I don't agree that Cadillac's history makes up for the flaws of today. Cadillac can be divided into three companies, in my opinion.
There's the 1903-1942 version. Cadillac was the "Standard of the World." It was a truly aspirational brand where you dreamed of getting behind the wheel of a V12 or V16 beauty. It was so impressive, that they came out with the LaSalle brand so that people could have a Cadillac without the cost (and the exclusivity).
There's the 1946-1970s version. By the mid-1970s, much of the allure had worn off the Wreath and Crest. The post-war era had lots of influence on the market and industry from the 1949 tailfins and the Eldorado Biarritz of 1957...it was still aspirational, but much more attainable.
Then, there's the current version. They rebadged a Chevy Nova as a Cadillac. They rebadged a Chevy Cavalier as a Cadillac. They rebadged an Opel as a Cadillac. Worst of all, they rebadged a Chevy truck (okay, it's actually a GMC Denali, but you get the point) as a Cadillac. There was a point in the late 1980s when the DeVille was listed in the top ten of sales in the US...not top ten luxury cars, top ten of ALL CARS SOLD! Exclusivity went right out the window.
Today's Cadillacs are not balanced out by the past, they're dragging it down. Granted, the DTS is an impressive car compared to what the brand has had in the past quarter century, but it's not even close to the pre-war cars. It's sad, really.