I'm in the process of purchasing an 03 cts with 60k miles. They let me take it for half a day so I drove around at lunch then it sat all day.

After work I went to start it and it was slow... like when its really cold out, it was just a slow crank. It wasn't very cold out, in fact it was rather nice for Feb in PA (about 40 and raining). Then I put the car in gear and I get the "power protection" code. I remember hearing about this on other cars so I didn't panic, I just pulled off and turned off the car and restarted it. Problem gone.

On the way back to the dealer, the breaks seemed to grab suddenly while coasting to a stop. Smooth breaking up until the last 5ft then... grab.

So here the point of this post. I'm currently negotiation a 12/12 comprehensive warranty because they can't really fix it because they're not a Cadillac dealer. They are offering me a 2/24 powertrain warranty at a much cheaper price but I don't think any of my problems will be covered in the powertrain warranty.

I'm leaning toward the 12/12 but I'd like the longer term 2/24. If these problems are just a cheap fix then I'll go with the 2/24. Can anyone help me find out what the problems are? I'm going to buy this car no matter what even if its in the shop for the first few months.

Dude get it checked by YOUR trusted mechanic BEFORE you buy it! PERIOD! Also, do a full carfax check.

The weird braking might be because you were in sport mode (Green S emblem on cluster). When in sport mode the car uses advanced engine braking that can be jarring at times if youre not used to it.

I don't think my mechanic would know. He's one of those backyard mechanics that specializes in brakes/tires. Right now I'm checking to see how much the local Cadillac dealer is going to charge me to look at it.

Thanks for the help so far.

I agree about getting a competent source to check the car over. Cadillac dealer is good, if you like them. Others include Pep Boys, Firestone, Goodyear and the like, all have a standard rate to do this. Have them do a complete vehicle checkout. It won't be particularly expensive compared to undiscovered items you find afterward. Anything found can be used to negotiate down the price.

All I can say is READ the fine print of any so-called "warranty" BEFORE getting anything. Many of those "extended" warranties EXCLUDE pre-existing conditions (which means you'd be SOL on any issues existing at the time you bought the car!). These warranties also usually have a waiting period.

I guarantee you that if something expensive gives way on that car the warranty company is going to argue it's not covered -- how do you think these places stay in business?

I don't know about PA, but in NJ you have certain lemon law rights where the dealer MUST give you a warranty for a certain period of time depending on make/model/mileage etc. I think it's 3mos/3000 miles here for lower mileage used cars. You need to check that out before buying this thing. You might do better shopping around for a warranty later.

I don't have any useful advice except to say that I just bought an 03 with 60K miles a couple of weeks ago from a reputable local dealer. I got a 3 month/3000 mile warranty as part of the deal and decided not to buy an extended warranty. I already got the O2 sensor replaced under this warranty and I'll get my local mechanic to give the car a good once-over while it's still under the warranty. Good luck with yours!

With the prices of used CTS's falling like crazy why not shop around for a nice used 04? More power and a few bugs from the 03 worked out already.

They actually sent it to the local Cadillac dealer to have it fixed before I buy it. I think that was pretty cool of them to do. I'm just going to go with the 2/24 power train warranty because it so much cheaper than the comprehensive.

I'm getting this car for $10k so I really don't think I'll find a better deal that this one. I've been looking for about 4 months now and I'm outta time because my lease is up in 18 days. Its either this CTS or I'm biking to work.

They actually sent it to the local Cadillac dealer to have it fixed before I buy it. I think that was pretty cool of them to do. I'm just going to go with the 2/24 power train warranty because it so much cheaper than the comprehensive.

I'm getting this car for $10k so I really don't think I'll find a better deal that this one. I've been looking for about 4 months now and I'm outta time because my lease is up in 18 days. Its either this CTS or I'm biking to work.


Yowza that is a good deal! Welcome to the family!

They had it listed at $18k 3 months ago when I first started looking, so I almost pooped when I saw it listed for $10k. I'm starting to stress out because I don't have it yet. Once I actually sign the papers (hopefully today), I'll feel more like part of the family. I haven't even bought the car yet and I've already started shopping for parts!

I just bought my 03 CTS for $15,000 with 72,000mi.

Congrats! and welcome to the '03 club.

I closed the deal last night. I FINALLY have it. I was so afraid it was going to fall through because it seemed too good to be true. I think the reason they had it listed for so cheap was because the throttle plates need cleaned so its running a little rough, so that was scaring people away. Thanks to this forum, and the help of a few members, I realized that the problem was an easy fix and got a really awesome deal. I even worked a deal on a comprehensive warranty in case anything else goes wrong.

Congrats and welcome to the family!

:woohoo: Enjoy your new Caddy, and welcome to the forum. :wave:

Just an update....

I bought the car 2 weeks ago and no real problems. Since it was so cheap I bought the extended comprehensive warranty that covers pretty much everything. The throttle body wasn't covered so they didn't want to sell me the car since they couldn't fix it so I had to sign an agreement that I knew the throttle body was bad and that I was accepting the car knowing the throttle body wasn't right. Pre-existing condition thing so they wanted to cover their butts.

As soon as it stops snowing (or I can convince my friend to take his Camaro SS out of his garage for room), I'm going to clean the throttle body to see if that works.

I'm really itching to do something to my car because its killing me to drive around bone stock. I've been looking for springs but haven't been able to find anything but Eibach's. I was hoping to go a little cheaper than the Eibachs.

The 03 CTS with the 3.2 has a rough idle. Try a bottle of injector cleaner first. I've had mine in many times for that and it still has a rough idle. Runs great on the road though.

Different subject, Look on e-bay for the dash kit. cover all that plastic with brushed aluminum

Thanks for the tip... I've filled up twice with premium to try to fix the rough idle and I haven't noticed much of a difference. I'll try injector cleaner next.

dash cover.... brilliant!

Hey pap, my '04 3.2L had a rough idle and it was a corroded ignition coil. The dealer replaced it and it runs VERY smooth now (with the exception of when you turn on the A/C Compressor, which the dealer is checking on right now).

I believe there was a TSB out for a 3.2 rough idle when there are no other problems. It had something to do with increasing the idle speed by a bit.

Hey SamD, where did you get your brushed aluminum kit? I've found a bunch of places offering them online but I don't want to get some dash that will degrade over the next couple of years (or worse yet -- not fit quite right!).

I've heard good things about Sherwood, although they seem to be a little pricey. I also checked out WoodDash -- they're prices are better (by like a $100) but I don't know about their long-term quality. http://www.wooddash.com/category/CADILLAC_Dash_Kits_CTS