Wednesday, 22 June 2011
2011 Toyota Corolla
Tuesday, 21 June 2011
Cadillac CTS, 2003-2007
Cadillac pretty much hit rock bottom in 1982 with the Cimarron. It was a rebadged Chevy Cavalier, and about as far from what a Cadillac should be as you could get, considering that half a century previously, the brand called itself, “The Standard of the World” and built cars powered by 16-cylinder engines.
A turnaround was needed, and badly, but it wouldn’t come until 2002, when General Motors’ most prestigious marque wheeled out the CTS: it was the first Cadillac sedan to sport the brand’s edgy new styling, and it spearheaded Caddy’s return to respectability, being the first of several subsequent models designed to keep up with Germany’s best.
The first CTS used a 3.2-litre V6 making 220 horsepower and 218 lb-ft of torque. Cadillac enthusiasts – the fact that there are some of these and that they know how to use the Internet is a testament to the CTS’ success in appealing to a more, uh, lively demographic – are of two minds about this engine. Those into modifying their cars feel the 3.2-litre is a poor choice, as there is little aftermarket support for it. Other drivers who prefer to leave the engineering to the guys at General Motors say the 3.2-litre is a fine motor, even if it might be a bit underpowered.
Speed freaks got their wish in 2004, when Cadillac added two new motors to the CTS line-up. One was the 3.6-litre V6 that’s being used in a multitude of GM products these days; in CTS form, it makes 255 horsepower and 252 lb-ft. The real powerhouse was the 5.7-litre V8 bolted into the CTS-V, the first member of Cadillac’s then-new V-series performance line. This Corvette-based engine grew to 6.0 litres in displacement in 2006, but produced the same 400 horsepower and 395 lb-ft of torque as the smaller motor.
In 2005, the 3.2-litre was replaced by a 210-horsepower, 2.8-litre V6 based on the 3.6-litre.
Transmission choices were a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic in 2003 models; in 2004, a five-speed manual came with the 3.2-litre motor, while the five-speed auto was standard spec for 3.6-litre models, and the CTS-V got a six-speed gearbox. For the 2005 through 2007 model years, all cars got a six-speed manual as the base transmission, and a five-speed automatic was an option on all but the CTS-V.
Fuel consumption with the original 3.2-litre engine is rated at 12.9 L/100 km (city) and 8.4 L/100 km (highway) with the automatic transmission, according to Natural Resources Canada. The 3.6-litre (automatic-only in its first year) got ratings of 13.4 L/100 km (city) and 7.8 L/100 km (highway); manual transmission versions of this car were a little thirstier. Cars with the 2.8-litre engine were only marginally more efficient than 3.6-litre models, so choosing the smaller motor probably isn’t worth it unless the 2.8-litre car is a great deal. The CTS-V’s ratings of 15.3 L/100 km (city) and 9.2 L/100 km (highway) look pretty good on paper, but driving the car gently enough to achieve those numbers would be challenging, to say the least.2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon 3.6 AWD
In the early days of my music career, I spent an inordinate amount of time behind the wheel of a rusting 1965 Ford Falcon Futura station wagon, ferrying band mates and equipment around the Maritimes. With three-on-the-tree, an overworked 170 cubic inch straight-six, a burned-out clutch, no radio and a busted heater, the Arctic Mobile, as we affectionately dubbed it, got us where we were going… most of the time.
Three decades later, I find myself doing essentially the same thing, although circumstances have improved considerably. Instead of high schools and hurtin’ clubs, I’m performing at a number of cushy theatres in Southern Ontario with the Canadian Tenors – a quartet of harmonizing hunks whose career is currently on a mercurial trajectory.
Playing the part of the ferrous Arctic Mobile is another American-made wagon: the new-for-2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon 3.6 AWD – with a working heater no less.
Cadillac’s recently redone CTS wants to play in the Euro sport sedan big-leagues, and indeed, it has the goods to get the attention of those looking at BMW, Audi, and Mercedes. As those marques offer wagon versions of their mid-sized sedans, it makes sense that Caddy would follow suit.
But Wow, who woulda thought this wagon would out-sex the already handsome sedan? Expanding on Cadillac’s distinctive angular design language, the Sport Wagon looks spectacular from every angle, especially from the rear where the spiky vertical taillights recall Caddy’s legendary fins of yore. I would normally balk at a $1,295 paint treatment, but the Blue Diamond Tricoat on this specimen looked terrific.
Guitarist Dave Gray and I popped the Sport Wagon’s powered liftgate, flipped down the 60/40 rear seats (with ski pass-through) and loaded ‘er up with amps, guitars, pedals and other musoid detritus. The cargo floor is flat and capacity a useful 1642 litres – not in the league of the Volvo V70 (2082 litres), but certainly enough for our purposes.
You can get into a base rear-wheel-drive CTS Sport Wagon fitted with a 270-hp 3.0-litre V6 for $39,998. This tester was the all singing/dancing $53,790 AWD model powered by the same 304-hp 3.6-litre direct-injection V6 found in the Camaro LT. The only transmission offered is a six-speed manumatic.
Optional equipment here, which included the $3,660 Luxury Performance Package (real wood trim, keyless entry and ignition, heated and ventilated front seats with memory, rear park sensors, powered steering column, security system), pushed the bottom line to just north of sixty grand. Navigation with rear-view camera is an additional $2,885.
The interior is suitably upscale with nicely stitched leather dash top and upper door panels, although the wood inserts are so processed it looks like plastic to me. Major gauges are clearly back-lit and the sharply sculpted centre console gives the cabin an intimate dual-cowl feel. One niggle: the interior temp control and seat heater buttons are located right where your knee grazes the side of the console.
Luxury Homes in Washington
It's been a while since we've taken a tour of the latest lavish homes for sale. This is our inaugural tour of the state of Washington. Please enjoy the featured homes and let me know if you find one you can't live without. I'll be more than happy to hook you up with a realtor! Right.
If you like golf and open space then Cle Elum Tumble Creek Retreat is for you. After a grueling 18 holes or a hike in the woods relax in your brand new 2,834 square foot cabin residence that boasts magnificent construction and attention to detail.
With ample room and magnificent open spaces this cabin has four bedrooms, including two main floor master suites. This little bit of comfortable luxury is a steal at only $1,738,850.
Do you have $1,545,000 lying around? Would you enjoy living in luxury with sweeping views of Liberty Lake from a spectacular Tuscan Villa? Then this superior quality home of 3,900 square feet is calling for you.
With incredible views from every room, gorgeous travertine tile, rich granite countertops, a gourmet professional kitchen, custom millwork and alder cabinets, this home is unique. With so many fabulous, dramatic, architectural and design elements it is a Must See! Can't you just see yourself there?
For the bargain price of only $1,005,000 you too can enjoy the grandeur and elegance of Cedar Cove in Sammamish. With a gracious formal entry, living and dining rooms, a sweeping open staircase and a chef's kitchen with Viking professional appliances, this home is designed and built for a family.
The kids will enjoy the large breakfast bar while mom and dad have cappuccino in the light-filled great room that boasts 25-foot ceilings, a huge fireplace and built-in bookcases.
When the kids are finished eating it is a short walk to Skyline High and Discovery Elementary. Once the kids are off to school mom can work in the home office while dad backs one of the cars out of the three-car garage and heads to the golf course. Does it get any better?
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