Color us absolutely stunned. A 2003 Cadillac CTS for $3,100? In what looks to be running, driving condition, with no major body damage? Surely, something is wrong here. We know that the regular CTS doesn’t hold it’s value quite like the CTS-V does, but surely a good running and driving car would be worth more than just over three grand, right? Well, here it is, and we don’t have any reason to say no to it.
The exterior looks to be in fine shape, the interior is at least passable, if not solid, and overall, it’s a great used car. In fact, there’s only one glaring issue with an early CTS: The 3.2L V6. An updated version of the engine used in the Cadillac Catera, the 3.2 has…issues. Think of it like a long-term relationship: at first things were great, then as time went on your partner started to lose their freaking minds. According to most forums, the most common repairs on these cars include: thermostats, valve cover gaskets, the steering position sensor, the transmission cooler line, the belt tensioner, the crank position sensor and a random habit of running on four cylinders if not properly cared for. Oh, and a flawed trunk strut design that kills the struts in about a year, just to add icing on the cake. So, why the hell would you bother sinking money into a cheap Cadillac CTS?
Well, if this machine is running and driving…something that would have to be checked out in person…you have a comfortable cruiser and parts are relatively cheap. But, just to whet your appetite for why this purchase makes sense, take a look at the CTS-V that ran in the SuperStars V8 Series a few years back:
Argue with me that a turbocharged LS swap doesn’t make sense here. Please…back it up with a Tremec six-speed (they did come with manual transmissions) and make it sound like it’s going to rip the Earth into pieces, and you have to admit that suddenly, a cheap four-door sedan doesn’t sound so bad. You’d drive something that looked this mean everyday if the interior was even half as comfortable as it is in stock form, and you know it.
Or, just drive it as a nice car and enjoy it as-is. Your choice.
Craigslist Link: 2003 Cadillac CTS
I’d drive a CTS… if it had three pedals. Actually gave it some serious thought recently.
And I’ve seen them with three pedals and the 3.6 on a Rough Start budget, too.
Not knocking the car but I’d have to find one with a bad motor and / or trans then a LS / 6spd.
As I’d need it cheaper.
This may be a much better start at $10K
https://portland.craigslist.org/clc/ctd/5723184597.html
I always liked the looks of the 1st gen CTS but the seats are horrendous! I’d use a set of Mastercraft or Recaro seats instead.