, particularly the model years between 2005 and 2007. They were favored in particular for their quality interiors, comfortable and supportive seats, and bevy of standard safety features.

The Cadillac STS is the very definition of American luxury: a smooth ride, a finely appointed interior, and a powerful engine delivering superior handling and speed. As luxury cars,

new Cadillacs

aren’t within everyone's price range. But there’s tremendous value in used Cadillacs, making them an approachable opportunity to meet the king of Motor City firsthand.

The Cadillac STS had a nine-year run before it handed over the reins to its successor, the CTS, in 2013. So if you’re looking for the ideal model years of the nine available, we here at

Jerry

, the

car insurance

app, have compiled the following guide to the best used Cadillacs and how to save on

Cadillac insurance costs

Make safe driving pay

Get rewarded for safe driving. Earn points and unlock benefits. Totally free.

Start earning now

The best used Cadillac to buy: 2005-2007 Cadillac STS

The STS arrived on the coattails of Cadillac’s flagship sedan, the Seville, so it had quite a reputation to live up to. But in that regard, the STS succeeded, as it’s considered one of the most successful sedans in Cadillac’s lineup.

What makes the 2005-2007 Cadillac STS a good used car?

The Cadillac fleet wasn’t devoid of foibles, and that’s still true with the STS. So what distinguishes the 2005-2007 model years out of the nine that came out?

When we determine the value of a used car, the four factors we consider most are as follows: true cost to own, safety features, reliability, and customization. Let’s break those down:

True cost to own: The purchase price isn’t the only expense you should consider when buying a Cadillac, or any car—maintenance and repair costs are a major factor too. The average repair costs of an STS are low, meaning owning one isn’t a particularly pricy venture.

Safety features: Because the STS is a product of the early aughts, its safety technology is fairly outdated. But it still has a number of solid protective features, including child safety locks, stability and traction control, rear parking sensors, and plenty of airbags.

Reliability: A used car can be a bit of a gamble when it comes to its long-term staying power. The Cadillac STS scored about mid-range in terms of reliability, with the most frequent complaints about seat security and a flaw with airbag deployment.

Customization and styling: It’s much harder and more expensive to customize a used car since options are usually implemented when the car is built. But Cadillac uses a number of timeless, sophisticated materials like luxury woods and metals to appeal to a broader array of tastes.

MORE:

Cadillac car-buying guide

"I’m earning

awesome rewards

every week, just for driving safe!”

The true cost of owning a 2005-2007 Cadillac STS

When it comes to a car’s true cost of ownership, you have to consider not only the purchase price but also the cost of operation. That includes maintenance and repair expenses, insurance costs, gas, and interest accrued on any associated loans.

Unfortunately, the higher costs of owning a luxury car don’t stop with the purchase price. Maintenance and repair costs can be somewhat higher, as well, because the parts are often more expensive. But in Cadillac’s favor, as a domestic car brand, its parts—while admittedly still more expensive than those you’d find for your average family sedan—are cheaper than foreign car parts since they don’t include import fees.

Another oft-forgotten expense (until it’s time to renew your policy) is car insurance. Luxury cars tend to be more expensive to insure thanks to their intrinsic market value. Cadillacs, on the other hand, including the STS, are surprisingly inexpensive to insure when compared to most other luxury brands.

That aside, let’s take a look at what else actively affects the cost of owning a Cadillac.

Purchase price

The manufacturer’s suggested retail price for a 2007 Cadillac STS started off at $42,995 to $53,965, depending on customizations. The STS’s standard rear-wheel drive (RWD) was also partly to blame for the higher sticker price, as RWD systems are tricky to design and build. However, they offer unparalleled handling and are fun to drive overall.

If you’re looking for used Caddies these days, expect to see much more manageable prices, typically between $5,000 and $17,000 depending on the engine’s mileage and the car’s overall condition.

Costs of operation

Even a used Cadillac STS may still be priced to the point where you need a used car loan. But if you have a good-sized down payment and a good credit score, you’ll save money in terms of interest paid over your loan term as it will be a much smaller loan than if you bought new.

Cadillacs also depreciate more slowly than other vehicles, typically losing a mere 4% of their value per year. The 2007 STS, for instance, has lost 88% of its original value—but it took 15 years to get there. And because of the car’s age, that 4% is going to keep translating into fewer and fewer actual dollars lost in depreciation over the rest of its lifespan.

In terms of trim, the Cadillac STS did not have trim levels. Rather, its price was determined by the chosen engine (V6 or V8) and powertrain distribution system (rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive). If you’re hoping to save in terms of fuel economy, we recommend the V6 with rear-wheel drive, which both lowers the purchase price and improves fuel economy.

In addition, a less powerful engine is typically cheaper to insure, which is another way to save money.

MORE: 7 things to look for when buying a used car

Key Takeaway The Cadillac STS has a lower purchase price but holds its value well, and with a less powerful engine, it gets better fuel economy.

Safety features of the 2005-2007 Cadillac STS

Let’s face it—no one is buying a luxury car for safety. On the hierarchy of features that matter to luxury car drivers, safety isn’t quite at the bottom, nor is it at the top. It’s a sort of unspoken rule that luxury cars aren’t dangerous, but very few drivers buy them to cart their children around in.

But Cadillac seemed determined to change that as part of their brand overhaul in the new millennium, with as much a focus on safety as they had made on style. While some tech may be a bit outdated today, the STS has standard safety features that include:

Child door locks and seat anchors

Driver, passenger, rear, and front side airbags

Stability control

Traction control

Emergency and security services

Rear parking sensors

The

IIHS

rated the 2005 Cadiallac STS’s crashworthiness “Good” in terms its overall evaluation, structure and safety cage, and every driver injury measure except “Head/neck.” A focused look at the head restraints and seats rendered a “Poor” rating.

“Because I have a luxury car, I was more interested in finding better coverage than the exact price.
Jerry
helped me upgrade my policy, and when my record is cleared next year, I will be using Jerry again to choose an even cheaper plan!” —Paige W.

Are 2005-2007 Cadillac STS reliable used cars?

In terms of customer reviews and expert opinion, the verdict is pretty unanimous that in terms of reliability, the Cadillac STS is about average.

The most frequent problems with the STS are interior and largely have to do with the seats and the airbags. Customers have reported that the seats occasionally fail to lock in place. Another issue is that if the key is in a certain position in the ignition, the airbags would not deploy.

Otherwise, the Cadillac STS should last you over 200,000 miles, and that includes the model years between 2005-2007. The key to achieving this extraordinary number is regular maintenance, which not only helps mitigate damage caused by standard wear and tear but also allows you to nip any developing issues in the bud before they become major problems.

MORE:

Basic car maintenance schedule

Customization and styling

As a rear-wheel-drive car, which is becoming increasingly uncommon given the complexity of these drivetrains, the Cadillac STS offers unparalleled handling and is an absolute joy to drive. Couple that with the car’s magnetically controlled suspension, you get a ride that strikes just the right balance between sugar and spice.

Customization in terms of trim was limited on the STS, since the only available options were engine size and drivetrain. So the differences between one STS and the next were how fast it accelerated and how it handled a curve.

In terms of styling, on the other hand, Cadillac was keen to shed the outdated image it had been associated with since the late ‘70s. The STS wasn’t as boldly or sharply styled as its eventual successor, the CTS, but rather preferred clean, subtle lines and elegantly tailored angles—like a boldly colored suit versus classic charcoal with pinstripes.

The interior did give the original buyer some chance for self-expression, with clever use of aluminum trim for a modern touch or wood for that classic appeal.

How to find affordable insurance for a used Cadillac

You’ll typically find that the more expensive a car, the more it costs to insure, and this is especially true with luxury cars. So you may be surprised to learn that the

average cost to insure a Cadillac STS

is $2,168 per year, which is actually around $712 less than most other Caddies.

But finding the best rates takes a knowledgeable touch, and for that, there’s nothing better than

Jerry

. Even luxury car drivers can find great deals on their insurance by downloading the Jerry app. Just answer a few simple questions, and in minutes, you’ll be scrolling through tailored quotes from dozens of top-quality insurance companies.

As a

licensed broker

, Jerry finalizes your paperwork and even helps cancel your old policy. And if that wasn’t enough, when it comes time to renew, Jerry shops to find even better quotes, so no matter what, you’ll always be getting the best deal!

“WOW.
Jerry
has been so easy to use. I called a representative when I wanted some clarification, and they walked me through the entire process of finding a new rate for full coverage on my luxury vehicle.” —Beth G.

RECOMMENDED

Thousands of customers saved on average $887/year on their car insurance with Jerry

This app is great, but the customer service is even better! Not to mention convenient! My husband and I got the lowest rate (much lower than the rates I was finding online through my own searches), quickly, and pretty much all through text message! Thank you so much for a hassle free experience👍

Gabriella R.

Find insurance savings

4.7/5 Rating on App Store

Are you overpaying for car insurance?

Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.

Try Jerry