I am in the market for a new car. I own a 1996 SLS and I need to replace the radiator, return tank, do alignment and brake work. Not bad, but it will cost me about $800. Instead of dumping the money in a car that's 12 years old, I am looking at a few different cars.

Any input is appreciated:

1. 2003 CTS
$16000 out the door
46800 mi
very clean.

2. 2004 BMW 325i
$16995
34000 mi
very clean

3. 2004 CTS
$18995
25600 mi
also very clean

I considered a couple other models, but I like these the best. I am of course partial to Cadillac, but the 325 drives very, very nice. Plus it seems bigger but considerably more power than the 03 CTS. The 04 was decent.

I am thinking of telling the 03 Caddy dealer that I have this BMW in my sights for not much more and if he wants me to get it he'll have to make me a deal I can't refuse... like 15000 out the door. Think it's possible?

Also, honest opinions about the BMW please. I know this is a caddy forum and I love caddy myself, but I'd like some objective observations please.

Being kinda biased, but CTS all the way. Everyone and their and grandma has Beemers. Grandma even got dubs up on those, at least out here in Clai they do.:rolleyes:

go for the 04 and tell him about the bmw.

i vote cts..i really dont like the idea of owning a bmw..they are sweet cars but if anything goes wrong you will be bending over. not to say caddys are cheap to fix but they arent as bad as the bmw's.
as for handiling, the bmw will be more sporty, the cts for me handles great, feels sporty 2 me but im use to driving a suv.
i dont know what bmw it is but the cts uses the same tranny (also heard there is 1 suzuki?)
if you are just lookin at a summer car, i hear you can get a 2000 porsche boxster (in usa) for around the 16 mark with 100 km (65miles or so).
buy the caddy, drive class and get some as* LOL

3-series?? bigger?? no waaaaay! u might as well compare the size of the cts to the size of the 5-series, similar dimensions plus like ham said, everyone and there mamas mama drives one, for the amount i spent on my CTS i could've gotten a 04+ 5series, 04+ A6, G35 coupe, or 03+ E Class ... all are great luxury cars but my car from factory would outrun all but the g35 coupe and out handle pretty much everything else ... read up on both some owner and unbiased ratings/reviews on the cars ur interested in and compare ...

I ahd an 02 325i and the interior is way smaller imo. Was not impressed with the car. I had the "ehh, wow, I drive a BMW in my head for a while, but that gos away quick. Wait until that first repair bill.....ouch. Trust me...stay away from the BMW. Im not saying that because I drive the CTS now, but because i know bmw sucks monkey balls.

Hey Lackin', just for kicks,..... what do monkey balls taste like anyways??:eek: Ha!Ha!Ha!

if you buy the bmw,
you'll pull up to a cts at a red light a month from now and wished you had bought one.

SUPPORT AMERICA

the choice is yours,make it wisely.

TRUE THAT!!!!! I second the notion!!!!!

Ive been told monkey balls taste like ass.
Ive also been told ass tastes like.....well....um.....ass.
So, i donno...

i'd get either of the cts'...

whichever one fits your budget better. you'll be happy with either one...

If you want to find a beemer get a 525i, yeah it will be a little more than 16-17K but it sure beats driving a 3-series. Any CTS in good shape will trump a 3-series (unless its a 335i).

I like the entire 5-series line as well as the 335i, but they are $$.

Don't buy a base model 3, you will be happier with a better optioned CTS.

Agreed. If you HAVE to have a bimmer, go with the 5-series.
*whispers into your ear* "Cadillacs are better!"

If your looking for speed go with the 04 beaten 328i's so would definetly be faster then the 325

Thanks for all the input guys. I'm going to drive one more 325i and then I will go back to the 04 CTS and see if I can't make a deal.

I was forcing myself to consider other makes. But every time I got in a non-caddy, my head was saying "no." Every time I got into a caddy, my head was saying "yes." It's really kept me from making an objective decision. :cookoo:

I know what thats like. Like the first time I drove a car that wasent a GM. (Im a chevy guy)
Only non-GM car i bought and actually liked was my 02 Boxster. Good luck my friend. Get the 04 cts!!!!!!!!!!

I am in the market for a new car. I own a 1996 SLS and I need to replace the radiator, return tank, do alignment and brake work. Not bad, but it will cost me about $800. Instead of dumping the money in a car that's 12 years old, I am looking at a few different cars.

Any input is appreciated:

1. 2003 CTS
$16000 out the door
46800 mi
very clean.

2. 2004 BMW 325i
$16995
34000 mi
very clean

3. 2004 CTS
$18995
25600 mi
also very clean

I considered a couple other models, but I like these the best. I am of course partial to Cadillac, but the 325 drives very, very nice. Plus it seems bigger but considerably more power than the 03 CTS. The 04 was decent.

I am thinking of telling the 03 Caddy dealer that I have this BMW in my sights for not much more and if he wants me to get it he'll have to make me a deal I can't refuse... like 15000 out the door. Think it's possible?

Also, honest opinions about the BMW please. I know this is a caddy forum and I love caddy myself, but I'd like some objective observations please.




BUY the CTS! My wife had a 325is auto and my 04 CTS will out run, gets better MPG, rides better, has a lot more room! Plus wait until you get the BMW in for service! WOW>>>. Oil chainge $125 each time! compaired to CTS, $49.99 Then if something like the starter goes out on the BMW< might as well go take out a loan to play for it! For the Money! CTS is the only way to go!

The 325 is rock solid reliable and very easy to work on. The CTS is well made too.
The 325 has a slightly better interior but lacks grunt, though the 03 CTS has even less.
The BMW will hold its value much better than the CTS, so take that under consideration.
The CTS is bigger and more comfortable.
The CTS is flashier.
The CTS has a MUCH nicer sound system and more luxury features.

I'd buy whichever one has a manual. :)

I actually drove the 04 cts today and the difference in power from 03 was like night and day. The 03 had wood trim and nicer amenities, but I don't care much about all that.

You're right though... I drove a 325 today and it's way more cramped. The feel driving it is quite different. More sporty feel but not more power. The seat feels tighter.

I'm gonna try to get an 04 for a good deal... made up my mind. :D

Keep us posted brotha!!!

e46s are nice, but its a 325, thats the slowest of that model, my roomates got a 330xi, so fast handles so well, but, i drive it all the time, but im deffintly more happy with my 04 CTS. Stick to American made cars, lets the germans build there jets and such, get the caddy.

Thanks, I will.

I saw a cherry 04 CTS 3.6L with only 30k miles in LA for $17900. I could probably talk him down from that... but nice low miles there.

Thanks, I will.

I saw a cherry 04 CTS 3.6L with only 30k miles in LA for $17900. I could probably talk him down from that... but nice low miles there.

With the way the prices have come down on the V's.... have you considered one of those, or are you pushing your budget as it is?

Go for the 04 CTS, so you can stay on this forum :D

e46s are nice, but its a 325, thats the slowest of that model, my roomates got a 330xi, so fast handles so well, but, i drive it all the time, but im deffintly more happy with my 04 CTS. Stick to American made cars, lets the germans build there jets and such, get the caddy.

You don't have the 323 and 320? (in Europe we even have the 318 and 316)

With the way the prices have come down on the V's.... have you considered one of those, or are you pushing your budget as it is?

funny thing is in USA the V's are round 30g's in Canada 40g's would be a amazing deal but on the regular cts there isnt much of a price difference.
stupid market. my next car is gonna be a V and im flying to US buyin it and drivin home. ill try to find a white 1 and just bring my ownershop and plates LOL..jkz....thats jail time isnt it?

For the same money, WITHOUT A DOUBT - NO CONTEST - THE BMW.

I have owned both and the reality is nothing beats a 3-series when it comes down to how it drives. Yes, I drive a CTS now. And I ran the 3-series hard including track days. I really, really miss the 28MPG @ 90 MPH I got in the 3-series (manual trans).

Supporting America aside, the CTS would have to be cheaper by a bit before I would pick it.

doesnt the cts 3.6l have more hp then the beemer? i think the 3.0l 325i bmw has like 225hp compared to the cts 255hp.

funny thing is in USA the V's are round 30g's in Canada 40g's would be a amazing deal but on the regular cts there isnt much of a price difference.
stupid market. my next car is gonna be a V and im flying to US buyin it and drivin home. ill try to find a white 1 and just bring my ownershop and plates LOL..jkz....thats jail time isnt it?

a white V?

a white V?not from the factory, afaik

red,blue,black, silver, thunder grey...thats all ive seen

i know they dont make white ones, i was wondering what ghetto mike was taking about a white one.

i know they dont make white ones, i was wondering what ghetto mike was taking about a white one.thats why i said it only came in those colors....for anyones benefit, especially his if he didnt realize they only came in certain colors

they should add a few new colors in with the 09 v's not many to choose from with the previous models.

In 09 they will make white Vs. I know because that is what I would want.... or maybe stick with the redline..... no, wait, I would be happy with any color.:drool:

my next car is gonna be a V and im flying to US buyin it and drivin home. ill try to find a white 1 and just bring my ownershop and plates LOL..jkz....thats jail time isnt it?

no white V's

not from the factory, afaik

red,blue,black, silver, thunder grey...thats all ive seen

no blue V's

they have some type of light blue v.

they have some type of light blue v.

that's the stealth grey:

http://www.cadillacfaq.com/faq/answers/img/05grey/12.jpg

sorry for the jacking!

Back to the topic... I've never driven a standard CTS, but I think mine is more comfortable and roomy than the last 325 I was in.

Well, I ended up getting a 2004 CTS. It's white, looks exactly like the pic for this forum. Such an ordeal!

So I go and look at this 2004 BMW 325i, right. It was late, and I liked it but I wasn't sure. The sales manager says "Take it home, if you don't like it tomorrow, bring it back and we'll give you your car back." He puts it in writing and I take the car. I got home. Sat in it for like 2 hours. I got used to it but I wouldn't say I was very happy. I woke up the next day with doubts and took it right back to the dealer. Got my car back. It was tough, but I felt a lot better giving it back!

I had been working on this 04 certified CTS but they wouldn't budge in the price. I came up on my offer $500, they dropped the price another $1000 so I took it. I am much happier with it than I was with the BMW.

Besides, how could I wear my cadillac shirt driving in a beamer? :highfive:

good to hear.

Well, I ended up getting a 2004 CTS. It's white, looks exactly like the pic for this forum. Such an ordeal!

So I go and look at this 2004 BMW 325i, right. It was late, and I liked it but I wasn't sure. The sales manager says "Take it home, if you don't like it tomorrow, bring it back and we'll give you your car back." He puts it in writing and I take the car. I got home. Sat in it for like 2 hours. I got used to it but I wouldn't say I was very happy. I woke up the next day with doubts and took it right back to the dealer. Got my car back. It was tough, but I felt a lot better giving it back!

I had been working on this 04 certified CTS but they wouldn't budge in the price. I came up on my offer $500, they dropped the price another $1000 so I took it. I am much happier with it than I was with the BMW.

Besides, how could I wear my cadillac shirt driving in a beamer? :highfive:Insignificant point, I know....but it's Bimmer. :) Beemers are bikes. :)

Congrats on the purchase!! The only E46 3 series that could sway me from the CTS is the M3.

not from the factory, afaik

red,blue,black, silver, thunder grey...thats all ive seen

oh really? didnt know that...my bad. ill figure it out when the time comes 2 get a new 1.


congrads on the new ride. good choice, nothin like drivin a caddy , and the looks you get while driving are priceless...well at least they are if you look 2 young to be driving the car (like me)
every time i pull in my parents neighbourhood you can just tell every1 is lookin at ya.

This is all mute now but I thought I'd share my experience:

I bought an 01 330ci in 06 with 67k on it for around 23k. After 2 years and 8 months it was up to 101k. I have always loved BMW's. My dad has owned them for as long as I remember (being from the UK caddy's aren't available). I sank 4k into this in maintenance even though I had an 'extended warranty' (40$ max per hr with $200 deductible, make sure you read the fine print!). I did a lot of maintenance myself so this was for the most part just the parts.

We looked at BMW's again but I really wanted my wife to try a CTS. We ended up driving an STS with the 3.6 V6. I think the northstar would be more apt for this vehicle. The STS was really nice although a little spendy. I knew where there was a loaded 06 CTS for 24k. We tried it and am now a proud owner of this little beauty.

In all we lost around 18k on the BMW. This is a terrible hit and in most part due to buying a 5year old initial higher mileage vehicle. Getting shafted by the dealer both ends and having multiple issues.

As you can see the BMW was not cheap to own. Servicing and parts are expensive unless you do it yourself and like EBay. However BMW are great little cars for driving. If you want to 'track' a vehicle this would be my choice over the stock CTS. On the over hand the CTS is a lot more luxurious and I suspect better reliability. I am glad I managed to cut the tie!

The BMW was 225hp and the CTS is more than this. I suspect the caddy is heavier and probably why it doesn't seem as rapid. It is certainly quick enough. The BMW got 22mpg and we are seeing 19mpg in the CTS.

As for M3's they are nice looking vehicles, I tried one with an SMG transmission (with can't drive a manual) and this was horrific in normal auto mode. The gear changes were very abrupt. When using the paddles the changes were better sequenced but the car is like a spoilt kid. It needs driving hard all the time. The manual maybe better. When I tried this I has also considering the CTS V. However there was only a manual variant. Again this wouldn't work for me (I like to get drunk and let the wife drive home). I ended up going with an auto 04 Vette. This has the same engine as I understand. The new CTS V has an auto variant so this will definitely get a look in future.

At the minute (after 3 weeks) my choice is the Cadillac so I think the person who started the thread has made a wise choice!

When I tried this I has also considering the CTS V. However there was only a manual variant. Again this wouldn't work for me (I like to get drunk and let the wife drive home). I ended up going with an auto 04 Vette. This has the same engine as I understand.


Not that it's important, but the engines are different unless your '04 vette is a Z06. FYI:

1997-2004 Corvette - 345/350 hp LS1
2002-2004 Corvette Z06 - 405 hp LS6
2004-2005 CTS-V - 400 hp LS6
2006-2007 CTS-V - 400 hp LS2

2009+ CTS-V - 550+ hp LSA <------- this is the one for you if you want auto :thumbsup:

On a side note, I would walk home before I let the wife drive any of these cars...

....

Unfortunately its the LS1. Although it is quick enough for me. 0-60 in 4.9sec I think.

I like the wife comment. In my defense I:

a) have to be drunk
b) figure at least insurance would cover any accidents and allow me to look at other vehicles - lol.

Still liking the CTS. Its a really nice ride.

Are you a pilot or mechanic for a tripple-7?

congrats on the CTS!

Close, I am in the aerospace industry and my first project was on a piece of harware which is used on the 777.

Close, I am in the aerospace industry and my first project was on a piece of harware which is used on the 777.

Dude, small world!
I was in flight school for pilot, but ended up as design engineer in aerospace industry as well (I did BSc Polytechnic prior to flight school). I never worked on Boeing, but did work for Lockheed-Martin (JSF-project) in DFW and Fairchild-Dornier (unfortunately now dead) and for el. harnesses for Hawker Horizon. Now I am with Airbus in Hamburg and Toulouse (A380).

At least we can share the exclusive experience of driving a Cadillac in Europe. There's not many (yet).