05-16-2012, 08:50 PM | #1 |
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Made the mistake of driving a Cadillac CTS-V
Well, I was preparing to order a 2013 F30 335i (M-Sport Line) after cancelling my order for a 2012 F30 335i (Sport Line).
Cadillac is offering some pretty aggressive incentives on the 2012 CTS-V sedans right now. The dealer is basically offering $12,500+ off MSRP. I went to my local Cadillac dealership today to test drive the CTS-V and was absolutely blown away by its performance. The car simply reels in the horizon effortlessly. I never really exceeded 80% throttle input because of traffic conditions but that 80% delivered. A quick jab of the throttle will break loose the tires with ease, even while rolling at 80 mph. This definitely brought a wide grin to my face. I knew the car was going to be fast going into the test drive. However, both the steering and suspension on the car FAR exceeded my expectations. Steering response was very direct/communicative at higher speeds/during aggressive turns and was very pleasant under cruising conditions. The suspension was not nearly as harsh as the C63 AMG's suspension during normal driving on central Indiana's cracked and pothole-riddled roads. That being said, the suspension still felt extremely composed and solid when plowing through roundabouts carrying some speed. The car simply did not feel like it weighed 4,300+ pounds. Now I have to decide - is the $80 extra per month + snow tires worth it to park the 556 HP supercharged monster in the garage? The only other negative besides the payment is that the interior is ghastly.
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05-16-2012, 09:46 PM | #2 |
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It hooked me for sure. Got any pics of your rig sir?
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05-16-2012, 10:33 PM | #3 | |
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Drove both V-coupe and Sedan on MSR-Race track in Houston. The pics I think are in my profile photos. Just amazing performance machines but the interior built quality and automatic tranny are not on par with rest of the car. Also, thought the car would sound more aggressive like the Vette but seems like for luxury purposes the sound insulation was more of a priority over racy aggressive exhaust note.
Last but not least you did not factor in how much of a gas guzzler 556hp monster is.....the gas bill will make it more then just $80 per month. But then again they say "you gotta pay to play". In all honesty this car is more in M3/M5 league rather then 335i minus the crappy interior and crappy auto. If you will go for it take the 6-speed & you will enjoy it more then the flawed auto and crappy paddle shifters. But a nice set of exhaust and you are ready to run with M cars. Quote:
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Last edited by Kayani_1; 05-16-2012 at 10:46 PM.. |
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05-16-2012, 10:47 PM | #4 | |
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Thanks for the thoughts and photos. That looks like it was a great experience.
Performance-wise, I agree that the M3/M5 would be more proper reference points but from the price perspective, I have gotten the CTS-V into fully loaded 335i price range. Definitely agree regarding the fuel consumption. Quote:
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05-17-2012, 01:16 AM | #6 | |
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Beautiful. Love that exterior color. Thanks for posting.
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05-17-2012, 03:32 AM | #7 |
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Get the CTS-V. More for your money. Any reason you are holding back on it?
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05-17-2012, 08:27 AM | #8 |
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The LS series of power plants are nearly a bullet proof powerplants. They have been around for a long time and Chevrolet has them down to a science. Strapping a S/C on to an LS turns them into a completely different kind of beast. Reliable as the day is long, very fuel efficient for hp produced and a animal when the throttle is squeezed deep.
I know, I have one in my Corvette. Wait till you give that extra 20% throttle. Harkens too Space Balls line, "Ludicrous Speed!". Last edited by NYC6; 05-17-2012 at 08:41 AM.. |
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05-17-2012, 08:31 AM | #9 |
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Residual will be excellent; I believe the V6, 5.0, and existing Shelby are already segment leaders in that regard (maybe not the V6, I can't remember). It will only get better for the '13 Shelby. It's the LRA swan song.
But if you're looking at the CTS-V and F30, the Shelby would be a completely different beast. Doesn't seem like apples to apples. And regardless of what people say, the Shelby can be found for MSRP (even below). You just have to actively seek out the allotments that aren't being hit with ADM. Some people make it sound like that's impossible (and they said the same thing about the BOSS), but anyone who pays ADM on those cars is someone who is doing so either because they're ignorant of the fact they don't have to, or they just didn't feel like putting in the effort to find a non-gouged allocation. If you loved the CTS-V, then get it! It's an amazing car in stock form or modded. However, if you plan on modding the motor, read up on it. There have been some issues, I believe with the bottom end. However, in stock form it's very reliable. |
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05-17-2012, 09:08 AM | #10 |
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Drives: '08 E90 335i
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Go with the V --- You're getting the M5 competition for less than M3 money. IMO, the M5 is King of the super saloons
but after that its the CTS-V, the E ///AMG, the new Audi S6 (shocking how Cadillac dove head first into this segment on a 2nd gen car). Plus, hennessey already is making packages for the V, starting at 600 HP (intake, pulley & ecu upgrade) so there is A LOT of power left in that car |
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05-17-2012, 12:39 PM | #11 | ||||
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The two things holding me back were: 1) Certain aspects of the interior; 2) Winter driving aspect. Quote:
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I really did love the CTS-V. It left an impression on me like no other car has in a while. Minus the interior. Quote:
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05-17-2012, 02:04 PM | #14 |
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Weird, this is a lot better thread than my own in the E9x M3 vs. section, where I was 1/3 crucified for thinking about a straight trade of my 12k km 2011 E90 M3 to a brand-new full-warranty 2011 CTS-V Wagon 6MT:
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=686427 |
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05-17-2012, 02:36 PM | #15 | |
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05-17-2012, 02:44 PM | #16 |
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E9x M3 compared to a CTS-V is much closer than F30 335i to CTS-V. But at least it's the coolest M3, the E90 compared to the coolest CTS-V, the wagon. I like smaller, lighter cars, but that wagon is seriously cool, I've been tempted by current deals on them.
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05-17-2012, 03:31 PM | #17 | ||
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You speak the truth.
Thanks man. Quote:
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The LCI C63 has the nicest interior of the three (although this is certainly subjective). The E9X M3 has an advantage with the DCT transmission and its "lighter" weight. Aside from the interior, the only other thing that is not ideal regarding the CTS-V would be the automatic transmission (which was present in the car I drove). It was a bit awkward at times. There are smokin' deals on the CTS-V to be had right now. As someone else mentioned, when you get M5/E63 performance at 335i price - it's hard to pass up.
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05-17-2012, 03:45 PM | #18 |
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DO IT!! you sound as though you REALLY want the CTS-V now. I think if you dont get it, it will always haunt you. What ifs? Where are you located and where did you get such a good deal on the V?
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05-17-2012, 04:00 PM | #19 |
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You guys down in the US are too lucky. Up here in Canada my local incentives right now are:
- $2500 discount from factory - 4.99% financing That's why I haven't made a factory-order on one yet. Even with a decent-to-great deal, I'm expected to fork out $75k+ for one of these. That's about the same as what I paid for my fair-optioned 2011 E90 M3. No thanks. This wagon in my thread, I never considered driving a 5-door (except in conversations when people ask me why I don't like SUVs: "I'd rather drive a wagon instead"), but I've been staring at pictures of it in the past month and I'm coming around. Besides, the dealership priced it right in line with my M3's current depreciation. What about waiting out one of the local in-stock 2012 Sedans? Sorry dear, only 4 available in my metro area of 2 million+ people, and ALL AUTOMATICS. Seriously, get the Tremec 6MT. Supposedly it's even worth 20whp on the dyno. Last summer I made a run at one Black Raven / Ebony / Satin / Yellow Brembos Sedan, and it was 10% off so it was still listed at $73k @ 5.19%. Passed on it and picked up the M3, but regretted not having made a more seriously look at it ever since |
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05-17-2012, 04:08 PM | #21 |
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05-17-2012, 04:16 PM | #22 | ||
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The wagon is pretty cool, IMHO. FWIW, I found out today that '13 pricing is identical to '12 pricing (no increases whatsoever) - according to my dealer. If the price is right, definitely make another run at it. My MSRP on the '13 is roughly around $67,700 and I'll be leasing it at around $55k.
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