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  Feb. 7, 2011 12:18 a.m. WilberM3 HalfDork

  just ran across a 2004 5sp 3.2L V6 with 133k for under $5k and though i previously wouldnt have thought about any CTS but a delicious V8 version budget dictates otherwise. so i'm thinking that perhaps a v6 model with a 5sp could be reasonably entertaining while being a decent sitting room for highway trips.
  

  unfortunately it looks like this one's the timing belted 3.2L and down 35hp from the newer 3.6L, but its close enough to me i may just check it out anyway.
  would one of these be a horrible pain in my butt owning one?

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  Feb. 7, 2011 6:59 a.m. Twin_Cam SuperDork

  Wow. I'm amazed you found one. I only came across one working at a Cadillac dealer for three and a half years. I remember it being reasonably good to drive, although the clutch suffers from the same problem as the 'V' model's clutch...i.e. it's pressure on your foot isn't linear, the further from the floor, the more it pushes your foot. Very hard to get a smooth start.

  I can't recall any glaring issues with the CTS. The interiors are pretty bad, but if you don't notice that sort of thing, it's ok. Some years didn't have a coolant temp. gauge, which would annoy me. And the price seems to be right.

  Again, this is gleaned from working at a dealer...never lived with one day-to-day, so take what I say with a grain of salt.

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  Feb. 7, 2011 7:31 a.m. ZOO SuperDork

  I watched one at a SOLO 1 track day event one time. It acquitted itself quite competently -- it appeared stock, with the exception of R-compounds.

  1990 Miata, 1998 M3, Locost in progress

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  Feb. 7, 2011 7:54 a.m. MrJoshua SuperDork

  It would constantly make me sad that I didn't have 400hp.

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  Feb. 7, 2011 7:57 a.m. John Brown SuperDork

  Be prepared to replace suspension bits at an B5 Audi/VW rate

  Internationally known as The Brown Stig

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  Feb. 7, 2011 7:58 a.m. miatame Reader

  But on the plus side you know that an LS2 will bolt into the engine bay ;)

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  Feb. 7, 2011 8:05 a.m. Junkyard_Dog Dork

  miatame wrote: But on the plus side you know that an LS2 will bolt into the engine bay ;)

  Anybody attempted that yet? As the older base models get cheaper that sounds like a great way to a CTS-V, and its stealthy to boot.

  I love going to the Pull-a-Part because the dollar admission is cheaper than most car shows and you almost always see cooler cars.

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  Feb. 7, 2011 9:03 a.m. WilberM3 HalfDork

  John Brown wrote: Be prepared to replace suspension bits at an B5 Audi/VW rate

  i dont like the sound of that. lots of ball joints? under suspended?
  

  I'm more worried about the timing belted engine, which appears to be interference, and other related issues with which i may be totally unfamiliar.

  Dave

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  Feb. 7, 2011 9:09 a.m. dculberson Reader

  Anybody attempted that yet? As the older base models get cheaper that sounds like a great way to a CTS-V, and its stealthy to boot.

  I only know of one third-hand, but it does exist. I don't know anything about the details of it, so have no idea how hard it was to do. Seems like you'd be able to order most of the parts from GM.

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  Feb. 7, 2011 9:52 a.m. John Brown SuperDork

  WilberM3 wrote:

  John Brown wrote: Be prepared to replace suspension bits at an B5 Audi/VW rate

  i dont like the sound of that. lots of ball joints? under suspended?
  

  I'm more worried about the timing belted engine, which appears to be interference, and other related issues with which i may be totally unfamiliar.

  Seem to wear bushings and joints a LOT. The aftermarket has not embraced them well. I would stay well ahead of the timing belt issue as well as they ARE interference engines. Also I believe you want to tetorque head bolts often as they can come loose causing coolant loss (I am assuming this is an actual problem, we have seen two milkers in the used car lanes here at the dealer and both had similar 120K+ mileage)

  Internationally known as The Brown Stig

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  Feb. 12, 2011 12:18 p.m. DWNSHFT Reader

  My experience with them tended toward a more extreme use. But I liked them and found them to be an attractive, good-driving BMW fighter. Power was decent, clutch feel wasn't good, interior looked pretty good but with hard plastic. Open differential really made you work to drift it.

  David

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  Feb. 12, 2011 3:32 p.m. belteshazzar SuperDork

  Isn't that a Getrag 260? (same as an E30, but different bell housing pattern)

  spending money I don't have to buy parts I don't need to impress people I don't know

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  Feb. 13, 2011 10:41 a.m. mmosbey New Reader

  Test drove one once. It felt heavy, slow, and unsporting relative to the C230 sport sedan of similar age. I actually like the interior. I really wanted to like it, but it just didn't seem like a fun car to me.

  I realize that's contrary to every professional motor journalist's opinion, and I'm a random guy on the internet, so grain of salt and all that.

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