Used 2008 Cadillac CTS Consumer Reviews
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Bang for your buck Queen
Jordan, 07/16/2016
2008 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan w/Direct Injection (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
93 of 93 people found this review helpful
I purchased my 2008 Cadillac CTS4 with the 3.6 direct inject V6 engine and most of the bells and whistles. The only options I did not get were navigation and parking pack. I have to start with the power train in this vehicle. The 305hp direct inject V6 is an absolute peach. Smooth, refined, and power all over the band. It's also very quiet, until you push it past 3500rpm, then she starts to growl. It's a great noise for a Luxury V6. The tranny, a 6-speed automatic, is one of the best I've ever used. It's buttery smooth and knows where (what gear) it needs to be. I've never had issues with either. Always follow the factory maintenance guide and requirements for maintenence. The all-wheel drive is great. I live in Buffalo, NY, and if there is one thing people know about Buffalo, is that we get a lot of snow. It puts the power down well. This car is also incredibly comfortable. I owned a small econo-car previously, and my back would cry at trips longer than 45mins... This car, no complaints at all. Very comfortable seats with 10-way adjustability. I'm very big on nice interiors, and the interior of this car sold me on it. It's beautifully laid out, nice use of perforated leather, soft-touch plastics, and wood trim throughout. I got the panoramic moon roof as well, which is beautiful during the night, or soaking up the sun rays on cooler days. There are, however, creaks and rattles all over the cabin. It's a shame, but the car is also cheaper to own than foreign competitors, so it's expected to see corners cut in places. The only other complaint I have about the interior is outward visibility. The pillars are very thick. It hasn't been a huge problem, but noticeable. Exterior is subjective. I was never really a fan of the look, only because my little eyes can see cost-cutting corners shaved. But, it is a sharp looking, handsome design. Modern amenities such as HID headlamps and LED light bars throughout make her a beauty in the night. I also opted for the 18" polished aluminum wheels and spoiler, which make the car look a little more upscale and aggressive, respectively, in my opinion. Driving the car had been very nice. Smooth over rough roads, good road manners, although the weight does tend to want to drag it around corners sometimes, great steering feel, and plenty of V6 power. 0-60 has been run at 6.3 seconds for me at the track, on 93 premium. Practicality is good, not great(this is a luxury sedan after all). Fuel economy roughly 19-20 mpg combined city/highway. Cost of ownership has been low for luxury levels. Maybe I'm "lucky" or maybe I properly maintain my vehicle. Either way, outside of normal maintenance (oil, tires, brakes, etc.) and a few minor electrical faults (all have been very cheap (>$20) fixes or under warranty) this car hasn't caused me a single headache. If you are looking at buying one, DO YOUR HOMEWORK!! look at owner history, service history, car fax reports, etc!! Can't stress this enough. The car is a fantastic car, especially at the price you'll find them. But, it needs to have been properly maintained and taken care of.
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Car of the year?
jimboc240, 09/09/2013
2008 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan w/Direct Injection (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
31 of 33 people found this review helpful
I owned the CTS4 with every option since new. (as well as many many other vehicles) I was generally happy with it, especially how it ran in the snow. You can't beat AWD. For a V6, it can move pretty well. The navigation and Bose sound system is probably its best point. It seemed to do everything well, but nothing stands out. I love our country, but the Germans really are on top in the quality department. On the surface, the interior looks nice, but the leather is thin, and everything else is just cheap plastic. The drivers seat broke. They wanted 1200 to fix it. It came with "heated windshield washers" but they disengaged it due to failure after 1 year. With no fix possible.
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Bought 2008 in 2010 at 145k miles, excellent ride
Dave, 05/12/2016
2008 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6M)
18 of 19 people found this review helpful
purchased in 2010 a 2008 luxury edition with 27k miles. Paint exterior still good, wheels starting to pit, but we live in a cold climate. AWD is excellent, only had to replace a rear hub at 130k miles. Handles well and seats very comfortable. Will purchase a 2 year old CTS once we're at 150k miles. Just took on a 600 mile trip and the power is almost as good as the day we purchased. No rattles and rides well. Replaced the brakes at 80k miles.
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2008 CTS Junk Buyer Beware
techtwou, 05/21/2012
2008 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan w/Direct Injection (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
36 of 40 people found this review helpful
This car is Junk, I purchased one with 38K miles on it, drove nice for about 3 weeks, and then it started pinging/knocking, the vehicle has been at the dealer now for 6 weeks they can't figure out whats causing the problem, called GM Customer Service they had a Field Engineer go to the dealer and he stated it was fixed, Not so it's still Pinging, Now with additional problems, that they caused (Main Motors Anoka, MN) Now GM customer service is giving me the side step along with the Dealer, people save your money Please don't buy this car in any Year. I am not a disgruntle buyer I have owned 4 Cadillacs before but I will never buy another one ever.
Love This Car
Dan Holliday, 07/05/2016
2008 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan w/Direct Injection (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
16 of 17 people found this review helpful
I purchased this car new and never had a problem for the 8 years I owned it.
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BIG Mistake! Dont buy a 2008!
katt4, 03/27/2012
2008 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6M)
21 of 24 people found this review helpful
We were so excited to trade in our 2004 CTS for a 2008 CTS ! We had never had any issues with our first CTS so we were sure we would be getting another quality CTS. Our new CTS had 31,000 miles on it when we purchased it six months ago. It has been in the shop 4 times for major repairs-oil consumption, catalytic converter replacement, piston rings, cam shaft shims, steering and just this morning, the passenger airbag light is not working! I would expect these types of repairs on a 1980 Ford not a brand new Cadillac. I am half tempted to drop this car back off at the dealership, spend $ 500.00 and buy a junker that would certainly be more reliable than the new car I have now!
I'm not the only one who owned the Cadillac from H
Virginia Swisher, 01/24/2016
updated 08/26/2019
2008 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan w/Direct Injection (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
47 of 56 people found this review helpful
2019 April Fool's Day, 25°out, turn emgine on engine light come on "engine hot" How can the engine be hot? Told it needed 2 temperature sensors $1200. Also needs 2 new rotors on front wheels $600 and a headlight is out. It will cost $300 just in labor just to get to the place to replace a headlight. Each bulb is at least $150 ( might as well replace boths). Didn't need to replace on sensor, but total cost $1900. Finally, decide to get rid of the car. Talked to a loan officer who had the same model Cadillac who called her car "The Cadillac from HELL" 2018 was a mix bag, There has always been a problem with the door locks. I could never be sure they would work. Then it came to a head, when the remote wouldn't open the driver's door. I could only open the door with the key in the door. Tried to have it fixed, $500 and it still isn't working, needs additional parts to the tune of another $500. To fix all doors would be at least $500 each door. Also needed to relace the rear brakes again. 2016, wound up as a decent year for this car. (2014)10 months ago I bought a Cadillac CTS and what a nightmare. I needed to replace the 2003 Buick Century with 190,000 miles on it. I've have had several GTM cars in the past and wanted to keep with GM, and this was going to be my birthday splurge. I decided to look for a used car with lower mileage, rather than a new car because I was on a limited budget. I had looked at Chevy Impalas, Buicks and found that they were exceeding my budget- so just as a whim- I looked on the internet at Cadillac and was seeing that there were a few that were in the same range as the Impalas. (I did CarFaxes on every car I looked at & before I took it for a test drive - this car came with a positive report- one owner, garage kept, well maintained, & 50,000 miles on it & it looked brand new- nothing to indicate that there would be any problems. ) So in comparing a Cadillac CTS to and the Impalas- I thought I was getting a higher quality car- not so. I picked it up at the end of February- (they gave me a 3 month warranty). In April, the check engine light came on- it needed a new coil (not cover by the warranty) $500: in June, the catalytic convertor went (cover by the warranty, otherwise it would have been at least $700). In July I took it in for an oil change and a check up and was informed it would need new brakes on the rear by the end of November (this would cost at least $400- wound up costing $500). In September it just passed inspection (mostly because of the brake issue). The middle of October, I was heading to work and there was the horrible clanking noise coming from the wheels- (no warring), managed to get to the dealership (which has been in business for over 80 years) and left it there. Next day they informed me that the drive shaft had broken (don't know how or why) and it would cost $1500 (they took off $250 from the bill). I informed them I was extremely unhappy and nervous about driving the car and I needed to talk to customer service. She listened to me politely, said she wanted me to be secure with the car and they would take it in and do a complete check up on the car to make sure everything was working right. They did that, then one week later I as was coming home from work, I heard this big thump. I got out of the car to check it and saw nothing- got back in the car and it went nowhere- the transmission went on the car. I called the dealership and they couldn't believe this happened. They gave me a loaner for the 6 days they had my car. The bill came to $2500, but I paid $750 (they got GM to cover most of it under a warranty). At This point, I can't trust this car. My salesperson showed me another CTS, a year younger than mine w/ less mileage. So he discussed it with the head of use car sales, and he informed me that they could only give me $10,000 for the car. I can't afford to throw $10,000 down the drain and then spend an additional $7500 to get into that new car, so I left asking that they keep eye out for something comparable that I could afford. I became resolved that I would have to keep this car, so I put the new brakes on at the beginning of December and hoped for the best. On the Monday after Christmas, on the way home from work, the car began to vibrate violently as I began to accelerate. Again I called the dealership and manage to get it there, and then left it. They called me the next day and informed me the car was fixed at no charge (it turned out to be 2 coils & 2 spark plugs needed to be replaced- that would have cost over $700). I have checked into Lemon Laws- my car does not qualify, talked to a friend who is a lawyer, called Cadillac Corporate to file a complaint-
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The Love Affair is Over
jguerin77, 08/11/2013
2008 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan w/Direct Injection (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
29 of 34 people found this review helpful
I have decided that owning a Cadillac CTS is like dating a beautiful woman with a black heart: they are gorgeous to look at, but they will do you wrong every time. I had a 2004 CTS first, and I had multiple security issues with it requiring trips to the dealer to fix. The my son totaled it when he hit a deer doing 75MPH. I do like the looks of the CTS, so I bought a 2008 CTS 4 as a replacement. It had 28,000 mi. I have had many issues with it as well. First, it uses oil, and the oil MUST be checked every 1500 miles or you will be in trouble. I checked mine at 3000 (after a #60 oil change since it uses synthetic oil), and NO oil registered on the dipstick. No leaks. CTSs just use oil.
2008 CTS Blown Engine/Oil Consumption/GM fails to act
jmdhale, 09/18/2012
2008 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan w/Direct Injection (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
61 of 75 people found this review helpful
I purchased a 2008 Cadillac CTS with 31K which was also the mileage at which the oil had been changed. My wife being the primary driver averages 33 miles a day and is very easy on the vehicle. At 41K the car threw a rod resulting in blown engine. At the advice of GM the car was taken to my local Cadillac for repairs. Although the vehicle only has 41K and the power train warranty is for 100K Covert told me there is nothing they can do as my power train warranty expired 2 days prior to the break down. For $10,000 they will put a new engine in for me. GM continues to tell me the warranty is good up to 100K, but states I failed to properly maintain my vehicle. I purchased the car with 31,217 miles on it and have documentation from dealership showing the oil was changed at 31,107 miles. The attached excerpt from my 2008 Cadillac CTS Manual states you vehicle computer will let you know when to change the engine oil and filter. This is based on engine revolutions and temperature, and not on mileage. It goes on to say that one may not need to change their oil, but once a year. When Cadillac turned over their review to GM the local Service Manager wrote that our vehicle was 6977 miles overdue for an oil change. The dealership went on to tell me that we should have the oil changed every 5k to 6k. Although the manual specifically states mileage is not a determining factor. Also using the 5K to 6K logic and the fact my oil was changed at 31K we would have been due for an oil change at 37K which based on their equation would only be 3K over not the 6977 reported to GM which resulted in denying my claim. Again GM states mileage in not a factor in oil changes. We owned the car just over 8 months and have only put 9,500 miles on the car. The dealership is stating the car ran completely out of oil and it was our fault. How does oil disappear when we have no leaks? This is not possible and Ive spoken to numerous certified mechanics who stated cars do not run out of oil in 9,000 miles unless you have a leak or the car has an oil usage issue which is the fault of the maker. Note this vehicle has 37 recall or service notices some related to power train and cooling systems. We never overheated .no check engine light but GM and dealership flat out said we are SOL. After a 2 billion dollar bailout this is what we get?
Best used car ever
Phil wingo, 03/19/2016
2008 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6M)
10 of 11 people found this review helpful
I hope this isn't a jinx. I bought this car about 2 years ago and the only problem I've had so far is a burnt out head light which was a little difficult to change but I managed. I love the body style, stance, and performance. My next car will definitely be a Cadillac.
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Used to Drive a Honda - 2008 CTS Rocks!
Brian S, 07/02/2008
2008 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan w/Direct Injection (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
Having owned Honda Accords for the past 18 years, I never saw much reason to consider an American car until this one. Never in a million years did I think I would own a Cadillac! Having said that, this car should cause any reasonable person to change their opinion on GM. Clearly, Bob Lutz and the Caddy design team deserve a lot of credit for bringing a legendary brand back to life. This is a no apologies sedan that brings a watermelon smile every time I look at or talk about this car! Nothing looks like it on the road and it looks great! Tons of compliments from everybody that sees it. The interior materials and features are great. A lot of thought went into engineering this vehicle
What is everyone complaining about?
Rick Croak, 12/11/2015
2008 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan w/Direct Injection (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
9 of 10 people found this review helpful
I bought my 2008 CTS direct injection new. Granted, I only have 55,000 miles but so far the car has only been to the dealer twice, under warranty. Once for a part in the rear suspension and once for the XM radio receiver. Other than that, the tires were replaced at 50,000 miles and I have changed the oil every 6-7000 miles, based on the computer, or once per year. Also, being a C6 Z06 Corvette owner, I know what performance is about. This CTS is a joy to drive and can really get up and go. The only gripe I have with it is an engine vibration ( I believe caused from engine strain from staying in gear too long) at 45 MPH. It could probably be adjusted out, but I can not see spending the money to have it fixed. The only other issue is that the trade in value is so low that I cannot make myself trade it because the car is so enjoyable to drive. Otherwise, I would probably have a new CTS.
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Fuel leak twice
markneffcts4, 01/14/2013
2008 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan w/Direct Injection (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
Anyone know what could be wrong? Two fuel leaks in 3 weeks, first was a bad fuel line and Cadillac replaced that, now. I was getting on the freeway and excelerated and engine light came on and message said loss of power, any ideas?
Happy Owner
majsharan, 03/24/2013
2008 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan w/Direct Injection (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
I have owned my Cadillac CTS since 2008 when I bought it fully loaded during the bankruptsy and employee pricing wars for $35,000. At that point the '09s were out so I also got rebates for buying the old model year. I have been generally very happy with purchase. A couple of issues mostly relating to fit and finish. The car has some spots where the wood accents aren't quite large enough to fill the space they are in so there a couple of gaps here and there. Also, the car has a pretty bad paint job for a luxury car. It was like they only put one coat of clear on it. The car also has some interior rattles that seem to come from the bowels of the dash and can't be held down to be stopped.
Good Buy, Good Car
alex153, 06/07/2012
2008 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan w/Direct Injection (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
19 of 25 people found this review helpful
I have had the experience of driving literally hundreds of cars, and I decided to buy this one as my daily driver (awd, every option ticked). I have had minimal reliability problems and the dealer was always excellent at getting it resolved on Cadillacs bill My advice to anyone reading these reviews is that if someone is complaining about the reliability of their CTS they bought used with over 30,000+ miles (That's a lot to me to be calling "new"!), you take that risk when buying anything used as the previous owner could have rode it hard and put it away wet with no maintenance. I've seen every brand have its problems (last BMW was a nightmare).. The pro's have given it good reviews..
One Sweet Car
foxtrot571, 05/22/2008
2008 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan w/Direct Injection (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
After 30 years in the working world and turning 55 years young, it was time to reward myself. And, with all of the imported sport sedans everywhere, I wanted to stand out in a big way. My CTS with a black exterior/interior was a dream come true. I never thought I could love a car, but this one makes me love driving to and from work. I've gotten compliments in Beverly Hills from Benz, BMW, Infiniti, and Lexus owners. The Cadillac art and design concept blends so well in this car. The marriage of the design, engineering, manufacturing, and assembly is really impressive. This car is one HOT HEART THROB! I want to drive it everywhere! I'm proud to own an American car again!!Go Cadillac!
I am a CTS lover!
CTSluvr, 08/05/2010
2008 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan w/Direct Injection (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I purchased my loaded, black on black CTS on my birthday last year and it is by far my favorite car and the best gift I've ever given myself. I have a couple of extras like a color keyed black grill, small deck spoiler and larger E&G chrome exhaust tips that all work to round out the package. The nav is great, the ultra-view roof is expansive, the leather is nice, the Bose audio rocks, the engine pulls like a V8, the transmission is smooth and responsive, the handling with the FE3 suspension is like a sports car and the styling is like nothing else on the road. I shopped other cars in it's class, but I felt the CTS suited me as the individual I am and not a follower. Try a loaded one, smile :)
Great car
Derek, 01/30/2016
2008 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan w/Direct Injection (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I purchased my 2008 cts 1 year ago. I have not had any issues. The car is very smooth great power for a v6. I love the body design.
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Great Car!
Michael, 10/06/2010
2008 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan w/Direct Injection (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
After 2 and half years of great driving we still love this car. We love car trips and the CTS consistently gets 26-28 mpg (it will get 30+ if you drive a constant 55-60) but I don't! It's comfortable but when you get to some corners it is great. No problems either.
CTS4 "odd letters & numbers" = superior enjoyment!
arttuperkele, 03/20/2021
2008 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan w/Direct Injection (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I have owned American made cars here in Finland for as long as I had drivers license (that would be from 1998). I had and still have Buick Roadmaster, Riviera, classic vehicles such as 80 TransAM, but this beautiful GM product catched my eyes and thank God I bought it. So it's AWD 3.6 direct injected export unit, including all niceties I ever hoped for (Bose, Navi, Sunroof, Park Assist, 6 speed auto, 40Gig HDD, etc.) It delivers where needed, in terms of winter roadability, acceleration, smooth ride, everything a motoring person would need. Ofcourse the price for this gratness is relatively high fuel consumption (I have about 18L/100km cold winter short city trips, but only over 8L/100km higway). Anyway, this car is a absolute standout of proud American engineering, which I think, is one of a good reasons for ownership. And yeah, one more word; you americans, shuold be buying these instead of Japanese, Korean, German products. Wake up you people!
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Nothin's lackin' when you're cadillacin'
Vini, 12/22/2019
2008 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I bought mine in 2014 with 130000km on it. I'm still driving it in 2019 with 241000km now. My TCS, abs, and scs have been disable due to a sensor in the front hub that has failed. You have to replace the whole hub/bearing assembly to fix it. I fixed the passenger side because of this when I first got it... But it's been years since the driver side went... And I don't really care if any of that stuff works really. I've had to change a headlight. It was a pain because you have to take off the bumper to do it. But oh well I can handle that. It uses about 1/2L of oil in between oil changes which no problem. All's I've had to do was the brakes. Which cost me $400 because I could do them myself. The engine light has been on for a long time now... Probably the cam or crank position sensor. But it starts every time... Sometimes it struggles... But it starts. All in all I've had a great experience with the CTS. The interior is still clean and has zero wear or rips anywhere. Very high quality. Being 11 years old now but it still looks modern. The body styling was far beyond its time. It does not look dated at all. Zero rust. I would recommend this car for sure. It owes me nothing and I'm sure it still has another 100000km in her.
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Refined American
JD, 08/08/2008
2008 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan w/Direct Injection (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I waited for 8 months for this car to come out - I was looking for a 4 door sports sedan and after reading all the product info. I was hoping it would live up to the hype after the long wait it exceeded it & I was not disappointed. This car is awesome. I also own a 2007 Corvette and truly believe the CTS handles if not better, then at least as well as the vette (but obviously not as fast!). The CTS is really quick though, refined, handles great, and with great mileage. I avg 22 in town and have gotten as much as 32 on the highway while driving 70 & 80 mph.
Highly Unreliable
Big Al, 09/27/2009
2008 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan w/Direct Injection (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
In less than 24 months of ownership car has spent over 6 weeks in the shop being repaired or awaiting parts for a repair. 2008 CTS has had issues with timing chains. Cadillac had to redisgn the part because of high failure rates according to the Cadillac representatives I have spoken too. In addition, I have had persistent keyfob issues, accelerator sensor failures, nicked wiring harness, etc. Cadillac has been less than sympathetic about the LEMON they sold me. The car has been in the shop so often, it probably knows the route by heart.
Greatest caddy I bought thus far
Kamilla Harris, 12/23/2015
2008 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan w/Direct Injection (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
I just bought my car a month ago and I love it I bought it used and it has 140k and it's been a awesome car I l9be caddys
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Man Cave
Monica, 03/11/2016
2008 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6M)
7 of 12 people found this review helpful
Obviously, not for the obese. A masculine car with the woman in mind.
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good car, but not aging well
Rolling Thunder, 05/09/2010
2008 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6M)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
I am approaching the final months of my lease and my CTS with 36K miles is still fun to drive and looks great. I've noticed that in the past 3 months that the car is "loosening up". More squeaks and rattles. This also happened to my Chevy Equinox at the 2.5 year mark. I am looking for my next lease and I may avoid another GM because of this. My CTS still drives well and looks great inside and out. I avg 19-20 mph in mixed driving.
Am I DISAPPOINTED In my Cadillac? YES I AM!!!
Alda, 12/20/2016
2008 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan w/Direct Injection (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
5 of 11 people found this review helpful
My husband recently bought an '08 Cadillac which surprised me because of the problems we encountered with the '02 we had. The Cadillac is a very nice looking car, but to drive one is disappointing to me. First of all the sun roof leaks, the car sqeaks horribly. When riding along the engine or the transmission causes the car to jerk. Of course we bought this car used and as they say you get what you pay for, but as working people we cannot afford to throw our money into a car that is already needing repairs done. I got into the car after it rained and the drivers side floor was wet from the sunroof leaking. How do we manage both, payment and a repair bill. I must admit that I'd always wanted to own a CADILLAC, what a classy looking car but from the experience we've had, I was honestly upset when my husband brought home another one. O' my lord Cadillac, what's wrong here? Again I cannot tell you how disappointed I am with this car!!!!
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My first and last Caddilac
AFA3767, 05/12/2010
2008 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan w/Direct Injection (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
3 of 6 people found this review helpful
I am extremely disappointed with my 2008 Cadillac CTS AWD 3.6 DI. This car has been nothing but problems. At 10,000 miles the check engine light went on and they had to take my engine apart due to a cylinder head problem. The car was in the shop for 28days. At 30,000 miles Cadillac had to replace my engine. The car burns oil and you will not make the recommended 10k between oil changes. I now have 38k miles and i discovered rain water in my passenger seat floor. lastly, I just experienced a major transmission problem that resulted in flames coming out the side of the car. if you are thinking of buying this car, I would suggest you spend the 50k on a car built with better quality.
piece of junk
knotarnicola, 08/04/2011
2008 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan w/Direct Injection (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
2 of 4 people found this review helpful
I have had nothing but problems with my cadillac cts. It started making noised at around 15,000 miles. I ended up needing to have the entire driveshaft replaced. The brakes have always made noises that they shouldn't and I just had one of the fuel injectors replaced. It got stuck open according to the tecnician and the car started smoking and smelled like fuel. The car is totally not worth the money I paid for it.
Exceptionally Reliable Vehicle
HTaylor, 05/22/2019
2008 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I purchased my 08 CTS two years ago when my 04 CTS (that was previously run in the ground by the previous owner) cost me $4k to repair and still wasn't right. I reluctantly looked at another CTS mainly because the reviews had it rated higher than every over Cadillac model car out there and since I'm 6'3" 290 pounds the Caddy is really generous with Driver legroom. I have had zero issues (mechanical or otherwise) with the car since purchase. No warning lights, squeaky sounds, falling apart interior, nothing. I must admit that the car came from a previous older couple that treated it like the queen she is. It had 69k on it when purchased and it's sitting at 90k now. It's very response (especially when put in manual mode). It's much quieter than any of my other vehicles (little to no road noise). Everything is tightly together and works properly. Not sure how the sunroof and windows were able to withstand two major hailstorms that totally destroyed hundreds of other vehicles here in Colorado Springs in Summer of 2018 but even with some dents and dings on the body I still can't bring myself to risk giving up such a stellar performer. Cadillac got it right with this one!!!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Love it
soccerj3, 07/20/2008
2008 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I was looking for a fun and roomy drive. Still needed a large backseat for the kiddies. I had test driven Audi A4, BMW 3 Series and many small SUVs. Couldn't stomach the monthly payments on them as they just were not appealing to me. Once I got behind the wheel of the CTS (black with creamy leather) I was sold. So much fun to drive and the kids are comfortable in the back. I love this car! I will update on reliability as the months progress.
Squealing Brakes
Gaylan B., 03/01/2009
2008 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan w/Direct Injection (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Everything is fine with this car except the brakes have been squealing from day one. Initially, I was told that the problem was due to weather conditions, but eventually a dealership in Texas informed me that the quality of the metal used to make the brakes was inferior, and there was nothing to be done to resolve the problem, except to replace the brakes in hopes of getting some that do not squeak. I have been waiting for the new brakes for over three weeks. It is disheartening to be driving such a car and the brakes sound so terrible.
Jury still out - getting concerned
Steve, 09/11/2008
2008 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I purchased this vehicle in February right off the showroom floor. Great fun to drive, sharp looks. I wanted the wood trim interior and the large sunroof. The car is very smooth on the road and handles well since it is rear wheel drive. Interior space is a bit tight. Storage cubbyholes and trunk space are spare. Quality issues have come up. Two weeks after the purchase the steering went out (fluid leak around the rack) - that was in the shop for two more weeks getting fixed (free loaner, thankfully). Just today the radio went out. I have the high end radio (no nav) with the 40 GB HD. The radio now only picks up AM intermittently. I am a little worried and even considering trading.
Bmw 3? Audi a4? MB C280?? No thanks!
Dave, 09/21/2007
2008 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan w/Direct Injection (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Unbelievable! Who needs the bmw 3, A4, or MB c class. This car looks amazing, it drives likes its got attitude. I have the 304 hp model with rear wheel dr. Fully loaded with the luxury package and navigation. The only thing this car is missing is blue tooth. there is zero road noise, you can only hear the engine at higher revs.
Not Alone
Pboss, 11/25/2009
2008 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan w/Direct Injection (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I have had my CTS for almost two years. Overall, I am mostly happy with my purchase. Pros: AWD handles great in Alaska Winter weather. Styling is beautiful and have power to spare. Cons: Squeaky brakes since day one! Most irritating: rattle from steering column. Both were deemed "normal" by dealer service department. At $15,00 maybe these things are normal. At almost $50K they should not be. As much as I love this car, with the constant "normal" rattles, I will not be buying another GM luxury car.
First Cadillac I've ever owned
Mike, 09/22/2010
2008 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan w/Direct Injection (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I've had this car for over 2 years and it has been great! The only issue with it was a recall for the washer fluid heater but other than that it's been perfect. This is by far the best car I've ever owned and I've had 27 cars! Solid, quiet, fast and fun. If you live in a snowy climate the AWD is a real plus, mine had handled 2 Minnesota snowy winters without a problem. Cadillac did a great job with this and I would not hesitate to recommend it based on my experience.
Best 6 cylinder engine ever driven
Lance Rineer, 02/23/2008
2008 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan w/Direct Injection (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
We hope this new Cadillac "6" holds up as well as the "8" Northstar, as the performance for a six is absolutely incredible. You would swear this engine is an "8" cylinder. Low end torque and highway cruise from the powerplant is phenomenal within this vehicle.
Great Car
Rich, 05/06/2009
2008 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan w/Direct Injection (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I bought this car just over a year ago. Love the 40 gig hard drive, and nav system with the traffic reports. The car is very comfortable to drive, and handling and acceleration are better than average. The CTS is a sharp looking car inside and out, and the build quality is better than my last two cars, a Mercedes and a Jag. One of the best cars I've owned.
Love mine!
Ray , 06/27/2021
2008 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan w/Direct Injection (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
If you want some serious pep step up to the 3.6 engine with Direct Injection. The fuel efficiency may suffer a bit but you can’t beat the power it gives you! It really moves and handles great!
Been a great car
Chris, 05/11/2010
2008 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan w/Direct Injection (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Owned the car since early 2008 with 28k miles and it continues to work near flawlessly. The ride is smooth, but still feels connected to the road. The engine is powerful, though at times feels weak since it's coupled with AWD. Besides regular maintenance, the only issues have been a broken trunk net clip.
A great American auto
Star59, 07/03/2008
2008 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I drive this car through the streets of Las Vegas and it looks great and gets plenty of stares. The car pulls away fast at intersections and even in this summer heat is always comfortable inside. I thought the sunroof would be a problem but it has not been an issue. Sometimes I'll just take it out on the road for the sheer fun of driving it.
Great car, nice ride.
sp4rt4nz, 10/22/2009
2008 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
My first American car, after several Japenese sedans. The styling and build quality are excellent. I've had a few quirky problems, but no less reliable than the Toyotas, Infiniti, and Nissans that I've owned. The CTS has been much more reliable than the G35 which I traded. The CTS has been a low maint vehicle as I do oil changes and tire rotation only every 10K miles. I've been averaging 20 mpg in mixed driving, which is a bit disappointing, but it only requires non-premium fuel. This is no BMW, but I also paid $7K less than a comparably equipped 3- series and the CTS is much roomier for a 6ft. 200lb driver.
What a disappointment
herb, 08/12/2010
2008 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan w/Direct Injection (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
4 of 13 people found this review helpful
I decided to take a chance on an American brand car after years of buying toyotas, hondas, nissans and mazdas. I loved the styling of the cts, and even knowing the poor reliability record of cadillacs and gm in general, I decided to take a chance on them. What a huge mistake! Within one month of owning the car, I had the first of numerous problems with this car. I had to have the sound system entirely replaced, and again less than one year later! From day one I experienced squealing from the brakes as I have heard many other owners have had. This is unacceptable in a so called premium automobile brand or any car period! The final straw was a non functioning fuel gauge. Maybe gm should hang it up!
2008 CTS AWD 3.6DI
Aaron, 10/09/2009
2008 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan w/Direct Injection (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
3 of 10 people found this review helpful
After looking at several cars (BMW 330xi, Mercedes Benz C230 & Audi A4) we decided to go with a CTS4 as I've been a Caddy fan for years. The 3.6L DI is exceptional, fun to drive and the overall build quality is something I'm not used to from GM. There are several flaws in the vehicle that I'm experiencing (minor) such as the express close moonroof doesn't actually close on it's own and the steering has a light clicking when turning. One major disappointment for me comes not from the car, but from GM. Our nearest Cadillac dealership is 2.5 hrs away; somewhat a nuisance when repairs are necessary, especially when we have about 4 GM dealers in the area.
Great 2008 CTS!!
Ed Stolarz, 10/09/2009
2008 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan w/Direct Injection (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
I have owned over 20 new cars so far and the 2008 CTS is Number 1 on my list of cars that I've owned! Its great distinctive styling and great looks, fabulous interior, great reliability and super handling makes it fun to drive and a real joy to own! Cadillac and GM have really done a great job on this car! The attention to detail and build quality is the best I've experienced! The interior in the CTS is truly a work of art! If you haven't considered or test driven the new CTS, you are not being fair to yourself and your missing one of the best car choices out there! The CTS is a super overall package especially with its great all wheel drive option! Give it a try and see for yourself!
Be careful!
blaid, 03/25/2012
2008 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan w/Direct Injection (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
I've owned the 2008 Cadillac Cts V6 DI for about two years now. I was very intrigued by the new design and thought it looked very nice. I never bothered to look at the reviews or negatives about the car, so I screwed my self there. I bought the car used with only 24k miles on it and it's been at the dealers for minor problems six times within the two years! Now if the car didn't have a warranty these minor problems would have been a major price considering it is a Cadillac. Key less entry malfunctioned numerous times, wheel tilt control and two windows as well. Engine would make noises and the tech's would not display any information to why. Don't buy it without a warranty, you will lose!
Best Sports Sedan in its price class
Dr. Mike, 06/12/2008
2008 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan w/Direct Injection (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
I have had the new CTS for three months and this is the most enjoyable automobile that I have ever owned. All aspects of the vehicle are pleasing. The performance is world class and the interior is set up in a convenient and comfortable manner. The sound system is killer and the Nav is best in class. However, the Onstar turn-by- turn is so simple and cool that I tend to use it instead of the Nav system. I love the total lighting package from the very cool ambient interior lights to the trick light pipes in the front and rear. This car is confident and capable in the canyons, the city or on the highway. Great job Cadillac!!!
2nd CTS and probably not the last
cadillacmike, 12/21/2011
2008 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan w/Direct Injection (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
1 of 3 people found this review helpful
This is our 2nd CTS. the first was a Black 2005 with EVERY option except block heater (we're in FL folks) and pearl paint. This one is the same, in light platinum (looks like the silver on my 2009 STS). It also has AWD. The 2005 went strongly to 117,000 miles when we traded it; this one is up to 30,000. No major issues, but the ultraview sunroof is too noisey, something's loose because i can push up on the divider and the noise goes away. Handling is superb, inside room is good (I also have a Fleetwood and like my room), performance is outstanding. Noise level will be great once the roof is fixed. Eye appeal is without par, wife gets compliments on the chrome wheels all the time.
CTS Owner for 2 Years
linedrive21, 08/04/2011
2008 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan w/Direct Injection (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
1 of 3 people found this review helpful
Owned my 2008 CTS 3.6 liter luxury edition for two years. No issues except a headlamp replacement. Combined mileage about 22.7 mpg. 26.8 hwy (non DI engine). Runs great, fun to drive. Excellent paint quality. I also own a 2004 SRX which has been okay, but had to replace xfer case at 51,000 miles. This CTS now is at 38,000 miles with no issues. Great quality GM. I now own four GM vehicles.
I will re-think my next Certified Pre-Owned Cadillac
chemerson, 12/06/2011
2008 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan w/Direct Injection (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
5 of 22 people found this review helpful
Purchased a 2008 beauty, black on black, wood grain, low mileage (14,208), Certified Pre-Owned Cadillac CTS this spring. Two weeks of driving and it stops moving in the middle of traffic. Some strangers kindly pushed me to the side of the road. Called road-side assistance (joke) re-activated my AAA on the spot. Towed car to the dealer, they said, "we replaced a modular". No other explanation given even when I asked. On the way home I put on the brakes and that was the start of the squeaking sound. Six months later and to no avail the brakes are still squeaking. Also, I keep getting a lot of water inside, dealer response: Moon-roof drains are clogged. Not covered under extended warranty.