Hey all, i am in canada, and am looking into purchasing a used 2003 CTS. The milage is a bit high (160,700 KM - not miles - remember i am in canada and its km). i am getting it for $11,700. its the sports edition. every thing is perfect in it. so do you guys think its a good deal?? Am i going to be looking into problems soon with the car...please let me know.

thanks

aelia

 

i wouldn't do it

 

I don't consider that high mileage but in the pre owned business the 160,000 km mark is a threshhold that usually sees dramatic price decreases once crossed. So when dealing with the owner or dealer you need to play up the HIGH mileage bit. I think the price is still a bit too high. You need to get more discount to offset any thing that may crop up. Don't know where you are buying but is any warranty avaialble at all, usually they are crap anyway with a $500 deductible or whatever but just asking. BTW I am in Toronto so I am familar with prices in Canada. For some reason these cars seem to demand a lot on the used car market here. [sm=signs003.gif]

 

geeeeee that seems high to me also.........whos smoking what.......high????? 33yrs in gm store. u.s. hey welcome to the Forum...good luck, Katz is in your area.......he'll give good advise.....we all will...... look around..........
rickyd

 

Come on now, I've picked parts off cars in salvage yards with over 400,000 km, that's high. No dealer would take a car with 160,000 km but this is one big country with a tenth of the population of the USA, we have to drive on the highway to go anywhere. To rack up 40,000 km per year that car has been highway driven, probably better miles than a grocery getter with 60,000 on the clock.

 

I LOVE my 03 CTS but if I had it to do over again I would go for at least an 04 for the bigger engine and temp guage on the dash. Just my .02

 

I'm new to the forum, but I would suggest you walk away.

I've got roughly 125,000 km on my CTS (that's 78k miles where I live) and eventhough I've taken good care of the car and never abused it, I've seen more than my share of problems.

Nothing serious, just small stuff here and there... It drives me nuts sometimes.

 

I personally consider 5 to 6 yr old well cared for cars with all the options including power,
at 60,000 to 80,000 miles excellent buys. Depreciation has taken a huge toll of the price
and makes them absolute bargains, often market price under 40% of the original window
sticker. One owner cars are even better.

A bunch of "little things" that need fixing is great .. it helps negotiate the price down and can
usually be corrected in a weekend.

I take the low KBB and take away for cost of tires and fixes .. and my labor is not FREE.
Engine, transmission. or computer woos .. NO WAY .. very EXPENSIVE to fix.
Also, I dont do "title" cars .. salvage, flood, etc ..

I got a tool box and I can actually use most of them and I plan on about $1,000 to get it
in shape, not including tires or fancy add ons.

To what the post above says, i agree. Look for a car with extra power if possible.
I like the extra ponies ...






.

 

Also in Canada with 2003 sport addition, $11000 sounds a bit high, but factor in following, mine has 140,000klms owned since new, have spent in past 6 months , $800 tires, $890 timing belt replacement, $ 900 front end, $650 brakes, $700 thermostat.

These cars are expensive to fix, the timing belt needs to be replaced at 100,000 klms very important, or it could cost you the engine, the thermostat is a pain in ***, at $60.00 part with 5 hours of labor at $100.00, compared to GM V8 $30.00 part and 15 minutes to change in driveway.

As for sport suspension, I would not get it again far to harsh, my shocks probably need to be replaced 140,000klms but it could be $900.00 so its not happening, and when I say harsh ride, I have a Corvette with performance suspension that is smoother.

The CTS 2003 sport also has a issue with chrome wheels on , they pit , to prevent they need to be taken off for canadian winters.

It has been a good car, and I would buy a 2008 once price comesdown.

ted1515