What do the ceramic pads do to the rotors? Do they need to heat up to an operating temperature before they start to grab?
I'm not a professional mechanic or engineer, but I do virtually all my own mechanical work on my vehicles. I've done bodywork, rebuilt engines and transmissions, etc. In other words, I'm no expert, but I also am not devoid of mechanical ability.
My primary vehicle is a 2000 GMC pickup. When I went to replace the pads, which originally were semi-metallic, GM offered a ceramic alternative, which they recommended as a replacement.
I installed them and noticed no downside or lag. They work just as well, if not better than the originals (hard to tell since I bought the truck used, so I was comparing used semi-metallics to new ceramics), and with markedly less dust.
I haven't noticed any appreciable wear on the rotors.
Since I installed them, I've noticed that the aftermarket has now come online with ceramic replacements as well. I looked up my truck and there are several flavors of both ceramic and semi-metallic available from several sources, including Raybestos, no-name, and Delco.
I've been running them for about a year and the pads and rotors have worn minimally. Although I mostly put freeway miles on the truck, I do put around 30k a year on it.
The ceramics tend to be more pricey, but IMHO, over the course of several years, its worth it alone to not have to constantly scrub brake dust off the wheels and tires.