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Just having a look at the history of the Caddillac and in past years owning a Caddy was like owning a chariot of the gods.
Are Caddy's still coveted cars these days? Or have times changed and other brands have taken over?
This is an observation from someone who lives outside the US.
Just having a look at the history of the Caddillac and in past years owning a Caddy was like owning a chariot of the gods.
Are Caddy's still coveted cars these days? Or have times changed and other brands have taken over?
This is an observation from someone who lives outside the US.
I think Caddy is more coveted outside the US (harder to get)... They are second tier luxury vehicles and in most cases Chevy with nicer skin.
Like most other cars, perception and personal preference goes a long way.
Just having a look at the history of the Caddillac and in past years owning a Caddy was like owning a chariot of the gods.
Are Caddy's still coveted cars these days? Or have times changed and other brands have taken over?
This is an observation from someone who lives outside the US.
In the USA, Cadillac lost its appeal as a "coveted" marque some time in the late 1970s/early 1980s when U.S. car companies were really struggling to make a quality product while dumping lots of R&D resources into dealing with recently imposed emissions and fuel economy standards. This gave the likes of Mercedes and BMW an opening to capture the luxury market in the U.S. They still hold the top spots to this day, with Audi having gradually clawed its way up among them over the years.
Toyota and Nissan entered the luxury market in the late 1980s with their Lexus and Infiniti brands, respectively. Lexus is still well-respected if considered a notch below the German Three prestige-wise. Infiniti never quite achieved the same level of prestige as Lexus, but they're generally respected as an aspirational luxury marque.
Only recently has Cadillac started to make a serious comeback and make a serious attempt to compete against the top-tier German luxury marques. They're not there yet but they've made gigantic strides over the last decade.
I think Caddy is more coveted outside the US (harder to get)... They are second tier luxury vehicles and in most cases Chevy with nicer skin.
Like most other cars, perception and personal preference goes a long way.
"Chevys with a nicer skin" is a false perpetuated by people who dislike the brand for personal reasons and arent based in fact.
The brand has restored a lot of its lost luster in the passt 6 years but has not recaptured the salse crown from the Germans or Lexus. They make competant vehicles in every major luxury segment except fullsize premium flagship which one or maybe two vehicles are coming soon.
Just having a look at the history of the Caddillac and in past years owning a Caddy was like owning a chariot of the gods.
Are Caddy's still coveted cars these days? Or have times changed and other brands have taken over?
This is an observation from someone who lives outside the US.
Cadillac - like the rest of GM - got pretty danged arrogant and lazy from the 60s - 80s. While some of their cars were bullet-proof, some were nothing short of horrible crap.
That said, a lot of the newer model Caddys - mostly within the past 10 years - have been stellar. They're going for luxury AND performance, and doing a danged good job of it.
Cadillac - like the rest of GM - got pretty danged arrogant and lazy from the 60s - 80s. While some of their cars were bullet-proof, some were nothing short of horrible crap.
That said, a lot of the newer model Caddys - mostly within the past 10 years - have been stellar. They're going for luxury AND performance, and doing a danged good job of it.
The ones from the '80s were Cadillac not at their best.
The ones from the '60s and '70s (especially '60s) were fantastic and true (traditional) Cadillacs. The '60s really should not be lumped with the '80s.
Unfortunately, I doubt we will ever see Cadillacs with detailed interiors such as this:
(First photo: 1962 Fleetwood Sixty-Special; second and third photos: 1966 Fleetwood Brougham.)
Just having a look at the history of the Caddillac and in past years owning a Caddy was like owning a chariot of the gods.
Are Caddy's still coveted cars these days? Or have times changed and other brands have taken over?
This is an observation from someone who lives outside the US.
Caddys were coveted cars for as long as they were allowed to be Cadillacs. That largely ceased in the 80s and the very last of the cars that could carry the Cadillac name with any credibility was the 1996 Fleetwood.
Whether or not today's "Caddys" are coveted is the same question as is whether or not today's KIAs are coveted. Neither is any more a Cadillac than the other.
In the USA, Cadillac lost its appeal as a "coveted" marque some time in the late 1970s/early 1980s when U.S. car companies were really struggling to make a quality product while dumping lots of R&D resources into dealing with recently imposed emissions and fuel economy standards. This gave the likes of Mercedes and BMW an opening to capture the luxury market in the U.S. They still hold the top spots to this day, with Audi having gradually clawed its way up among them over the years.
Toyota and Nissan entered the luxury market in the late 1980s with their Lexus and Infiniti brands, respectively. Lexus is still well-respected if considered a notch below the German Three prestige-wise. Infiniti never quite achieved the same level of prestige as Lexus, but they're generally respected as an aspirational luxury marque.
Only recently has Cadillac started to make a serious comeback and make a serious attempt to compete against the top-tier German luxury marques. They're not there yet but they've made gigantic strides over the last decade.
Excellent answer.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tourian
"Chevys with a nicer skin" is a false perpetuated by people who dislike the brand for personal reasons and arent based in fact.
Wrong. American car companies share platforms between several different cars. Go look at a Cadillac Escalade... It's the exact same car as a Chevy Tahoe, Suburban, or GMC Yukon, just with a different trim level/options. They're all based on the GMT900 platform, with either a short or long wheelbase. Now, go look at a Mercedes S class or BMW 7 series. There isn't a cheaper car in the lineup with updated trim to make it a S or 7 series, it's a completely different car from say, an E-class or 5 series.
"Chevys with a nicer skin" is a false perpetuated by people who dislike the brand for personal reasons and arent based in fact.
The brand has restored a lot of its lost luster in the passt 6 years but has not recaptured the salse crown from the Germans or Lexus. They make competant vehicles in every major luxury segment except fullsize premium flagship which one or maybe two vehicles are coming soon.
Most major components (powertrain, platform) are shared with Chevy/GMC lineup.
How can they compete with Germans and Lexus when they are in different class (second tier luxury)?
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