CTS Information Needed (03-07), Most sporty configuration?

[3ricchu]

I'm interested in buying a used (03-07) Cadillac CTS, but i'm unsure of the possible configurations. I'm more interested in sportiness than luxury.

I'm aware there are several packages available for this generation, of which are the Sport Package, Wheel Performance Package, and Sport Appearance Package. I would like to know the most sporty configuration with the most aggressive suspension package (FE3).

I know to start with:
3.6L VVT (255hp)
Aisin 6-spd Manual Gearbox

I don't care for the Luxury Package, and do any CTS models come WITHOUT any wood trim? I prefer aluminum and black. Also, how do I differentiate between the models and what suspension I have? Also, which package comes with the 12-spoke wheels and what suspension comes with that?

Thanks

[GMfan1111]

Originally Posted by 3ricchu

I'm interested in buying a used (03-07) Cadillac CTS, but i'm unsure of the possible configurations. I'm more interested in sportiness than luxury.

I'm aware there are several packages available for this generation, of which are the Sport Package, Wheel Performance Package, and Sport Appearance Package. I would like to know the most sporty configuration with the most aggressive suspension package (FE3).

I know to start with:
3.6L VVT (255hp)
Aisin 6-spd Manual Gearbox

I don't care for the Luxury Package, and do any CTS models come WITHOUT any wood trim? I prefer aluminum and black. Also, how do I differentiate between the models and what suspension I have? Also, which package comes with the 12-spoke wheels and what suspension comes with that?

Thanks

I'm also in the same boat as you are and I'm looking at a used CTS for my next car They are fun cars to drive and they look great. To answer some of your questions the 255 horsepower engine came out in 04 and they were paired with automatic transmissions only (03's had the 220 horse 3.2 liter only for the first year). The wood trim (i personally like it) is not a mandatory item on these cars and you could go without it. the 3.2 liter was replaced by a 210 horsepower 2.8 liter V6 in 05 but both engines could be paired with a manual or an automatic tranny. A good way to tell what engine a CTS has (if you can't open the hood and look) is the exhaust tips. A CTS with a 2.8 liter or 3.2 Liter V6 will have one exhaust tip whereas a CTS with the 3.6 liter has the dual tips. If you want a CTS with the 3.6 liter then look at models from 04 to 07. and if you have preference for a manual then you will have to get a CTS with a 3.2 liter or a 2.8 liter engine because the 3.6 liter was auto only. Also there were two manual transmissions offered. on 03 to 05 models a Gertrag 5 speed manual was offered. From 05 onward the Gertrag was replaced by the Aisin 6 speed manual as for what specific packages to go for I cannot answer that part of your question but I hope this provides you with some general information on the CTS

[3ricchu]

Thanks for the info.

I think they started using the Aisin 6-speeds with the 3.6L V6s in 05-07. That's what I'm looking at right now, I just want to make sure I get the right suspension.

[caddycruiser]

Originally Posted by 3ricchu

Thanks for the info.

I think they started using the Aisin 6-speeds with the 3.6L V6s in 05-07. That's what I'm looking at right now, I just want to make sure I get the right suspension.

Correct. They most certainly did make 3.6L's with the 6-speed stick, starting in '05 after the 3.2L/stick combo went away with the year before.

As for what model is what, they did have a lot of different packages and trims across the years. A key thing to look for as far as "a" Sport package (sometimes combined with Luxury, sometimes (less frequently) alone) is 17" or 18" wheels (size depended on the specific Sport package and year). This was the main visual indication of the general "Sport" package pieces with firmer springs & shocks, Limited Slip rear axle, Stabilitrak, etc. as other base and Luxury alone models had 16" wheels.

Also, in '06-07 (I think), they also made an extra Sport package on top of that which added extra visual items like body color grille, extra rocker moldings and fascia pieces and thin-spoked 18" wheels.

I think it was mainly just the one Sport level (i.e. not like with the '08 and FE2 and FE3 setups), but I could be wrong.

For anything and everything more, I highly recommend going over here:

http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/

and specifically:
http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums...-through-2007/

Not to promote another board, but it's the biggest collection of Cadillac owners everywhere (myself included for many years), and loaded with talk and information on any and every model ever made.

[caddycruiser]

^^In addition to that, you can do a national (or put a range in) search on Autotrader specifically for '05-07s with 6-cyl and manual. You'll get some non-Sports and also some random 2.8L stick cars (and, of course, some random automatics that were just entered wrong), but here's the full deal as far as Autotrader goes:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/search...sfyc=&systime=

And a few Sport versions (at least using the visual cues):

'05 with basically no miles:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...e=&cardist=685

'05, in the rarer configuration of Sport alone, no wood, etc:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...=&cardist=1343

'06 full boat Sport with one of the 18's offered on them:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...e=&cardist=927

'05 typical Luxury/Sport:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...e=&cardist=584

'05 Luxury/Sport again:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...e=&cardist=815

'05 Luxury/Sport again:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...=&cardist=1290

'05 Luxury/Sport again:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...=&cardist=1294

You get the picture. LOTS of base/Luxury-only models in that full search, as you can tell from all the 16" wheels.

Here's also an '07 Luxury/Sport WITH the later Sport Appearance Package too (but an automatic):
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...e=&cardist=678

And a red '06 with the same packaging:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...e=&cardist=670

I like the Sport/Sport Appearance '06-07s most because of their rarity (well, relative), especially as a stick. Finding that without the Luxury and wood, though, might be next to impossible.

Also be sure to go on the Cadillac board for them above, and you'll certainly find out even more.

[91 s-10baja]

When you find one, do yourself a favor and find a CTSV exhaust like I did, you will like the looks and the growl!!

[3ricchu]

Originally Posted by caddycruiser

Correct. They most certainly did make 3.6L's with the 6-speed stick, starting in '05 after the 3.2L/stick combo went away with the year before.

As for what model is what, they did have a lot of different packages and trims across the years. A key thing to look for as far as "a" Sport package (sometimes combined with Luxury, sometimes (less frequently) alone) is 17" or 18" wheels (size depended on the specific Sport package and year). This was the main visual indication of the general "Sport" package pieces with firmer springs & shocks, Limited Slip rear axle, Stabilitrak, etc. as other base and Luxury alone models had 16" wheels.

Also, in '06-07 (I think), they also made an extra Sport package on top of that which added extra visual items like body color grille, extra rocker moldings and fascia pieces and thin-spoked 18" wheels.

I think it was mainly just the one Sport level (i.e. not like with the '08 and FE2 and FE3 setups), but I could be wrong.

For anything and everything more, I highly recommend going over here:

http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/

and specifically:
http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums...-through-2007/

Not to promote another board, but it's the biggest collection of Cadillac owners everywhere (myself included for many years), and loaded with talk and information on any and every model ever made.

I actually did find that board, but I can't join, as I use Gmail email. Would it be possible for you to copy and paste my question as a new topic on that board and then hand me a link? I'd appreciate it greatly.

Thanks to you all for your information and help!

[F14CRAZY]

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