Cadillac CTS-V - What am I getting into?

Hey Gents! Quick introduction; Im a gearhead just like almost all of us here. I currently drive a 2003 IS300 with a 2JZGTE motor swap, precision 6766 turbo, 880cc injectors, AEM engine management, etc. The has been a long time project and finally it is time to part ways.

Im about to get a new job (hopefully) and have been looking for the right car for me. I originally said I would have nothing to do with a performance oriented car again....right. Ive been looking at every car in my price range that would suit my needs. (AMGs, M5s, G8s, IS350)

I want a roomy 4 door with some pep. Thats really about it. The IS is so small no one ever wants to get in the back seat. I had looked into AMGs but I am worried they will turn into an electrical nightmare after a few months of owning it. Horror stories of the airmatic suspension going out causing thousands in repairs from the stealership. I have read the CTS-Vs are much more reliable and we all know how perfect the LS motor is.

Is the CTS-V the car I should be looking for? It seems like it hits all the boxes with decent amount of room (from the pictures), plenty of power for my needs, and the engine platform is one of the best. I hopefully will get to drive one tomorrow since a dealer close by has one for sale. Anything I should be looking/listening for?


Thanks! :usa:

Sean

At least for the V2.... If roomy with backseat space is what you want, the V isn't the car. The G8 although the same platform has much more room than the V.

You can't go wrong with a V2 sedan. While it has a few quirks, it's the best Caddy built to date.

Which is why I'd like to sell you my V1 so I can buy one. :D

You can't go wrong with a V2 sedan. While it has a few quirks, it's the best Caddy built to date.

Which is why I'd like to sell you my V1 so I can buy one. :D

I am assuming the V2 is the newer body style? Any reason to not go with the V1 in particular?

If you can afford the V2 (lets say around $40K for a used one), get it. Lots of refinements over the V1, plus being retarded fun.

The V1 is squeakier, a little rougher around the edges. If you drive it like a grownup, it'll last. Not as much power, not as smooth.

But, at around $20K, you can't beat a well cared for V1. Buy the latest year you can find, for no other reason than less wear on a newer rear end. The rear end is the achilles heel of the V1. Clutch dumps, drag strips -- designed for them, the V1 was not. :)

I think the back seat room is adequate compared to the competition. I put 3 other 6' adults in mine all the time, no complaints.

I am assuming the V2 is the newer body style? Any reason to not go with the V1 in particular?

I am assuming the V2 is the newer body style? Any reason to not go with the V1 in particular?

V2 is just an over all better car. The V1 is fun and a decent car to own, but its extremely fickle. It will never be as fast as you think it should be for mods that are done to the car. The V2 is way more refined and comfortable. The V1 isn't a ecobox by any means, but if you sit in a V1 and then V2, you will see the huge difference. Also, the V2 is a way better engineered platform then the V1. The Sigma 2 platform, what all second gen CTS are built on, was designed and engineered with the V series in mind. The V1 used the stand way of thinking from GM for the longest time. "How do we make this faster?" ... "Let's put a bigger engine in it." There was not much else of a thought process behind it. Which is why things tend to break and go wrong even under stock power.

I have owned my V1 for a little of 2 years now, and I enjoy the car. The sad part is, for the amount of money I have in the car I could have had a used Z06 or a V2. And those in stock form are faster the my bolt on V1. I do not regret buying the car, because it has been fun. And as soon as I changed things on it, I have had a lot of random issues with the car that have cost me close to $3,000 "break downs". It's just that there are plenty of better and faster cars out there.

Depends on how much $$ you want to spend... In the $40k range you can buy yourself a v2 which will already be steps ahead of a v1... From the little I know they are smoother, more comfortable, and more expensive to mod. If you're not afraid to break shit, always look for an excuse to replace something, want a rough and raw ride, and pay less $$ then go for the v1... They can be made fast as well... Most people just don't want to spend the time or $$ to do so

V1 all day.

For the price, there is nothing better. If you have $50k laying around, then get a V2...even though they might be more refined, they aren't near as sexy as the V1.

Plus the side mirrors on the V2 are atrocious. They look like they are upside down.

There I said it.

I agree with everyones opinion except the last post. Sorry.
The V1 has more problems than it should. The interior seems very cramped for a mid sized car. With that said they are extremely fun to drive but I refuse to flog it for fear of breaking something.

Thanks everyone. I don't have 40-50k available for a car. The main purpose of the car I am looking for is a daily driver with a little "go." I've had my share of super fast cars maybe i will build another down the road. For now I want something I can drive down the toll road daily and have enough pep to make me smile merging.

I will not be doing any performance mods. The most that would be done is some nicer wheels and slight lowering.

V2 all day or E39 / E60 M5.

Sounds like the V1 is a perfect car for your intentions.

Sean S....where are you located?

I will not be doing any performance mods. The most that would be done is some nicer wheels and slight lowering.

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

the v2 is a much better design.. interior,powerplat/drivetrain...but i like the lines and body styling of the v1. to me its a much classier look than the new one... for godsakes the one thing that kills the v2 for me are those damn fender vents..lol

the v2 is a much better design.. interior,powerplat/drivetrain...but i like the lines and body styling of the v1. to me its a much classier look than the new one... for godsakes the one thing that kills the v2 for me are those damn fender vents..lol

And that giant emblem on the front grille!

Sean S....where are you located?

I live in Orlando FL now but I used to be in Maryland. :nod:

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

:devil::D:devil: Dont judge me.

:devil::D:devil: Dont judge me.

Says the man with the turbo'd 2JZ lexus....:engarde:

Says the man with the turbo'd 2JZ lexus....:engarde:

:punch: touche'.... In reality I would like to build a track car down the road that I could build, break, beat on, etc. But doing it with one of your daily drivers just doesn't work out. :(

V1 will take some wrench time, but when you get them right they are great. Low profile car too, cops don't bother too much with what looks like an older sedan hehe.

And it sure is nice to kick the shit outta folks that think it's slow because "it's not the factory supercharged one"

And it sure is nice to kick the shit outta folks that think it's slow because "it's not the factory supercharged one"

I know, how could a NA LS6 powered sedan possibly be fast. I will add that my buddy with a lotus evora can barely lose me in the corners, these cars are glued to the road when it's dry and the tires are good.

With that said they are extremely fun to drive but I refuse to flog it for fear of breaking something.

And you bought a V, why?? lol

V1 will take some wrench time, but when you get them right they are great. Low profile car too, cops don't bother too much with what looks like an older sedan hehe.

Unless you have black wheels...

Can't go wrong with either, but in my opionion you should go with the V2 if it's in your budget. Better ride, better brakes, better performance and way more comfort. There is no comparison when it comes to creature comforts and all of the maintenance is free on '11 and up as long as it is still within the 4yr/50k period. Lastly, the ENTIRE drive train is near bullet proof. Nothing at all wrong with the V1, I just think that there are too many reasons not to go with a V2 over the V1 if it is in your budget.

And you bought a V, why?? lol

Actually bought it for a daily driver. I wanted something with an LS engine and the camaro or trans am wouldn't work. Besides, I have a classic car I can dump the clutch at 6 grand and not have to worry about it. :D

By the way most you guys talk about V1s I would expect half of you to have you car listed for sale in the classifieds.... I love my V1.... its not perfect, but what car is?

We're too far in to consider selling. They're still fun cars, but financially you're bound to lose (moreso than other cars).

i personally never buy a vehicle with resale in mind. i buy my toys to beat on and build and beat on somemore.. ive been over every inch of my car and its finally what i wanted out of my v1. perfect drivability, awesome power and classy!!

vehicles are not a sound investment and if i was to invest in a car for future sale it sure as hell wont be anything in the past 20 years.

We're too far in to consider selling. They're still fun cars, but financially you're bound to lose (moreso than other cars).

Very true, and at that everyone I know who sold their first V either bought another shortly after, or is still kicking themselves for it. I had an infrared 06 with 26k on it that I still hate myself for selling. Replacement therapy works though, my 04 with a hundred K is coming together nicely with some wrench time. At this point my rear end is the weakest and only link I worry about.

Very true, and at that everyone I know who sold their first V either bought another shortly after, or is still kicking themselves for it. I had an infrared 06 with 26k on it that I still hate myself for selling. Replacement therapy works though, my 04 with a hundred K is coming together nicely with some wrench time. At this point my rear end is the weakest and only link I worry about.

Poke the bear! (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v219/QuicksilverG4/CTS-V/CIMG0044.jpg)

Thanks fuzzy. New one's better anyways. I'll tell myself that atleast.

V1 all day.

For the price, there is nothing better. If you have $50k laying around, then get a V2...even though they might be more refined, they aren't near as sexy as the V1.

Plus the side mirrors on the V2 are atrocious. They look like they are upside down.

There I said it.

Love this :D

V2 hands down... Nuff said

My V1 has been the best car I've owned, love everything about it. However if I had it to do over again, I would have ponied up for the V2 or at the very least bought a V1 with a maggie already installed. However I've dumped so much cash into my car that I'm committed now. When I make the next career bump though a V2 will be on the to do list for sure!

V1 ftw

If I had to do it all over again, I would have waited a bit longer and gone with a V2 Wagon.

I like the V1, but if you like putting people in the back seat, make sure they're healthy and young. My grandma has a hard time getting in the back seat when I take her and grandpa out to lunch/dinner (grandpa goes in the front due to his lack of mobility from a stroke).

Upgrading the V2 would be a bit simpler. Larger heat exchanger, swap out that measly blower for the ZR1 blower (1.9 vs 2.3), or just do a smaller pulley and be done with it.


I was looking at E55's myself when car shopping, but the V ended up being 1/4 the price or less to fix anything.

If you do end up getting a V, don't worry about the brakes. Check out the BrakeMotive thread for a killer deal on new pads and rotors!


I'll be in Orlando at the end of July. Maybe we'll run into each other on I-Drive.

-meaty

for your intentions. You would be fine with a V1. no doubt