03 Cadillac cts vs 03 Acura TL

[spawnr]

I can't decide between purchasing a CTS or TL. I test drove both them and are in great condition, the TL is cheaper and has slighly less KMs. But ,I do like big cars and have always purchased domestic cars. Just wondering for some feedback on either of these cars. Let's not turn this into import vs domestic debate...TIA

[VivienM]

A few things:
- are you looking at a manual or auto? If auto, the CTS got the much better 3.6L engine in 2004. (The manual kept the 3.2 until 2005)
- if you like 'big domestic cars', the CTS may disappoint you... it's supposed to be a German-style sport sedan, not a big domestic car (see: Cadillac DeVille)
- TL is FWD, CTS is RWD

[B0000rt]

TL = Transmission problems, stay away!

If you want a large, cheaper, high-horsepower car, go for an 02 or 03 STS!

[Drthorne]

a lot of mechanics won't work on the cadillac engines because they are expensive and a pain to repair

[mau108]

TL = Transmission problems, stay away!

If you want a large, cheaper, high-horsepower car, go for an 02 or 03 STS!

TL tranny issues are an old story and only pertain to the 3.2TL's (pre 04), I would actually get the TL, honda quality and doesnt depreciate as quick.

EDIT: just re-read, yout comparing an 03 tl, go for an 04 if you can, tranny problems fixed.

[VivienM]

a lot of mechanics won't work on the cadillac engines because they are expensive and a pain to repair

Which 'Cadillac engines'? The 4.6L Northstar? The 4.1/4.5/4.9 aluminum pushrod V8s? The now-going-to-be-in-a-Chevy-Malibu 3.6L HF V6?

The 03 CTS has the obscure 54 degree European 3.2L V6...

[VivienM]

If you want a large, cheaper, high-horsepower car, go for an 02 or 03 STS!

And make sure to search for both Seville and STS... Technically, the pre-2005 STSs are Seville STSs: some sellers advertise them that way, while some inaccurately advertise them as just plain STS.

[chriswalsh]

while some inaccurately advertise them as just plain STS.

STS = Seville Touring Sedan (as opposed to the lesser SLS - Seville Luxury Sedan)

You're right that 05+ have the name dropped (and now known simply as STS) but calling an older model an STS is still accurate...

I also think the OP should check out the STS/SLS, and 03+ models have the added advantage of not requiring premium fuel to achieve full power as previous Northstars required.

[VivienM]

You're right that 05+ have the name dropped (and now known simply as STS) but calling an older model an STS is still accurate...

I also think the OP should check out the STS/SLS, and 03+ models have the added advantage of not requiring premium fuel to achieve full power as previous Northstars required.

Whether it's accurate or not (I would argue it's not, but... both sides do have a case) is not the issue: the issue is that sellers advertise them as one or the other, but not both, so if the OP is going to go down that road, he should make sure to search for both. When I did that search at autotrader.ca a few months ago, I think the results were split about half - and of course, the SLSs are all advertised under Seville.

My understanding is that the 00+ models don't require premium gas... then somehow after they advertised that for a few years, they went back to premium gas recommended for Northstars, but by that point the FWD Seville was out of production or close to it, I think.

[warpdrive]

My $.02

If you don't mind domestics, I'd say the CTS. RWD is more fun, and as long as you use winter tires you'll be ok for winters.

TL is a decent car, but I've driven it twice and it seems like too much power to channel through the front wheels only, and the handling was a disappointment, it feels front heavy. In a car like the TSX, FWD is ok, but the TL really needs RWD or AWD to be competitive.

[B0000rt]

Which 'Cadillac engines'? The 4.6L Northstar? The 4.1/4.5/4.9 aluminum pushrod V8s? The now-going-to-be-in-a-Chevy-Malibu 3.6L HF V6?

The 03 CTS has the obscure 54 degree European 3.2L V6...

Either way, the LA3 (03 to early 04) and LY7(04+) are both a pain to work on. Though the LY7 has the canister style oil filter, and is very easy to access, both the 3.2L and 3.6L require one to remove the intake manifold just to get at such things as the thermostat, or the spark plugs!

Regardless, the Caddy warranty is transferable, and covers ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING REQUIRED FOR MAINTAINENCE, INCLUDING brake pads, oil changes, brake rotors, burnt CHMBL bulbs (on the CTS they're Neon bulbs so they're very expensive), Air filters, Cabin Air filters etc etc.

So basically, if you purchase a late 04 model CTS, you'll be covered until 80,000kms or Late 2008, for any service you require. You won't have to pay a penny for service.

[chriswalsh]

My understanding is that the 00+ models don't require premium gas... .

You're right, my bad... they dropped the compression from 10.3:1 to 10.0:1 for 2000 models. Good call on searching for both STS and Seville, I thought you were saying an STS is completely different from a Seville

[GangStarr]

my brothers 01 3.2 CL type s, tranny started slipping at 130k, 30k out of warranty. Acura replaced it without hassle. The car was still drivable before the tranny was replaced.

[KawaiiTentacleBeast]

Let's not turn this into import vs domestic debate...

The TL is made in Ohio!

[spawnr]

thanks for the feedback. I didn't know the caddy's warranty was so good. I personally don't like the look of STS. So, I should stay away from the 3.2 L caddy engine and stick with the 3.6 L. I'm looking at getting an auto. I find there's a huge price difference between 03 and 04s, so I might have to wait.