The Cadillac brand is one of the longest running American car brands in the world. The Cadillac Motor Car Division was founded in 1902 after the fall out of some Ford Motor Company shareholders. In 1909, General Motors would acquire the brand. At its peak Cadillac was one of the biggest luxury auto manufacturers in the United States. Its major markets included Canada, China, and its own backyard, the United States.
Over the years Cadillac vehicles have been sold in almost 40 major markets around the world. And while its popularity is not what it used to be, the company seems to be making strides. In 2019 Cadillac broke its own record by selling 390,458 vehicles globally as a company best.
From the 1970s to late 1980s, Cadillac was known to be one of the best manufacturers of land yachts. Land yachts were full-size vehicles that were exclusively American. This popularity saw Cadillacs dubbed Caddies.
What people considered rugged luxury Caddies back in the day have evolved to works of art over the year. They have found their way into the collector’s list. In 2003 Cadillac unveiled a new lineup, this was the CTS lineup.
The Cadillac CTS was a beautiful executive full-size four-door sedan that was in production for 16 years from 2003 to 2019 when it was discontinued. In this piece we are going to have a look at how much the 2003 Cadillac CTS will cost you today, and if it is worth it.
The Price Tag Of The Cadillac CST Then And Now
When the 2003 Cadillac CTS made its debut in 2003, it set the Cadillac luxury sedan wheels in motion. When this car hit the showroom, it retailed for more than $40,000 for the top trim with a base price closer to $30,000.
The price was, however, not flagged by customers as exorbitant since the vehicle exuded plenty of class and status. To many it was a reliable, classy, luxury sedan that worked for daily driving as well as long distance trips.
If you are looking to add the 2003 Cadillac CTS to your collection or if you are just looking to go down memory lane then you are in luck. Depending on the condition of the car and the additional features and modifications, you're looking at paying around $10,000 to $30,000. These prices may vary from seller to seller and from state to state. Regardless of this there is no doubt that buying a 2003 Cadillac CTS today is a bargain.
Is The 2003 Cadillac CTS Worth It?
Answering this question is generally easy but for the 2003 Cadillac CTS, we leave it at personal preference. However, if you choose to go for it here are a few things you should expect.
Under the hood of the 2003 Cadillac CTS the American automaker fitted a 3.2-liter DOHC V6 engine with 24 valves. The engine was paired with a five-speed manual transmission; this powertrain combination had a maximum power output capacity rating of 220-hp at 6,000 rpm and it delivered 220 lb-ft of torque at 3,400 rpm.
The power from this drivetrain delivered its power to the sedan’s rear-wheel-drive drivetrain. It also saw the 2003 Cadillac CTS clear a maximum towing capacity range of 1,000 lbs without breaking a sweat.
Problems That May Come With A 2003 Cadillac CTS
As stated earlier the 2003 Cadillac CTS is a 50/50 car. While we can not affirmatively say that it is a must have. Since the 2003 Cadillac CTS debuted there have been a number of complaints raised about this all-American sedan.
The most popular complaint was that the plastic cover for the plate lights kept falling off. To many the glue used on the cover was not strong enough. And once it came off it was difficult to either reglue it or even replace it. The parts available for the replacement were offered in different colors. This meant that every time you replaced it you had to repaint it first.
Another recurring issue with the 2003 Cadillac CTS was the excessive tire wear. The tires that originally came with the car would often wear out faster than they should. Many felt like the tires were of lower quality and posed a risk for first time users. These tires were said to only last 15,700 miles and it would cost over $500 to have them replaced.
Engine failure was another problem that kept on resurfacing. Some of the engines fitted to the 2003 Cadillac CTS need constant replacement once they hit 73,000 miles. Replacing these engines cost the owners slightly over $4,500.
This is not a car that we would directly recommend as is. It is, however, an amazing car for modification projects or just a cheap ride to have around. If it's what you're looking for, you won't need to break the bank to pick one up.