1930 Cadillac V16 by Pininfarina GM's flagship is a shadow of its glorious past.
Ever since the 1970s, Cadillacs have been best known for catering to the older set who are willing to shell out $10,000 more than they would on a Buick.
But for decades, the only feature that these well intentioned pensioners were paying more for was Cadillac's breathtaking depreciation.
Looking to trade in your 2003 Seville for the new STS?
Ever since the 1970s, Cadillacs have been best known for catering to the older set who are willing to shell out $10,000 more than they would on a Buick.
But for decades, the only feature that these well intentioned pensioners were paying more for was Cadillac's breathtaking depreciation.
Looking to trade in your 2003 Seville for the new STS?
Best bought used.If you're the average buyer, according to that self-righteous resource Kelley Blue Book, you paid somewhere near or above $50,000 for the sedan when it was new, and have put 47,000 miles on it since.
Want to trade it in for the new STS?
You can expect at best to receive a paltry $18,025 from a generous dealership - and anyone who has dealt with trade-ins before knows just how "generous" dealerships can be.
Want to sell it yourself? $21,505 - and it had better have the showroom finish.
Cadillac's latest STS is a much better car than the last Seville.
There is tension to the body's design, the lines are sharp, the Northstar V-8 engine is even more potent and sends power to the rear wheels (as God intended on a large touring sedan), the interior fit and finish has clearly improved.
Want to trade it in for the new STS?
You can expect at best to receive a paltry $18,025 from a generous dealership - and anyone who has dealt with trade-ins before knows just how "generous" dealerships can be.
Want to sell it yourself? $21,505 - and it had better have the showroom finish.
Cadillac's latest STS is a much better car than the last Seville.
There is tension to the body's design, the lines are sharp, the Northstar V-8 engine is even more potent and sends power to the rear wheels (as God intended on a large touring sedan), the interior fit and finish has clearly improved.
Getting there. Much improved.That said, there is no indication that despite GM's valiant efforts that the new STS will avoid the plague of poor residuals. Jaguar has fought this battle and as I wrote previously, has parried its KBB adversary by quitting fleet sales to rental agencies.
I highly doubt that GM will do the same for Cadillac.
So what will save the brilliant new Caddy from monstrous loss in value? And what will put the American brand back on the right track to its vaunted former glory?
The customer must like the STS enough not to want to flip it for next year's model. And judging by the incentives to lease, the stiff foreign competition, and understanding the lessons from the luxury brand's past, that is a tall order.
I highly doubt that GM will do the same for Cadillac.
So what will save the brilliant new Caddy from monstrous loss in value? And what will put the American brand back on the right track to its vaunted former glory?
The customer must like the STS enough not to want to flip it for next year's model. And judging by the incentives to lease, the stiff foreign competition, and understanding the lessons from the luxury brand's past, that is a tall order.
The STS must perform against the test of time.To learn more about the STS, click the picture.
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