Cadillac CTS-V Coupe Race Car

[Kitdy]

The funny thing is, M3 aside, the CTS-V Coupé with the manual gearbox is one of the most focused grand tourers currently on sale. Which is ironic, probably, being the only American entry in the segment.

America has changed. The Big Three are harder, better, faster, and stronger...

Except Chrysler.

[Ferrer]

I like Chrysler.

[Kitdy]

I like Chrysler.

Maybe that is because you don't have many of them over there.

I went over this with hellcat... They don't have many good cars across all three brands.

[clutch-monkey]

I like Chrysler.

having been exposed to them, i don't
worst of the big three by a loooong shot!

[f6fhellcat13]

Maybe that is because you don't have many of them over there.

Maybe, but knowing Ferrer it's more because of:

They don't have many good cars across all three brands.

worst of the big three by a loooong shot!

I haven't seen any tests with the new Chrysler 300/Charger, but I would guess that they would be the only redeeming feature in the lineup.

[Kitdy]

The new 300 and Charger are the same platform though, which is aged. The interiors are around the board better. Their new exterior looks are modern and decent.

I meant 4 brands; we have Ram now! The Ram Ram!

Ferrer is just contrarian.

[Ferrer]

For a start I always thought that Chrysler was the coolest of the big three.

As for current cars, I do not care about anything smaller than their rear wheel drive cars (and not interested in trucks or SUVs), but that's pretty much the same at GM and Ford. And if we compare rear wheel drive cars, well Ford has no sedans at all, and I like the simplicy of the big Chrysler compared to the sofistication of Cadillac. The 300 is certainly the last of a line.

As for the muscle cars, the Challenger is by far the best looking, and it feels right compared to the ubiquity of the Mustang and the obviousness of the Camaro. And I don't care if it doesn't drive very well, it does what it is supposed to do, power, noise and style, better than anyone else. If I wanted handling I wouldn't be looking at an US manufacturer.

So there you go, I like Chrysler.

[pimento]

So if you like big RWD saloons, lets put the Falcon and Commodore in there too - what then? Just curious really.. I'm not a huge fan of any of them.

[Ferrer]

Well, given the choice I prefer rear wheel drive to front wheel drive. I wouldn’t reject a car for being front wheel drive, but rear wheel drive gives you better traction, better weight distribution, more grip and (in general, and in my opinion) a better and more pleasing driving experience. Furthermore, in a big saloon you usually need a big engine to move about at a decent pace, which makes front wheel drive’s disadvantages more evident than in smaller engined cars.

I don’t know if the Commodore and Falcon are any good, to judge them I would have to drive them, which is bit difficult, but since the rear wheel drive car is becoming a rara avis, more rear wheel drive alternatives are always welcomed. I also like Falcon’s straight six engine configuration.

So without having tried them I’m positive and I would be willing to try them out and give them a chance.

[fpv_gtho]

In their current iterations, Commodore and Falcon wouldnt fare too well in Europe. Falcon isnt built in LHD, so thats the first hurdle. Current exchange rates would push them closer to the Germans, which theyve been protected from here through various taxes, tariffs and other charges. They could be at the standard if given the development, but in the case of Falcon theres never really been global support and in the case of Commodore its all but dried up.

[Ferrer]

The thing is we had our own Commodores and Falcons. They were the Omegas and Scorpios of yesteryear. But no one wanted a big car unless it had a posh badge on the bonnet so they sort of disappeared.

Today that space is occupied by the Mondeos and Insignia, which have grown so much they have become bigger than the old cars. But since the come from lower segment, rear wheel drive has unfortunately been erased from the menu.

[csl177]

M5 VS CTS-V... pretty impressive. But can GM sell it to Europeans?

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShL8rsBwyXg"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShL8rsBwyXg[/ame]

[Kitdy]

No, because Europeans hate American cars, even if they are good, because:

a) American cars are unsuited to European needs
b) Europeans are biased to European brands
c) both

Keep in mind, the road goes both ways.

[Dino Scuderia]

Been seeing a lot of CTS-V Coupes on the road, only one wagon so far.

[Ferrer]

No, because Europeans hate American cars, even if they are good, because:

a) American cars are unsuited to European needs
b) Europeans are biased to European brands
c) both

Keep in mind, the road goes both ways.

Unfortunately so...

I wonder how long will GM insist with the Camaro here.