Filed under: Car Buying, Sedans/Saloons
GM slashes Cadillac DTS prices
The 2006 Cadillac DTS, the redesigned Cadillac DeVille, will start at a base price of $41,990. This is nearly $5000 less than the 2005 DeVille's base price. GM is also streamlining the trim levels, allowing for three basic levels each with different options packages. This aggressive pricing is an example of the length's GM is going to to realign their pricing. While the redesigned DTS is significantly sharper than the previous model, we feel it's got tough competition from the Chrysler 300 despite its reduced pricing.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Joel A 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
While I'm not enamored with the 300's stylin', I admit it IS different and will attract a new crowd to the brand. Same with (GM's) CTS and STS Cadillacs. However, the new DTS, IMO, still looks too closely like the prior models. Fine if that's who you want to continue to attract but not so fine for those used to Beemers and Audi's and Jag's (especially like the Vanden Plas.) Only the Lexus 430 look even more conservative than the DTS.
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sk 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
All that price slashing is hurting GM. But they will hurt even more by loosing future business from owners of an 05 that feel cheated now because they paid $5000 more. Bad sales strategy.
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JustJase 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
I seriously doubt the people who bought an '05 paid full price. The whole point of the new value pricing strategy across GM is to bring sticker prices more in line with actual transaction prices.
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Non-Bizarro Adam 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
I agree, JustJase. I can't think of another company that people would be getting all over for cutting prices. This makes so much sense financially, I can't even fathom why people are getting upset. GMs resale is already lower than most others, because of the rebates/employee discount, so I can't see this hurting resale further, as long as they slash prices while getting rid of promotions/rebates.
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Sid Ghosh 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
sk is a classic case of bashing GM no matter what.
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BF 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
Has anyone seen what the back of this thing looks lie?
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Marc 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
Did I just read stiff competition from the Chrysler 300? I owned a top of the line 300C with every option, it lasted in my garage for 5 weeks. The motor is nice, but the interior is the cheapest hunk of junk I've seen. The car looks beautiful and drives nice, that is when I could see when the headliner was resting over my head. These aren't even close to comparable cars in terms of quality!
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David Thomas 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
OK i was not impressed with the CTS, STS or SRX interiors. But the brief minutes I got in the DTS and it is a completely different thing altogether. If this is what Lutz is talking about improved interiors this is it.
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Sang 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
That must be a pretty damn rare case, and wouldn't warranty cover any of those issues you were having? I certianly don't see the Caddy as car of the year, and that's not jsut chosen by the nice engine.
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Tom L. 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
Marc, not that I'm doubting your 300C has poor quality interior, but come on! you're complaining about it on a blog about GM? You'd honestly expect Cadillac to have better interior quality and reliability than Chrysler? I'd suggest you look for Japanese or European if interior quality is what your're after.
As for me, for $41k I'd rather get a 300C SRT8 than this DTS.
$0.02
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David Thomas 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
Tom L.
A DTS shopper will not be interested in the 300C SRT8 but may shop the regular 300C.
But yes the interior of the DTS did remind me a bit more of lexus/acura with the pale tan (bone?) leather.
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sk 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
Sid Ghosh its reality that GM is hurting. Calling GM's sales strategy a good solution would hardly be accurate.
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Bruce Kalter 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
In the last 2 weeks, I helped someone buy a 2005DTS with "employee pricing." The list price for this LOADED DTS was just under $62K. Purchase price? Under $48K. Yes, it was a year-end model--- but very hard to get during the last week of the promo in this area (NY metro). Anyway, cutting the stickers makes sense for them IF they don't have to do deep discounts or incentives beyond that--- it would cut the margins too much.
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Bruce Kalter 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
In the last 2 weeks, I helped someone buy a 2005DTS with "employee pricing." The list price for this LOADED DTS was just under $62K. Purchase price? Under $48K. Yes, it was a year-end model--- but very hard to get during the last week of the promo in this area (NY metro). Anyway, cutting the stickers makes sense for them IF they don't have to do deep discounts or incentives beyond that--- it would cut the margins too much.
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V?or Rubiera 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
I also think that the Chrysler 300C is more better deal.
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laserwizard 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
$41,000 plus for that piece of stinking garbage? Cadillac has continually overpriced their vehicles especially considering their cheap quality interiors and even cheaper looking interior and exterior designs. This car isn't worth a dime over $25,000.
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jrtrock 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
Every 2 years I buy new....BMW X5, Lexus, Volvo S60AWD to name the last three. This year I got the Cadillac SRX. It's been perfect. It hasn't been recalled 5x like the BMW, boring as the Lexus and has better ride and handling than the Volvo...I plan on another and if this DTS is a s good as Lutz says it is it will be a winner too.
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Marc 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
Tom - I currently own 16 vehichles and purchase approx. 8 cars / year. I know most quality cars in and out with real world / driving experience. The 300C was the poorest quality (build and materials) of anything I've owned. A Chevy interior has better build quality than the Chrysler. I currently own 5 GM products and believe they build an excellent vehichle all the way around. But hey, what do I know, I can afford any car, I own MANY and have owned most premium cars on the market :)
Check out most of my current line up at http://www.marcscars.com
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Tom L. 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
Hey Marc, first off, nice collection.
Before the 300 vs. DTS interiors debate gets too heated, let's not forget that the 300 starts at $23k, the extra money you pay really just gets you the more powerful motor and other performance upgrades. Other than leather I don't think interior console or dash is swapped out for higher quality ones in the top trims. The new DTS will start at $41k, almost 20K more.
The bigger point I was trying to make before was the fact that GM(some, not all) interiors are really not up to par with Japanese or European brands in terms of their price ranges.
Marc, your STS is comparable to the M45, as well as the SRX to the FX45. Do you feel that GM interiors are done better than the Infinitis?
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The Dude 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
Marc, are you in GR? That's my guess as there's only 2 Infiniti dealers in Michigan.
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