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Comments
jasmith52, "Any Questions for a Car Dealer?" #11858, 19 May 2005 5:42 pm
May Terry, rroyce, will have a suggestion on push amount available to help move the car. Is it a repurchase or returned vehicle???
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
$11,000 off msrp
I suppose that dealer would offer the same discount............
My '03 CTS with 16 inch tires started having a noticeable vibration after 25,000 miles. I had rotated the tires once at 12,000 miles. At 27,000 miles the dealer said all four tires were shot, especially the front ones. They said it was because I had not rotated the tires enough. I've owned a lot of cars and I've had front tires wear faster than rear because I didn't rotate them enough but this sounded fishy to me (only 27,000 miles on tires rated at 40,000?). They wanted $740 to replace all 4 with the same Goodyear GS-A's. I asked if they offered any other options than the Goodyears and they said they could only recommend what the factory specified and they had never heard of any problems with premature wear when properly rotated. After doing some on line research I said no thanks. I went to a Firestone dealer and bought 4 Goodrich Potenza 009's with H rating (like the GSA's they replaced). Firestone did an alignment test for free and they let me see how the alignment test is done. The front wheels were towed in (I drove all the miles on the car and never hit anything). So they corrected the toe-in and installed the new tires. The car rides great now. I'll go back to Firestone for oil changes and free rotations. My local Cadillac dealer gives me the heebie jeebies. It's like they are from the 60's. I have no trust in them at all. After reading tons of comments about the GSA's wearing out fast, I can't believe the dealership never heard of that.
I love this car but the Cadillac dealership I bought it from has been poor from the start and continues to disappoint.
Thanks,
Jeannine Fallon
Corporate Communications
Edmunds.com
Second trip to the dealer, no solution. The warning and light were off when I drove off, I suspect it will come back on sometime soon. Any idea? It is a 20000 miles car.
Any suggestion or maybe I should think about trading the car and get a Japanese?
If that dealer can't fix it go find another one.
If one dealer can't fix it try another one or ask them to get help from GM.
Apparently your dealer isn't doing his job.
The DIC on our CTS started indicating "stability system engaged" at random times and the "Gas Cap" warning came up once. I took the CTS in for scheduled oil change and informed the service consultant. The mechanic checked the car's computer and they replaced two steering wheel sensors (stability warning problem) and the gas cap. The consultant said the gas cap was leaking air. All of the service was completed under warranty and I had a Seville loaner for the day.
Now that's the way a Cadillac dealer should handle the problem. The CTS is back to normal again and there are no problems showing up on the DIC.
In 1986 I purchased a Cadillac from a new dealer in the area. The car repeatedly stalled in traffic. I took it back for service. When I picked it up nothing had been done and the mechanic said the car was too new for him to make any adjustments to the carburetor. I called the zone office with my problem. They sent me to another dealer in the area and alerted the dealer to the facts of my problem, which this dealer promptly fixed. The selling dealer had their franchise pulled the next year because of many dissatisfied customers.
Just had the ECM module replaced, and going in on Thur to change the CD player or radio and the recall on the air bag. When the six CD's circulate when the door is opened ot the key put in, several items are set to zero like the miles driven. This is another problem they are aware of.
Car was made in July 2003, probably the FIRST one with a 3.6 engine!!! It now has near 10000 miles in 20 months.
They gave me a 2005 CTS with a 3.6 for a day, I did not notice it shaking, but didnt drive it much.
At idol and 600 rpm, when sitting in the seat, the car shakes, you can see this in a water bottle in the depressions, by the shift lever. When the air comes on it shakes more for a few seconds.
Today I opened the hood and put my TWO hands on the cowling, pressing down, The engine really shakes. When the air comes on, it is worse. It may not be missing, but something is out of balance, probably a cam.
Seems like it is a BAD design!!!!!!!
This is the vibration that I find when sitting in the seat.
You can also feel this vibration, just open a front door, wide, and put your upper arm on the top of the door, you will feel the vibration . This is the vibration!!!!
I sold a 1995 Buick Rivera to get the CTS, it never had a vibration like this, I also have a 1988 Pontiac Bonneville with 90000 miles. Today I started it and waited till it got to low rpm at idol, It had NO vibration. Water in a bottle on the dash, hardly moved.
Check your car out with a water bottle half empty, lay it on upper dash , and in the depressions.
I want to know if early 2004 have this problem or just me.
Iam reality disappointed in the engine, I cant believe they would put out such an engine. I am sure it also happens on the 2005, but at a much lower level.
I have looked at the TL discussions and now believe it would be a MUCH better car.
I have bought about 10 different GM cars in the last 45 years in Calif, always want to buy American, but my next car will be foreign.
Please run the tests above and report on your CTS.
Does any body on this site know just what changes have been made in the 3.6 engine from 2004 and 2005?? Guess the 2006 will be out soon.
Thanks
Ray
Seriously, if the engine runs fine and you get around 20 or more mpg, I wouldn't consider it a design flaw. I consider this a very well engineered motor, in all respects and can live with an intermittent stumble. If it's really bothering you, I'd say you should try another dealer, different brand of gas, etc.
Just try a test with the water bottle and put your hands on the cowling over the engine.
Yes you are right it is a intermittent stumble that brought this to my attention, then with further testing I decided that also built in vibrations were taking place.
Looks like a poor design of the engine. Now I wish I would have bought a new Bonnevile, they NEVER shake.
My dealer has been very good at looking into this, they have put it on the big machines and can not find a miss. But they seem to ignore the shaking but did mention that it was a cam problem that causes the vibration.
Ray
PS The dealer is really trying to get these resolved!
Ray
1. ECM Problem
2. On 3-24-05 turned key on and did not start, backed key off and on again and was OK.
3. Car SHAKES at a stop sign off and on and sometimes at idol.
You had this in recently and did not correct it! I need the guy who will fix this to drive it for 10 minutes. It bother me!!!!!!! You need to sit in the seat with your foot on the brake at a stop sign and may be wait for several minutes.
4. When I open the door or put key in, the 6 CD's circulate for 1-2 minutes, THEN the following are set to zero.
Trip A
Trip B
Gallons of fuel used.
This has happened on 5-19-04, 6-13-04, 2-1-05, 3-30-05
Also in early 04 took it to Allen and they did not fix it.
5. Four buttons on steering wheel change to OTHER things, like changing Temp or changing radio, from what they were set too. OK now but this has happened twice recently . When I restart the car it is OK.
Since obviously items 4 and 5 are software problems, call GM and see if they have a fix. I believe it also happens to others.
I agree you have some kind of electrical problem.
But, where the rough idle is concerned, I think you are worrying too much about nothing. The 3.6 employs a VVT system that changes the cam lobes position based on engine speed, accelerator position, and so on. At idle it is sitting on the largest end of the cam lobe which tends to induce a rougher idle, just like a car with an oversize cam for racing has a stumble to it's idle along with significant vibration.
If you think the Acura TL doesn't experience this same sysmptom with it's VVT system, head on over to the Acura TL Owners:Problems and Solutions forum and do a search there for "rough". In truth I think you are nitpicking. Also, engine roughness at a stop sign infers you are idling. :P
Then the service mgr and advisor showed me a car with 10000 miles and it shutters and shakes just like mine at idol. They say that is what you get with the V6, as it was modified from a North Star engine.
They say Cadillac is NOT trying to fix it, BUT they will call me if they hear anything! They also say the 2003 model has had complaints and the 2.8 ver is even worse. BUT I am the first one to complain at the dealer.
I am an Engineer and very familiar with vibrations and have worked on engines from my Model T in 1944, when I was 14, to recently on my 1972 Comero and 1963 Cutlass. Guess I am too fussy, as you suggested.
It is a cam problem at idol combined, in my opinion, and a fuel/air mixture problem.
They ALSO claim no changes to the engine have taken place.
I am now going to rename my car CTSssv.
"SHUTTERS, SHAKES and VIBRATES"
What I am bothered about it as it took a year to develop. I drove a 2005 CTS loaner with 2000 miles and it DID not ssv.
I believe every body should complain about this problem, when they take the car in.
RAY
The 2003 CTS came with an Opel V6 of 3.2 liters that was a 54 degree design if I remember right. The 2004 CTS's with the manual transmissions had this engine yet. The current 2.8 liter V6 is based on the 3.6 design, but has a shorter stroke and smaller bore.
Seems like you should know if the CTS 3.6 has been modified from 2004 to 2005 and 2006. I believe some changes could have taken place. Cadillac will have to fix this problem.
Actually, most dealers are terrible at the product knowledge side of the equation, not just GM dealers.
Then I drove the V series once. 400HP is 400HP. Looks good, sounds good, feels good, it's all there, wrapped in a sweat $50k package. My buddy has one. He loves it but doesn't drive nearly as much as I do. He averaged 16mpg on a recent trip to Ocean City, MD. Cool thing here is, you can still put two car seats in the rear for the kids and blow the doors off the lexus, acura, infiniti, mustang tool boys whenever you want.
So you have to ask yourself, can you work the cell phone head set and gears in traffic? Can you afford the ~15% more in gas? Can you control your self in speed zones? Oh yeah, can your wife drive a stick? Mine can't so I think I'll be getting the V
All of this, then I read about the 06 models will have a new sports package with 18" sneakers and the sport tuned suspension. Add custom exhaust, air intake and perhaps a chip and now your over 300HP, looking and sounding good. Call it a "V-lite."
So it's a classic battle of mature husband/father versus 35 year old kid out of Manassas, VA that has some money now. I'm making a move out of my 04 later this summer, into one or the other.
The present discount prices may be too good to pass up. However, even at the discounted price, a CTS_V is probably going to cost about as much as a 2006 CTS without discounts.
Many thanks if you do.
Does anyone know where we can see these shots of the next CTS?
To my knowledge, there are no pictures to be had (verboten). You can expect to see many of these vehicles in concept form, if not final production, at the Detroit Auto Show next January. You may get spy shots of them before then...
--Robert
I've driven the DTS and I like it, especially as a previous thrice Deville owner ('80, '91 and a '76 I still have). But the CTS spoiled me rotten after one drive.
The CTS still sings to me but right now I'm leaning Volvo if I get a new car. The Volvo will probably be better for my wife (it'll really be her car anyway since she'll drive it more with the future baby). If I have a good year at work, I might look at a 2004 CTS with a revamped dash and engine. I doubt I could afford the CTSi, and a manual transmission with my legs (40" inseam) is right out anyway.
And I'll check out again the prospect of a late model LS400. It's been awhile since I've sat in one.
Thanks,
Debra
CTS 3.6L - C$39,600
CTS V - C$68,430
Lower MSRPs. Nice to see the 3.6 stickered under $40K again.
I heard the US prices were higher for 2006.
CTS 3.6L - 33,880 vs 33,135 now.
The 2006 does include the wood trim and XM standard on the 3.6L.
Hoping for comments from owners living in the North. How is this vehicle in
the snow??? help!
I have heard that most people put snow tires on for the winter. I'm considering that this year, but it all depends upon how much tread is left on my all seasons. If I have fun this summer I'll need them.