Is the first-gen Cadillac SRX any good?

"dogisbadob" (dogisbadob) 10/23/2018 at 16:50 • Filed to: None

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It is based on the CTS platform and is basically a CTS wagon. It’s a RWD crossover, not FWD. It looks pretty good for a big SUV/crossover.

The best thing about it is the HUGE panoramic sunroof on it. It is one big piece of glass that slides open completely. It looks so awesome!

Like most big trucks/SUV’s, the biggest downside is the poor fuel economy, EPA 14 mpg city—for the V6. Ouch!

But the important question is, how is the reliability on these things? Does anyone on here have or have had one?

CaptDale - is secretly British > dogisbadob 10/23/2018 at 16:57

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They are ok. The 3.6 can have some reseal issues, but I don’t believe it is a bank breaker.

Ash78, voting early and often > dogisbadob 10/23/2018 at 17:03

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I test drove once (a 2008 model around 2014) and was reasonably pleased with the drive, but the interior materials were too close to GM parts bin for me (worse than, say, a current-year economy car in many cases). Caddy has come a long way in 10 years. There were a few good luxury touches, but a few bad ones like overboosted steering.

The third row was effectively useless; about on par with the jump seats in an E-Class wagon, definitely more of an afterthought than what you find in more modern cars. This was back when everyone was slapping a third row in there for marketing, not actually thinking it through.

Otherwise, a nice ride and I wish they had kept a version of that SRX going instead of the CTS wagon, honestly.

Future next gen S2000 owner > dogisbadob 10/23/2018 at 17:05

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Drove well for it’s day. I remember the car mags saying it was one of the most fun to drive SUV’s.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > dogisbadob 10/23/2018 at 17:10

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I think they've aged tremendously well compared to other crossovers from the same time. They did have timing chain issues though.

CB > dogisbadob 10/23/2018 at 17:10

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My grandpa had one. Never heard about any issues.

petebmwm > dogisbadob 10/23/2018 at 17:19

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it’s based on the sts platform, not the cts..

dogisbadob > petebmwm 10/23/2018 at 17:26

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Isn’t that still the same platform, anyway? The Sigma platform :p

and 100 more > dogisbadob 10/23/2018 at 17:27

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I asked about the 1G SRX as well, got some good responses:

https://oppositelock.kinja.com/gimmie-some-deets-first-gen-cadillac-srx-1820137151

petebmwm > dogisbadob 10/23/2018 at 17:31

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technicalities! ;) but it shares almost all of its components with the sts.. when the srx came out in 2004 you couldnt get an all wheel drive cts, that didn’t come till later, sts though...

dogisbadob > petebmwm 10/23/2018 at 17:37

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cool

dogisbadob > and 100 more 10/23/2018 at 17:39

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Cool!

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > dogisbadob 10/23/2018 at 17:41

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My stepbrother has one, AWD with panoramic roof. He loves it.

shop-teacher > dogisbadob 10/23/2018 at 17:43

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My parents bought an '08  new, and sold it to a friend last year. Never had any trouble with it.

09GT - now boosted > dogisbadob 10/23/2018 at 18:53

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I have a 2009 - get a 2007+ with the upgraded interior (very high quality - almost nothing shared with GM contemporaries -  still looks great after 10 years of ownership). Look to see if the timing chains were replaced if a 3.6L V6 - I was lucky and just had mine replaced for free (just under the 10yr/100k mi limit under their TSB). Otherwise has been near flawless.

09GT - now boosted > 09GT - now boosted 10/23/2018 at 18:57

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Forgot to add - average about 18 mpg in suburban/city driving, max of 24 on highway trips, and  have towed 3-4000 lbs Boy Scout trailers easily (look for the tow package).

RT > dogisbadob 10/23/2018 at 19:12

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It’s mid 00s GM, so no.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > dogisbadob 10/23/2018 at 19:58

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Personally I think the 1G is ugly as sin. The 2G was too small for me to consider. 

Quadradeuce > dogisbadob 10/23/2018 at 20:02

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I had an 06. Loved the stereo, climate control (never had to touch it, just set it to 70 and it maintained temp perfectly), and sunroof. It was a very comfortable car, had decent pickup, and handle fairly well.

The 3.6 of that era is known for timing chain stretch, so watch for that. I sold mine because it sucked in the snow and my wife’s commute jumped through the roof. We sold it while it still had low enough miles to have value. Should have kept that car, it was a super nice ride for the $17k I paid for it.

Also, the flat sides seemed to collect dings like no other car I've owned.

dash-dillinger > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 10/23/2018 at 22:57

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Is that a common problem with the 3.6 motor, CTS match up?

Caddysrx05 > dogisbadob 10/24/2018 at 11:25

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Had the ‘05 v8 Rwd. Loved it when it worked. But too many issues. First off the engine block was porous, so constantly leaked oil. Fuel avg was 15mpg on premium, the ride was okay, thing would rattle over everything. Features were great, the Bose sound was awesome, same goes for the AC, pano sunroof, very comfy seats (front), you can watch a DVD on front screen(in park), extremely practical, can load up quite a bit.

Overall I loved it, but starting last year it started really dying, engine block got a crack, tranny fluid kept leaking, radiator needed to get replaced, the magnetic shocks needed to get replaced, headlights went out, taillights started going out, car would turn off when I’m trying to park at random, differential went bust, driver window mechanism broke, at night the high beams would go on at random, turn signals didnt work when headlights were on. Ju st too much to fix, and said bye bye last month at 187,000 miles.

HammerheadFistpunch > dogisbadob 10/24/2018 at 13:26

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http://dashboard-light.com/vehicles/Cadillac_SRX.html

An actual “0" for reliability.  Ouch

Skigal101 > dogisbadob 10/28/2018 at 09:08

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I have a 2004 srx and love it. The previous owner put on 17" wheels tho it calls for 18"wheels. Is there a difference in the way it handles