Oh boy, might trade the 996...

... for a Cadillac , of all things. I've been looking to trade my S4 for a while now, and I might just go ahead and trade both cars on a new CTS-V. For a 4,000 lb. car, this thing accelerates, brakes and turns fantastically. Not quite to 996 standards of handling, but it's damn good. For comparison, I went to the BMW dealer afterward and drove an M3, and it felt like I was driving a truck. I figure I can pick up another P-car for the track in a year or two, if I get the bug again. Am I nuts, or what?

you are not nuts, you are CRAZY! if you wanted to trade up to a tt/gt3/997S but hell no not a caddy.

Oh dude don't do it.

I drove a V a couple of times......fun to drive but the interior is hideous, plastic crap everywhere.

Look at this week's AutoWeek. They talk about how hard it is to drive that car smoothly which resulted in 2nd gear traffic light starts. Let me say I really like that car. Top Gear really liked it too. But for me the mere (petty) fact that it has a pedal e-brake makes me gag. I'll trade you my M3 for your 996.

I think that your phrase "For a 4,000 lb. car" says it all!

You're joking right?

I kid you not! Seriously, it was a very fun car to drive... is it 996 level handling, probably not. BUT I'm trying to simplify my life a little - I drive the P-car just about every day, and the S4 sits neglected. However, there are times when I could really use a four-door car. Considered a used E39 M5, but the price is about the same, and the warranty isn't.

Hey, if its what you want, go for it. You can always pick up another 911 down the road. Life is too short not to enjoy yourself and if you like the Caddie, go ahead and get it. I test drove a Prowler today and was almost considering a trade for my '99 911. The only things stopping me were the complete lack of usable trunk space and the ultra tight fit to try and get in and out of the car. Other than that I enjoyed the ride and it was pretty peppy for being underpowered by most standards. -Richard

umm...I sold my 2001 S4 Avant and 993 for my M3. All I can say it was one of the biggest mistakes I've EVER done. The biggest mistake was telling the wife I'll sell my Ducati when she gets pregnant. STOOPID! While I love my M3 and driven others(Vipers, Vettes, CTSV, M5, S4, etc.) , as we all have, there is nothing that will quench your 911 desires other than a 911.

Chris, To clarify my comment above aboUt weight, if you like the caddy and want it, then go right ahead and buy it. Why not? However, I don't think the caddy is a competitor to the 911: they are not even targeting the same market. Decide what market you are in, and then pick cars that are targeting that market. The only "mistake" I think people can make when buying a car is purchasing a car that targets one market when they really belong in another market. This is a recipe for unhappiness. For every buyer, there are usually multitudes of competitors at every price point. Just make sure you want an apple, rather than an orange, and then compare all of the apples while ignoring the oranges.

Since you already own an S4 which provides good performance and can comfortably accomodate four adults, why do you need a Cadillac? I could understand your desire to buy a Cadillac if you only owned a 996 and your personal situation changed, and you needed a car with a useable back seat. Why not use your S4 as your primary driver and use the 996 occassionally? Maybe that would rekindle your love for your 996. LOL I use to own an E46 M3 and I have to agree that it does drive a lot like a truck if you drive one with a manual tranny.

The S4 is out of warranty, and little annoying things are starting to go wrong. I'm waiting on big expensive things (blown turbos, tranny) to happen.

Sav911, My S4 is a 2000, has 90K miles plus (60K w/APR chip), it's stock turbos still and the tranny is fine! Treat the car well and it's fairly reliable. Don't sweat being out of warranty if the car hasn't been abused. Mine spent 2 years as my track vehicle as well. The CTS-V is nice although I find the interior a bit disappointing for the vehicle's price point. in the end, do what feels right for you! -KJ

FYI, The CTS-Vs are going for $39,999.00 new at several dealerships. The best bet is to find a very low mileage one at a dealership that will certify it and give you 6 year/100K warranty with speacial financing to boot. I just couldn't pull the trigger, my dad isn't even old enough to drive a Caddie. One more wierd thing about the market for them is that there are a lot of sub 1000 mile used cars for sale. That can't be normal, can it?

Kind of interesting. I read the new Autoweek review of the Cadillac DTS yesterday. It's a four door 5 passenger sedan, and they call it "Ye Olde Detroit Luxury Barge". Yet it weighs 4009 lbs., 180 lbs. lighter than the BMW 6 series cab, a 2+2 "sports coupe". Which car is really the luxo barge?

Dont do it, you'll go back to 911 eventually, you'll get bored with that caddy, and by the time you trade it for another 911 it'll be worthless

sav: Some thoughts...we all go through this right brain-left brain turmoil. It typically occurs at a point when that other car would really have come in handy, and been the more practical choice. I had an X5 4.41 for a 2 years, and it was great...as SUV's go. But, when I really thought about the % of time I needed AWD, four doors or extra storage space, for me it was <5%. So, I took the plunge on my 996 and have a nice relationship with my local Enterprise dealer who will happily rent me a sedan or SUV for $50 on the few days it's needed. For me, anyway, it's way cheaper than buying a second car I'd like and allows me to joyfully drive my 996 every day. Key question for you: assume you do this and six months pass, you pull up at a light, and the guy who bought your car pulls up next to you with a big smile on his face and a hottie in the passenger seat. How will you feel about your decision? -- M

I have a funny CTS-V story. I was instructing a student in one last year. It's a very capable car. He insisted that I drive it which was great fun. Shifting from third to fourth on the front straight would engage traction control. The car has some serious torque. It also has an information center that would rival some data acquisition systems. It tells you air pressures, g loads, etc on a big screen in the middle of the dash. Pretty cool stuff. So we had been thrashing this thing around the track for most of a day when all of a sudden it stalls. As I was instructing him to get off line and pull off the track I asked what he thought was wrong. He said he might be out of gas. Sure enough, right when we rolled to a stop that whole 5 inch screen starts flashing "low fuel". It's just like GM to be a little late. I thought the car was great. It seems like the prefect poor man's M5. I wouldn't mind having one although I wouldn't be inclined to give up a P-car for it. Jim