hmm the new 08 CTS build your CTS info is up at http://www.cadillac.com but when I try to select

the DI3.6L engine $35,290 plus the 18" performance package $2,980 you also appear to have to take a $2200 seating upgrade:

* 18" (45.7 cm) Summer Tire Performance Package, includes (TT6) HID headlamps, (CE4) headlamp washers, (T96) fog lamps, (P63) 18" x 8" (45.7 cm x 20.3 cm) aluminum wheels with high-polished finish, (QUR) P235/50ZR18 Y-rated summer only performance blackwall tires, (FE3) performance handling suspension, (G80) limited slip differential, (J55) performance braking system and (V03) Performance Cooling System ([MX0] transmission only). $2,980

* Engine, , 3.6L Variable Valve Timing V6 DI Direct Injection, (304 hp [226.7 kW] @ 6400 rpm, 273 lb-ft of torque [368.6 N-m] @ 5200 rpm)

* Seating Package, includes leather seating surfaces, (AH8) 10-way power passenger seat, (AL2) 2-way power driver and front passenger lumbar control, (A45) Memory Package, (KA1) heated front seats and (XA7) heated windshield washer fluid $2,200

* Transmission, , 6-speed automatic

* Wheels, , 18" x 8" (45.7 cm x 20.3 cm) aluminum with high-polished finish

* No accessories selected

Which drives the MSRP for the Sport suspension + DI3.6L to $40.5K. ouch.

Add in the red paint and you are at $41.5K.

[Cadillac Jim]

Before you complain about $42K, price an equivalent Lexus, Infiniti, Merecedes or BMW. Also, don't pay sticker price.

[Bruce Nunnally]

The online gadget may be confused a bit, but if you select the "performance collection" you get a price slightly under $40K since it also includes the seating upgrade and an all-weather tire performance package, albeit with different tires. I suspect that the summer performance tire should be selectable with 1SB without the seat upgrade, but sometimes there are odd relationships among the options.

I know the CTS is a good value for the market it is in. Heck, max out a Camry and it breaks 30k. I know Cadillac WANTS the CTS to move upmarket. I know that there is a base CTS without the DI engine for budget minded folks. But I still thought of the CTS as a car that with careful option choices one can drive new for $31K AND still have the best available performance-oriented options, just not the nav and max lux options. The current packaging moves that up to $39/40K.

[GreenMachine]

I know my uncle when he ordered his impala a few years back pulled off "standard" equipment in order to get the bigger engine. You wont find those on the dealer lot but I'm guessing you could special order a "base" CTS with the performance package and bigger engine.

May cost something I'm sure to break a package up but not more than the savings. My uncle has pretty much the only Impala I know of with the bigger engine and no rear wing or digital stuff inside.

Plus GM always has a sale or incentive so bargaining isn't out of the question, whens somethings on the lot they want to move it out....problem is this is a very anticipated model.

[Bruce Nunnally]

Okay, looking at some actual window stickers, it appears that if you get the 1SB DI3.6L and Performance collection all-season performance option

you can keep a max performance CTS under $40K:

MANUFACTURER'S SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE $38,590.00

STANDARD VEHICLE PRICE $34,545.00

Options installed by Manufacturer

CTS STANDARD PACKAGE NO CHARGE

PERFORMANCE COLLECTION:

18" ALL SEASON TIRE PERFORMANCE PACKAGE:

*HEADLAMPS, HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE

*HEADLAMP WASHER

*18" PAINTED ALUMINUM WHEELS

*P235/50R18 ALL SEASON TIRES

*DIFFERENTIAL, LIMITED SLIP

*SPORT SUSPENSION SYSTEM

*PERFORMANCE COOLING SYSTEM

*FOG LAMPS

* SEATING PACKAGE:

*SEATS, LEATHER SURFACES

*PWR SEAT ADJUST-FRONT

PASSENGER & PWR LUMBAR-FRONT

PASSENGER/DRIVER, 10 WAY

*MEMORY SEAT ADJUSTER

*HEATED FRONT SEATS

*HEATED WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID $ 3,300.00

TOTAL OPTIONS $3,300.00

TOTAL VEHICLE & OPTIONS $37,845.00

DESTINATION CHARGE $745.00

TOTAL VEHICLE PRICE*** $38,590.00

[Bruce Nunnally]

I do see some cars with the Performance Collection AND the Summer Performance kit:

* 18" (45.7 cm) Summer Tire Performance Package, includes (TT6) HID headlamps, (CE4) headlamp washers, (T96) fog lamps, (P63) 18" x 8" (45.7 cm x 20.3 cm) aluminum wheels with high-polished finish, (QUR) P235/50ZR18 Y-rated summer only performance blackwall tires, (FE3) performance handling suspension, (G80) limited slip differential, (J55) performance braking system and (V03) Performance Cooling System ([MX0] transmission only). $2,980

I guess to get the FE3 suspension, performance braking system (and optional wheels)?

[Texas Jim]

I know the CTS is a good value for the market it is in. Heck, max out a Camry and it breaks 30k. I know Cadillac WANTS the CTS to move upmarket. I know that there is a base CTS without the DI engine for budget minded folks. But I still thought of the CTS as a car that with careful option choices one can drive new for $31K AND still have the best available performance-oriented options, just not the nav and max lux options. The current packaging moves that up to $39/40K.

Just went to Toyota's web site......

Maxed out Camry ........34,778.00

And you are driving a, just like everybody else's, expletives deleted ... Toyota.

I would pay the extra 4 or 5k and drive a Cadillac. But that is just MY opinion.

If you financed the extra 4k at the current -0- percent... it would add about 2 bucks a day to your payment. Do without the extra Starbucks and you are covered.