Overview:
There are a few events more important than a wedding and this Cadillac STS helped to enhance the blessed ceremony of marriage for our family this past month. Son Mike and Lindsey tied the knot and Cadillac embellished the days before, during and after the ceremony and reception.
Finally they went to the airport in the same style to embark on a trip to the Virgin ? Islands. Catalina had to do for me years ago. Do you think folks who live on Capri and Greece come to Catalina for their honeymoons?
It was the Cadillac of weddings, as they all are, and it was fitting because I’ve owned eight Cadillac’s so Mike got a ride in one when he came home from the hospital. It was also a Cadillac that took him back to the hospital for boo-boos that needed attention. These wonderful cars also accompanied us on vacation – from the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, San Francisco and the Mormon Temple in Salt Lake City among many other comfortable trips.
Mike wanted to take the STS to St. Thomas, but they don’t have an amphibeous model. And you know, when I thought of Mike’s wedding the first car that came to mind was Cadillac. Thanks to Chuck H. and the other good folks at Cadillac the day was made even more beautiful.
Cadillac has changed over the years and remains a symbol of excellence the world over. They want to make sure that perception continues around the globe, and thus with the debut of the 1998 Seville in Frankfurt Germany they seek to achieve the goal of capturing the luxury market in Europe and Asia. They will go up against Mercedes, BMW and Lexus with this Seville STS. I drove the E420 Mercedes in Germany last year and wish I could have made the trip in the Seville STS. What you notice in Europe is the “Absence” of American luxury cars. I can’t say I even saw one Cadillac in the six countries I visited in Europe. But then there were precious few Porshe’s in Europe as well. Surprised? I was, but marketing is a curious part of a company’s strategy.
I was impressed with the handling characteristics of the Mercedes-Benz at high speed and I had the chance to contrast that with the Ford Escort that isn’t at home on the autobahn as is the Mercedes, even though they build it there in Koln, Germany. However, I have tested the Cadillac at high speed on a race track and feel it provides similar high speed handling confidence. Cad is tops as far as I’m concerned.
Cadillac has always been a leader in technology and the Northstar System and road sensing suspension are examples. Now they’ve added an adaptive seating option that automatically adjusts the seating to each individual by way of 10 air cells that measure pressure and thus set the seat adjustment for the most comfortable position.
The Competition:
Acura RL $41,200, Audi A6 $33,750 – $35,400, BMW 528 i $38,900, Infiniti Q45 $47,900 – $49,900, Lexus GS 300/400 $36,900 – $44,950, Lincoln Continental $37,930, Mercedes-Benz E420 $45,500.
Good News:
It’s a Cadillac. Better fitting components than ever. Clean lines outside and inside, priced well. Made in the USA.
Bad News:
I could be lured away from the Cad by one of the above. Want to guess?, e-mail me at joe@atthewheel.com or at www.las.net/atthewheel.
Gas Stats:
17 City and 26 Highway MPG.
Pricing:
MSRP is $46,995
