Used 2006 Cadillac CTS Sedan Consumer Reviews
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awsome car
recently i bought a 2006 CTS 2.8L i'm a mechanic for GM and i love this car!!. and 2.8L does compete with the 3.6L, there is hardly any chance of feeling the 60hp difference other than racing purposes. which buy the CTS-v not the 3.6L or 2.8L. they are poor in the snow if not treated properly (drive for the conditions) I have a corvette as well and people who compare 3.6L and 2.8L engine clearly don't know what a real sports car feels like. or are that ignorant, to do these type of comparisons. thank you to all the people who took the car for what it is made for and not blow it out of proportion, remember it is a four door sedan with a V6 either of them 3.6L or 2.8L. all an all beautiful car
It makes we wanna SHOUT!!!
This CTS is so much fun to drive my wife and I have to debate every day who is going to drive it that day. With its' sporty exterior I turn heads every where I go. The factory sound system is amazing quality. The seats are extremely comfortable and the dual climate zones make it even better. My 3 children never complain of being squished in the back seat since we have gotten it and I don't have to worry about their safety with the 6-point airbag system. I think I am falling in love all over again! (Don't tell my wife) LOL
- Base SedanMSRP: $3,499176 mi away
- Base SedanMSRP: $6,995194 mi away
- Base SedanMSRP: $4,495240 mi away
This Cady is GREAT!!!
I bought this car used with 100,000 Miles on it... It has NOT given me any problems. Actually I'm shocked!! Yes I keep it running good with regular maintainance . I always think I'm ready to trade it in for a newer model but heck it's paid off. If you are thinking of buying one of these car I say... Buy it.
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CTS Lemon
I loved my CTS when I got it in 2006 because it was so beautiful. It never had a lot of power and the "traction control" would come on each time I pulled out from a stop. I could live with that. I started having issues around the 2nd year... most of which was covered. Now I am at year 7 and I have had nothing but issues for 2 years. I have had to put several thousand dollars in for repairs. Rear differential broke TWICE, Air bag issue, Wipers don't work, catalytic converter, misfires all the time, purge valve, spark plugs, and the list goes on. I still owe 4K because it was a lease at first. Shouldn't a Caddy last at least a decade or 120000 miles? Very sad and disappointing.
Incredible Car!
The Cadillac CTS is very comfortable, has power when you need it and has an overall sexy appearance. I have been quickly sold on Cadillac since purchasing this vehicle. I bought my Cadillac CTS with 32,000 miles on it. It was a leased vehicle and I purchased it as a certified pre- owned. The heated leather seats, wood trimmed steering/console and plush pile carpeting add a luxurious coponent to the superb handling. My only complaint is the plastic grill on the front but I believe they have addressed this in the 2008 and 2009 models. As they say on the commercial...."when you turn your car on does it return the favor?"...the answer is a resounding YES! I LOVE THIS CAR!
An American Car Makes the Grade!
For years I have driven foreign luxury cars because American car companies did not build the car I wanted to drive. The CTS is finally an American car that has a place in my garage. The CTS is very comfortable, quiet, just the right size, has unique styling, and I am averaging 29 mpg on the highway. The construction of the car is very solid and the Cadilac Division of GM has done a remarkable job in following up to make sure I am 100% satisfied with the CTS.
Love it
I have had it four years and plan on keeping it for at least a couple more. Currently has 80,000 miles on it and has given me no trouble at all. And it is really fun to drive. It has spent minimal time in the shop. Drives best with Michelin tires, just makes it tighter.
First Premium Luxury Car
I bought this car used from a local dealer with 16,000 miles on it. I have owned the car for eight months & have had no problems with it. I like the sporty exterior looks & enjoy the manual mode shift feature on the automatic transmission. This car handles well for its size & with the 3.6 L engine is more than adequate in the power range. I added a custom after market stainless steel double twist grill to the front upper & lower bumper & the car looks outstanding.
So fun to drive, it should be illegal!
With sport handling package it corners like it's on rails. Handling, braking, acceleration, nimble turning radius, easy to park, great gas mileage. This car really is a blast to drive. I'm hooked! Very tight, no rattles, great reliability. Yes, it does turn heads! I'm happy to buy American. I love it even more than I expected I would. Recommend a CTS with no reservations.
problem car
Factory Goodyears were noisy and bad handling. Replaced at 20k. Torque converter went at 28k, fuel pump replaced at 31k. Bad in winter or on wet roads, no more rear wheel drive cars.
Best in Class!
I have bought this car as a leased vehicle and it is the best car as far as fuel mileage, comfort and looks. It rides very smooth and have not had any problems when taken care of properly. I have not had any complaints and have since put on 17000 miles since I bought it 6 months ago, it still rides gracefully.
Poor delivery experience
The Wisonsin factory failed to complete their new car checklist, before delivering the car to the dealer. After the defects were fixed, the car handles / brakes / performs well, although the interior could use a little spiffing up, and the manual up/down shift control, integrated as part of the automatic transmission, was missing -- a standard feature on competitors' similarly-priced models. The following defects were all covered by the factory warranty, but still meant that I had to spend a lot of my free time during a couple of work weeks going back and forth a total of 3 times: Trip 1: Defective left front strut Trip 2: Right front power window stuck Trip 3: Engine computer.
My CTS Rocks!
When you buy this car,know that your getting one of the best cars made.I had my 2006 cts Plum, for 3 years,I have 160k on it and it rides like new,never had any major issues,just maintenance. I recommend this vehicle,Its sexy strong, sweet to drive.The car is fast,and smooth,I bought it as a trade in,just take care of it,and it will take care of you.. My cadillac is still going strong at 177k,I had to change the starter,battery,updated my radiator and transmission lines. New brakes tires,and shocks over the years. It's still a beauty.preechtv
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This Car Saved My Life
I loved the 2006 Cadillac CTS from the day I took delivery of it, but this past Sunday I loved it even more. My son and I were in a major accident and this car saved our lives. I slid on ice and hit a pole on my drivers side door with the pole falling down on top of the car. It bent the car in half, blew out most of the windows and smashed the roof. The impact of the pole was by my pelvis and legs. To my amazment my son and I did not have a scratch. The side curtian airbags deployed as did the airbag in the seat. This saved me from any trauma. The pole hit the drivers side window smashing it, when the side curtain airbag deployed it was between my head the glass and the pole. My family thanks you GM.
One of the nicest cars I've ever owned
This is one of the best cars I've owned. The power train is smooth and powerful. It handles like a sports car. I love the crisp angular styling. It is very comfortable for long trips. The driver's seat is supremely comfortable (on the other hand the front passenger seat is uncomfortable). The car has been totally reliable except for a sun shade that came loose. The interior has too much plastic and doesn't give a luxurious impression. The car is priced like a small BMW or Mercedes but has the interior room of their larger 500 and E series. One of the most endearing features is the extremely small turning radius. The car is very nimble and easy to park as a result.
First and Last Cadillac
I bought my first new Cadillac in 2006 and was pretty excited. But, now after 60,000 miles I've had coils replaced, wheel bearings, tie rods, rear seals, and now told oil usage of a quart per 2000 miles is acceptable. If luxury cars by GM are produced to this quality level, I can see why they need bailing out!
Beautiful Car
A wonderful car to drive. It handles well in city and highway conditions. A great car for long drives: very comfortable seats, good standard sound package, low highway noise. Most important to us was its heft: we wanted something luxurious that would handle well enough, but also provide safety. The CTS is a good trade-off of performance and safety. We totaled it on a patch of ice and everyone emerged without a scratch. Even as we were spinning into the trees, we felt fully confident of the protection the car offers. And grateful for OnStar.
CTS is a Great Car!
I wanted to buy American but haved owned Mercedes, BMW, and Audi in the past. I shopped all those but purchased 3.6 CTS with the sport and lux package. What a great car! The center stack is a little odd, but truly functional. The stereo needs autospeed adjustment. Those are the two little problems that I have with this car, other than that it is great. It's quiet, firm, and has a good ride at speed and around town. Its edgy looks and Cadillac emblem now command interest among all ages. I wish it had external speakers so it could broadcast Led Zep while driving down road. Good job Cadillac and GM! Don't be surprised, this car uses synthetic oil.
Caddilacs back!
I try not to get caught up with material things but this car makes me feel better.
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Rocks My World
I have a CTS 3.6 Sport Appearance with the 18" wheels/Luxury Pkg/automatic. After having tested several models in this class and higher I think I have the most striking and best of the bunch. It is comfortable, has great pick up when I need it, and is great for longer trips. Its maneuverability is great, it turns on a dime. I enjoy all of the little toys inside.
New Cadillac
Cadillac has a winner. We were looking at the Acura TL (very nice car). The Acura had a great interior with lots of standard features but, the exterior styling is so-so. In fact, it is not easy to differentiate between the Acura TSX at first glance. The Cadillac has superior exterior styling and an interior meant to seem more serious like its European competitors. With comparable handling and better responsiveness from a dead stop or highway passing than the TL (due to a higher peak/flat torque curve at roughly 3,000 rpm) the CTS has my vote. I made my decision based on rational objective reasoning. Throwing objectivity out the window, I feel better driving an American car.
BEWARE
This is one of the worst cars I've ever bought a lot of problems with the computer I changed it twice, also bad motoralso, fuel injectors suck. Cadillac makes cheap luxury cars
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There are better choices out there
I am very disappointed with my 2006 Cadillac CTS. With a $36,000 sticker price you expect a nice car. It ha no heated seats, no rear seat ducts, no homelink, no power passenger seat, no memory seat, and no compass. This was a joke considering all of the competitors have these options at this price. If you want them...expect to pay around $40,000. The engine noise expecially dugint hard acceleration is loud, I expect this in a $15,000 Pontiac G6, not a $36,000 Cadillac CTS. The build quality can't compare to Infiniti, Lexus, or Acura. There are better cars for the money.
I will never buy another Cadillac
I bought this car thinking it would be my forever car, problems the first year I had it. I was rear ended I haven't been right since the accident and neither has the Cadillac. I have fixed many of problems since I had the Cadillac, but the last problem which I am experiencing with now is the Electronic Stability system. I paid a lot of money for this extended warranty but to no avalibity it ended before I could use it. I whole purpose I am question this is this ESS should be on recall why should I have to spend close to nine hundred to have this problem fixed when I have researched this and a lot of people are having the same issues. I have a couple of friends that wanted to purchase a cadillac and I told them don't do it, it is not worth the money.
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Unpleasant.
Excessive road noise,engine noise(sounds like a truck). It drowns out any conversation. Otherwise a fine car.The lease expires soon. It will be a Lexus this time.
Outstanding Automobile
The CTS has is very comfortable. The ride is smooth and easy to handle. I believe that is was a worthwhile purchase. I would recommend this car to anyone looking for comfort, style and and luxury in a car.
Best car I ever owned
I bought my Caddy with 22000 miles on it. I live in the Chicagoland area and it is great in the snow. I have about 30000 miles on it now and I've had to replace the brakes and thats it. The dealership is the best I've ever been to as well. I will never own anything but a Cadillac for a daily driver ever again. The one small issue I have is the leather seats could be of a better quality leather but I think they addressed this already. GREAT CAR!!!!
Love the caddy...
I've had my new Cadillac CTS for a little over a month now. I love the acceleration, power and styling. I made the 4 hour drive to Vegas from LA and I didnt want to stop driving it was so comfortable. My girlfriend was able to sleep the whole way there she was so comfortable, which made the ride for me that much more enjoyable. But this car is quick, fun and roomier than it looks. I highly recommend at least a test drive.
After a long look, I bought a Caddy
I looked long and hard for a new ride. We test drove a Toyota Avalon, Infiniti, and Ford 500. I went to this Cadillac because of the exterior styling and a little improvement in fuel economy over my Tahoe Z71. We love the performance; I've also owned a Corvette and the ride and handling of the CTS are comparable and in some respects better given that the Vet blows you away with power. But I always wanted a powerful, comfortable family car that had some style and looks like I found it. The interior is roomy enough for the men in my family, all of them over 6 feet and 200+ lbs. But is quick and agile for me by myself.
Visible But Not Overbearing
It has been extremely reliable and easy to maneuver in traffic. Parks easily with good backing up visibility. Doesn't have all the bells and whistles of newer cars but sometimes simplistic is better. Older drivers would like the ease of maneuvering yet visible in traffic. Very comfortable ride and very low maintenance. Gas mileage is remarkably good for an older car 22-27 in the city--highway.
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CTS
I love everything about my Cadillac CTS, except for a couple of things. It would be better if it were a little roomier and also if the passenger seat was automatic and not manual. Other than those small annoyances the car is perfect and overall I love it!
The real deal
Recently drove my CTS 3.6 from Monterey to Big Sur and back on the Pacific Coast Highway. I drove at the limit up and down the hills and hairpin curves never using the brakes - just the sport shift! It was as if the car was on rails! I own a Mercedes and have owned a VW and a BMW. It handles just as well these do - but is more comfortable. It glides in and out of traffic with terrifc acceleration and with smooth, effortless shifting. GM doesn't know how good a car they have. Interior could be a little sexier.
Out of this world
This car is a dream to drive. I knew it was a great car but I did not know what a thrilling experience it can be to drive a 'near' sports car for that amount of money. I have owned a Cadillac DeVille before (1992) but the two vehicles cannot be compared. I also own an SUV (other brand) and am delighted with the CTS's comfort. I finally found a car that more nimble and more fun to drive and ride in than a BMW (which I still own and will get rid of) or my friends' Mercedes. I test drove the Toyota Avalon before deciding to buy the CTS. My advice: Drive a CTS before buying the Avalon; the handling will convince you - plus the CTS has style and character.
I love my car!
I have had my 2006 Cadillac CTS for about nine months and everytime I get in it, I think about how much I love it. My husband laughs at me because I still say it after this many months.
2006 Cadillac CTS-Decent car
This is my first ever owned luxury car and I am in some ways, very disappointed. It isn't as luxurious as expected for the base model CTS. It has a very underpowered 2.8L v6 engine in it, and the gas mileage is bad (i average with conservative driving about 16.5 MPG city.)It hasn't given me any problems though, it is comfortable to drive in, I like the exterior design and I get alot of respect just because I drive a cadillac.
Rear end noise and early tire wear
I leased this car after having traded in a 2000 Eldorado with low mileage that I had purchased from a non-Cadillac dealership, hence, it was not Cadillac "certified" and the repair bills were getting costly. They certified my car and marked up extensively - I should have kept it! The CTS was great - for the first 7,000 miles. I was rounding a corner on a rainy day and the car almost spun out of control and left huge - long - black tire marks on the road and the right rear tire seemed to lock up. I got the car under control and my nerves settled and went on. At 10,400 I took the car in for a noise in the back end and oil change. The service tech. told me I had to replace the tires.
Ugliest Interior, Cut-rate Design, Mech Failures
Jeezus, the dashboard is hideous on this car. What was the designer thinking? The Deville had a tasteful, curved, flowing dash for the 1st time ever. Then there's the CTS. Weird shapes and cartoonish textures everywhere. Shiny plastic burlwood slapped on this year. Easily scratched. The exterior is marred by the venetian-blind. front grille and too-flat bumper. I bought a 3.6 Auto with 83,000 miles- with a mileage discrepancy recorded on the title. The dealer tricked me into signing off on this before allowing me to see the Carfax. Don't ever sign the report unless you've read it. At less than 100k (allowing for a simple recording error in mileage) the 6 coils were shot- 5 cylinders were misfiring. What sounded like a flat tire turned out to be a carrier bearing buried deep under the exhaust and heat shield. About $2000 in repairs needed. And the trans seems to be slipping. The car had factory 2 din Bose Nav Stereo- no CD to run it. Replacement? $129 if you so choose. Thousand dollar option rendered useless. If you change the stereo, you lose the ability to change driver functions like alarm and power seat settings. Speaking of seats, they're gorgeous but so massive they rob the rear passengers of any legroom. At least they're heated- tho only high and low. No heated wheel. Function buttons downgraded to 4 generic buttons and a volume knob with a mind of its own. Turn signal stalks overloaded with missing dash switches. The ride is so choppy I deflated the tires to 30 psi. Anything to stop the pounding. Idle is super rough on reg gas, still bad on premium. Horrible mileage. I upgraded to mesh grille and had to drill pinholes in front wreath and crest to attach it to the grille with jewelry wire. Right headlight HALF-FULL of water from bad seal. And WTF is up with the trunk lid? it weighs 1000 pounds and doesn't pop up on its own. Replacing the struts made it go from impossible to open to impossible to close. The struts stop it a few inches from closing so it must be slammed every time. Verdict? Mistake. If you can afford it, buy Generation two. You'll still live in fear of engine, trans and driveline failure, but at least the interior look is improved in gen 2.
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First Cadillac
My husband had been trying to get me to buy a new car, but I really loved my '99 Grand Am, and the appearance of the new cars did not appeal to me. Besides that, the Grand Am was the first new car that I ordered just the way I wanted it! But, even though the CTS is a used car, it beats the Grand Am hands down in almost all categories. Comfortable, easy driving, nice appearance, lots of amenities, could have better gas mileage, but overall, a really nice car. I am not sorry that we bought this car, especially since it is American made.
Not what I expected from Cadillac
My first and last Cadillac. Love the car but have had problems with it since it hit 10K miles (rear end 3 times, computer once, electrical and now fuel pump problems) Last experience it left me stranded (fuel sensor). Dealer didnt do something right and had a major fuel leak after picking it up. Cadillac will not stand behind the car and I cant even find the next higher person to talk to (Regional manager will not talk directly. Have to go through customer service and they will not give any information). Very disappointed and will never buy another one. And they wonder why the imports have taken over the market.
Great Value!
I am coming up on 2 years of ownership. This is also the first time in about 15 years that I only have one car. I was worried about not having 4X4 or AWD but so far I have never been stranded in the few times there has been snow. Great acceleration and handling! One of the best I've owned. While some have more performance, utility, luxury, this Cadillac is the best blend I've seen so far.
Cadillac Awakening
I just turned 1,000 miles and I am more in love with this car every day. I drove many others before driving the Cadillac including the BMW 330i, Infiniti M35, Audi A6, Lexus ES 330, and Mercedes-Benz C320. Of these I had decided on the 330i and was ready to buy when I stopped into the Cadillac store. They asked me to take a drive and give a honest opinion. I was blown away. This car out handled, out powered, and was flat out a better value than anything else I had driven. This is definently not my grandparents Cadillac. The imports had better watch out because Cadillac has their number.
Fun to drive but reliability sucks
I bought this for my daughter at 100,000 miles thinking it had another 100,000 miles to go. Gorgeous car, was fun to drive with the 3.6L, until the problems started... First the radiator failed, mixing engine coolant and transmission fluid. That was horrible to flush out and the transmission failed a year later. Replaced the transmission for almost the cost of the car, a month later the engine now has some horrible internal mechanical damage that will probably junk it. Electronic brake control always intermittent. Burns oil. Such a money pit, such horseshit reliability. I will never buy another Cadillac.
Good Car
If you're looking to upgrade to a luxury vehicle, this is the best starter car you can get for your money.
Mixed Emotions
My CTS handles like a dream and has plenty of power. 0-60 it is great, when in "sport" mode. I can take corners that are posted 35 mph at 55 mph. I have the 3.6L with the 5 speed auto and it is plenty fast. I have two beefs, though. The XM radio has static, which I thought was impossible on satellite radio, and apparently all CTS's with the single CD player do, too. The response from the dealer/GM to fix it was underwhelming to say the least. It still hisses. The battery was replaced under warranty today because it died twice and I had to jump it. Yep, the car has 7,000 miles on it and the battery died.
This transmission is normal?
Least satisfying car I've had in many years. The chief problem is a transmission-- or is it in the electronics-- that wants to stick me in a lower gear whenever the car decides to. I went down a steep mountain in supposed high gear and was going 10 mph at the bottom when I just let it coast. Dealer gave me the old line about European-type transmissions. Another point, I long ago gave up on ever figuring out the information screen controls. Gas mileage is lousy too. Why did I trade my Grand Prix, an excellent car, to "move up"?
GM's CTS hits a homerun
I took delivery of this car a month ago and I'm impressed. Stylish, modern, and powerful. My friend's BMW 325 has nothing on my CTS. If you want an entry-level luxury sedan, but don't want to be stuck with an ES 330 or a bulky Avalon, and don't want to pay BMW or Mercedes prices, this is the way to go. This car will take you from hip in South Beach to classic at your corporate headquaters and won't lose its cool. Way to go GM.
Some weak spots
The car is a pleasure to drive, it has lots of power. It has an excellent stereo system and XM is a nice addition which adds to the driving experience
My Car
I couldn't ask for a better car for a 24 years old. This car is fun to drive, handles like a dream, and rides like it's on air. Plus everywhere I go It's turning heads. The car has a sleek agressive look and the interior is flawless with everything easy to reach but still open enough for a real roomy feel. The 2.8 V6 is very impressive sometimes I forget that there is only 210 horses under the hood.
Rattle Trap
I love the look of this car and driving it is great. The car really has lots of get up and go when you need it. However, now that it's a few years old (30K miles), everything is starting to rattle on it. I wanted to buy a newer model, but now I don't think I would buy another one. They cost too much to be such rattle traps, especially so soon.
You won't be disappointed
This is my wife's car. When I drive it my head scrapes the headliner (I'm 6'0") so maybe not a great car for a tall person. Then again it has a sunroof and that robs some headroom. This car is a blast to drive. It corners like it's on rails and always has plenty of power on tap. Still turns heads too. Despite the head room thing it is otherwise comfortable for road trips. Reliability has been top notch and good fuel economy. If you are looking for a true drivers' car without having to shell out big bucks, look no further.