Working the numbers for a newer Cadillac

I have been watching the Cadillac auto-market and as I have mentioned, have ‘zoned in’ on a 2010 Cadillac CTS Premium  model to replace my 2005 CTS.

2010 Cadillac CTS

The Premium model is the fully-optioned 3.6L V6 CTS.  The major features I want for my next Cadillac as a daily driver are:

  • Sporty or Performance oriented
  • Sunroof or Convertible
  • Affordable – how much I spend matters
  • Lots of Luxury Features, the more the better — Navigation, Bluetooth, Adaptive lighting, etc
  • Under Warranty for several years / Maintainable
  • Under 24K miles

Now I still lust after anything V-Series, but the V choices would be the 2007 Gen 1 CTS-V, the 2008 STS-V, or the 2009+ Gen 2 CTS-V.    The 07’s are moving out of warranty, and the 08’s are just hanging on.  So that leaves the focus on the 09 CTS-V.

Currently the 2010 CTS Premium has an asking price of anywhere from $32K up to $51K (for leftover new models still on dealer lots) depending on price and condition.  The KBB retail value is ~$32K.

The 2009 CTS-V is just slipping below a long period of hanging at $49K down to $45K at the low end, up to $55K or so at the upper range of asking prices.  The KBB retail value is ~$54K.

The 2008 XLR, a 2 seater convertible, is just coming into the low $40s, and ranges to the high $50s.  The XLR gets a star for being a hard top convertible, but a strike for only having 2 seats lol.

My 2005 CTS has a KBB.com Private seller asking price of $10,865, and trade value of $8,950.  Note that Dealers will then start negotiations at around $4K for the trade, leaving addition room for profits, so I fully anticipate the need to sell the CTS myself privately.  My Cadillac is still under a GM extended warranty for 3 more months, which I feel is a feature for private sales.

Price Comparison:

2009 Cadillac CTS-V 2010 Cadillac CTS Premium 2008 Cadillac XLR
Price Target $46,000 $33,000 $43,000
Trade / Sell 05 -$10,865 -$10,865 -$10,865
Delta Value $35,135 $22,135 $32,135
Tax 6.25% $2,875 $2,063 $2,688
Title $250 $250 $250
Out of Pocket $38,260 $24,448 $35,073

I have taken sales tax on the full Cadillac value in case there is a space between purchasing the new Cadillac and selling the 05.

So the 09 CTS-V remains over 50% more expensive than a 2010 CTS Premium.  The 08 XLR is almost as expensive as a 09 CTS-V, so no sale there.  The numbers still suggest that the 2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Sedan Premium model is the smart buy in for the features I am shopping for.

2010 6.2L V8 SC LSA LoR

Oh, but the song of the supercharged LSA V8 in the CTS-V, and the Magnetic suspension, are strong draws to spend the more money.

CTS-V CTS Pre
Price $47,000.00 $33,000.00
Trade / Sell -$8,500.00 -$8,500.00
total $38,500.00 $24,500.00
Tax 6.25% $2,937.50 $2,062.50
Title $250.00 $250.00
Out of Pocket $41,687.50 $26,812.50

Finding exactly the right Cadillac, (Or maybe the other ones!)

I am still settled on the vehicle I am shopping for — a 2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Sedan Premium RWD model with under 15K miles in Crystal Red Tintcoat, preferably Cadillac Certified Pre-Owned.  Or occasionally any used Cadillac V-Series model.  But mostly — no, definitely — the 2010 CTS Sedan RWD Premium.    Would love the XLR, but it has limited luggage space.  Would love the STS-V, but after 2008 when the HUD was available, and low miles in-warranty, so choices are even rarer than the CTS.

Would love a 2009 CTS-V with the supercharged 556hp LSA, but they are still more than I care to spend.  This is a real shame, because when I describe the car I am shopping for to “Civilians” (non-Cadillac enthusiasts), they instantly ask, “Cool!  Are you getting the one that is the fastest sedan in the world?”  Um, no.

2010 Cadillac CTS

Yes, very specific.  To get this exact, one probably needs to order a new car.  However, I want the luxury of a new car selection while paying the lower price of a used car value.  So I have to wait and find the ‘right’ car.

When shopping for a car I try to settle in on the specifications for the exact car I want.  Then I watch for cars that exactly FIT the criteria, or are one feature off.  For example, this week there were 2 cars in the area that were 2010 CTS Sport Sedan RWD Premium models, both under 15K miles, but both were Black.   So they fit all of my criteria except for color, and were ‘one’ feature off my target.  Actually, neither was at my favorite Cadillac Dealer or certified pre-owned, so 2 features off.

There are still “new” 2010 CTS models available.  Cadillac also offers a significant cash back savings on these models, since the 2011 models are on the floor now and the 2012 models will arrive in a few months.  However, the used car value of $30-33K is even less than the with-cash-back GM supplier discount new car price of ~$40K .  Although this is still much less than the original retail price of $49K, it is the lowest number in the discussion that I want to budget of course.

So I will keep shopping until the ‘right’ Cadillac comes along.  Or I find a V-Series model I can’t resist.  Or maybe a nice XLR, or split the difference and find a great XLR-V? No, when the ‘right’ one comes along.  Definitely.  Sort of.

 

 

QuickDrive: 2011 Cadillac DTS

Dropped my 2005 Cadillac CTS over to Crest Cadillac in Plano for a few minor items — replace the bulb for the front blinker, oil change, chase a squeak down.   I grabbed a coupon off their website before I arrived.  I know, I know — change a bulb?  But keep in mind the front lights are buried behind layers of trim secured with bayonet clips, so I’d rather just let the Dealer handle it.

The drop-off was quick and easy, and I was off in a rental / loaner 2011 Cadillac DTS 1SD in 20-30 minutes from when I arrived.

2011 Cadillac DTS

2011 Cadillac DTS 1SD

The DTS is a handsome car, probably on its last year of production in this 2011 model.  Front wheel drive, with a transverse Northstar V8 engine and loaded with options, it is an all-weather luxury sedan.

Ran by Sam’s Club for my normal weekend commodities.  After I got everything into the trunk it was clear that I needed more groceries.

Today's groceries don't come close to filling the trunk

Love the sunroof in the DTS.  It has a manual pull-cover, which is fine.  The roof can either open fully, or the rear of the roof will tilt up for just the right amount of fresh-air access.  I like the fully-open sun in my hair fresh air approach today, but I like to have options.

The Loaner appears to have nav but no nav disk; odd.  It has XM radio of course but the subscription is not turned on darn it.    Overall it is a very interesting Cadillac to have for the day or weekend or however it works out, and I totally get the continued allure of this model for DTS fans.

The 1SD as this example is the DTS Premium Collection, which is a fully loaded example.  Only the 1SE Platinum Edition would have more features. Those are 17×7″ Chrometech Aluminum wheels.

I am looking forward to enjoying the DTS for the rest of my weekend errands.