PHX and STS are both winners
by Cathy Droz

It’s one thing when a mom (marketing executive) wants her daughter (high school English teacher) to find a nice guy and settle down. It’s another thing when the daughter thinks her mom is “old school.” Put that combination of reasoning together with test driving cars for manufacturers and you really see the generation gap in this ongoing saga of cars, men and family.

X: After driving the 2006 Cadillac STS, I was wondering: Why did Cadillac go from names like Sedan Deville, Coupe Deville, Eldorado and Seville to letters such as CTS, SRX, XLR and now the Cadillac STS?

Boomer: Well, with the current emphasis by automakers on performance, I believe Cadillac wants to draw comparisons between their models and other luxury imports like the Mercedes Benz E Class and the BMW 5 Series. But with Mercedes, Lexus, BMW and others, the letters are followed by numbers.

X: So what do those numbers after the letters mean?

Boomer: They stand for the engine size. For example, an LS 430 has a 4.3‑liter engine. I should say they get as close as they can to the actual size.

X: I wasn’t familiar with that. I thought maybe each year they would make the number higher to indicate the next year’s model.

Boomer: Well, that’s the answer–engine size, although the only letters I seem to be really familiar with are PMS and EKG.

X: Speaking of three‑letter words, the NBA Western Conference final between the Suns and Mavericks was so disappointing, although I was very impressed with our Suns throughout the season. I felt they played equally as powerful as the V8 in the ’06 Cadillac STS. The NorthStar V8 is a 4.6‑liter, double‑overhead cam that generates 320 horsepower and 315 foot‑pounds of torque. Kind of like “The Matrix,” Shawn Marion.

Boomer: You’re right, and the sound of the engine expressed confidence and power whenever I accelerated to pass other vehicles, which was very easy to do. Does that sound familiar?

X: Sounds like Steve Nash taking the ball straight down the lane to the basket for an easy lay‑up. No wonder he is the league’s MVP for the second year in a row.

Boomer: I agree. I believe the Cadillac STS deserves the MVF award.

X: And what is that?

Boomer: The “Most Valuable FOB” award. It’s absolutely FOBulous. 

X: Are you sure you are only suffering from PMS?

Boomer: One of the things I really like is the keyless entry and push‑button ignition system. No key is used, and the driver carries the FOB with them in their pocket or purse. All you have to do is walk up to the STS, pull the handle, and the door unlocks. Once you are inside, with the FOB inside the car as well, the driver presses the brake pedal while pushing a rocker‑type switch on the dashboard to start the engine.

X: Yeah, I love the technology, although I got out of the STS with it in park and left the engine running several times. It does take getting used to. Another hint, or tidbit, about the keyless‑entry system is that Cadillac was the first car mass‑produced with remote‑start keyless entry. 

Boomer: Thank you for the tidbit, my English teacher. But it’s easy to get used to all of the standard equipment on the 2006 STS Luxury Sport Sedan, such as the eight‑way power, leather seats, dual‑zone climate control, cruise control, adaptive remote start, Bose 5.1 studio surround sound with in‑dash six‑disc DVD changer and advanced DVD navigation.

X: I like the fact that the STS has the XM satellite radio. I enjoy listening to the FOX sports channel to keep up with the NBA and other sport stats.

Boomer: Since it’s all about you, Melanie, let me remind you that the STS also includes driver/front passenger front‑ and side‑impact airbags, head curtain side‑impact airbags, theft deterrent system, power programming door locks, a four‑year, 50,000‑mile limited warranty and four‑wheel performance disc brakes with ABS.

X: Yeah, it’s not only fast and luxurious, but it’s safe as well. I was so excited about driving it to the playoff final game, and I kept thinking I would be a good luck charm for the Suns.

Boomer: Well, we see how that worked. 

X: I know. The only good part about the PHX Suns loss was that I got to drive the STS to and from the US Airways arena.

Boomer: I guess if you look at it that way. But somehow I don’t think Boris Diaw would share your excitement.

X: Probably not. Some of the interior features, however, I think he would like. The STS comes standard with the heated, ventilated front seats, heated wood steering wheel, eucalyptus wood trim on the center console, express open‑and‑close sunroof and one year of the OnStar system, which is modern technology’s SOS.

Boomer: Do you think the players could have used OnStar to locate the ball in the second half?

X: I think they needed more than OnStar. Maybe they should have let The Gorilla play.

Boomer: By the way, do you know if The Gorilla is single?

X: With my luck, it’s a female gymnast in a monkey suit, so don’t go there.

Boomer: Don’t worry, I don’t want to add to your disappointment along with the Suns’ loss.

X: Well, the Suns aren’t losers and, for sure, neither is the 2006 Cadillac STS. It has all the amenities of any import luxury vehicle and at a fraction of the cost. Our test‑drive vehicle with all the bells and whistles had an MSRP of $49,815.

Boomer: Don’t forget the ultrasonic rear‑park assist, or URP.

X: Really? Those are the acronyms used for that system?

Boomer: I don’t know. I just made it up because you’re such a sucker for three‑letter words.

X: Careful, I’m working up to the four‑letter ones.