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There are lots of misconceptions out there when it comes to luxury vehicles. Many drivers assume that these higher-end vehicles are going to be more expensive to maintain and repair, while others cite reliability, depreciation, and cost of ownership. These might all sound like compelling reasons to steer clear of luxury vehicles aside from one simple fact: they’re simply not true. In many cases, luxury vehicles, especially used models, offer exceptional value over typical cars, trucks and SUVs. This might not be true when it comes to all the luxury brands on the market, but generally speaking, a premium driving experience doesn't necessarily need to come at a premium price, which you can see when you visit your used Cadillac dealership, Ryan Cadillac of Minot.
Cadillac is one great example of a brand that strikes a happy balance between luxury and price, with a lineup of refined, reliable vehicles that will have you riding in style without breaking the bank. Need a luxury vehicle and a price you can afford? Visit Ryan Cadillac of Minot to discover just how affordable used luxury vehicles can be. The name Cadillac has long been associated with luxury. In fact, in some cases, the word Cadillac itself has become shorthand for “the best of the best,” with people regularly referring to high-end items as the “Cadillac” of a certain category. Let’s take a look at how Cadillac earned its reputation for quality and see how what started as a liquidation sale turned into the birth of America’s first true luxury brand.
Cadillac was formed in Detroit in 1902 and actually owes its start to the Johnny Appleseed of American automobiles: Henry Ford. Following a dispute with investors, Ford left the Henry Ford Company, which he had started just one year earlier, going on to form the Ford Motor Company in 1903. With the brand’s mastermind out of the picture, Henry Ford Company’s backers brought engineer Henry M. Leland in to help liquidate the now-defunct company’s stock, but Leland had another idea. Leland had developed an intriguing new single-cylinder engine during his time with the Leland & Faulconer Manufacturing Company and saw Ford’s departure as an opportunity to get his own automotive dreams off the ground. The team converted the former Henry Ford Company factory to suit their purposes and settled on a name that would instantly evoke Detroit’s growing automotive reputation: Cadillac Automobile Company, named after French explorer and Detroit founder Antoine Laumet de La Mothe, Sieur de Cadillac.
In many ways, Cadillac’s legacy for quality can be traced back to Leland himself. Precision had always been the engineer’s strong suit, and with Leland at the helm, Cadillac began to separate itself from the pack. Cadillac based its first vehicles, the Runabout and Tonneau, on the Ford Model A, making it especially easy for consumers to spot the gulf in quality between the models. One of the brand’s first public showings at the 1903 New York Auto Show was such a rousing success that customers placed over 2,000 advanced orders, cementing the brand’s reputation as a serious new contender in the market.
Cadillac’s commitment to quality and innovation never wavered, and as the years went on, the company would garner its fair share of “firsts” in the industry: the first passenger car with a fully enclosed cabin, the first production car to feature an electronic self-starter, ignition, and lighting, the first V-type, water-cooled, eight-cylinder (V8) engine. Cadillac was also the first brand to experiment with using interchangeable parts for vehicles, setting the stage for the boom in mass production that was to follow. Cadillac was always ahead of the curve and never lost its appetite for shaking up the status quo. As the years went continued, the brand would add to its legacy with the introduction of vehicle tailfins, power steering, seatbelts as a standard feature, automatic headlamps and, much later, digital display clusters.
Cadillac was purchased by General Motors in 1909, becoming the conglomerate’s go-to luxury brand. It was the perfect fit for Cadillac, which, in addition to its long list of game-changing automotive innovations, had always paid just as much attention to quality construction and finishing. Luxury is all about the little things, and with Leland at the helm, Cadillac excelled at designing those little features that drivers didn’t even realize they needed, from the industry’s first thermostatically controlled heating and air-conditioning system to power steering, stereo radio, and electric seat warmers.
While these features might not meet the definition of luxury today, it’s important to remember how far vehicles had come from the early days of the open-air Model A that required a hand crank to start. At the time, vehicles were, in a general sense, more utilitarian than they are today, but Cadillac saw the value in injecting a little style into the equation, breaking with tradition and hiring a renowned designer, not an engineer, to put the finishing touches on its 1927 LaSalle convertible. The approach made all the difference, and soon drivers were clamoring for this new breed of luxury vehicles with their seductive lines, chrome fixtures, and refined style.
Today’s Cadillacs carry on that same legacy of luxury and precision that Leland first envisioned over 100 years ago. There is no shortage of quality used Cadillacs to choose from, with the brand producing some of the most well-reviewed sedans and SUVs in the industry, so let's take a look at some recent models that are primed for a new life on the used market.
As one of the brand’s entry-level sedans, the Cadillac CT4-V provides outstanding value for its modest price. While the CT4-V has a smaller engine than many of the other vehicles in the lineup, Cadillac’s continuing commitment to precision engineering means you won’t be lacking in power. The popular sedan is available with a 2.7-liter turbocharged engine that manages to squeeze an impressive amount of power out of just four cylinders, with the CT4-V posting an impressive 320 horsepower. The sedan comes in both all-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive configurations, allowing drivers to customize their experience. The CT4-V also benefits from ample head and legroom in the front passenger seats, making the interior one of the roomier ones in its class. Features vary by year but even as one of Cadillac’s more affordable offerings, the sedan is still packed with high-end tech features like Wi-Fi hotspots, Cadillac User Experience (CUE) infotainment system, and Super Cruise driver assistance technology.
The Cadillac CT5 is a new take on the brand’s popular CTS sedan, which was discontinued following the 2019 model year. It represents a sportier take on the classic midsize sedan, with an available 3.0-liter V6 and the type of cornering and handling that’ll have you itching to tackle some curves. Much like the CT4-V, the CT5 is offered with a 10-speed automatic and either all-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive. The CT5 has been lauded for its exceptional reliability, earning an impressive 89 out of 100 rating from J.D. Power. This stands out as the highest predicted reliability score in the luxury midsize car class and makes the sedan well worth a second look, especially on the used market. The CT5 also has some of the lowest projected ownership costs in the class, providing some valuable peace of mind for budget-conscious drivers.
SUVs have become Cadillac’s bread and butter in recent decades, with models like the Escalade achieving almost legendary status. The Escalade excels in the areas that typically draw drivers to the SUV class, with passenger seating, cargo rooms, and power that are nearly unmatched within the class. First introduced in 1999, the full-size luxury SUV is currently in its fifth generation, starting with the 2021 models.
Those seeking an affordable used option will want to look into fourth-generation Escalades, which were sold from 2015 to 2020. Built using the traditional body-on-frame construction technique, the Escalade is as brawny as it is luxurious, with a massive V8 engine and an impressive towing capacity of 8,000+ pounds depending on the model. While the SUV is only offered with one engine option--a 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 producing 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque--it should provide more than enough power for the average driver. Luxury is all about balancing power and comfort, and the Escalade excels in this category thanks to the brand’s Magnetic Ride Control system with settings for both Tour and Sport modes that allow the SUV’s handling to adjust to new conditions at the touch of a button.
The XT5 is one of the newer SUV offerings from Cadillac and uses the crossover unibody construction technique that's become so popular in recent years. This approach has a number of benefits over the body-on-frame method used in the Escalade, resulting in a smoother ride and improved handling that goes a long way in imparting a luxurious feel. The first vehicle in Cadillac’s new Crossover Touring (XT) series, the XT5 quickly became the brand’s best-selling model upon its debut. Its popularity is little wonder given the crossover’s performance and a suite of advanced technology, including a streaming video rearview mirror, 360-degree backup camera, and GM’s Electronic Precision Shift, a new system that replaces the standard hydraulic shifter with a new electronic alternative.
The XT5 also benefits from a new AWD system, which features active torque vectoring and can be easily switched to front-wheel drive mode in order to improve fuel efficiency. The compact SUV isn’t the most powerful in its class, but its 3.6-liter V6 still holds its own with 310 horsepower. The XT5 also boasts zero safety recalls on 2018 and 2019 models, proving once again that Leland’s commitment to precision and reliability lives on to this day.
Ryan Cadillac of Minot is North Dakota’s one-stop shop for all things Cadillac. We carry a wide selection of both new and pre-owned Cadillacs sure to fit any budget or taste. By specializing in Cadillac vehicles, we’re able to offer the type of insider advice and perspective that you won’t find at most other dealerships. This sort of familiarity can make all the difference when it comes to customer satisfaction, as we’re able to steer you to the right model and help you customize your new ride with all the features you’re looking for. Whether it’s a refined sedan with high-end tech features and an exceptionally smooth ride, a full-size SUV with room for the whole family, or a sporty new crossover with the ideal mix of power and poise, there’s a used Cadillac model out there to satisfy every driver.
Not in the market for a Cadillac? We’re always on the lookout for quality pre-owned vehicles of any make and model, not just Detroit’s favorite luxury brand, which makes every trip to Ryan Cadillac of Minot a new opportunity to see what surprises we have in store. While Cadillac has managed to produce some of the most beloved vehicles on the market, our pre-owned selection allows us to supplement the brand’s sedans and SUVs with certain models they’ve overlooked. For example, we offer a wide selection of pre-owned pickups, including some of the most popular models from Chevy, GMC, and Ford, because while we love everything Cadillac, sometimes there’s no substitute for a good truck.
Once you’ve picked out a new vehicle, we’ll be here for you through every step of the buying process, from taking you out on a test drive to applying for financing. Our in-house finance team will work to craft a payment or lease plan that works for you, allowing you to get behind the wheel of a new or pre-owned Cadillac for less than you might think. Want to start the process on your own? Our website allows you to apply for auto financing from the comfort of your own home, giving you a solid idea of your options before you even step foot inside the dealership. Our car payment calculator can help you determine what your monthly payments will look like. Simply input the vehicle price, interest rate, loan term, down payment, and vehicle trade-in value, and we’ll give you a transparent estimate that will help you plan your purchase.
At Ryan Cadillac of Minot, we’re here to build relationships, not just sell vehicles. That’s why we offer a full Cadillac service department to ensure that your new or pre-owned Cadillac keeps humming along until it’s time for your next trade-in. Our professional technicians know these vehicles inside and out, allowing us to offer the best possible service on everything from oil changes to full drivetrain repair. We also offer a rotating slate of auto service specials, including discounts on brake pads and rotors, batteries, and more. We’ll even match any competitor's price on tires as part of our tire price match guarantee. Simply provide us with a better eligible price when you go to make your purchase, and we’ll match it, even 30 days after the sale. It’s just one example of our commitment to our customers.
From its foundation in 1902 to the present day, Cadillac continues to produce some of the most luxurious, distinctive vehicles on the market. The brand has never wavered in its commitment to the principles of precision and innovation, allowing Cadillac to grow from a nearly-defunct company to the household name it is today. A quick look at the company’s history proves just how influential the luxury brand has been over the years, ushering in a slate of new technology and cementing its status as an industry tastemaker. The same attributes that make Cadillac such a beloved luxury brand (quality construction, reliability, attention to detail) also allow it to succeed on the used market with vehicles that have proven their ability to stand the test of time. If you’ve ever been curious about what it would feel like to step behind the wheel of one of America's most storied luxury vehicles, stop by Ryan Cadillac of Minot today and discover just how affordable and fun a used Cadillac can be.
