Herman Cain, Kim Kardassian — Taking a Cadillac moment

Two very disparate news items this week, one about Herman Cain as a Presidential candidate dealing with a story from his past, and one about Kim Kardassian and her recently announced premature footnote to her celebutante wedding.  Both these developing stories however strike me as situations which could have benefited (and may still benefit)  from taking a moment to reflect.

That’s what I like about driving a Cadillac, even with the performance V Series model I enjoy as a daily driver.  It gives me some quiet time on the way about my day.  I try not to have the sort of stresses that Mr Cain or Ms Kardassian seek out, but I still find that I need some isolation from the day to day noise and traffic.  Nothing does that better than surrounding yourself with sculpted wood and leather with the surety of precision machinery.

What is a Cadillac moment?  To me a Cadillac moment is that opportunity to listen to cool jazz or the latest pop tune while cruising along to my destination and enjoying the journey.  Taking a Cadillac moment means instead of responding to the latest stress unprepared or off the cuff, taking a moment to reflect on the context and impact of the issue and of your response, and gaining some perspective.

Things that seem an unfair attack on your campaign at first, can get better or worse in terms of perspective depending on your response.  Your response helps to define the issue.

When you meet and date and marry someone, especially if you choose to do so in a very elaborate, public, televised manner, there are probably multiple points which could benefit from a moment of reflection.  Is this someone I want to spend my life with?  Is this someone that I can go through thick and thin with?

Stress is not what happens to you, it is how you respond to what happens to you.   When you do have something(s) come up in your life, take a Cadillac moment and attempt to gain some perspective before you respond.    You will certainly in the long run be glad you did.

Living the Cadillac lifestyle includes keeping a lot of perspective.

Luxury

The English word luxury has roots in the Latin luxus.  Luxus means ‘abundance’ or “sumptuous enjoyment”.  A luxury can be defined as an indulgence.  It can be something that is particularly elegant, or sumptuous.   Charles Hodgen has a nice article on Luxury here.

In the Latin luxuria meant sinful enjoyment.  Originally in French, Italian, and Spanish the equivalent words meant ‘lust’, and originally in Old English in the 1300s had a related meaning.

Luxury received a gradually improved meaning over the centuries according to the Online etymology dictionary.  Meaning “habit of indulgence in what is choice or costly” is from 1630s; that of “sumptuous surroundings” is from 1704; that of “something enjoyable or comfortable beyond life’s necessities” is from 1780. First used as an adjective 1930.

Today luxury means having the nicest things — the best, the most elegance, the most sumptuous.

Buyers enjoy Cadillacs because they are luxury automobiles — they offer luxury appointments, fine leather, wood grains, abundant power, smooth but capable chassis.  But don’t feel bad if your desire for a new Cadillac seems to border on lust — blame the language for not giving you the right terms to describe your emotions.

Cadillac CTS-V

Better to have a V6 for MPG, but what if you want MORE?

The Automotive Press in the last few years suddenly seems to be warming to the idea that there is a point when you have enough speed.  I know that sounds a bit heretical; a car can never be fast enough that it could not use a bit more horsepower surely?

The trades however are also there — with a V8 comes more weight, and more thirst,  and more thirst due to weight.   Less balanced handling due to the weight.  A V6 with the right level of power can be enough.  The 2010 Camaro V6 with the LLT 3.6L DOHC VVT Direct Injected engine seems a very tidy package.  The 2011 Mustang 3.7L V6 with a similar 305 hp is getting rave reviews.

But what if you want good handling and great balance and a tidy, efficient V6 engine that gets good MPG but you have outgrown a ‘pony’ car?  What if you also really want the creature comforts and luxury appointments that someone with a bit more refined sensibilities craves?

2011 Cadillac CTS

The Cadillac CTS 3.6L Performance Sedan or 3.6L Premium Sedan are exactly that luxury.  Offering a well-turned 304 hp LLT V6 engine, almost perfect 50/50 weight distribution, Nurburgring-tuned advanced suspension, and elegant, luxurious appointments throughout.

Of course if you really have a Supercharged V8 in mind, the CTS-V Sedan or upcoming V-Coupe or V-Sport Wagon may be just your cup of tea.