I must have a Cadillac jones going on because this 2007 CTS will be my fourth Caddy review in the span of three weeks. I prefer the older “Standard of the World” subjects, but to be fair, I have to include the entire gamut, I guess. This 35 K-mile example makes quite a visual statement, but the question remains: Is it a good statement? I’ll let you decide on that matter. Found in Norwood, Pennsylvania, by Mitchell G., this compact Caddy is available here on craigslist for $4,500.
The CTS was a big deal for Cadillac when it was introduced in 2003 – a sort of new way forward. Considered a mid-sized luxury car, it was more of a compact with its 113″ wheelbase and 190-inch stretch – at least compared to Cadillacs of yore. Total curb weight rung up a reasonable 3,700 lbs. Continuing in production through 2019, our subject is a member of the second generation, produced between 2008 and 2014. This run of CTSs also produced station wagon and two-door coupe variants, though the four-door sedan was far and away the most popular body style.
Let’s talk presentation. I see a Cadillac CTS here, but it’s obscured by fake chromed wheel arches, chrome door window frames, chrome aftermarket wheels (we gotta’ a lot a chrome goin’ on here), and a brown padded, carson-style top – it looks more like Palm Beach than Norwood, PA. Yes, styling is subjective, and while this CTS’s finish and overall condition appear to be very clean and sound, I find the overall visuals to be garish – and I’ll leave it at that.
The beige leather-clad interior is considered by the seller to be “near flawless,” and I would agree that it is in fine nick and not quite as obtuse as the exterior (i.e., no one’s messed with it). The seller further adds, “EVERYTHING WORKS AS IT SHOULD AND NO LIGHTS ARE ON THE DASH AT ALL.”
Power is provided by a 255 net HP, 3.6-liter V6 engine, arguably one of GM’s best designs. The seller claims, “CAR RUNS EXCELLENT,” and I would have no reason to doubt that claim. A five-speed automatic transmission makes the rear wheel connection. Clearly, this car was owned by someone who cared for it and applied gentle use.
OK, if the exterior treatment is bothersome, it can all be easily undone except for that roof covering, and I find that to be the least offensive characteristic of this CTS’s “modifications”. And, with only 35K miles on its clock, $4,500 seems to be a very reasonable ask. However, at the end of the listing we find, “PA RECONSTRUCTED TITLE MUST BE TRANSFERRED, NO EXCEPTIONS.” Reconstructed, huh… as Astro would say, “ruh roh”. Don’t know about that, talk among yourselves and let me know what you think.
Around 2010, I bought a used 2004 CTS that was owned by an older guy, who was officially retired from driving. Maybe 25,000 miles, didn’t look like anyone ever sat in the back seat. The best part was that he had it fitted out like an old guy’s car – whitewalls, some fancy pinstriping, one of those flip-down smoked plastic visor attachments, and a few other things.
A great car, quick, comfortable, agile, good looking. Even though it was RWD, I don’t recall any issues in the snow.
Of course, at the end (2015), it had some kind of computer glitch that made it go into limp mode repeatedly. No one could fix it, and I remember going to the dealer to trade it in, and it died 3 times on the way to the dealer. It seemed to all fall apart within the space of a few months…
I just purchased a “reconstructed PA title” car. One way to overcome this is to register it in MT with an LLC that you find on FB with those ads. Got plates in a week and it worked out pretty well.
The cost to undo that awful top and chrome stick-ons, plus whatever nonsense is going on with the title, erases whatever value there is in that low price.
The V version is the way to go. Nice parts car otherwise.
I actually worked at the Cadillac dealership that added that stuff for the Palm Beach crowd. I never liked any of it and those tops are really bad and it hurts the look of this car.
Not long before I left there I was in charge of the accessory dept and did my best to not add any of that mess to the cars. Thankfully the new dealership owners had no clue about selling Cadillacs so there was not much of it added.
Also strange to me that people buy a car/truck with nice wheels and Michelin tires then want aftermarket garbage wheels and Vogue tires which are pure junk.
Jim – This is an ’07 – last of the first generation CTSs. Personally, I’d spend the extra money and get a CTS-V.
Trying to make a CTS into A Fleetwood BROUGHAM is a noble effort that obviously falls FAR short in more ways than length. Another CADILLACKING effort helping to drive The (once) Standard of The World into whatever it is today. 😔
Trying to turn a CTS into a FLEETWOOD BROUGHAM is a noble effort. Unfortunately this CADILLACK falls far short in ways not related to length. The Reconstructed title drives the value? down further from the ONCE STANDARD of the WORLD. For me it’s a buy PASS.