Cadillac CTS-V thoughts


J

jaxgt

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Jul 12, 2006
2,816
Any of you gents own a CTS-V ? Wondering your thoughts?
Thanks
 
Considering the same purchase to replace my S63 for a change.
I haven't had time to take a closer look at one yet.
 
A few friends of mine have the new (and have had the old V as well) and love them to death! One of them has a F430, and stopped driving it as much because the V is just as fast... and in these parts, just as welcomed.

LPE have the best go-fast parts for the new LSa block IMO... but I might be a little biased.
 
Fubar should chime in here......
 
I've spent a bit of time in one....being a Vette fan, I was already sold on the merits of the supercharged LS motor and Magnetic Ride (similar to the setup on my C5 Vette, the new ZR1, Ferrari 599, and your old R8), and the value for the dollar is unbeatable. It's just a blast to drive a fast four door, esp with Recaro seats and a stick.

However, if you are a detail freak, the fit and finish, while quite nice overall, is not up to M5/E63 levels.....but then again, neither is the price.

I found my knee ended up hitting the center console a fair bit as well...so that might be a huge issue for you.

Also, the V series coupe will be out later this year....something to consider if you like the polarizing looks.

I'm curious to hear your impressions after driving one! Try to find one with the Recaros if at all possible....
 
I traded an M6 for a '09 CTS-V about a year ago. It has been a blast to drive. DoctorV8 gave you the run down on the drawbacks.... the materials used on the interior just don't seem as 'expensive' as it's German counterparts and there is something strange about knee placement (but I've grown accustomed to it). However, on the plus side, it is AMERICAN, it's has more torque than any other sedan you can buy, it has the suspension to back-up it's brute force and with the touch of a button it is as comfortable as a Cadillac should be. The only thing I changed was the transmission tune and the brake lines (too braided SS) and pads.

It is the best daily driver I have ever owned.
 
Was fortunate enough to sample a coupe prototype for a few days.

I am not a GM fan, but this car has great power with the traction control off.

Nice and quite and smooth. Makes me now look twice at what GM has in the pipeline.

Love the looks of the 2 door, (even better than the current 4 door).

Down side – still has the same drive train clunk / slack.
The current 6-speed manual has (It’s no better than the current T-56)
Not a problem if you drive it with sprit.

Just sad we can’t get this right in the USA.

But I love the idea of a clutch in a Cat.
 
Wow Alex, you drove a coupe? How was the back seat and trunk space? Looking forward to seeing the debut at NAIAS soon...
 
in my opinion its the best performance value on the market. its the 4-door ZR1. the interior is not the G550 quality of a new S63 or E63. But for $60k and a few mods you will have a sedan that can beat most sports cars. Mine runs 11.0 @ 130 mph in the 1/4 mile on drag radials and has run 185 mph in the standing mile. It makes 650 rw hp on 93 octane and its my daily driver.
 
Hold the phone - a very close second place would be the new Lincoln MKS or Taurus SHO as far as bang for the buck goes. A few simple mods to those cars and they are pretty quick too. So it just depends on how much you want to spend. A CTS-V auto with about $5k worth of upgrades runs 11.7 @ 122 mph on the stock tires. That will beat most sports cars. I think that the MKS interior is nicer than the V's.
 
Out of curiousity, what are the $5k of mods you did/recommend for the CTS-V ? Thanks
 
Hennessey Performance said:
A CTS-V auto with about $5k worth of upgrades runs 11.7 @ 122 mph on the stock tires. That will beat most sports cars. I think that the MKS interior is nicer than the V's.
Click to expand...

John, when you get a MKS to do 11.7 @122 with 5K of mods that are CARB approved, I will add another Ford to my garage. :biggrin
 
I was present when John's Caddy V made a few Italian and German cars feel inadequate at Texas World Speedway! Sounds as good at wide open throtle as it does at idle. I am anxiously waiting on his results with the Ford MKS!!!

Larry

BTW-John, Thanks for the Hennessey goodies!!!! Just Arrived.
 
Tugboat said:
I was present when John's Caddy V made a few Italian and German cars feel inadequate at Texas World Speedway! Sounds as good at wide open throtle as it does at idle. I am anxiously waiting on his results with the Ford MKS!!!

Larry

BTW-John, Thanks for the Hennessey goodies!!!! Just Arrived.
Click to expand...

I had the pleasure of seeing the car at Hennessey's strip. Although some of the FGT were faster, John's CTS-V was the meanest and most intimidating car there. What a show when the tires were warming up! :thumbsup
 
Cts v 2009

Factory order with 6 speed manual recaro seats thunder grey in color. Awesome machine was looking a amg 6.3 or m6 Very happy with car gas mileage sucks but who cares. Have a modded 06 gt tungsten no stripes 35000 miles luv it Hard on tires though
 
Gents,
Thanks for the advice. I just placed a deposit on a new 'left over' 2009 CTS-V from a Cadillac dealer up north. I got what I think is a fabulous price. It's silver with black interior, automatic, and has standard seats.

I know some folks preferred the 6 speed tranny with Recaros. I didn't get to sit in one with Recaro seats, but my experience has been that often their seats are a bit narrow for broader shouldered folks like myself, so I tried to avoid them. My wife also wanted an automatic as she wants to tear it up some with our dogs in the back seat, and she prefers it to a stick.

Excited to get something in the performance sedan variety that is American made. Gas mileage is horrible but that's how it goes.

Hmmm ... what mods to make.
 
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Hennessey Performance said:
in my opinion its the best performance value on the market. its the 4-door ZR1. the interior is not the G550 quality of a new S63 or E63. But for $60k and a few mods you will have a sedan that can beat most sports cars. Mine runs 11.0 @ 130 mph in the 1/4 mile on drag radials and has run 185 mph in the standing mile. It makes 650 rw hp on 93 octane and its my daily driver.
Click to expand...

As I mentioned to Golder, I'll try to stop by next time I'm heading to Louisiana and take a look at your CTS-V and take a tour of your place.
 
My buddy traded his M5 V-10 for one. He likes the Caddy much better. I drove the car and it was a very nice driving car, great feel and response.
I did not feel or hear any drive line issues in his auto stick car. He has recently done a pulley and tune on the car and he likes even more.
 
I dont care for the Recaro seat option. Besides being expensive at about $4k, they are not very comfortable. They also restrict rear passenger leg room by a noticable amount. I opted for the stock seats. I also ordered my car with no sunroof as I wanted maximum headroom for wearing a helmet.

Jax - give my guys at the shop a call and they can go over our various upgrade parts and packages. They will be glad to help you. 979.885.1300.

Getbit - next time you are driving down I-10 just stop in and you can take Dave's V for a test drive. You will be impressed.
 
 
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