Cadillac CTS

[Anthem]

Hello Family,

So I am considering buying a certified CTS 06 or 07 with around 40K on it, loaded for around, well a good price (I am not a rich man). This is a reputable dealership car.

My question is what do you folks know about how they hold up after 100k miles, and what does service issues cost after that. For example, if an axle bends is it really expensive to fix like a Lexus (In which case this may be a bad car for me because I would have a hard time with the repairs). My insurance seems to be even keel with my Accord 05, so that is going to work out to be just a bit more.

I am not a car guy, so maybe some of you know something about these models I should know in addition to these concerns also.

I love to get CP opinions, and I thank you all in advance.

Much care,

Matthew

 

[sigar_zealot]

I owned a few Sedan Deville's before I switched to Mercedes Benz. I didn't have much luck with Cadillac once they had about 65,000 miles. Think expensive like Lexus but in the shop more often like a Chevy. There is a reason the resale value for Cadillac is not so great. Sorry to be a pissant.

 

[Jack Straw]

Take a look at a late model Lincoln Town Car. My last three got well over 150k without any major issues, and I had no problem selling them, even with the high mileage.

Personally, GM got enough of my money, lately, and I worry about where they will be in a couple of years!

 

[b.dawgson]

I've not owned a Cadillac but I've worked on a few of them and they're a pain in the keyster. Wouldn't surprise me if it was expensive to repair due to high labor hours and high parts cost.

Put it this way, the starter is between the V of the engine and you've gotta take off the whole intake manifold to get to it on the Northstar. Most starters are easy access right at the bottom of the engine.

 

[vinnyvega]

I had a STS and a DTS. Both 3 years old when I bought them. Both cars leaked anti freeze out the head gasket at around 75,000-80,000 miles. If I had not got an extended warranty, I would have been screwed. Absolutley beautiful cars, but not the best made.

 

[Anthem]

This is not looking good for the Caddy.

Still, believe me no one is raining on my parade, I want honest opinions and I really appreciate them.

The other two choices are the Accord EX and the Nissan Maxima. Also both used.

 

[redraider]

Get a Toyota Camry, By far the best car for the buck. I put about 35,000 miles a year on a car with work, (Pharmaceutical Sales) and my Camry has been fantastic. Has 70,000 miles on it and drives and feels like a new car! We had a CTS for 2 1/2 years, transmission went out at 35,000 miles, and lots of little problems. (Air Conditioner, radio, cruise control) Traded it in and got the wife a new BMW 5 series, NIGHT AND DAY between the two.I make all the money and the wife gets the luxury car. Figure that :laugh: I actually put way to many miles on a car per year to justify driving a luxury car. We had the V8 in the CTS and the 5 series has way more punch. CTS is overpriced and crappy quality.

 

[suprchunk]

Get a Mercedes and forget about any problems.

 

[Anthem]

Get a Mercedes and forget about any problems.

Now that I would love, but I am not even close to the price point.

 

[sigar_zealot]

Mercedes has a surprisingly low reliability rating. Lexus and Acura rate much higher. The Accord EX is a solid choice, I have a 2007 myself. Although driving an Accord won't give you the "wow" factor of the Caddy you'll be driving right past the repair shop loving your car. You might want to stop buy a used book store and look for old issues of Consumer Reports.

 

[suprchunk]

Mercedes has a surprisingly low reliability rating. Lexus and Acura rate much higher. The Accord EX is a solid choice, I have a 2007 myself. Although driving an Accord won't give you the "wow" factor of the Caddy you'll be driving right past the repair shop loving your car. You might want to stop buy a used book store and look for old issues of Consumer Reports.

Says the man with the Mercedes. If you are going to mention car companies at least mention their real parents.

 

[sigar_zealot]

Says the man with the Mercedes in the shop. If you are going to mention car companies at least mention their real parents.

There I fixed it for you. I'm not sure what the point of your second comment. I think everyone knows Lexus is Toyota's luxury line and Acura is Honda.

 

[ggiese]

This is not looking good for the Caddy.

Still, believe me no one is raining on my parade, I want honest opinions and I really appreciate them.

The other two choices are the Accord EX and the Nissan Maxima. Also both used.

I was going to suggest you look at the Infiniti M35, if you're looking at the Caddy. I know it's a bit more expensive, but they do have a better track record for reliability and comparable luxury. Plus - it's equally "zippy" with the 3.5 six (the 4.5 is even better)

Also - I've had a few friends that have owned Cadillac and the common complaint has been the cost of parts. I've not had any issue with the the cost of Infiniti parts (I've owned 2).

A good friend of mine owned a Maxima. His parents are still using it. It's in great shape and has over 150K miles. I think it's a great choice, IMHO.

Get a Mercedes and forget about any problems.

That's not what many who've owned them have told me...

 

[suprchunk]

Get a Mercedes and forget about any problems.

That's not what many who've owned them have told me...

Hmm, what problems are the many having?

 

[Wurm]

Get a Mercedes and forget about any problems.

That's not what many who've owned them have told me...

Hmm, what problems are the many having?

My Bosses 2007 S class W221 was in the shop so often that he got fed up with it and bought a BMW F02 earlier this year. and yes Mercedes are nice cars but even they have problems and when they do have to go to the shop, you are usually out of a lot of money if its not Warranty work.

 

[sigar_zealot]

My 1st Mercedes (E-320) developed a computer glitch that kept saying the cabin air filter was dirty. Seems like no big deal and it was under warranty but the dealership couldn't ever seem to fix the problem. This went on for 9 months until we finally traded them for a new one. I will say the service dept did everything in the power to make things right. I was driving a different Mercedes loaner from them about every 2 weeks for a wile there which lasted about 4 months.

Our second one we had a problem with the seal on top of the gas tank leaking at about 18,000 miles. I believe the gas tank is under the back seat in this model. At any rate gas fumes were leaking into the car making impossible to drive. After 3 tries and nearly a month in the shop they finally got it fixed. I had a loaner car the entire time, which was the smaller C-Class so it wasn't a total loss.

It was after the second incident I ordered Consumers Reports and found Mercedes was at or near the bottom for reliability for luxury cars.

I will say no other car I've owned feels better from behind the wheel. Maybe why customer satisfaction for Mercedes is so high despite the less than stellar reliability. As I recall Jaguar and BMW rated slightly lower than Mercedes.

 

[suprchunk]

Good to know. When I buy my next one I'll be sure to read up on some reviews. I have not had a problem with mine yet, but you guys are getting me worried.

 

[ggiese]

Get a Mercedes and forget about any problems.

That's not what many who've owned them have told me...

Hmm, what problems are the many having?

I'm hearing much the same as you're hearing. The service department is doing everything they can to make it right, but there are such a wide variety of problems it's hard to say it's any specific issue other than overall quality. I just know they've said they had the car in the shop more than it was on the road...

Maybe it will get better now that they've dumped their relationship with Chrysler...

 

[jfields]

Good to know. When I buy my next one I'll be sure to read up on some reviews. I have not had a problem with mine yet, but you guys are getting me worried.

You're comparing apples to oranges suprchunk.

You live in Germany and by the time a Mercedes is Americanized to meet our EPA guidelines, and other criteria,etc. It's not even close to the same car.
My wife and I stopped into a Mercedes dealership while in France a few years ago, and were amazed at how much cheaper one was even with the Euro conversion rate. We inquired about how much it would be to freight it to the USA...........Still a huge bargain!!!

Then came the deal breaker............ They told us what it would cost to "Americanize" the car.........Special engine this, emissions that, steering and suspension & chassis modifications. The list went on.


Stick with the Honda Accord EX Matthew, or the Toyota Camry if that is an option.

If a repair budget is an issue, you definitely do not want to get the Caddy, or a Lexus right now. The Lexus would spend far less time broken down than the caddy, but still cost you for maintenance.

Honda and Toyota have a very good track record for reliability, and one of the least I saw in my shop for anything other than routine maintenance.


BTW............Still waiting to hear about the interview. :whistling:

 

[fourthrail]

This is not looking good for the Caddy.

Still, believe me no one is raining on my parade, I want honest opinions and I really appreciate them.

The other two choices are the Accord EX and the Nissan Maxima. Also both used.

I'm on my second Maxima and can't say enough good things about em. Bought my 1996 new, and put 155K on it with very few issues before turning it in for my 2001 (now at 124K, and never done a thing to it besides oil, brakes & tires).

Good Luck...

C...