CTS-V purchase help!
10-01-2014, 07:05 AM
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CTS-V purchase help! First off I'm new to this forum and new to the ls platform. I have always had mustangs, but with the birth of my little boy it was time for a change. I found a 2004 Black V at a local dealership. The car looks to be stock except a k&n cai and clear fog light lenses and marker lights. It has 120k miles and they are asking $13,900. It's a very clean car and I would love to have it. My question for you guys is what is it really worth in today's market value? What would be the most you guys would give for it? Thanks ahead of time for your input!
10-01-2014, 09:08 AM
#5
First off I'm new to this forum and new to the ls platform. I have always had mustangs, but with the birth of my little boy it was time for a change. I found a 2004 Black V at a local dealership. The car looks to be stock except a k&n cai and clear fog light lenses and marker lights. It has 120k miles and they are asking $13,900. It's a very clean car and I would love to have it. My question for you guys is what is it really worth in today's market value? What would be the most you guys would give for it? Thanks ahead of time for your input!
10-01-2014, 10:37 AM
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Biggest common issue is the rear diff......but not sure i would call it a deal breaker..you could spend $5k to replace it or $500 depending on which route you go.
If the car was in good overall shape and no weird noises...then I would buy it if you are willing to own a 120k mile car.
10-01-2014, 10:48 AM
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At that mileage I would be concerned with the basic stuff like the Clutch (ie. Original or not) , motor mounts, plugs/wires, differential bearing (lots of drive line clunk when bad) & like others said the rear diff (is it still the first gen).
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10-01-2014, 10:48 AM
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It will be the second highest mileage car I have ever owned but it is at the top area of my price range and I really like these cars. I would rather settle for a little higher mileage than settling for something with lower miles that I don't like or that would put me out of my price range. I think, for my financial situation, this is the perfect compromise.
Thanks for the input on the diff. Everything I have read says the diff and the radiator are the main problems. What would be the two solutions to the diff problem and why the drastic price difference of $500 or $5000
Thanks for the input on the diff. Everything I have read says the diff and the radiator are the main problems. What would be the two solutions to the diff problem and why the drastic price difference of $500 or $5000
10-01-2014, 10:54 AM
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5k - aftermarket 9" ford third member
500 or less - srx junkyard diff or ctsv drop out
That would be the "i turn my own wrenches" pricing.
I was in a similar boat as you 8 months ago...came from mustangs but needed a 4 door for the baby seat....also wanted american, v8, rwd, std transmission.
Only two cars fit that bill - g8 gxp and cts-v
500 or less - srx junkyard diff or ctsv drop out
That would be the "i turn my own wrenches" pricing.
I was in a similar boat as you 8 months ago...came from mustangs but needed a 4 door for the baby seat....also wanted american, v8, rwd, std transmission.
Only two cars fit that bill - g8 gxp and cts-v
10-01-2014, 11:45 AM
#12
there's nothing much to worry about with the car they are solid but if those bushings are worn they are negotiating points. I'd get under the car and look for any major oil leaks around the engine just to be safe, i.e. oil pan gasket. Clutches last a long time on these cars if driven sanely. The big dual flywheel can start to get some play in it and cause some vibration. Mine does it slightly at about 2500 rpm. You wouldn't know it unless I told you to sense for it. My 06 has 112k miles all original bushings and mounts in good shape.
10-01-2014, 11:51 AM
#13
Radiator, clutch/flywheel, differential bushing will need service/replacement at minimum.
I would point out the common problems on the car (and find them, chances are they're there) and talk him down to 11k. Buy cradle bushings, diff bushing, ALRADCO radiator, LS7 clutch kit and make a weekend out of installing it. That'll fix most of the factory wrongs.
As far as the diff goes, don't beat on it and it'll live. If it hops, stop.
Edit: This might go without saying, but getting a compression test and an oil analysis would be great methods of verifying the integrity of the motor.
I would point out the common problems on the car (and find them, chances are they're there) and talk him down to 11k. Buy cradle bushings, diff bushing, ALRADCO radiator, LS7 clutch kit and make a weekend out of installing it. That'll fix most of the factory wrongs.
As far as the diff goes, don't beat on it and it'll live. If it hops, stop.
Edit: This might go without saying, but getting a compression test and an oil analysis would be great methods of verifying the integrity of the motor.
10-01-2014, 12:05 PM
#14
I was a line mechanic for many years and have this thing for preventive maintenance. I outlined what I did to mine at 178k in the thread below and also supplied links to all the more common maintenance issues I've stumbled across for this car in several years of cruising the forums.
http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums...ul-thread.html
That being said, once I get the 8.8 in the car, it'll be very serviceable mechanically, which means you could keep throwing engines and drivetrain components at this car in an affordable manner and drive it from now own.
I'm shooting for 500k. The car is fast enough, comfortable enough, looks good enough, is easy enough to fix (I hope), has enough features, doesn't draw a lot of attention and we're beginning to see tons of used parts for it. I'd rather keep this car and invest in other types of vehicles than keep progressing on to V2s, V3s or whatever. Because it has an LS motor in it, I could go on to bolt 1000hp in the car if I wanted.
Radiator? My guess is the radiator woes are caused more by the engine pulling on the hoses because the motor mounts are broken than having a crappy radiator. As much as I like trick hardware, I may never go to the Alradco because a stockish car just won't need it.
http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums...ul-thread.html
That being said, once I get the 8.8 in the car, it'll be very serviceable mechanically, which means you could keep throwing engines and drivetrain components at this car in an affordable manner and drive it from now own.
I'm shooting for 500k. The car is fast enough, comfortable enough, looks good enough, is easy enough to fix (I hope), has enough features, doesn't draw a lot of attention and we're beginning to see tons of used parts for it. I'd rather keep this car and invest in other types of vehicles than keep progressing on to V2s, V3s or whatever. Because it has an LS motor in it, I could go on to bolt 1000hp in the car if I wanted.
Radiator? My guess is the radiator woes are caused more by the engine pulling on the hoses because the motor mounts are broken than having a crappy radiator. As much as I like trick hardware, I may never go to the Alradco because a stockish car just won't need it.
Last edited by ls1247; 10-01-2014 at 12:10 PM.
10-01-2014, 08:34 PM
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I am located in northwest georgia but I would be willing to travel a good ways for the right car. Exterior color doesn't really matter that much to me but I would really like to have the black interior
10-02-2014, 10:06 AM
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I been casually looking for an 04-07, from what I've seen a stock 04 with 100k+ miles for 14k is not an exceptional deal. I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.. Be patient, react quickly and be willing to travel
10-02-2014, 10:19 AM
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Thanks mightymike! Yea I have been looking constantly but still haven't had much luck. The closest one I've found that meets my wants is like 17 hours away. I've got to find one pretty quick before the buyer of my jeep backs out.
10-02-2014, 02:52 PM
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$10-14k seems like the price range for 100k Vs, especially stock.
For anyone who wants half those miles and tastefully mod'd, mine is for sale in the classifieds. No worries of diff, rad, MMs, being slow, being quiet at WOT...
For anyone who wants half those miles and tastefully mod'd, mine is for sale in the classifieds. No worries of diff, rad, MMs, being slow, being quiet at WOT...