We desperately need a new car. Currently, we have a 10-year-old Buick Century. I am very interested in the 2008 CTS. My big concern with the car is rear visibility due to the very small rear window. I was not blessed with height. I am only 5'6" tall. When I drive, I turn and look to make sure the way is clear to the left or right. I never use the outside rearview mirrors. I know this is not the greatest driving technique but it has worked for me for 37 years. Given the small rear window and the high rear deck, is it even feasible for me to drive the CTS without using the outside mirrors?

Also, at this point, does it make sense to look at a 2008 or wait for the 2009?

Any comments or links to existing threads appreciated. Thank you.

Have you driven the CTS? That would probably be the best way to judge; other people can't really say whether the visibility is sufficient for you. FWIW, I had an '08 loaner for a few days and I did find the rear visibility to be lacking, but I'm 5'3".

My wife is 5'7" and she has driven my CTS a few times with no complaints about rear visibility. (I have kindly declined her offer on an even trade for her 2007 Impala LTZ so he obviously likes the CTS). At 6'2" I don't find any problems with rear visibility although more would always be better. Like you I prefer to look when backing and the only time I really rely on mirrors is when I have anything large hooked to my pickup.

As the previous poster stated the best bet is to test drive one since if you don't like the rear visibility that would really be annoying over time. I have only had mine a little over a week but without doubt it is the best car purchase I have ever made.

I wasn't blessed with height either at 5'4", but I don't find the rear visibility too much of a problem. You can adjust the seat to raise you up a little bit, but you would have to try for yourself since you don't use the outside mirrors, which is dangerous, but I guess it's hard to teach an old dog new tricks lol.

The mirrors are quite large though, so they kind of give you a blind spot in the front. The main problem I have is when reversing, the visibility is low, so I have to use the rearview mirror, and sometimes the outside rearview mirrors as well.

If you don't use the rear mirrors, either don't buy a CTS (you are right about the high trunk/small window) or stay the hell out of Florida.

WOW. Thanks for the rapid responses.

I will definitely try to get to the Cadillac dealer which is about 30 miles away and test drive the CTS. As I said, we really need a new car bad!!

From what I read here, I know there will be some changes to the 2009 CTS. (Too bad there's no rearview camera.) May have to wait for the '09 but would prefer not to.

Southern...I have no plans to drive in Florida any time soon. Pyro...this dog is definitely too old to learn new tricks.

Well, you can't beat a good camera set up, but the Backup sensors on the CTS are pretty darn good IMO.

Get a Honda

I am also a short guy at about 5'5"

I was concerned about rear visibility as well, however
after owning the CTS for 2 months I no longer see it as
a major issue.

I feel a little more confident about backing up with the
rear assist sensors. If anything is behind me that I can't
see, the warning system will tell me.

I would consider getting a wireless backup camera kit
but one, I don't know how well they work and two, the little
viewer will probably look ugly sitting atop my dashboard.

If anyone is using one of these devices I would love to
hear testimonials including what brand/model was purchased.
It would have to be wireless as I leased my vehicle.

im not short, but virtually no way to see the rear when your are doing the parkings. side mirror has blind spot.. you cant see the car next to you near the rear, make sure no car is next to you when you make a left or right lane change. i might finally add a blind spot small mirror on the side mirror, so i can stop turning my head so much and focus on the traffic in front of me or hurting my neck.
yup i use the sensor.. i start to stop whenever the first light shows on back up. probably stop for sure on the 2nd
are they adding the rear cam to 2009s?

The mirrors only have a blind spot if they're improperly aimed. With 3 mirrors (including the inside one) it is possible to cover every area behind the car with proper aiming, but ask any safe driving instructor and they'll tell you that 80% of drivers have no idea how to properly arrange their rearview mirrors.

The first illustration shows how your mirrors should be aimed- the outside mirrors should not see the side of the car or anything that's visible from the center mirror.

The second one shows how the majority of people aim them, and the resulting blind spot.

I'm on my way to the garage, to re aim my mirrors. Thanks.

I'm 6'2" and I kind of had a problem with rear visibility when reversing the car, but then again my previous car was a 2003 Mustang where I used the rear spoiler to gauge my visibility. The CTS is quite a change since I can't really see how far back the rear of the car is. I guess that's where the back-up sensors comes into play. Now rear visibility when driving, I have no problems. The side mirrors are great thanks to their large size and the rearview mirror covers the entire rear window.

Rear visibility is severely limited in the CTS. This car desperately needs a backup cam and for $49k GM has no excuse for not offering the option. Come on, it’s only a $250 option if you already have the Nav screen anyway. Cadillac just lost a CTS sale because my wife would not buy the car because of the limited rear visibility concerns. She decided to stick with her Envoy Denali for the time being. Hopefully GM will come to their senses and offer a backup cam in the CTS. Beautiful car, but if she’s not comfortable driving it, what’s the point of spending that kind of cash? :annoyed:

I also have a problem with rear visisbility and I'm 6 feet. Thank God I don't live in area where parallel parking is common.

I laughed when the dealer told me about the rear assist option. I never thought I would need such a thing so I declined this option. Now the joke is on me. Does anyone know if dealers can add the rear park assist as post-production option?

I am also 5' 6" tall (short)

Yes, rear visibility is tough, but, more important, the driver's seat is too low. I have it all the way up & would like it higher!

You should test drive the vehicle. My wife's 08 Camry has MUCH better seat height & rear visibility is excellent, but you need to decide for yourself which car is best for you. After the newness of a car (any car) wears off, you are stuck with what you have for awhile.

The first illustration shows how your mirrors should be aimed- the outside mirrors should not see the side of the car or anything that's visible from the center mirror.

The second one shows how the majority of people aim them, and the resulting blind spot.


i didnt set up the incorrect way base on the diagram.. otherwise i see the what is coverd by the shade..

in the right diagram you there should still be a blind spot. if you add that tiny mirror, you dont have to turn your head at all, just the eyes. anyway..

I can't live without my fisheye mirrors. I put them on immediately after leaving the dealer. I just don't feel confident that I can change lanes without looking over my shoulder to check the blind spots. The fisheyes make it all better.

Rear visibility is severely limited in the CTS. This car desperately needs a backup cam and for $49k GM has no excuse for not offering the option. Come on, it’s only a $250 option if you already have the Nav screen anyway. Cadillac just lost a CTS sale because my wife would not buy the car because of the limited rear visibility concerns. She decided to stick with her Envoy Denali for the time being. Hopefully GM will come to their senses and offer a backup cam in the CTS. Beautiful car, but if she’s not comfortable driving it, what’s the point of spending that kind of cash? :annoyed:
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OMG! When is GM going to come to their senses????

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OMG! When is GM going to come to their senses????

A backup cam is a cheap safety option. Any vehicle that has Nav should automatically include a rearview cam. Someone that opts for a $2k+ Nav system won’t bat an eyelash at spending an extra $250 for the cam…pretty simple.

GM has now introduced a rearview cam system that’s viewed right in the rearview mirror glass (in Chevys no less); doesn’t even require the Nav screen. An option offered on the lowly Chevy that GM won’t even put on your Caddy. Doesn’t “that” make you feel warm all over? :D

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c101/caddycruiser/GMRearViewCameraMirror.jpg