[Maeztro]

I'm nearing the end of my '08 CTS Lease. Have had a love-hate relationship with the car. Unfortunately my car has been the victim of the booming vibration (or whatever it was called). Shop managers went for a ride with me to confirm this. Every fix suggested was applied and I would say it was about 70% gone. However, I still get vibrations, shimmies, and some squeaks around town in the 40-55 mph sweet spot.

Ally is making me a nice offer to get back in to an '11 CTS. Obviously with a quick test drive I cannot tell if all of the issues are gone. My question is this. Anyone here went from an '08 to an '11? Are they basically the exact same car? I would love to stay in the CTS family but the problems were just a bit too much for me. Don't get me wrong, if I was grading the car I would give it an A- or a B, but before I commit again I need some answers. Thanks for any input in advance.

PS. In the 3 years I've logged about 17k miles on her. Someone is getting a nice ride in a couple months!

 

[rayle]

My dealer allows test cars to go home overnight, so you might ask if yours will let you take it home which will give you more time to drive it and check it out. Regardless of what others' cars are like, it only really matters about the one you intend to lease. (I learned that the hard way.)

My '11 Coupe has been a lot of problems but others seem to like theirs. This is my first and last CTS (even though I've owned lots of Cadillacs over the years.)

 

[muohio]

I went from an '08 CTS4 3.6DI to an '11 CTS-V sedan. Just got it last Wednesday and took a 400 mile trip this weekend. The car is 100% compared to the '08 when it comes to interior noise. Even listening to music with bass, the car does not rattle like the older one did. My '08 had rattles and squeaks from day one, but nothing too bad. The new one is off to a much better start.

I also used the lease pull ahead to get out of 4 payments, but decided to purchase this time around.

 

[Guest]

I had a leased 08 CTS sedan which had the moan/vibration problem. Although attempts were made, it was never fixed. Cadillac (not my dealer) dropped the ball and never helped me come to a satisfactory resolution. I was ready to move on to another brand but decided to take a look at the CTS Coupe. I walked into the showrooom and fell in love with the car. Needless to say, I now am driving one. So far not a single problem. Hopefully the moan/vibration problem has been resolved with this model but only time will tell.

 

[craw169]

Yes, I need some help too My lease is ending in less than 2 months. I am thinking of buying the car at lease end since my finances have changed and I can't afford a new CTS...and its still a better car than most anything I can afford to buy new. I am located in Canada and the thing is I am not so sure that my buyout price reflects current market value. I don't want to take out a loan on this car and be underwater from day one. Here are the details:

2008 CTS Non-DI 6 speed manual

lease buyout is 20680 plus taxes and all that (with all dealer fees, etc, it will be $24000 to buy the car)

both dealer and GM refused to do anything about changing the buyout price, i know a lease is a contract but it seems in thier best interest to have me buy the car and not send it to auction and get considerably less $$$$ for the car.

i see on the GM lease calculator, if i were to lease a new 2011 CTS the lease end buyout would be about $14500 so I am really worried about the future value of my 2008 CTS. I am also unsure of future maintenance costs like brakes (i have no idea how much brake job is on this car).

Thanks for any advice/inputs.

 

[rayle]

craw169: Have you checked autotrader.com or edmunds.com for comparable cars? After a quick search, I found an '08 CTS 6-speed with new tires at a dealership in Miami, FL for $18,980 USD. Obviously a long way from Canada, but you can specify a search in your area.

 

[Rumprider]

My recommendation is to buy a cheap used car you can pay cash for (if you can). Take your time and find the right car at the right price. I sold my 350z convertible 2 months ago, drove a 2000 pathfinder (decent) for short period of time, and got a great deal on an 08 CTS DI with all bells and whistles. I now have a buyer for my pathfinder at the same price I bought it for. I'm just saying don't feel pressured with your lease about to run out.