a person i know wants to buy a cadillac STS. but since in Eastern-Europe they are quite rare on the road compared to BMWs and Audis and Mercedes, he doesnt know if it is easy car to live with, or is it as well-built and reliable as some European cars. Any advantages, disadvantages, facts or personal experiences in any field would be appreciated. thanks.

Cadillacs are well built although their interiors are not luxurious or as nice compared to its european counterparts. It also might be easier getting parts and a mechanic familiar with a german car than an American one in Eastern Europe

where in eastern europe?

Eastern Europe? You mean like Russia or Latvia?

Cadillac has a higher build quality than BMW and Mercedes-Benz probably combined. it really depends what you want though, the STS might hava a bad interior to some people, but to others its uncluttered.

i would suggest test driving one

and by the way any euro snobs who say the STS is boxy and ugly, you can't say that unless you have seen them up close, b/c the STS looks great in person.

http://www.jdpower.com/corporate/news/releases/charts/2006082a.gif

This chart suggests to me that Cadillacs are fairly reliable in the first 3 years at least.

Styling is always subject to opinion, But if they have shown interest in the car I assume they like it.

Well is he shipping the car there? If he is he better have $100,000 set aside because they will rape you with tariffs and taxes.
I would personally not get it, the only reason you would is because its rare over there, but other than that i would be much better off with a diesel BMW AUDI or MERCEDES those things are very reliable. If the Cadillac breaks down over there you will have a very tough time finding parts or service....

yes, forgot to mention, in Estonia. Cadillac has an official dealer and service here, just like Audi or Mercedes...etc. obviously cadillac is just starting to conquer the European market (even introduced a diesel BLS model for europeans in 2005) and STS is something u just don't see on the roads every day. The price is actually not that high, considering it is a luxury car.....if i remember correct Mercedes E-class is 10-15% more expensive - you will just pay for the Mercedes brand name.

I think the exterior looks kind a unique and cool....I am waiting though for the new CTS to be exposed in Detroit motorshow, If it does look something like this:

http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/04/02/breaking-gm-previews-2008-cadillac-cts/

it will kick Audi's ass. But spy photos suggest something otherwise:

http://www.worldcarfans.com/spyphotos.cfm/spyphotoID/6060620.002/pageview/photo/photo/1/page/1/lang/eng/country/acf/cadillac/new-cadillac-cts-spy-photos

but it sounds awsome

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/GeneralFuture/articleId=117275?tid=edmunds.il.home.pho topanel..1.*

I don't get that survey, it says an KIA JEEP and hummer are beter made than VW.... to me that's verry odd. german cars are known for there build quality, american cars may run for ever, but the quality is regarded less good that the cars like audi or bmw.

I don't get that survey, it says an KIA JEEP and hummer are beter made than VW.... to me that's verry odd. german cars are known for there build quality, american cars may run for ever, but the quality is regarded less good that the cars like audi or bmw.

regarded by whom?

I haven't got a clue who J.D. Power is but they seem to disagree with your opinion. They also seem to base that on numbers.

Besides, the ability to run more then 300 000 miles on an engine is good quality in my eyes.

^JD power is a company that takes feedback from consumers and rates companies on how good a job they are doing and etc.

some people don't think highly of JD power studies, but i think for their 2006 quality study its going to be somewhat similar to that list.

Wow, Jaguar is way up there this year compared to others.

Anyhow, the STS is a great car for the class it's in. I'd take it over any others with V8's for sure. I'm curious, how does Europe dig American cars overall? I'm talking about the real people, not just magazine editors (who can have thier heads stuck up thier butts once and again).

I'm not too sure about Cadillacs but judging from some reviews that I've read, they're not that bad...

i've heard mixed things regarding almost all Cadillacs. some say they're wonderful, some say they can't compare to the Germans. well, the older German counterparts problably, i've been in late 80's early 90's BMWs and Mercedes and was really impressed with how well they stack up to today standards. i've also been in a 1997 Deville and really like the features and how absolutely smooth the ride was. very large back seat too. i've actually sat in an STS-V at a Cadillac dealership, and was quite impressed. firm but comfy seats, and the wood looked amazing, granted that same wood trim isn't availible on the standard STS.

but i'll sum it up for you. If you want luxury, get a Mercedes. if you want driving dynamics, get a BMW, if you want all around excellence, get an Audi, and if you want to stand out with style in a pacage that's pretty much as good as anything else out there, get a Cadillac.

oh btw, hello everybody. this is probly like my first post here in what, three months? i dunno, it's been a while. it's a shame though, i hardly see any familiar faces. i see Attaus, Monkeyfkker, Juggernaut, Bossesjoe, Slow, and my good ol' pal Ghalos, and that's pretty much it. is Ravenous still posting? i really liked him, very insightful man, especially for his age.

EDIT: nvm, just saw a few of Ravenous's posts.

So where ya been Mas...? Welcome back ! :D

i explained it in the death penalty thread.