Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/25 for details.
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/25 for details.
Options
Comments
Looking for my next assignment in mid 2003. That is, if the upcoming war doesn't mess up travel for non-coms.
the bug
the bug
Production for this calendar year is 45,742.
Production in 2001 was 992 cars.
They won't produce 50,000 cars this year but I would guess that production of 2003 CTS's will be around 75K or maybe a little more by the time they do the changover in June 2003.
An unqualified success.
If Cadillac makes 7K on each CTS total profit will be $525,000,000!!!
Not chump change.
Thanks.
The first one was at 3000 miles right at the first oil change. Then they said that there was probably a bubble when the coolant was filled at the factory and it took about a half quart of coolant to fill it. When it happened about 1000 miles later , that's when they found the real problem.
My 75K production figure is for the model year 2003 CTS which has an extra long production run.
Production started very slowly in October 2001 and will probably stop around June 2003.
About 20 months of production.
And its good to hear that the V-series will be delayed a bit to get it right. Cadillac has only one shot at this and they need to be perfect. Given the stiff competition in the marketplace and the things that Cadillac didn't get right with this car (gauges, new V6 engine late), Cadillac is fortunate that 2003 was still a very good year with this car.
On a happy note, we are starting to see more of our fellow CTS drivers on the road. I even parked next to a silver one in the parking lot of Houston's in Atlanta yesterday. With every passing day, I know I bought the right car.
Since I don't have a second car or SUV, I want to to able to come close to hauling what I can in my Grand Prix.
But if you really want to know if the trunk is suitable for your needs, collect everything you intend to take with you, drive on down to your local Cadillac dealer, and see if you can fit them into the trunk. You might also want to check out the fold down rear seat option.
the bug
the bug
While I don't golf, we have friends that live in the Townhomes of Prestberry in Sugar Grove. Our CTS can sometimes be seen at the Sugar Grove VFW on Friday nights (Fish fry).
Richm4 - The trunk space on our CTS has more usable space than our STS. It's a little taller and deeper. We use rolling duffel bags a lot and they fit perfectly, along with any other soft sided bags. We haven't taken a really long trip, so I'm not sure how the CTS would handle my wife's habit of packing too much.
Bingoman - Thanks! I forgot about the fold down rear seat. You're right, planning makes packing any trunk work.
sevenfeet0 - While I had my concerns in the beginning, the CTS has been so much fun that I know I made the right decision, when I bought mine. My wife doesn't usually talk about mechanical things like cars, boats and airplanes. She loves her CTS and that's what really counts.
Rich
http://www.angelfire.com/comics/lesabre_88/2002_auto_show.html
Did you notice the item in Friday's USA Today that silver is the most popular car color, being chosen by 23% of buyers? I have a Sterling CTS and most of the adds seem to use that color. The article says that "silver has a connotation of value."
For my needs the power is more than adequate. I have never felt the need for more acceleration than is available. But then virtually all of my driving is city/expressway/Interstate.
On past purchases through the years, I would research the car for a few months. Talk to those who have one (word of mouth is the best source of advertisement), because people will generally tell the truth. If it sucks, they will let you know to no end, and if it's awesome (as the CTS is) they also will let you know.
You may also try renting one for a while so you can drive it like it's yours. As for my CTS, the more I drive it the better it gets. I am very, very pleased with this car. I didn't target horsepower as my reason for purchasing. I targeted the innovative engineering, handling, standard features, availablity of options, crash test worthiness, safety features, body style, the history of good service at Cadillac dealers (very important since I travel a lot), dealer incentives, and price.
This car has more than enough horsepower for my needs. My CTS powered and handled well with five large adults through the mountains of California on a recent weekend trip maintaining speeds of 85-90 mph. I was impressed with the performance. In light of all that, I have no plans to tow a trailer or race, so therefore 220 hp is plenty.
the bug
Your post hit on the most important qualities of the CTS...it's a nice quiet smooth driving car. Also, it's handling qualities are excellent and it has the best automatic transmission I've ever driven.
I also agree with thebug that in order to truly appreciate ANY car you have to drive it longer than a normal testdrive. When I first drove the luxury CTS I found its acceleration disappointing...after driving two other CTS's my opinion changed. I don't know if there are big manufacturing variations in HP between CTS's or if the added weight of a highly optioned luxury package CTS makes for worse acceleration but there was a big difference between the three cars.
After living with the CTS for 6K miles and 6 months it's actually a much better car than I would have expected in ALL areas (handling, acceleration, braking, transmission, ride quality, etc. etc.). The only thing I really dislike about it is the lack of a compass and heated seats on the base model and the lack of lumbar support. The seats kill my back after extended driving due to the nonexistant support to my lower back.
Overall, the CTS is a great car. I myself am used to V8's so ANY non-supercharged V6's are lacking in the torque department in my opinion.
I'm more than willing to live with the lack of horsepower/torque until the V series comes out...I just hope I will be able to afford ($$)to trade my current CTS in on the V series model when it arrives.
On another not, I read today about the lack of lumbar support. I must admit, I didn’t check into this feature, or attempt to make any adjustments in the lumbar (good thing). But it did feel like the lower part of the seat was very flat and lacked a well defined lumbar support system. If that is indeed the case, that is another area which should be addressed.
As stated in the earlier post, the car did feel and drive well except for top end acceleration and I feel it will be a better car with the addition of more HP. That said, it is still a fine car, and should bring younger people into the Cadillac fold.
Anyway, here's results from this weekend: http://www.rmsolo.org/results.html
The event was Event #3. I run in GS, and for some reason they have me listed as a 93 CTS, whatever the heck that is. Anyway, I said I'd be happy with a sub-65-second time, and I accomplished that.
It was a pretty exciting day, made a little unpleasant by the M Roadster driver who ran out of talent and totalled his car by driving into a light pole. Next event looks to be February.
Also, the CTS got hit in a parking lot the other day, and went in this morning for the $1075 worth of body work it now requires.
If you have a story to share, please send your daytime contact information to jfallon@edmunds.com no later than Friday, December 20, 2002. Please be sure to include the vehicle model names and model years. Thanks for your consideration!
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
Review your vehicle
necros: I don't know where you are in the country, but 90 to 95 mph seems to be normal traffic flow on interstates in the southwestern states.
the bug
the bug
I won't be able to go to the next event in th Springs, but I should be at the one in February. Hope to see you there!
thebug, I'm in Colorado. Our freeways are far too congested for speeds in that range.
I'm sure my car will be fine. It costs a lot to fix, but the damage is extremely minor. I'm having the dealership do the fix, so I suspect they'll do a good job. The insurance adjuster quoted $544 for the job, so I'll let them fight it out. :rolleyes:
I got the Luxury Sport package, neutral interior, sunroof, heated seats, HID headlights. I might be the only one on this board who owns a Cashmere color CTS. You don't seen many of them on the road in that color. I like that.
The main thing I've noticed is how much more fuel is used in the "sport" mode. So, I've been running in "normal" the past two weeks.
My dealer has given a mileage of 3,700 for the first oil change and then every 3,700 thereafter.
The Bose sound system is very good. Enough power for me. I may still put XM satellite radio in sometime this spring or summer.
I've been fortunate here in the northeast to miss the two big snowstorms we've had. So, I can't relate how the car drives in the snow.
I've only seen two other CTS's on the road in this area.
I'll keep everyone posted on anything I might find in the future. Here's to happy driving.
What a great car!!
Where do you live in the northeast that you missed the snow? It was a great experience with the CTS on the snow. I don't know how differently an auto would be but I sure had fun!
What mileage are you getting now? Remember it will get better when the engine gets broken in . I now have 4800 on mine.
Dave,
Bruno here. When did the car crash, during heat 4 or during the fun runs? I left after I watched your first run and did not hear anything about it until someone from my LS club mentioned that they saw your post here. Where on the course did he crash?
I personally plan to use 85% to 90% of the computed oil life as the target for oil changes in my CTS. Why buy a Cadillac if you can't trust the engineers?
Years ago we used to have to change the oil every thousand miles, then engine machining improved and oil refining and additives improved and the interval was changed to every three thousand miles.
The machining of engine parts continues to improve, and so does the oil manufacturing process, but the dealers are stuck at 3000. I think it is a matter of money.
Personally, I wish they would include full service for the warranty period in the purchase price, then the dealers would be more interested in maintaining the car for long service with a minimum of service calls.
I didn't miss the snowstorms I was fortunate enough not to have to drive to work in them when they hit. Especially, in a car that's only a month old. My last car was front wheel drive and I'm still getting used to RWD on the CTS.
I haven't checked the mileage because I drive mainly in and around town. I'm hoping to hit the highway soon and check it out.
85 - 90% on the computed oil life sounds like a good plan.
Nice and clean.
http://www.clubcts.com/cts1.jpg
Cadillac's Oil Life Monitor is extremely accurate. The CTS maintenance schedule calls for an oil change at 7500 miles. Currently my oil life monitor shows 11% oil life left at 7250 miles. It should start reminding me to change the oil in the next few days. When it does, I'll call the dealer and schedule an oil change. I'll also have them balance and rotate the tires.
Earlier this year, one poster stated that he had the grill of his CTS painted to match his car. Does anyone remember who that was? I'd like to see a picture of that car.
B4z- The clubcts car does have a nice set of wheels. I just hate to mess with a car that drives really well with the wheels it has. But, I'd rather see young people buying a Caddy and personalizing it, instead of some other car. I like the rocker panel ground effects, but I know I'll catch a lot of flack on that.
Speaking of tires and wheels, necros- have you been using the 30 psi tire pressure recommended by pmdriver2? Sorry to hear about your parking lot ding. My wife goes crazy when I look for two "new cars" to park between, when we go to the mall. I figure I'm less likely to get a ding from people with "new" or "well cared for" cars.
Rich
The engine is good for 147 MPH in LuxSport trim. I personally have seen 110 MPH and I thought that it wasn't all that slow getting there. But I didn't try challenging a 330i or worse, the stronger G35 getting there.
I did my first oil change at 3200 miles. I did it early just to get the first "break-in" oil out of the car, and replace it with some new stuff. You never know what shakes loose in a new engine. I'll do it again at 7500 miles when I'll need other work done, then after that I may settle in to every 7500 as recommended.
Here's another.
http://www.clubcts.com/ctsbackimg.jpg
I said it before, still say it, GREAT car, but I will wait another year and see what the new V-6 brings for it.
I currently drive a WS6 TransAm, that is overkill in the HP department (325 HP), but it sure is fun!! 260-280 would be appropriate, in my opinion for the CTS.