Since you asked...
Bear in mind that this is just my personal opinion...

Japanese cars don't do anything for me. The sports cars are interesting, but the saloons and hatches leave me cold.

They're very comptetent, but completely soulless. The Auris is a case in point - I couldn't find any major reasons to fault it, but at the same time I couldn't find any reason to like it. To drive it is to feel the icy hand of death upon you - it's almost like it was designed with an enlarged prostate. On reflection, I'd get more excited buying a new toothbrush than I would buying an Auris. I just wouldn't be able to live with that on a day-to-day basis. The simple fact of the matter is that a Focus is a much better car too.

The Cadillac looks interesting. I've driven a CTS-V and it was a giggle. I'm not a fan of its looks mind, and I'd have niggling doubts about the long term build quality and residuals. The CTS I drove already had bits of interior trim going astray - but granted, it had already had a hard life.

I know it probably seems odd for me to say this too, but I'd steer clear of the old XK too if you can. It's essentially a 1970s XJS under the skin, and it's got far too many compromises to live with as a daily driver. I seriously looked at one when I bought my S-Type, but it honestly is a car from another era. The new one is full of several kinds of win though :)
( rubberduck should only be used after consulting with your GP, Mon 20 Oct 2008, 9:15, Reply)