Better Beaters - Building Cars and Daily Drivers

 More comparison shopping.

2013 Cadillac XTS 13,000.00

Because looking at cars is just fun.

This one caught my eye because of the nice color combo.

The light grey interior compliments the white exterior.
It reminds me of my old Jaguar XJ6.

This is another late model car that I've started considering.

My attention has become focused on later model used cars. My anticipated price range has accordingly crept up to the 10-15,000 dollar level. At this price I would expect to find a lower mileage, very well kept example. This is more than I have ever spent on a "hobby car." Although it wouldn't actually be considered a hobby car, it would be something that I would regularly drive.

From what I've read and seen online, the XTS would be very similar to my current Riviera. Very smooth, solid and quiet riding. The XTS is the final Cadillac front wheel drive sedan. There is still a FWD Cadillac cross over. 

I like the large headlamps as well as the chromed grille.
It shares the current Cadillac front end appearance.

On closer inspection you'll notice that the tail lights
stand slightly taller as 'mini fins." A nice touch.

The styling of the XTS is modern and on first glance, is maybe just somewhat generic. However on  closer inspection, it still has plenty of Cadillac heritage Art and Science design cues. It even has some classic Cadillac design cues that reveal themselves. The large chrome grille, The lettering style on the chrome deck lid panel, it even has "fin like" vertical tail lamps. Cadillac has played up the tall vertical tail light theme on several current models.

The backseat is spacious enough, wide enough to accommodate
 an occasional center passenger.

The XTS is no longer in production. The period that it was built spanned 2013 to 2019. It was the flagship of the line for many years, though many derided it because it was FWD, and in their minds, it was not competitive with other luxury marques. This might be true, but a lot depends on what you are comparing it to.

The door panel displays a fine design.

Modern Cadillacs don't compare or compete with the top models from Mercedes and BMW, and especially the Uber marques like Bentley and Rolls Royce. Cadillacs are much less expensive.

It's also true that the imported competition is primarily RWD or AWD. Cadillac made this model available in all wheel drive also.

The most popular models from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes are the smaller sedans and CUVs. That's also the case for the Japanese and Korean marques. The Lincoln line is now exclusively SUV/CUV. I believe that the largest selling Cadillac is the XT5 crossover. 

The CT6 was a larger RWD model that supplanted the XTS. Unfortunately it's production life was short, only from 2016 to 2020. It's odd that the CT6, with a bespoke RWD platform, as well as a bespoke V8 engine option, did not meet with the approval of the buying public. I found that particularly sad, since this car was configured the way that all the pundits said that they wanted.

Lately my preferences have turned almost completely towards luxury type vehicles. I don't find myself currently attracted to performance oriented cars.

The interior of the XTS looks suitably upscale. I like the design of the instrument panel and door panels. The seat upholstery is nice. I also like that it has a console mounted shift lever. Though I have finally made peace with the Lincoln push button, dash mounted shifter set up. The presentation of the interior is somewhat flashy, especially in comparison to the Lincoln MKZ and MKS, which are more understated. But Cadillacs have been flashy for quite a long time.

The V6 engine provides plenty of performance and highway fuel economy is in the high 20's. I've seen some reviews where the driver stated that they saw 30 mpg. on highway trips. That's pretty good for a relatively large luxury vehicle. I prefer the simplicity of a N/A V6 engine, and would avoid the turbo V6s. The other newer Cadillac sedans have the turbo four as a base engine. I've read of problems with that engine, especially in the smaller ATS models. Maybe that  is related to the availability of a manual transmission, which results in the car being driven harder. Which is also related to the driver demographic.

Initially I was pretty turned off by the XTS, I didn't want another FWD car. I also wasn't knocked out by the styling. It's funny that after researching all these later models that I began to find them all more attractive than I did initially. These are the cars that are available. They are very nice driving, quite good performing vehicles.

What about a vintage model? Do I still think about those?

I saw a pretty nice, affordable '55 Cadillac sedan on CraigsList. It looked to be in good condition,  reportdly running well, with all the accessories in fine shape. It also had a reupholstered and finished interior, a major point in it's favor.  Something rare for a low priced car. Though it definitely needs a paint job. 

It's not a glamorous model like a hardtop coupe or convertible, it is the plain Jane posted sedan, though it was Cadillac's best selling model that year. These are a bit shorter than the hardtop coupe, the rear deck is seven inches shorter, with a total length of 217 inches. I kept my longer '56 Sedan de Ville in the same garage.

I've been taking a lot of time to think about a possible purchase, but the prospects don't look promising.

Once you decide that you're not going to buy a car from the '50's or '60's,  you will find yourself becoming more accepting of modern designs.

Compared to earlier Cadillacs, and I'm referring to pre 2000 models, the XTS is quite compact. I've sat in the newer series CTS sedans, and they are noticeably narrower, with a tighter rear seat. Realistically, I only need something that is comfortable for four occupants, so the CTS is as suitable as the XTS. It really comes down to the driving experience that I want, RWD or FWD. It seems that the RWD Cadillacs have caught up the BMW in driving dynamics.

The other choice is whether or not I want a sedan or an SUV. 

I have to admit that I no longer find any penalty with an SUV. I think that they are more practical and useful. Since I'm not considering any sporty coupes, I don't see a styling penalty either. Most are pretty handsome looking in my eyes. 

I would like something smaller than my Navigator and Flex, which is why I have been leaning towards the Lincoln MKC. Since I took one out for a test drive, I'm pretty familiar with the look and feel of these cars. I liked the one that I drove.

Thinking and looking is cheaper than buying. Since I still need to slim down the herd  before I buy, there's no real hurry. 

I haven't fixed the Riviera or the garage door ...yet.