"DailyTurismo" (thedailyturismo)
04/15/2014 at 12:08 • Filed to: Daily Turismo
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"DailyTurismo" (thedailyturismo)
04/15/2014 at 12:08 • Filed to: Daily Turismo | 3
| 10 |
The Cadillac CTS was released as a competitor to BMW's 3/5 series in the 2003 model year and features rear wheel drive, powerful V6 engine, a dynamic chassis and optional manual transmission. The CTS was expensive when new, but now for less than $10k you can pickup a used example for your enjoyment.
You've seen a few of the Corvette powered !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! examples listed on the Daily Turismo, but there is another version that offers overhead cam sophistication, a softer ride, a much lower price point, a non-blingy grill and still available with a manual transmission — the CTS V6 sedan. I had the chance to drive one of these at a pre-2008 Carmageddon GM ride-and-thrash event where you could drive a CTS, BMW 328 and Volvo S-something back to back on an autocross course...and the CTS was surprisingly agile and fun -best of the bunch. Just for fun today we are going to look at a few examples.
This first !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! is located in Niles, IN and offered for $8,400 via craigslist. It has a few miles on the odo and being a 2003 model, it is equipped with the earlier 3.2 liter dual-overhead-cam V6 that puts out 220 horsepower and offers performance/size somewhere between a base 3 or 5 series from BMW or C-class/E-class from Mercedes. The closest competitor to the CTS is the Infinity G35 sedan, and later CTS examples (2005+ offer a 3.6 liter V6 that can compete with the G35 in a straight line).
Next up is this super low mile !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! offered for $11,999 in Anaheim, CA via craigslist. This CTS is offered with the automatic transmission, but it only has 11k miles on the clock and is offered for a bargain price. It uses the same 3.2 liter V6 as the previous car but it is equipped with the 5-spd automatic transmission. The LA3 is a compact 54 degree V6 designed by GM's Opel subsidiary in Europe and used on Opels, Vauxhalls & Saabs before being shoved in the front of the 2003-2004 CTS models.
Up next is another manual transmission example, a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! offered for $9,000 in Hawaii or Las Vegas...via craigslist. This one has the 6-speed manual with the newer 3.6 liter V6 that puts out 255 horsepower. The LY7 is a thoroughly modern engine that was released in 2004 and is known as the high feature V6 (HFV6) —versions of it can be seen in Cadillacs, Alfa Romeos, Buicks, Pontiacs, Opels, Saabs, Holden, GMC, Saturn...et cetera.
Here is another !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! 6-speed manual offered in Atlanta, GA for an undisclosed amount of money from some sketchy dealer who probably will offer you an unlimited term financing. How much do you want to pay per month? Ummm...nothing? A vast majority of these depreciated Cadillacs end up at these small beans dealer lots, probably because they get traded in on a new car and then wholesaled out for nothing...because who goes to a Caddy dealer for a manual transmission?
Here is a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! offered for $8,995 by a small car dealer in Portland, OR via craigslist. The asking price seems a big high, especially because it has almost 250k miles and the dealer doesn't specify if it has the 2.8 liter V6 (210 hp) or the 3.6 liter LY7 (255 hp). Maybe skip this one...
This next !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! is offered from the owner in Indianapolis, IN for $8,500 via craigslist. Still no mention of 2.8 or 3.6 liter engine, but it did have an engine rebuild around 50k miles, so at 89k it should be good to go for many years to come.
For your final consideration is this !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! offered from a dealer in Tampa Bay, FL for $9,999 via craigslist. This one has only 77k miles on the odometer, but the ALL-CAPS advertisement fails to specify which engine...but there is probably a way to tell from the other options equipment.
Anyway, the CTS is a perfectly good and cheap option for the shopper looking for a sub $10k, manual trans, rear wheel drive "sport-luxury" sedan like an Infinity G35, BMW 3/5, Lexus IS, Lincoln LS or Mercedes C/E-Class. See a better way to spend $10k on a 10 year old luxury sedan? tips@dailyturismo.com
Frisky Dingo
> DailyTurismo
04/15/2014 at 12:15 |
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The 2.8 and 3.2 in these cars are crap, the interior falls apart, the 3.6 is not as quick as a G35, and they do not drive as well as an E46 or E90 either one.
My work here is done.
DollaMoneyAve
> DailyTurismo
04/15/2014 at 12:23 |
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I like this. Good stuff
MooseKnuckles
> DailyTurismo
04/15/2014 at 12:25 |
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2003 and part way through 2004 used the 3.2 from Opel. 2004 brought the LY7 3.6 @ 255hp. Also, the rear license plate bezel on 2003 and some early 2004 cars (if it's a grey bezel, not painted to match body colour) can come off.. like when driving or whatever.
A 2006 3.6 auto was my first car back in 2008. Was the 'Sport' 'Performance' packages. Put a Volant CAI, CTS-V exhaust, eibach springs and sways, HID, white LED fog lights, reverse lights, parking lights, 5000k HIDS, white LED interior. Stoptech brakes. Conti DW tires.
Was a really really great car. 3rd party intake dyno tests showed the Volant put 15hp on at the wheels (best intake gains available for the car). I got way above EPA estimated MPG too, highway i'd easily get 33mpg @65-70mph. City/Hwy combined about 25mpg.. considering EPA says hwy is 27mpg that's pretty damn solid.
I looked at other premium cars, but all needed premium gas and cost on average $200 more per year to insure.
One of the absolute best things about these cars though, at least back when I had mine, the Cadillac Owners Forum is one of the absolute best communities. I haven't come across a forum that is more helpful and friendly as that one. When I had the car I was one of the more prominent members, I'm sure my install guide and DIY tutorials are still in the stickies.
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MooseKnuckles
> Frisky Dingo
04/15/2014 at 12:30 |
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2.8 and 3.6 were the same engine, just displacement changed (thinner sleeves probably). It is the basis for the 3.6DI engine used in many current GM cars like the Camaro and ATS, and also the 3.6TT in the CTS Vsport.
The old LY7 (original, non direct injection V6) drank a little oil (half a liter between 10000km oil changes) and some people had timing chain problems. Other than that it is a solid engine.
Milky
> DailyTurismo
04/15/2014 at 13:01 |
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IMO G35 would be the way to go with this group. Good power and a lot better interior.
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Frisky Dingo
> MooseKnuckles
04/15/2014 at 13:12 |
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I worked at a GM store during this period, and I witnessed a LOT of issues with these engines. I didn't see near the ratio of 3.6's affected as I did the smaller displacements. The timing chain issue was quite prevalent at the onset.
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MooseKnuckles
> Frisky Dingo
04/15/2014 at 13:15 |
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timing chain was the only common problem for the 2.8 and 3.6 and even then it wasn't actually "common".. what else did you see that constitutes "a LOT" of problems?
The concern with the 3.2 was a PCV problem I believe, but that was either a cheap and easy fix or may have been a free TSB if you experienced problems/symptoms.
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Frisky Dingo
> MooseKnuckles
04/15/2014 at 13:19 |
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By 'lot' of issues, I meant lot of occurrences.
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DailyTurismo
> Milky
04/15/2014 at 13:25 |
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Never been a big fan of Nissan/Inifinti use of hard painted silver plastics or the amber gauges...but I do agree the G is probably a better car all things considered...but...prices seem to reflect that. Can you get a G sedan with similar miles for $8k? Maybe?
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Milky
> DailyTurismo
04/15/2014 at 13:45 |
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When I was car shopping a year ago they were a few around with under 100k miles for around $9k. So maybe now you can?