2003 Cadillac CTS Base is a True Competitor
Found this car of Cars.com, and bought it the same day. This Cadillac handles fast driving just as well as my previous German luxury car, with accurate steering and tenacious grip on both sharp corners and sweeping curves. The entire drivetrain and suspension on this car was sourced in Germany, and assembled in USA with DOHC V-6, Getrag 5-speed transmission with Sachs clutch, and Sachs struts and shocks: it is an excellent car, as good as any made. Body structure is extraordinarily rigid and solid (that's good!). The suspension handles rough city streets well, and still gives a firm smooth ride on the highway. The standard audio system gives concert hall sound for classical and pop rock music. Leather seats are ample and very comfortable for driver and passengers alike. Delivers 30+ MPG at 60 mph, and 20 MPG in mixed congested city driving.
- Comfort 5.0
- Interior 5.0
- Performance 5.0
- Value 5.0
- Exterior 5.0
- Reliability 5.0
- Purchased a Used car
- Used for Commuting
- Does recommend this car
My first car
I love it. Bought a 2003 with 48K miles on it. Only gold Cadillac in my high school parking lot. Drives really nice and comfortable. Steering's a bit heavy.
- Comfort 4.0
- Interior 4.0
- Performance 3.0
- Value 4.0
- Exterior 4.0
- Reliability 4.0
- Purchased a Used car
- Does recommend this car
classies car I've ever owned
I love my 03 CTS. nI traded a 1994 Eldorado for it. I really liked the Eldorado, but I'am disabled and the Eldorado was just too big and heavy. the CTS gives me the comfort and size I need. even though it's an 03 it really felt like a new Cadillac when I got it.if possible, when I go to trade again, I'll buy another CTS. I was also looking at BMW 3 series and Mercedes C and E class, and the CTS won out with me.
- Comfort 4.0
- Interior 4.0
- Performance 5.0
- Value 5.0
- Exterior 5.0
- Reliability 5.0
- Purchased a Used car
- Does recommend this car
Snazzy Fuel Efficient Cadillac
I have been a Cadillac Driver since 1978. This is the 1st small Cadillac that was both an eye catching,(to me) Caddy and also rides well with regular fuel. I love the smooth ride and easy manuverability as well.
- Comfort 4.0
- Interior 4.0
- Performance 4.0
- Value 5.0
- Exterior 5.0
- Reliability 5.0
- Purchased a Used car
- Does recommend this car
First Cadillac
This was the first Cadillac I ever owned and it will certiantly NOT be the last. I first fell in love with the look and style but never thought it would have so much power. The interior is very luxurious and the exterior looks very classy. There hasnt been any problems with mine, but it does cost a little more for the normal maintenance. All in all I have had this car for years and love it!
- Comfort 5.0
- Interior 5.0
- Performance 5.0
- Value 4.0
- Exterior 5.0
- Reliability 5.0
- Purchased a Used car
- Used for Commuting
- Does recommend this car
Horrible product
My wife and I have owned our 2003 CTS for about a year, and so far we have had to visit the dealership every other month for repairs adding up to over $2,300. The car breaks so often that I have my mechanic on speed dial and he can recognize me by voice. We purchased this car with only 60,000 miles on it and have put 37,000 miles on it so far, always change the oil every 3,000miles and performed all of the preventative maintenance necessary. Three days after we purchased the car the system stability light came on while we were on the interstate and the car started to jerk violently to the right. Took it to the dealer and fixed the problem for the sum of $400. Two months later the car had to go back in for a leaking oil cooler and cam shaft seals, this was fixed for only $900! The next month the traction control light came on and the car would not shift out of park unless you shifted immediately when the car started, this was a cheap fix that was caused by 1 burnt out tail light. Just today a nice little light came on that said, "reducing engine power" and I could only go 6mph! I can't wait to get to the dealer on Monday and find out how much this is gonna cost! Over all I believe that Cadillac pushed out a very unreliable product, I have owned several Cadillac's throughout my life and I am sad to say that I do not think that I will ever own another one after this. I would never ever, EVER recommend this car to anyone friend or foe!
- Comfort 2.0
- Interior 3.0
- Performance 2.0
- Value 1.0
- Exterior 5.0
- Reliability 1.0
- Purchased a Used car
- Used for Commuting
- Does not recommend this car
In Love With My CTS
I've dreamed of owning this car since the model first came out almost a decade ago. Now that I own one, I wish I had bought one sooner. It is an absolute dream to drive this car. Not only is she a "head turner" from the outside, but the luxury and comfort inside is terrific. Throw an engine in there that purrs, yet has some gusto when you want it and it's a match made in heaven. I LOVE this car!!!
- Comfort 5.0
- Interior 4.0
- Performance 5.0
- Value 4.0
- Exterior 5.0
- Reliability 5.0
- Purchased a Used car
- Does recommend this car
Disappointed
When the CTS came out in 2003, I was really attracted to its slick exterior design and I've always thought highly of Cadillacs. That is why I bought a used '03 CTS (with 45k miles) in 2007. It is a great drive but as the car approached 50k miles, it started having problems with the ABS system and Traction control. Later on, I also started having problems with my transmission and had to get transmission work done twice! Fortunately, I had purchased extended warranty that covered most of the repair expenses. The '03 CTS is definitely an unique car with great looks and excellent performance on the road. However, I've been very disappointed with the car's reliability. If you're thinking about getting a CTS, DO get extended warranty!
- Comfort 5.0
- Interior 3.0
- Performance 4.0
- Value 3.0
- Exterior 5.0
- Reliability 1.0
- Purchased a Used car
- Used for Commuting
- Does not recommend this car
Call it a Cadillac but it's still a GM product
I have owned a 2003 Cadillac CTS for almost 3 or 4 years now. Due to my job I am a heavy driver (20K miles year), and have always taken care of my vehicles with routine maintenance by the book. However over the passed 9 months I have been averaging a little over $600/month in repair cost alone. This is not counting cost that are normal maintenance such as oil changes new tires, etc. I have had the air conditioning repaired 3 times, new timing belt after it broke, replaced bent valves due to issues with the cam shafts that was some what caused by the broken timing belt. the list goes on and on. all repair cost and reliability issues aside and assuming you are looking at a quality CTS (If one exist) the build quality and materials are far below par. My family have always owned GM products (why the loyalty I don't know) but this was also my first "luxury" car. Shortly after my purchase a friend purchased a Lexus IS250 and this was the first time I realized the lack of build quality GM puts out and labels as Luxury. * The Leather is cheap and easily wears * The power seats lack support for long drives (No lumbar support at all) unacceptable for a car in this class *Air conditioning vent knobs break easily *The plastic light cover on the rear trunk surrounding the license plate becomes lose and falls of easily * body panels (bumpers and tire well panels) becomes loose after cheap body panel snaps easily break. *the list can go on and on. When you do go to preform maintenance or repair expect to pay! When having the battery replaced, I went to the local Advanced Auto where I was informed the this could only be installed and purchased at the dealership. After $280 for just a battery I asked why such the high cost? I was expecting an answer like due to an advanced electrical system engineered by Cadillac... etc, etc, but instead all I got was "It's a Cadillac man, everything's more expensive on a Cadillac" Not the answer I was looking for. So if you are looking for an "OK" vehicle that has no outstanding or unique features, questionable reliability, and high maintenance cost, then look no further. If you are looking for a quality luxury sports sedan, then look elsewhere. I know I will from now on!
- Comfort 3.0
- Interior 3.0
- Performance 4.0
- Value 3.0
- Exterior 4.0
- Reliability 2.0
- Purchased a Used car
- Does not recommend this car
2003 Loaded CTS
This was my second car to own, the first being a Mercedes SLK32 AMG and I loved the CTS just as much as the two door sports car. I have driven many different Cadillacs and luxury cars in my day and have to say that for the money the CTS is the best one out there. I loved my CTS and was heart-broken when a driver ran a red light and t-boned my car and myself, but like any Cadillac owner I keep it in the family and am now looking for a 2008 CTS or 2008 xxx, I wish I could wait until 2009 and get the CTS-V Overall the CTS is a wonderful car outside and in, the only drawback I had was I did not get the navigation and that made the center console look unappealing but other than that the CTS is a must
- Comfort 5.0
- Interior 3.0
- Performance 5.0
- Value 5.0
- Exterior 5.0
- Reliability 5.0
- Purchased a New car
- Does recommend this car