I'm Nik (Nicki) and I'm planning on making the 2008 CTS the first ever cadillac for me and my family. It would be the first car I ever pay for by myself so I was wondering if it would be a better option to lease or buy. I am a college student with a job... I make around $400 a month and the car itself wouldn't be driven that much just to the train station and back to my house. I don't really know about leasing that much so any thoughts or ideas would be greatly appreciated :)

it depends are you planning on doing mods?

No... I figure since its a new car I really can't mod it yet since the mods aren't out haha

I have never leased and never plan to. Because at the end of all your payments, you still have nothing in your name.

No... I figure since its a new car I really can't mod it yet since the mods aren't out haha

rims, tint, you get the point:D


PS: i thought you owned a cadillac i see you in the lounge all the time.

a lease is definately not the way to go, like jon said, nothing in your name after 2 years of payments, if you decide to buy it out, its also gonna be a ridiculous price to buy it out. Mileage can creep on you, you never know when you hit up a road trip or what not, you go over the miles and most lease contracts will have you by the short and curlies.

buy it outright, then its your CTS and you can do whatever you want with it.

BTW are you planning on throwing down one hell of a down payment?? an 08 CTS is not gonna be bought on a 400 dollar a month budget, this is not meant to be a harsh comment, but ask anyone else here with probably a 05 or hgigher and i bet there payments are around 400 if not plenty more a month.

Hopefully everything works out for ya :thumbsup:

a lease is definately not the way to go, like jon said, nothing in your name after 2 years of payments, if you decide to buy it out, its also gonna be a ridiculous price to buy it out. Mileage can creep on you, you never know when you hit up a road trip or what not, you go over the miles and most lease contracts will have you by the short and curlies.

buy it outright, then its your CTS and you can do whatever you want with it.

BTW are you planning on throwing down one hell of a down payment?? an 08 CTS is not gonna be bought on a 400 dollar a month budget, this is not meant to be a harsh comment, but ask anyone else here with probably a 05 or hgigher and i bet there payments are around 400 if not plenty more a month.

Hopefully everything works out for ya :thumbsup:


i have a 03 and i pay a little over $400 a month. look how you spelt higher lol

i have a 03 and i pay a little over $400 a month. look how you spelt higher lol

haha sorry brother it can stay that way, the point comes across, its a 40,000 dollar automobile and will just need a hefty down payment to be had on a 400 dollar a month budget, like say ohhhhhhhhhh 20,000 dollars

I'm Nik (Nicki) and I'm planning on making the 2008 CTS the first ever cadillac for me and my family. :)
or maybe i misunderstood, whole fams pitching in?

i regret leasing mine, i love this car... however, a lease does have its upsides too.

i got in jan 06 and i'm at ten or 11 thous miles right now-- i put 2500 or 3500 down and am doing 409 a month for 36 months ...

my miles arent in bad shape... keeping it to 1200 a month isnt too hard for me cus i just go to school mon-fri and out on the weekends. down the shore the summertime and i'm going to college in a few months. Also, i go out with friends and gf a lot, we all take turns driving.


if ur gonna be using it for transportation from ur apartment/dorm to the trainstation and only earn 400 a month, you should consider a lease..
..u can probably do one for about 1500 down and 300+ a month.


good luck, let us know what u decide to do.

..
..u can probably do one for about 1500 down and 300+ a month.
.

thats why leases are deceiving, 300 a month sounds splendid but is it really?? its like an apartment, why shovel your money to someone else to "loan" their car when you can be paying, maybe and most likely some more, for it to be yours! ill take the higher payment with my cadillac belonging to me in a few short years :)

my mileage is half what it should be at this point -- i'm in great shape -- what u think i should do when my lease is up? buy it out then sell it myself? try to make SOME money; seeing as to how i'll be a crap load of miles ahead of the game.. probably a little less than half of what i should have (guestimate of 43k at end of lease and actually only having like 25)..

Yeah but leasing is really her only option at this point and time. She can't afford to pay for one. You are looking at a mid 30k- mid 40k at around 650-750 a month for one (depending on credit).

Oh... by the way babe I GET TO DRIVE IT!

rims, tint, you get the point:D


PS: i thought you owned a cadillac i see you in the lounge all the time.

hehe rims :drool: no I don't own one sadly... hence why I want a CTS :D

a lease is definately not the way to go, like jon said, nothing in your name after 2 years of payments, if you decide to buy it out, its also gonna be a ridiculous price to buy it out. Mileage can creep on you, you never know when you hit up a road trip or what not, you go over the miles and most lease contracts will have you by the short and curlies.

buy it outright, then its your CTS and you can do whatever you want with it.

BTW are you planning on throwing down one hell of a down payment?? an 08 CTS is not gonna be bought on a 400 dollar a month budget, this is not meant to be a harsh comment, but ask anyone else here with probably a 05 or hgigher and i bet there payments are around 400 if not plenty more a month.

Hopefully everything works out for ya :thumbsup:

I know I have to show my parents that I can put $5K down and my dad may front me some of the money he has saved up for me over the years since I was a baby. From there I'll take over payments... if it is more than $400 I can probably pull some cash outta somewhere :)

...but the thing is ... if ur paying 400+ a month for a car... and u only make 400 a month.... u'll have a pretty car, but one that cant take u to work or anywhere else u need to go (hint: GAS).

I know I have to show my parents that I can put $5K down and my dad may front me some of the money he has saved up for me over the years since I was a baby. From there I'll take over payments... if it is more than $400 I can probably pull some cash outta somewhere :)

hey you never know maybe your dad has some major dough saved up for you haha....in the end like adam said it may be your only option, so dont get down in the dumps about leasing yet...you can always finagle on a buy out price at the end and after your lease is up in a few years you could be on track to owning that CTS!!!

or maybe i misunderstood, whole fams pitching in?

Nope my money and thats it... I'm not letting my siblings drive this car :D My family has never had a caddy in their family of cars. My parents thing they're old people cars :nono:

my mileage is half what it should be at this point -- i'm in great shape -- what u think i should do when my lease is up? buy it out then sell it myself? try to make SOME money; seeing as to how i'll be a crap load of miles ahead of the game.. probably a little less than half of what i should have (guestimate of 43k at end of lease and actually only having like 25)..

your not going to try to keep it?

hey you never know maybe your dad has some major dough saved up for you haha....in the end like adam said it may be your only option, so dont get down in the dumps about leasing yet...you can always finagle on a buy out price at the end and after your lease is up in a few years you could be on track to owning that CTS!!!

haha oh believe me I'm afraid to find out how much he has... :ill: I'm hoping to one day own one so I figured I'd start off with the cheapest caddy up to date

i want a V ... if i cant have a v, i want the next best thing (my current cts)

You also gotta think about insurance too. And like said before, gas money. Unless your parents are gonna pay for it. Not trying to discourage you or nothing. Just putting it out there. It's going to be expensive.

Nope my money and thats it... I'm not letting my siblings drive this car :D My family has never had a caddy in their family of cars. My parents thing they're old people cars :nono:

I hear ya, my dads the only one blessed enough to drive mine and thats only cuz i need him to take care of maintence while im away haha.

Your parents feelings WILL change when you get that CTS haha

You also gotta think about insurance too. And like said before, gas money. Unless your parents are gonna pay for it. Not trying to discourage you or nothing. Just putting it out there. It's going to be expensive.

I know my parents are co-signing with me because I don't have any credit. Insurance I'll pay for along with gas. The thing is I won't be driving it that much just about 2 miles a day to the train station then home. I just have it there just incase if I wanna go on the night of the town or I need to drive back to Pitt for emergencies.

Ok but insurance is still gonna be sky high. You are going to have to get full coverage (no choice there) for a brand new Cadillac driven by a 19 year old. :) It's gonna cost you.

You also gotta think about insurance too. And like said before, gas money. Unless your parents are gonna pay for it. Not trying to discourage you or nothing. Just putting it out there. It's going to be expensive.

this is also true, ok for some reason i really want this to work now haha so lets come up with a game plan, you got 5 k?? throw that down on the car, hopefully we get ya a descent monthly payment while leasing, ask your dad, who has so graciously saved a million dollars for ya over the years, to comprimise with you. Instead of you getting the money hes saved, ask him to take care of your insurance and toss you a full tank of gas here and there :bouncy: then when its time for maintence, go to the caddy dealer, flirt extremely extremely hard (possibly skin must be shown) take a service rep out to dinner and wala you have free services......phewwww that was exhausting.........but you have your CTS!!!!!! haha :highfive:

idk wat available engine options there are for the o8, but in o6 it was 2.8 and 3.6 ... cts was advertised for 28k ... now, the price u c online and on tv is different than that when u go into the dealership. 2.8L with NO options was $28k retail, and a lease of 1500 down and 300 a month....
lol i went in with my dad, trying to negotiate something on a 2.8 for the advertised 300 a month and 1500 down, wound up getting a 3.6, 2500-3500 down and 409 a month ... lol

what i'm trying to say is, the price you may see on this forum or from a cadi rep is the starting price on the most basic cts. .. meaning, leatherette, no sunroof, no xm, sound package, nav, heated seats, fold down seats, luxury package, sport package, etc etc etc


hope this is helping...

Ok . You are going to have to get full coverage (no choice there) for a brand new Cadillac driven by a 19 year old. .

holy geez insurance :bighead: :hide: :hide:

i definately think in the end your gonna wanna have your dad pay insurance haha......

BTW why 08??? you can get 04's in the 20's with descent mileage and 5 grand down your in the teens!!!! nothing wrong with certified pre owned...extended warranties are lovely haha

Ok but insurance is still gonna be sky high. You are going to have to get full coverage (no choice there) for a brand new Cadillac driven by a 19 year old. :) It's gonna cost you.

Ehhh we'll see...

when its time for maintence, go to the caddy dealer, flirt extremely extremely hard (possibly skin must be shown) take a service rep out to dinner and wala you have free services......:highfive:

i tried that ... not only did i not get free service, but i never got a call back either.. nor will i ever get my other thing back :crying:

[sniff sniff] he told me he loved me :crying2:

I think the 08 will have the 3.6 and the direct injected 3.6. You need service I'm sure James would help you out...

Ehhh we'll see...

I'm not trying to bum you out babe. I just want you to see all angles before diving in. Even though it is a long way off. I'm just trying to help :).

holy geez insurance :bighead: :hide: :hide:

i definately think in the end your gonna wanna have your dad pay insurance haha......

BTW why 08??? you can get 04's in the 20's with descent mileage and 5 grand down your in the teens!!!! nothing wrong with certified pre owned...extended warranties are lovely haha

I actually wanted to get an older CTS but eh I like the new ones...
I found an 05 CTS 3.6 Black hehe oh the mods I could do... :lildevil:

I actually wanted to get an older CTS but eh I like the new ones...
I found an 05 CTS 3.6 Black hehe oh the mods I could do... :lildevil:

i hear ya, but just keep it in the back burner, just because a brand new 40,000 dollar lux automobile is out of a 19-20 year olds price range (whoopdedoo its out of probably half middle aged peoples budgets too) dont take it as a hit....all us youngins find a solution one way or another, mine was a used CTS.

The thing is I won't be driving it that much just about 2 miles a day to the train station then home. I just have it there just incase if I wanna go on the night of the town or I need to drive back to Pitt for emergencies.

2 miles/day times 31 days = 62 miles per month
62 miles/month times 12 months a year = 744 miles per year
744 miles/year times 4 years (standard 48 month lease) = 2976 miles over a 4 year course.

with the occasionally drive back home and then back to school you're looking at like 10 thousand miles on your car when you'd be expected to have around 50,000 ... its not worth it to pay about 20 thousand dollars for a new 08 cts + insurance and other expenses just to have a nice car to drive to the train station and back or go out with the friends..

ultimately, ur the boss... u just gotta look at the big picture and see whats the best thing to do

i hear ya, but just keep it in the back burner, just because a brand new 40,000 dollar lux automobile is out of a 19-20 year olds price range (whoopdedoo its out of probably half middle aged peoples budgets too) dont take it as a hit....all us youngins find a solution one way or another, mine was a used CTS.

Yeah... if the deal doesn't go through I'll just resort to an older used one to modifiy...

2 miles/day times 31 days = 62 miles per month
62 miles/month times 12 months a year = 744 miles per year
744 miles/year times 4 years (standard 48 month lease) = 2976 miles over a 4 year course.

with the occasionally drive back home and then back to school you're looking at like 10 thousand miles on your car when you'd be expected to have around 50,000 ... its not worth it to pay about 20 thousand dollars for a new 08 cts + insurance and other expenses just to have a nice car to drive to the train station and back or go out with the friends..

ultimately, ur the boss... u just gotta look at the big picture and see whats the best thing to do

Thanks I appreciate the numbers to put it in perspective. :thumbsup:

:D --- good god how the hell'd u get that many rep points!!


i'm telling ya, guys get jipped when it comes to rep points =/

One thing you guys are all forgetting...

She's MAKING $400 / month... Surely there are other expenses she has to pay for?

My monthly expenses on gas, food, etc are roughly $900-$1500. The worst part is, I have NO idea where it all goes to, until I see my credit card statement...

I spend a ton on gas. :(

I know the feeling. Last time I filled up it was 46 dollars for the CTS and 58 dollars for the Fleetwood.

gas hurts ... but when i'm low and broke, i try to park behind my dad's car so he's blocking me in, and ask to use his car to run somewhere. I dont come back for a while and if he needs to go somewhere he'll use my car--when he sees its low on gas, he fills it up--SCORE!!!
:D

gas sucks....:dammit: :ripped:

Damn... my dad would let it run out and leave it.

Yes gas prices blow.

:mob::mob: GET RT! *rabble rabble rabble rabble*

gas hurts ... but when i'm low and broke, i try to park behind my dad's car so he's blocking me in, and ask to use his car to run somewhere. I dont come back for a while and if he needs to go somewhere he'll use my car--when he sees its low on gas, he fills it up--SCORE!!!
:D
Yeah... my car always gets the left side of the garage. :D

:D --- good god how the hell'd u get that many rep points!!


i'm telling ya, guys get jipped when it comes to rep points =/

Its coz I'm a girl and I have boobs... :( its sad to admit.yes I can agree that guys get jipped on points... I'm actually maxxed out

Its coz I'm a girl and I have boobs... :( its sad to admit.yes I can agree that guys get jipped on points... I'm actually maxxed out

soooooooooooooo happy a girl finally admitted it! (<- did i spell that right? w/e)

Yeah and it also explains how a thread jumps 5 pages in 10 minutes...

HAHAH i was thinkin that too

so um whats the conclusion here?

go to the dealer and see what u can work out on a lease? if that dont work go for a pre-owned cts?

Yeah if me or you would have posted, it would have got 5 replies at most.

Yes gas prices blow.

:mob::mob: GET RT! *rabble rabble rabble rabble*

:RightTurn: :kiss:

gas hurts ... but when i'm low and broke, i try to park behind my dad's car so he's blocking me in, and ask to use his car to run somewhere. I dont come back for a while and if he needs to go somewhere he'll use my car--when he sees its low on gas, he fills it up--SCORE!!!
:D

smart guy! :thumbsup:

so um whats the conclusion here?

go to the dealer and see what u can work out on a lease? if that dont work go for a pre-owned cts?

pretty much... I gotta finalize ti all with my dad too. He knows I've been debating on it for awhile...

Yeah if me or you would have posted, it would have got 5 replies at most.

Sorry Adam :( damn my boobs!

:RightTurn: :kiss:

Awww how can I be mad at that?

Nik... sounds good babe, keep us updated!

Yeah if me or you would have posted, it would have got 5 replies at most.
Don't flatter yourself... 3 at the most, LOL. j/k

:RightTurn: :kiss:

Hey Miss Sarah... so what should I do in your opinion lease or buy an 08 CTS? Or just buy a used one?

Sorry Adam :( damn my boobs!

Haha, its ok babe! You're alright! I'm just saying... :D :gurl:

Hey Miss Sarah... so what should I do in your opinion lease or buy an 08 CTS? Or just buy a used one?

Too many unknowns at this point, Nik! It depends on how much help you'll be getting from your Dad. A lease is not a good idea unless you're the type to "flip" a car every 2-3 years. If you plan to keep the car, then buying outright is the way to go. You still have plenty of time to consider...:highfive:

Haha, its ok babe! You're alright! I'm just saying... :D :gurl:

Haha ok... I just didn't want you mad at me... I'll just keep browsing around at the older caddys so I have a back-up

Too many unknowns at this point, Nik! It depends on how much help you'll be getting from your Dad. A lease is not a good idea unless you're the type to "flip" a car every 2-3 years. If you plan to keep the car, then buying outright is the way to go. You still have plenty of time to consider...:highfive:

Ok thank you very much! :D :highfive:

It's ok babe. I'm just stating the truth. It's not you, its just how this forum goes. Not mad! What other Caddies you looking at?

Older CTSs... blue or black preferably 3.6L I'd like some speed :)

:bigroll: Ok. You want speed look at a V. The 3.2 and the 3.6 really don't feel that much different.

i hear ya, but just keep it in the back burner, just because a brand new 40,000 dollar lux automobile is out of a 19-20 year olds price range (whoopdedoo its out of probably half middle aged peoples budgets too) dont take it as a hit....all us youngins find a solution one way or another, mine was a used CTS.

hey...its not out of my price range, and Im 22, just gotta work hard

:bigroll: Ok. You want speed look at a V. The 3.2 and the 3.6 really don't feel that much different.
It may not "feel" different, but if you race them, there is a difference. ;)

:werd:

:bigroll: Ok. You want speed look at a V. The 3.2 and the 3.6 really don't feel that much different.

Umm problem... this little lady can't drive a stick

another woman driving cadillac:tisk:

This little lady can learn :D. I actually need to start driving one again. I can drive them, I just never got used to them so I just stuck with auto's. But for a V or a Vette... I will :D.

Hey now not nice :p

basically
Nik jealous of the fact ive got caddys
and the fact i just got this new 03 STS and everyone in my family is like WOW nice car she wants a new car too
I mean common ive had my ETC and this STS lol and now she wants to move away from her Hyundai days into a Lac
I keep telling her forget the 08s though get a nice low miles 03 they are cheap as hell, heck i almost bought one but i wanted something bigger and the CTS was nothing more than a slower ETC to me so i got this STS.
and leasing is dump as hell because she doesnt and wont own it, she cant modify it, every scratch dent or ding when she takes it in for them to "repo" it will be coming out of her wallet, it just isnt worth the hassle, but it, pay for it and enjoy a couple of years without a car payment....

Umm problem... this little lady can't drive a stick

Of course you can, Nik. It's easy to drive a manual tranny. Problem is, in high traffic areas they are a PITA. That's one reason I will skip the CTS-V and go for the STS-V. :thumbsup:

Of course you can, Nik. It's easy to drive a manual tranny. Problem is, in high traffic areas they are a PITA. That's one reason I will skip the CTS-V and go for the STS-V. :thumbsup:

:shocked: Getting an STS-V Sarah? I GET TO DRIVE IT!

basically
Nik jealous of the fact ive got caddys
and the fact i just got this new 03 STS and everyone in my family is like WOW nice car she wants a new car too
I mean common ive had my ETC and this STS lol and now she wants to move away from her Hyundai days into a Lac
I keep telling her forget the 08s though get a nice low miles 03 they are cheap as hell, heck i almost bought one but i wanted something bigger and the CTS was nothing more than a slower ETC to me so i got this STS.
and leasing is dump as hell because she doesnt and wont own it, she cant modify it, every scratch dent or ding when she takes it in for them to "repo" it will be coming out of her wallet, it just isnt worth the hassle, but it, pay for it and enjoy a couple of years without a car payment....

That was the stupidest thing I have read today. Ok since day one she's been saying she wants a Cadillac. So how can you say she is jealous? She said she wanted a CTS, has been saying so for a long time, well before you got that STS. So I fail to see your logic. Leasing has its advantages as well and the biggest one is it is more affordable.

I think some other mbrs have hinted toward this but if you only make $400 a month the CTS just isnt for you at this time. Finish college, bump up your salary and then go looking for an 08 CTS. Credit is very important and if you screw it up now just to ride around in a nice car you'll regret it and be paying for it for yrs to come. Its just not worth it. Needs always (or at least should) out weigh wants/desires.

That was the stupidest thing I have read today. Ok since day one she's been saying she wants a Cadillac. So how can you say she is jealous? She said she wanted a CTS, has been saying so for a long time, well before you got that STS. So I fail to see your logic. Leasing has its advantages as well and the biggest one is it is more affordable.
or thats her actual reason for spawning this thread she told me straight up, "jay you have a new car and now i want one too!"
and to be honest every day its a new car
one day she wants a Lade
the next its an CTS
least im constant, i want an STS-V plain and simple....

I have to agree with Bishop, I want the 08 bad too but I know financially it isn't the right move and I make 70k+. I'm 26 with a background in Finance and as much as I want the nicest car now I know that it is much more important to get myself financially stable. And no matter how much we love our cars they are still terrible investments, all they do is depreciate not appreciate like other investments. Make sure think about how much of your income will be going into a poor investment and how much is going into good investments for the next several years if you make the purchase. A lease will allow you to drive something you can't afford but again you are dumping all of your income to rent something. These can be critical years for younger people to save and get themselves out of credit card debt, get a down payment for a house, and accumulate assets which in turn will allow us to drive a much nicer car later on that we can afford. Unless you have a high paying job lined up after college I would hold off on buying one. A used 04 would be better but still not a good investment choice on that income at the moment.

Hope that didn't sound like a lecture, but I put a lot of thought into what I could afford when I got out of college with also setting myself up for the future. America in general has a problem with spending more then they can afford which isn't good.

...I want the 08 bad too but I know financially it isn't the right move and I make 70k+. I'm 26 with a background in Finance and as much as I want the nicest car now I know that it is much more important to get myself financially stable. And no matter how much we love our cars they are still terrible investments, all they do is depreciate not appreciate like other investments. Make sure think about how much of your income will be going into a poor investment and how much is going into good investments for the next several years if you make the purchase. A lease will allow you to drive something you can't afford but again you are dumping all of your income to rent something. These can be critical years for younger people to save and get themselves out of credit card debt, get a down payment for a house, and accumulate assets which in turn will allow us to drive a much nicer car later on that we can afford. Unless you have a high paying job lined up after college I would hold off on buying one. A used 04 would be better but still not a good investment choice on that income at the moment.

Hope that didn't sound like a lecture, but I put a lot of thought into what I could afford when I got out of college with also setting myself up for the future. America in general has a problem with spending more then they can afford which isn't good.

Now that's real talk man, very very good advice. :thumbsup:

Jay & Adam
I have wanted a caddy for a long time which is true in Adam's post. I do fluctuate at what I wnat but I figured I knew I could not afford a Lade (it was almost as a little dream of mine to have one) so I kicked it down a notch to CTS. Jay you've fluctuated between a DTS and STS, don't just say STS-V coz you can be indecisive as well. Yes Jay I did tell you I wanted a caddy since every one in your fam is getting new cars but you know I've wanted one for a long time. I just haven't acted out that I really do want one until now.

I think some other mbrs have hinted toward this but if you only make $400 a month the CTS just isnt for you at this time. Finish college, bump up your salary and then go looking for an 08 CTS. Credit is very important and if you screw it up now just to ride around in a nice car you'll regret it and be paying for it for yrs to come. Its just not worth it. Needs always (or at least should) out weigh wants/desires.

Thanks... I guess I have to realize it. I appreciate the input :)

:shocked: Getting an STS-V Sarah? I GET TO DRIVE IT!

It depends on whether they're still being made in a couple of years and what they look like, lol. Babe's only 7 months old so I can't let her go yet. :ill:

Awww I'll take her for you how much do you want? :p

basically
Nik jealous of the fact ive got caddys
and the fact i just got this new 03 STS and everyone in my family is like WOW nice car she wants a new car too
I mean common ive had my ETC and this STS lol and now she wants to move away from her Hyundai days into a Lac
I keep telling her forget the 08s though get a nice low miles 03 they are cheap as hell, heck i almost bought one but i wanted something bigger and the CTS was nothing more than a slower ETC to me so i got this STS.
and leasing is dump as hell because she doesnt and wont own it, she cant modify it, every scratch dent or ding when she takes it in for them to "repo" it will be coming out of her wallet, it just isnt worth the hassle, but it, pay for it and enjoy a couple of years without a car payment....

ok so BASICALLY
..ur wrong

mines leased, i can modify it all i want. I sat with the dealer, review my contract, and asked what i can and cant do. I can do whatever i want to the car to enhance its appearance, "it only adds more value to the car," to quote the dealer. my dad had a mazda he leased years ago. When he returned it, it had some scratches on the exterior and the interior didnt look brand new either... they charged him 175 or something along that line for "wear and tear" .. to fix all the damage he it would have cost him more, however, the dealership just categorized it all under wear and tear and told him to pay the standard $175 fee for "wear and tear"

in the end, i pay less and drive the same car as someone who paid the full $43k.

lt is a good option to have
nik u should really go talk to your local dealership, if things dont look good for a contemporary deal, ask when they are gonna have a special. If the future looks dull, and u still want a cts, get an 03 or 04 or w/e u can afford.
...but it just doesnt seem like a luxury automobile is what u need right now--trade your hyundai in and get a hyundai tiburon or a pontiac solstice or saturn sky (<-- i saw the redline version.. IN PERSON THAT THING IS SOO HOT!)
just know that u have plenty of options

ok so BASICALLY
..ur wrong

mines leased, i can modify it all i want. I sat with the dealer, review my contract, and asked what i can and cant do. I can do whatever i want to the car to enhance its appearance, "it only adds more value to the car," to quote the dealer. my dad had a mazda he leased years ago. When he returned it, it had some scratches on the exterior and the interior didnt look brand new either... they charged him 175 or something along that line for "wear and tear" .. to fix all the damage he it would have cost him more, however, the dealership just categorized it all under wear and tear and told him to pay the standard $175 fee for "wear and tear"

in the end, i pay less and drive the same car as someone who paid the full $43k.

lt is a good option to have
nik u should really go talk to your local dealership, if things dont look good for a contemporary deal, ask when they are gonna have a special. If the future looks dull, and u still want a cts, get an 03 or 04 or w/e u can afford.
...but it just doesnt seem like a luxury automobile is what u need right now--trade your hyundai in and get a hyundai tiburon or a pontiac solstice or saturn sky (<-- i saw the redline version.. IN PERSON THAT THING IS SOO HOT!)
just know that u have plenty of options

I'm probably seeing my dad in 2 weeks so he and I can officially talk it through and go up to Heritage Cadillac to see what they offer. I know I can't trade in the elantra since its my younger siblings car at the moment. I appreciate the help. :)

I'm probably seeing my dad in 2 weeks so he and I can officially talk it through and go up to Heritage Cadillac to see what they offer. I know I can't trade in the elantra since its my younger siblings car at the moment. I appreciate the help. :)

Heritage Cadillac in Lombard, I'm going there Saturday to check out an '05 CTS! My dad got his Escalade there, really great dealer.

You checking out the luxury white one? Looks nice :thumbsup: Haha I like the 04 Blue Chip... I'd get that in a heart beat if I had some credict established. Thanks god they're a good dealer, thats the only one I've liked and near my house.

Yep, going to look at this one:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=221096244&dealer_id=74101&car_year=2005&model=CTS&num_records=100&make2=&start_year=1981&engine=&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&certified=&fuel=&body_code=0&search_type=both&distance=25&make=CAD&color=&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceASC&address=60439&advanced=&end_year=2008&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=13

Isn't it dreamy :cloud9:

Heritage always seems to have something nice in stock. Hopefully I can get it down to around $20,500 if everything comes through and I decide to get it. I want to try and sell my Seville privately too so I don't get screwed over on trading it in.

Nice :thumbup: she's a beauty! You probably could get it down to that. Good luck!!

I have to agree with Bishop, I want the 08 bad too but I know financially it isn't the right move and I make 70k+. I'm 26 with a background in Finance and as much as I want the nicest car now I know that it is much more important to get myself financially stable. And no matter how much we love our cars they are still terrible investments, all they do is depreciate not appreciate like other investments. Make sure think about how much of your income will be going into a poor investment and how much is going into good investments for the next several years if you make the purchase. A lease will allow you to drive something you can't afford but again you are dumping all of your income to rent something. These can be critical years for younger people to save and get themselves out of credit card debt, get a down payment for a house, and accumulate assets which in turn will allow us to drive a much nicer car later on that we can afford. Unless you have a high paying job lined up after college I would hold off on buying one. A used 04 would be better but still not a good investment choice on that income at the moment.

Hope that didn't sound like a lecture, but I put a lot of thought into what I could afford when I got out of college with also setting myself up for the future. America in general has a problem with spending more then they can afford which isn't good.

http://forums.collectors.com/i/expressions/stupid.gif

ok so BASICALLY
..ur wrong

mines leased, i can modify it all i want. I sat with the dealer, review my contract, and asked what i can and cant do. I can do whatever i want to the car to enhance its appearance, "it only adds more value to the car," to quote the dealer. my dad had a mazda he leased years ago. When he returned it, it had some scratches on the exterior and the interior didnt look brand new either... they charged him 175 or something along that line for "wear and tear" .. to fix all the damage he it would have cost him more, however, the dealership just categorized it all under wear and tear and told him to pay the standard $175 fee for "wear and tear"

in the end, i pay less and drive the same car as someone who paid the full $43k.

lt is a good option to have
nik u should really go talk to your local dealership, if things dont look good for a contemporary deal, ask when they are gonna have a special. If the future looks dull, and u still want a cts, get an 03 or 04 or w/e u can afford.
...but it just doesnt seem like a luxury automobile is what u need right now--trade your hyundai in and get a hyundai tiburon or a pontiac solstice or saturn sky (<-- i saw the redline version.. IN PERSON THAT THING IS SOO HOT!)
just know that u have plenty of options

and at the end of that lease what do you have to show for it, NOTHING. youve paid for the depreciation of the car nothing more nothing less. IDK about you but after ive paid for a car id like to be able to enjoy no car payments for awhile. Going used youll pay about the same price as if you leased a new and at the end of 4 or 5 years youll have ownership of the car. Im paying a shade under 300 a mth for my 03 STS, it had only 44k on it and new it cost 58K, i got it for 16500 and at the end of that loan ill own the car, instead of nothing....

Somethings not adding up. If you make $400 a month theirs absolutley no way you can buy or lease an 08.

Allow me to play devil’s advocate for a moment.

I lease for the following reasons:

1) To stay on the cutting edge (i.e. 2008 CTS, here I come!!).
2) Lower monthly payments.
3) The lowest maintenance years occur during the lease term.
4) The liberty to walk away at the end of the lease term.

Car financing is a no-win situation. On one hand, those who buy endure six to seven years of repaying a car loan plus additional expenses for new tires & brakes, long-term maintenance, and unforeseen headaches that conveniently occur after the warranty expires. Suddenly, you’re left with a fifteen year-old car with engine knock that’s not quite as fresh as the day you bought it. Meanwhile your mechanic quotes $800 to replace the steering column and informs you that the head gaskets are “sweaty”, and the $1,000 you set aside to replace the thrice-cracked bumper goes bye-bye. Of course this scenario was just a generalization. We Caddy-folk take painstaking care of our rides (hopefully!!).

On the other hand, those who lease enjoy the satisfaction of new-car ownership. After three years, you still woo the ladies at red lights because the car is still current. However, with just 10% “new-car smell” remaining, it’s time to hand over the keys. Suddenly you ponder the sanity of paying another company’s $21,000 depreciation expense plus another $2,000 for excess mileage and a dent that’s only detectable by an electron microscope.

The point: as long as you operate a car, you pay. Ask yourself, do you prefer cycling fresh cars every two to three years or the utility of owning a car long-term? Personally, I prefer the lease option mainly for the above reasons but mainly to satisfy my hedonistic needs (point #1 above).

BTW, I became emotionally attached to my last Caddy which I owned for seven years. Despite numerous maintenance bills, new brakes, two sets of tires, new exhaust, new steering, three trunk latches, new bumper new front license plate holder, smooshed leather seats, bum window motors, chipped paint, rust, dings, and dents, I loved that car until the day the engine blew up. That was a painful day. Here I am getting emotional about an inanimate object! With leasing, the relationship is short and sweet. No hard feelings, car. See ya later. Adios. Tah-tah. New CTS with a built-in hard drive and show car interior lighting? Where’ve ya been all my life!!!

Somethings not adding up. If you make $400 a month theirs absolutley no way you can buy or lease an 08.

You forgot the daddy factor. :D

You forgot the daddy factor. :D

the sugar daddy factor:D
USA USA USA

or thats her actual reason for spawning this thread she told me straight up, "jay you have a new car and now i want one too!"
and to be honest every day its a new car
one day she wants a Lade
the next its an CTS
least im constant, i want an STS-V plain and simple....

What? Constants ass. You were all over the damn place. Oh I'm looking at a DTS. Then two hours later you send me a million pm's about CTS'. Then something about a Fleetwood. Then back to DTS' and then the STS. So what if she changes her mind about a car. I do the same thing. I even go test drive the damn cars and try to buy them. Hell three weeks ago I almost traded the Fleetwood and CTS on a brand new GT Mustang.

On the other hand, those who lease enjoy the satisfaction of new-car ownership.

Errr, but you don't own anything in a lease. :p

And who says I can't have a new car every 2-3 years if I finance? Hell, I can sell it at anytime and use the money to pay it off.

Errr, but you don't own anything in a lease. :p

And who says I can't have a new car every 2-3 years if I finance? Hell, I can sell it at anytime and use the money to pay it off.


Obviously you could drive a car every 2-3 years under both types of financing options, but who wants to sell their car every 2-3 years? That's a pain in itself. With leasing, you simply walk away.

Its very simple. With leasing you are simply paying for what you use. You are not "throwing money away" as some people like to believe. At the end of the lease, the car is worth its depreciated value, not all the money you put into it from the start AND you still HAVE the option to buy out your lease if you DONT want to start over.

If you like to keep cars for along time, leasing is not the way to go. If you like to SWAP cars every 2 to 3 years, leasing is the ONLY way to go to prevent from being ripped a new one in upside-down scenarios.