Well, I'm not one to necessarily defend unwarranted price increases, but, when you look at newer CTS models today, their build quality/refinement/interior-trim/chassis-roadibility compared to the 1Gen models (which IMO, were a joke), it is little wonder that the price is up significantly. Today's CTS is a heck of a lot better than it was 10 years ago. And to give the new ones even more credit, the CTS, according to Consumer Reports, is now considered the most reliable American-nameplate vehicle.

 

The CTS isn't a tweener anymore. It's differentiated with the addition of the ATS now. More luxury, more refinement more car, more price. That's how it goes. The CTS is an outstanding sedan now, and comes in so many variations. The cars merits should be more than enough to justify it's price. Similar to how I've said Lexus already owns a price advantage over similar Euro counterparts. Now how about closing the gap even more while offering more tech, power and luxury. Lexus isn't some new player to the game anymore. Prices should demand more Luxury. If you want to compete against Mercedes you need to fight fire with fire, not keep holding onto this "afforadable Luxury" reasoning. Let Hyundai and the Equus worry about that. I'd rather all Lexus models get a price hike if that means Luxury, material quality, tech options and powertrain options all improve.

 

Thats exactly the vehicle I priced. With the Performance package you need to purchase the seating package to get the multi-contour adjustable seats and upgraded leather like in the Luxury package GS, and that coupled with floor mats, trunk mat, and first aid kit bring the CTS to $66,670.

 

New CTS is not heavier.

CTS-V weighs 4,253 with AT

New CTS V-Sport, which is a larger vehicle, weighs 3,952 pounds

V-Sport isn't intended as a V replacement, it's an additional level to bridge the gap to the next CTS-V that will likely be even crazier. I applaud Cadillac for giving V-Sport models credible differences. Much more than the Lexus F-Sport models.

 

As to why would I buy the new CTS V Sport over a leftover CTS V? The new CTS is worlds superior to the outgoing CTS in many ways. A leftover CTSV may get you more power than a new CTS V-Sport, but you loose all of the benefits the new CTS brings.

If the only thing I cared about was speed and power...I wouldn't be buying a midsized 4,000lb luxury sedan.

 

I was a bit surprised when I watched Autoweek and found the CTS V sport ( not the CTSV) stickered at 60K. It does have a very powerful TTV6 but 60k for a CTS thats not the CTSV. The car seems well worth it but I am sure there will be some sticker shock for the older loyal Cadillac buyers

 

I don't disagree with those who sing the CTS's praises. But the real argument here is that the CTS name was positioned at one price point for a long time, now they've changed the positioning. Not sure if this strategy will work right away, perhaps after a while it will.

 

Absolutely, thats my question. Even if the CTS had always been a true midsized car though I would still question whether Cadillac can demand a price so similar to the price points of BMW and Mercedes, and so far above Lexus and Audi.

A lot of their success will depend on how good a lease they have too. I'm convinced a big reason why BMW and Mercedes stay successful at such high price points is they have very attractive leases.

 

Things change though. Look at the products coming to fill in the gaps left by the originals. An A3 sedan is now filling in where the A4 used to for example.

Cadillac was once (and on the rise) the standard of the world years ago. MBZ, Rolls, Bentley etc.. they competed against - before the two latters went Ultra-Luxury. No reason why they can't do it again, but it comes down to the product. If it is worthy and has merit to how it performs for it's customers then absoluetly up the price. Means people will take Cadillac seriously again with the likes of MBZ. Establishment of a true Flagship sedan, more competitive CUVs, and Grand Coupes/Verts can only further Cadillacs goal

Absoluelty. No one buys a German car anymore, they lease (they buy the pre-owned - ). Lexus has recently been trying to do the same with attractive lease offers. Point in case I was close to pulling the trigger on a 2013 550i lease @ $613 a month with $1300 down but decided to hold off until the GS-F hits late next year / early the next (just to make sure I'm not missing out). Hope its what I want otherwise I'll be leasing a German V8 soon - or hell maybe this CTS.

 

If Lexus can get 60 k for a GS then I think Caddy can get 60k for a 420 HP TT CTS with carbon fiber trim............but will they want to

 

Sure, I agree. BUT...that CTS doesn't cost $60k, it costs $70k.

If I were to place a value on what I would pay for that CTS optioned like my GS...its about $60k.

 

CTS VSport priced at $70K is right in line with the 550i - same power essentially (20hp down vs 14 550i), nothing wrong with that. Next E-Class will drop the E550 V8 in favor of a TT V6 set-up like the Cadillac

Now a $70K GS450h.. great car, but missing about 80 horses to make it viable against a Vsport, 550i, E550 which all come out to about the same

 

The question is, will a buyer really opt for a CTS VSport over a 550i without a value proposition there? I have serious doubts they will.

And nobody buys it...

 

If it was $8K less I'd be tempted for a 450h. I genuenly enjoy it inside and out. Good blend of power and fuel economy, and the matte bamboo trim is to die for, but for that kind of money I can get some other things.

But alas the GS450h and ELR are overpriced for what they are when compared to how they perform vs the competition and their feature content

I'm curious what the GS-F will sticker at. If the RC-F is expected at $71K, I'd imagine the GS-F near $80K. hmm this could be interesting

 

The key here, though, is that the 550i, especially if it goes the direction that the latest 3-series did, will no longer be the superb tactile-road-feel Ultimate Driving Machine that past versions were. Meanwhile, the CTS, in comparison, keeps improving.....although Cadillac may blow at least some of that improvement if it saddles the next-Gen CTS with the awkward, hard-to-use CUE dash-system that's turning some people off.