Originally Posted By: OpenClose
Just about every newer car I've driven accelerates like garbage, with inconsistent torque that is only available at high revs, but gearboxes with so many gears you barely break 3K when flooring it. Maybe I'm just spoiled by the supercharger. Or maybe I'm sick of driving this rental Ford Focus in high traffic.
Also, I keep seeing Cadillac CTSs and DeVilles for, like, 5-6K with a little over 100K miles. V8's in all of them. They seem like nice cars, but I'm wondering what the catch is.
Some folks are suggesting that you fix this totaled out car. I would advise that you not do so, and take the opportunity to find something else. While your car has fairly low mileage, it is ancient. I would not dismiss the idea of getting another Regal GS, or the similar Pontiac Grand Prix. They are out there, they are reliable and easy to keep on the road.
Please know that you are looking at some rough Cadillacs in this price range. Lots of miles. The CTS and older DeVilles are very different sleds. Many of both types have been used in livery/black car situations. The Northstar V8 is not anywhere near as reliable as other GM products, especially the old 3.8 V6's that were in everything and the newer 3.4, 3.5 and other variatons. On these V6 cars, the newer the better, but nothing wrong with the older ones.
The DeVilles are okay, but the V8 Northstar engines don't really go as far as I suspect you would like -- look around for Northstars that have hit 150k, 200k. They are not around. (whereas every honda/acura/nissan/toyota hits those numbers with no sweat). Only the highest performance CTS cars had V8 engines.
I don't think that your complaint about new engines is valid, especially if you stay with the V6, non-turbo cars.
If I were in your shoes, I would locate a gently-used Chev Impala, of the prev. generation. (love the new thing?). They drive great, have minimal issues and have classic styling.
