I went over to Lone Star Park this morning for the Main Street in Motion GM Test Drive.  Although Cadillac was not there, GMC, Chevrolet, and Buick had their full lines out and available in a showroom type setting or for test drives on a closed course.  The entire event was an easy access, easy in, easy out relaxed way to look at some terrific new GM vehicles alongside their competition.

I drove the Chevrolet Equinox, Terrain, Cruze, Volt, Camaro, and Corvette.  We also visited the Buick and GMC tents, but did not get over to the driving areas for Buick or GMC.

After our test drives we had coffee and hot chocolate in the courtesy tent, where my friend and I had time to chat and compare notes on the cars in a quiet environment out of the cold of the blustery day.

I think a real draw of this type event is that it allows one to get in and over and around the new GM products without the worry of a sales presentation.  I also enjoy talking to Cadillac Sales staff, but I know some people like to review the product without the sales pitch, so this is the right type event to do that.

I was really keen to have a chance to drive the new Chevrolet Volt.    The amazing thing is that the Volt is revolutionary technology delivered in a deceivingly  evolutionary manner.   The Volt is an electric car that is a real, fully-functioning, no-compromise vehicle you can buy today.  Amazing.   I can’t wait for Cadillac to deliver more hybrid and electric Cadillacs so I can get one in my Garage.

Press Release Info:

Three-Day, Cross-Brand Competitive Driving Experience Lets Texans Drive and Compare More Than 70 All-New Vehicles

Can the Buick LaCrosse really give the Lexus ES a run for its money?  How about the Chevy Silverado vs. a Ford F-150?  And what about the much anticipated Chevy Volt?

Texans are about to find out for themselves as General Motors’ “Main Street in Motion” rolls in to Lone Star Park Friday, March 4 through Sunday, March 6, 2011.  The one-of-a-kind competitive driving experience is free to the public and will allow invited and walk-up guests the chance to drive and compare more than 70 all-new makes and models.  The best part: no pressure to buy.

WHAT:              A three-day, cross-brand competitive test-drive event hosted by General Motors that pits

Chevrolet, Buick and GMC vehicles against 25 competitive makes: Toyota, Acura, Dodge, Ford, Honda, Lexus and more.  Includes refreshments and family-friendly entertainment.

WHEN:             Friday, March 4 through Sunday, March 6, 2011 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily

WHERE:           Lone Star Park 1000 Lone Star Parkway Grand Prairie, TX  75050

COST:              Free and open to the public

VEHICLES:       Vehicles included in the test-drive event are:

CHEVROLET: Volt, Cruze, Equinox, Traverse, Corvette, Camaro, Malibu, Impala, Silverado, Silverado HD, Suburban, Tahoe, Tahoe Hybrid, Avalanche and Express

BUICK: Regal, LaCrosse and Enclave

GMC: Acadia, Sierra, Sierra HD, Sierra Hybrid, Terrain, Yukon, Yukon Denali Hybrid and Savana

ACURA: TSX, MDX and TL

DODGE: Ram 1500 and Ram 2500

FORD: Taurus, Explorer, Expedition, F-150 and F-250

HONDA: Accord, Civic, CR-V, Pilot and Ridgeline

LEXUS: ES

NISSAN: Murano and Maxima

TOYOTA: Corolla, Camry, Tundra, Sequoia and RAV4

HYUNDAI: Elantra and Santa Fe

REQUIRED:      Drivers must be 18 years of age or older and have a valid driver’s license.

REGISTER:       Walk-ups are welcome but guests are encouraged to register in advance at http://www.mainstreetinmotion.com.

I have enjoyed my 2005 Cadillac CTS 3.6L, and it has been a very good car.  It has around 83K miles on it, and is still under an extended warranty for a bit.    Now seems the right time to shop for a replacement — after all the best time to shop for a new car is when you have one that is going well and getting you around.

I *think* that the automobile I have settled on for shopping is a 2010 Cadillac CTS Premium model.  The Premium model is a top flight 3.6L model.  Although I would enjoy a 2011 model, I am budgeting for a 2010 lightly used certified pre-owned example as opposed to the more expensive new 2011.  The other options that still tempt me are to grab up a 2008 STS-V, or a 2007 CTS-V since they are both in the same or lower price range.  I really enjoy having my daily driver be under warranty however, and have the benefit of the local Dealership team on call if needed.  So the 2010 CTS Premium seems a good choice.

Although we have enjoyed a couple of deep snow days, a Rear-wheel drive model makes sense here in Texas.  Interestingly, in the used market the AWD models pop up as a bit less expensive.  Also the CTS Sport Wagons pop up in the mix.  I like the Sport Wagon, but don’t need the added utility.  I am not AGAINST an AWD model either, I simply don’t need the added utility and it does come with a bit of weight.

I have several ‘standard’ search spots I monitor along, but I also sent a note to my local Cadillac Dealer to let them know I was starting to look in earnest again.