[sdmfer]

Hey folks, been on this site for a little while, and was before mainly set on buying an 08+ sts. However, I'm really leaning towards the 08+ cts (must be 3.6L DI) now. Anyways, I'd thought I'd pick your brain for a few tips.

As said, im trying to find an 08, maybe with Nav, would prefer an 09 for bluetooth reasons, but the prices get a little too up there for me.

- I believe it is possible, what options do I have for getting bluetooth working on an 08 for use with an Android phone. I havent really searched much for this, but suppose maybe there is a bluestar option? I need good quality...thoughts?

- I've just heard something about a timing chain recall. Does this apply to the 3.6DI's 2008's? Any other recalls that could ease my mind?

- I plan on keeping the car for at least 5 years, I commute 160 kms daily (100 miles), anything I should be concerned with or look for?

- I really would like to have the fog lights as part of it, but if not is there a somewhat easy way to install them afterwards if I cant find one within my price range?

- road noise, Im coming from a car with a lot of road noise, are these cars generally pretty quiet interior-wise while on the highway?

- anything else I should look for/beware of while continuing my search?

These are my questions for now, any thoughts/advice is GREATLY appreciated.

many many thanks in advance.

 

[TheShadow]

Hi. Good choice . To start you off, for integrated Bluetooth look for a May, 2008 or later build date on the sticker then test out pairing to be sure. This is done by activating voice recognition from the steering wheel phone button and saying "Bluetooth" to start.

Some guys are talking about the timing belt recall, I believe that it's actually a sensor setting rather then a belt. For other recalls, most notable is a GM mandated removal of the wiper fluid heater if you have that option though there is a OEM replacement that is plug compatible and easily order able / installable. You can search the forum for that one as there was a lot of discussion on that one too. The only other one I have had of note was driver or passenger door handles sticking that get replaced. Odds are both of these are already done on any 08 you are looking at given they've been out for awhile...

There doesn't seem to be an easy replacement for missing fog lights unless you are into splicing etc - there's multiple forum traffic on that subject as well more likely in the mods section.

Good luck - hope this helps!

 

[Dukeofbluz]

I just bought a 2008 CTS last friday and absolutely LOVE it, it is not a DI engine but still has more then enough HP and the ride is wonderful with very little road noise if any, kinda hard to tell with all those bose speakers. Im telling ya, just wait until the 1st time you light the dash up at night. I'm so use to building LOUD hot rods that with the CTS being so quiet that its hard not to find myself doing 95mph. Then theres the headlights moving with the steering..........I could go on forever, you won't regret it!

Duke

 

[byrnel]

Some input from Europe If you can find an AWD, I can tell you that this i GREAT in snow, some other member asked earlier if he should choose the Navi/Bose - personally I wouldn't live without it (design/sound) - my 2008 CTS AWD is very quite inside, but tomorrow I leave the car by my dealer because I have some windnoise comming from the window/drivers door - I have heard from others, that this could be a problem. Regarding the tining chain, I have just got 2 "engine light" caused by the timing chain - the dealer says that they will solve this by giving the car a new software update.

The biggest "problem" is my cashmere leather - my leatherbelt leaves marks/stains at the drivers seat, and they can't be removed and the dealer refuses to do something about it - Cashmere looks great, but I think I would prefer black interior.

If you cant find a car with bluetooth, I can recommend Parrot MKI 9100 works fine, a small display an a remote "knob"

 

[sdmfer]

Good info so far thanks a lot guys!!! I'll see if anyone else has anythoughts and my search continues

Sent from my SGH-T959D using Tapatalk

 

[sdmfer]

I found an 08 DI, with nav, but was bought in dec 07. The price is where I want to be at 24K, but unfortunately it has 80,000KMS (Im in Ont, Canada) and this means there is no more manufacturers warranty left. The only warranty it would still have left is the 5yr power train.

Should this be a concern? What do you guys think?

 

[caddad08]

Even though it would be a little more - I would tell you to find a Certified Pre-Owned Cadillac so you get the 6 year 100K bumper to bumper warranty. As an example - I got mine a month ago for $26,825 and it had 32K miles - if you found something similar and drove it 100miles a day, 5 days a week you would be covered by a warranty for about 3 years. With all the electronics, etc. it was a no brained for me to go the CPO route. Sure, you are going to save $3,000 but 1 major electrical or mechanical issue could use that up. Plus, I don't know what the one for $24K has in the way of options but mine had everything Cadillac offered in 2008 except for bluetooth since mine was built in April 2008 - 3 weeks prior to the change.

 

[sdmfer]

Thanks. ...unfortunatley in canada the dealers doesnt offer any kind of cpo....arrgh. I wish they did...cause what you did i agree 100%

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[sdmfer]

Guys another question re: Fuel Mileage. 99.5% of my daily commute is HWY driving. Not really hitting much traffic. Im trying to figure out approx how many real life KMS per tank I can expect with HWY driving. I know most of you are from the US, so from a FULL tank, approximately how many Miles can you guys squeeze out of a tank with relatively easy HWY driving?

Thanks

 

[JimmyH]

If you buy an 08, and are willing to give up Onstar, you can add bluetooth very easily. Look at the ads on the right and click on Galaxy1000. Alot of forum members here are very happy with theirs. You unplug your Onstar connector, plug it into the Galaxy box, pair your phone, and that's it.

I would stay away from the CTS4. It's enhanced traction is negligible, and I felt it killed the steering. It will kill fuel economy too. Get rear drive. It's what this car was meant for. No driving hardware on the front axle and you save about 250 lbs.
I don't think the Bose was that great either. If you wind up with a more base CTS, don't worry, you are not missing that much.

 

[byrnel]

I am driving mostly higway in my CTS4, I would say round 550 km in one tank

I dont know how it is "over there" with snow - i fact I drove to my dealer today to get an software update. The dealer gave me an CTS RWD on all weather tires, the roads were wet/icy from the yesterdays snow, I had to drive very carefully in the RWD - when I got my AWD on wintertires back, I could drive like I wanted - a world of difference. BUT of course, I live in the northern Europe and normally the the condition is wet,ice,snow in 4 months

 

[JimmyH]

I am sure the awd works good with snow tires. But on the performance tires they mount at the factory, it's pretty worthless imo. Besides, the CTS4 is not going to brake or turn any better than a rwd CTS.

 

[TheShadow]

Guys another question re: Fuel Mileage. 99.5% of my daily commute is HWY driving. Not really hitting much traffic. Im trying to figure out approx how many real life KMS per tank I can expect with HWY driving. I know most of you are from the US, so from a FULL tank, approximately how many Miles can you guys squeeze out of a tank with relatively easy HWY driving?

Thanks

Mixed HWY / CITY is about 510km-530km per tank of regular for me... Trip computer regularly is around 12L / 100 KM I've gotten 9L-ish on pure HWY for extended travel though that's a little over the speed limit That's with the 3.6DI.

 

[byrnel]

Jimmy, I do of course agree that an AWD dosn't brake better than a RWD, BUT I don't agree that AWD dosn't turn better than a RWD, why do you think Audi/Lamborghini puts AWD on their cars? - it is not because of the snow, that I can tell you;-). An AWD will have a better grip in corners/turning than RWD

 

[JimmyH]

It will have better grip in low speed turns when accelerating, particularly from a start. When neutral, or decelerating, awd does nothing. And in high speed turns, anything can happen, with any car, so you better hang on tight.

The problem with accelerating through turns with AWD, is that if stability control steps in, it cuts your power, and awd has been rendered useless at that point.

I have driven both the CTS4 and my Pilot back to back in snow, and I can tell you, front-biased awd beats rear-biased awd hands down. Cars like the CTS4 and G37x, they should give you some control to bias the power to the front when there is snow on the ground. It would make it far more useful.

As for why Lamborghini puts awd on their cars--because they would never get the phenomenal 0-60 times the marketing department needs with rwd.

 

[byrnel]

I know AWD is most comon on SUV's in the states, but in Europe you can now get nearly all brands with AWD - BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Saab, Volvo,Porsche,Alfa Romeo,VW - simply because you have a better general handling of the car with AWD - of course this means higher weight, more gas etc - but still, a better/safer handling. My point was that CTS4 has a better all-round handling than RWD - maybe you are right regarding front AWD biased verus RWD biased AWD, that I don't know.

 

[JimmyH]

Most AWD suvs here are front biased. It's safer. A rear biased system can still break the rear loose in the instant before power reapportions and/or stability control intervenes. 99% of the driving public has no idea how to correct oversteer. It's generally only cars marketed as performance cars that have systems biased to the rear. It is becoming more and more common though. Especially in the snow belt. There are plenty of 330ix, G37x, CTS4 etc on dealer lots.

But I will maintain that any RWD sports sedan is going to handle better than its AWD counterpart. Having driving axles on the front wheels makes the car feel and steer very much like a front drive car. It's also going to have more weight in front, deteriorating the front/rear balance from its RWD version.

 

[byrnel]

In Europe nearly all the car manufactors offers AWD for most of their models, i.e. BMW, Audi, VW,Saab,Volvo,Mercedes,Opel - simply because it gives a better/safer overall handling/driving. Stability Control helps you, when you don't break the "laws of nature" - at a point, Stability Control can't help you anymore, and then I am quite convinced that the an AWD car helps you more than a RWD - because of the extra grip