The Cadillac STS: Affordable Class

This year the Cadillac STS has been updated with more power and styling touches that help to win this pleasing luxury sedan even more fans, at least here at BuyingAdvice. We think the Cadillac STS is a really impressive option in this segment.

The new base V6 engine is so powerful that it produces just 18 horses shy of the optional V8. The V6 performs so well that it's probably not worth the extra cost of $8,500 to spring for the V8. The higher cost is a bit more justified considering there are more luxury features bundled in with the V8 trim, but AWD is available with either engine. And the V6 has been updated more recently. The STS provides graceful handling and a full range of safety, although overall scores hover around four stars vs. five. New options include a Blind Zone Alert and Lane Departure Warning systems. But some critics complain that these features may be too sensitive. Computerized nagging aside, the best part is the STS is priced lower than many luxury sedans out there.

Other luxury sedans that cost thousands more, but have more hp and perhaps a bit more prestige are the Acura RL and the BMW 5 Series. Since the new STS provides such a commendable riding experience, we prefer the value over the prestige.

The Cadillac Escalade: A Stylish but Thirsty Luxury SUV

The Cadillac Escalade is a large SUV that has been out since 1999. Known as the rapper and celebrity SUV of choice for years, the Escalade received interior and exterior updates last year. These updates brought this luxury SUV up to a higher level of plushness and refinement. And although there is no substitute for the bold, status-boasting styling that the Cadillac Escalade offers, the BuyingAdvice Team has a hard time overlooking some of the Escalade's shortcomings.

The Escalade has an incredibly powerful engine akin to the GMC Yukon and the Chevy Tahoe. It is a 6.2 V8 with 403hp. So, accelerating using one of the most powerful engines found in a luxury SUV is not a problem; in fact it's exhilarating. But with great power comes great expense at the gas station. The Escalade only gets 14 / 19 mpg and Cadillac recommends using premium gasoline. Also with an unimpressive reliability history and a starting cost nearing $56,000, this is an SUV whose stature boost just might not be worth the upfront and ongoing expense. The bright side is a hybrid version of the Escalade is set to be sold as a 2009 model in the coming year.

Other luxury SUVs that unfortunately offer about 100 less hp but will save you thousands of dollars are the Infiniti QX56 and the Lincoln Navigator.

The Re-designed Cadillac CTS – Now A Classy Competitor

When Cadillac debuted the CTS as their entry-level luxury sport sedan in 2003, it was recognized as a roomy, stylish domestic offering. But it fell a bit short in the categories of handling and sporty performance. But this year with a new re-design, the BuyingAdvice Team thinks Cadillac has done something rare. They have listened to criticism about the Cadillac CTS and made direct improvements that have resulted in the CTS stepping into its full potential, and up to the import competition.

The Cadillac CTS has sold well even in its first four years. And armed with new enhancements, it may be destined to sell better than ever. With an improved exterior and more elegant interior refinements, plus two more powerful V6 options, the CTS steps up nicely to the likes of BMW and Lexus. There are also more cutting-edge features available, like a hard drive that comes with the premium audio system that has 40 GB worth of memory. The CTS is available in AWD this year, and all trim levels handle with more accuracy and slick performance than ever before.

The Infiniti G35 costs a few hundred less, but offers a bit less hp and interior space. The Lexus ES 350 costs over a $1,000 more but has slightly more power and cargo room.

Diesels Are Reappearing in the U.S.

In this age of high-priced gasoline, diesel engine cars are looking pretty good.  That is why automakers such as Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagon and Jeep have all included them in their line-ups.  Not only do the diesel engines get better gas mileage, the diesel gasoline costs less too.

These diesels are not the same ones you remember, loud, foul-smelling and polluting the air, the new diesel engines are designed to not only meet strict federal clean air requirements but also to be as quiet and odor-free as gasoline engines, increase fuel economy by 25 to 40 percent and provide enough torque to please even the fussiest American drivers.

In 2010, GM is planning diesel passenger cars for their Cadillac and Saturn line-ups.  GM will be joining diesel front-runners such as DaimlerChrysler AG, Volkswagen AG, as well as diesel creator, Mercedes-Benz.  Audi is also in the game with the world's first twelve-cylinder diesel engine which gains the title of being the most powerful diesel engine for a production series.  This engine, which sprints from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.5 seconds, is available on the 2007 Audi Q7 V12 TDi.  If gas mileage is important to you, consider going diesel!

NHTSA Makes Stability Control Mandatory

Electronic Stability Control, know these words…you'll be hearing them a lot in the coming years. Recently, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced it is requiring all future passenger vehicles to have standard electronic stability control by 2012. Although not a new feature, electronic stability control has been around since the nineties, it has been credited by the NHTSA for saving many, many lives. Several automakers have already made stability control standard on all their cars or are moving up their plans to do so.

Buyers of luxury Mercedes-Benz vehicles have been experiencing electronic stability control since 1995, when the German automaker started installing it on some of their vehicles, making it standard on all models by 1999. In addition, BMW, Cadillac and Audi are also good examples of automakers that added stability control early as a standard feature. Other manufacturers offer electronic stability control as vehicle options. In four short years, the 2012 models will debut with this important feature standard. You may want to make sure you have it now on your new car or truck.

Huge Discounts On Remaining 2006's

Amazingly, almost nine months after the 2007 models started appearing on dealers lots there are still 2006 models left unsold. GM has just announced a huge program of discounts on its leftover models with the Cadillac STS heading the list at $8,000. The Cadillac Escalade and Hummer H2 have a $6,500 bonus with the Chevrolet Avalanche, Suburban and Tahoe and the GMC Yukon each getting a $6,000 bounty. To some extent these discounts reflect the depreciation that has already taken place, but careful study of online dealer inventories can yield some great bargains on these remaining 2006's.

Cadillac STS Selling Below Invoice

For most of us, it is hard to use the word bargain about a $40,000 purchase, but if you are luxury car shopping this month, the Cadillac STS may be worth a look. The impressive V6 sedan with a $42,000 sticker price is leaving the lot at or below its $39,500 invoice according to our research. A healthy $2,500 dealer incentive from GM has the STS selling for around $39,000 before fees.

General Motors Extends February Incentive Deals

After what General Motors has deemed a "positive response" to its February incentive offers, it has extended them until February 28.  The incentives were originally set to expire Feb. 20.

GM has also announced that it is now including the Saturn VUE Hybrid in the incentive program.

The deal offers either 0% interest financing for up to 60 months, or $500 cash back on most 2006 and 2007 GM models.  Which incentive you can get depends on which region you live in.  Those in the Midwest and Northeast can get the rebate, while those in the rest of the country can get 0% interest financing.

Cadillac, Hummer and Saab brands are excluded from the deal.

While GM repeatedly has stated that it has successfully been cutting incentive programs, GM spokesman John McDonald said that the manufacturer's February incentive spending levels are equal to that of a year ago.

Read more in "'Positive response' prompts GM to extend incentive campaign."

Secret Cadillac Incentives Make Luxury Affordable

Have you ever wanted to own a Cadillac, but couldn't afford it? Well, now may be your chance: From now until April 3, GM is knocking off up to $10,000 on select 2006 Cadillac models. These are unadvertised factory-to-dealer incentives, so you'll have to ask your local dealer about them specifically to get the savings.

Model	Incentive	You Save
Cadillac XLR	$10,000	13%
Cadillac Escalade	$6,500	12%
Cadillac STS	$6,000	15%
Cadillac DTS	$5,000	12%
Cadillac SRX	$5,000	14%
Cadillac CTS	$4,000	14%

GM's "Red Tag Event" Could Lead To New Auto Price Discounts Of Up To $8,000

In order to boost new auto sales and get rid of 2006 models, on November 18, 2006, GM launched a year-end sale called the "Red Tag Event." These special discounts will last until January 2, 2007, and will include all GM autos except Cadillac, Hummer and Saab.

Unfortunately, the BuyingAdvice Team can't give you specific numbers on each offer because GM hasn't set specific discounts on certain models. Instead, to help dealerships get rid of slow-selling models, GM left it up to each dealership to decide which models get a discount and for how much, ranging from $250 up to $2,000. As a result, each model will have a different discount at the dealership you go to.

So if you're planning to buy a new car and a GM model meets your needs, The BuyingAdvice Team offers the following new car buying tips:

• Check the new car rebates GM already has on some models. The "Red Tag Event" discounts are offered on top of current incentives.

• Ask for a new car price quote and compare and compare the deals you'll be offered by different dealers. Remember, each dealership will give different deals on different car models.

• Because it's not a rebate but rather dealer cash, the dealer doesn't have to tell you about the added discounts on certain models, so be sure to ask about them.

• Make sure you buy a car not just because of deep discounts, but because the vehicle actually meets your needs. Remember that dealers put major incentives on their slowest selling models - and those models may be selling slowly for good reasons.

The 2006 models that have the potential of up to $8,000 back in cash - depending on how each dealership chooses to distribute the discounts - are:

• Chevrolet Tahoe

• Chevrolet Suburban

• Chevrolet Avalanche

• GMC Yukon

These cars already have $6,000 cash back incentives, so if a dealer chooses to use its extra cash to discount these models, it could mean another $2,000 off the negotiated car price - which could mean $8,000 savings for you.

2007 models are also eligible for new auto price discounts and include GM's attractive new car warranty.

Read more in: "GM Offers Year-End Discounts" and visit GM for details.