Cadillac CTS

[mwilson]

I have been offered a good deal on a 2005 Cadillac CTS. Well maintained local car.

3.6L V6. All the trinkets.

Who has experience with these? I have spent some time on the Cadillac Forum the last few days but wonder if anyone here has some hands on with one.

Mike.

 

[mweiman]

I am pretty sure my boss bought one for his wife about a year ago. Not sure what year it is, maybe a little newer. Last I knew they were happy with it and really like the car. Although I don't see him that often, so I don't have a lot of details.
Matt

 

[GCroyle]

Uh Mikey, in case you didn't notice that Cady has:

S P A R K P L U G S !

Oh what is Mikey up to, a Cady!

 

[Bob V]

I had a 2005 SRX with the Northstar V8. My understanding was the timing chains where a problem with the V6. I also had problems with control are bushings squeaking BAD. Cant buy just the bushings, have to buy the complete control arm from Cadillac-$$$. I REALLY liked the car and miss it, if I found another for a good price I would buy it. I would go with the Northstar myself, MPGs are about the same and 325HP is nice.

 

[JR]

All I can say is if its got air ride check the condition of the suspension. I picked up an 02 with the NorthStar with a blown transmission for dirt cheap several years ago. Located a certified GM reman in Michigan and had it in in a weekend. The wife put alot of miles on that car, it got her through nursing school and all her clinicals she had...but the time came to replace the suspension, and I started looking at the big picture and to me it didn't seem worth it. Looking around I found conversion kits to get away from the air ride for $800-$1000, but I was afraid of sacrificing too much ride quality. That air ride suspension was pretty sweet. By that time the car had over 200k miles on it and I was at that stage where I was coming up on having to sink some money in it (tires, shocks, engine tune up = $$$ on a Northstar, cat and muffler developed a few pin holes in it) so I sold it while I was money ahead. Looking back it was a good car, never had any serious issues with it, but they can get real expensive to maintain.

 

[DonFitzwater]

My boss has the exact year and v-6. It's got about 90k on it and has been nearly flawless. I'm fairly certain the only thing he's done to it was tires and a battery.

 

[mwilson]

I do not have access to the 1st owner but I know the second owner. He is a tech and has run the Mobil 1 in it as required. Also just did the transmission fluid recently. I don't think he planned on getting rid of it but his wife fell in love with a Dodge Journey so the Caddy was traded off.
A lot of folks don't like them because they are RWD. Same thing happens with the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger.
It wasn't all that long ago that most everything was RWD. It does not scare me any. It has a "snowflake" button on the shift console that makes the transmission start out in third gear which is a nifty idea when traction is at a minimum. Also has traction control.

I ran a '97 Eldorado for a few years and I miss that car. Running the trucks to work is pretty much out of the question now with fuel at 4.19 per gallon. Gizmo does a good job but it ain't a Caddy..........

The difference in fuel cost between the TDI and the Caddy given the current pricing of gas vs diesel only amounts to about $20.00 a week using 700 miles for a base weekly figure.
That's a little scary...

Mike.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

One of my operators at work has had three of these cars. He bought all three used with 50-70K miles on them. All three of them started to fall apart between 120-150K miles. He's now on his fourth, just bought it. Said he doesn't care cause the cars are just plain awesome. ?

 

[JR]

Said he doesn't care cause the cars are just plain awesome. ?

For some, it's all about the image! :-laf

 

[JR]

The difference in fuel cost between the TDI and the Caddy given the current pricing of gas vs diesel only amounts to about $20.00 a week using 700 miles for a base weekly figure.
That's a little scary...

Mike.

Can you elaborate on this alittle further? Maybe I'm misunderstanding you, but that Caddy can't possible be capable of similar fuel mileage as your Jetta?

 

[mwilson]

It surprised me.

Right now the TDI is giving me 36-38mpg which is normal for this time of year, extended idling, rolling resistance at -20, driving 75mph, etc.
It is also an automatic and they do not deliver the mileage that a manual will plus the autos have a bigger injection pump.

The Caddy on my 160 mile test drive gave me a solid 28mpg on secondary roads. On the big road at 75mph with a headwind it was giving 24 to 25 mpg.

I drive a minimum of 700 miles per week. Gasoline here right now is 3.49 per gallon. Diesel Fuel is 4.15 to 4.19 per gallon.

TDI....18.42 gallons figured at 38mpg is $76.44 per week.

Caddy....28.00 gallons figured at 25mpg is $97.72 per week.

$21.00 a week for a lot more comfortable car, I have to consider it.

Mike.

 

[mwilson]

For some, it's all about the image! :-laf

Gonna' get me sum spinners, will be the envy of the hood.......

 

[JR]

It surprised me.

Right now the TDI is giving me 36-38mpg which is normal for this time of year, extended idling, rolling resistance at -20, driving 75mph, etc.
It is also an automatic and they do not deliver the mileage that a manual will plus the autos have a bigger injection pump.

The Caddy on my 160 mile test drive gave me a solid 28mpg on secondary roads. On the big road at 75mph with a headwind it was giving 24 to 25 mpg.

I drive a minimum of 700 miles per week. Gasoline here right now is 3.49 per gallon. Diesel Fuel is 4.15 to 4.19 per gallon.

TDI....18.42 gallons figured at 38mpg is $76.44 per week.

Caddy....28.00 gallons figured at 25mpg is $97.72 per week.

$21.00 a week for a lot more comfortable car, I have to consider it.

Mike.

I'm surprised there is that big of a difference in fuel prices up there, generally it is a .30 to .40 difference per gallon, on rare occasions it might creep uo to .50 a gallon.
I know it's going to be hard to account for, but as you are well aware you will also have to take into consideration maintenance/repair costs.Quality parts I'm sure will be considerably more than the Jetta. Sure you can probably get most of your common stuff for cheap from AutoZone or something similar, but you get what you pay for. Tires will likely be more expensive also.
I'm not knocking your thoughts at all, I can't blame you for wanting something more comfortable especially with all those miles you put on. Have you checked out any Caddy forums to see how these cars hold up once they get some higher mileage on them? At 700 a week, your going to get there pretty quick!
Post up some pics if you decide to get it.

 

[mwilson]

We are on winter blend fuel which adds to the cost, but Diesel has been 3.99 and up for some time now.

I was already a member of the Cadillac Forum when I ran my ETC and have devoted every spare moment to research these CTS cars. It appears that some use oil (as my Northstar did)..and if you let the oil level get down too low the oil pressure fed timing chain adjusters remain slack too long upon start up and the timing chains will fail prematurely.

I started it cold several times and there is no noise so I assume that the chains are still in good shape. About a $300.00 job if they get tired.

Other than upper front strut mounts and some transmission cooler issues in addition to the timing chains I really didn't find much so far.

Insurance is as cheap as the Jetta and the CTS models fare very well in crashes (for occupant protection).

Still pondering.

BTW, Gizmo would not be leaving the family. My son Seth really should buy it and I think that he will.

Mike.

 

[mwilson]

Also one of the benefits that I have here is our purchasing power, I can buy stuff right at times......plus we sell tires, etc.

This is an ideal place to work for someone with my interests...............

Mike.

 

[DonFitzwater]

Nothing wrong with perks of the job mwilson!