I am gettin a little ancy to get my next car which will be sometime this summer when my truck is paid off. I am looking to spend around $15000 and was pretty much dead set on an 04-05 CTS-V, but also considered an LS2 GTO. I have test drove on CTS-V and a couple of GTO's and have been impressed with both. The other options I can think off are waiting for the prices to drop on a 2010 camaro ss or waiting longer for a G8 GXP. I want an LS motor with a nice interior and a M6. My last car was a 95 M6 convertible camaro. Just looking for something nicer on the inside that is still fun to drive. The CTS-V is my favorite because of the performance with 4 doors, sunroof, big brakes, good handling and nav, but the rear end still scares me a little. The GTO has a nice interior and is fun to drive but looks so plain on the outside. The 2010 camaro looks nicer on the outside but seems about the same performance wise as a much cheaper GTO. The G8 GXP is also nice and fun but don't think I am patient enough to wait that one out. Also been glancing at some early 2000's M3's and M5's but scared about parts and maintance for them. Leaning more towards a luxury sports car, but not set on anything yet. Any input from current or previous owners would be helpful and any other suggestions would be great since in South Dakota I don't get a lot of options to test drive many of these. Thanks

 

Man, I would l really like to own a CTS-V. Out of all of those you mentioned, and considering your wants, that would be the direction I would go if I were you.

 

CTS-V > everything.

 

at 15K, the GTO fits the bill the best. The GXP's will not be at the 15K price point for at least 2-4 years in my opinion, with them still selling locally with 36K miles for 30-32K

The CTS-V can get that price point, but you get a much more expensive to maintain vehicle, but still cheaper than going german.


Ryan

 

CTSV is you can get one in that price range.


if not ls2 GTOs are great cars.

 

i would probably opt for the GTO..

 

Go for another 4 gen f body and build it up

 

Gto or a vette

 

The CTS-V's in my price range seem to have bout 75k to 100k on them compared to a GTO with 45k-65k miles which bodes well for the GTO. I really do like the interiors on the GTO but the outside is rather boring, but the rearend seems to hold up better than the V and the V and GTO seem to be pretty similar in straitline performance. The corvettes out because I'm lookin for a 4 seater right now. Already had 2 LT1 camaro's, and eventho the LS1's are better cars, I still am not a big fan of the interior. Best bang for the buck by far tho.

 

Yea and they are light weight compaired to those other pigs.

 

GTO is my vote.

On another note, GM is bringing back the G8, but with a bowtie...

 

GTO for my vote

 

Thanks for the replies. I wish I had more of an option to look at these in person but I had to travel 90 miles to look at a couple GTO's and about 200 miles to look at the CTS-V. It is even harder to find an M3 or M5 to look at or drive. Pretty much just want a car to use it as a fun daily driver over the summer and take it to the strip for fun 3-4 times over the summer. Don't have any road courses around here and have to drive a while to try any auto-x so its pretty much the strip. That's the reason the V scares me a little. So confused.

 

I would eliminate the M3, M5 right off the bat. Too expensive for routine maintenance. I would have to say the CTS-V is the best of both worlds. Performance and 4 doors. I do like the GTO, but needs more aggressive styling.

 

I would go with a CTS-V. I would love to have one. I do like GTO's, but I'm not a fan of the G8s. I loved my 04 GTO and was stupid to trade it for a 99 FRC vette and I regret every minute of it. The GTO has been by far the best car i've had and I've been there many. My grandmother has a G8 GT and I'm not that impressed with it, but maybe the GXP is a lot better. I would go with a CTS-V or the 05/06 GTO.

 

Love the G8, but it will be outta your range for a bit. You could get a decent C5 for that price-point with money left over for mods.

I had a 1993 BMW 3-series and it was great car, but I'd be leery of a M-car out of warranty.

 

CTS-V +1
I had a 05 CTS-V and it is by far the best "all around" car I have ever owned.Great on long or short trips,power fuel economy..etc.
The only warning I would have is check out pricing on replacing brake pads
($100+ pads) and tires($300-$400ea Goodyear run flats,no spare)
other that that the car has everything at reasonable price.
I sometimes wish I had not sold mine but I am waiting on the 09 V's to come down to a reasonable price so I can have another one.

 

you can make GTOs look better.


mine is available for 16k with 30k on it.

 

Very true... I would go GTO, ALL your options are not bad though...

 

other is my choice. c-5 corvette and make sure its black