Any CTS-V Owners here?

[Gillbot]

What are the cons of the car? I really don't care to hear from the peanut gallery about how bad they suck, unless you have/had one and really must.

I've been tire kicking lately and these seem to fit the bill for me as a replacement for my Camaro. Just looking for the cons so I know what to look for when I get more srs and start shopping.

 

[iamwiz82]

First or second generation? The first generation had an issue with rear differentials until 2006.

 

[satyajitmenon]

First or second generation? The first generation had an issue with rear differentials until 2006.

Wasn't that just wheel hop when trying to do hard launches? And there are aftermarket fixes for that.

http://www.cadillacfaq.com/faq/answers/wheelhop.html

@OP - only obvious con I've heard of is that it doesn't wear particularly well. At least the 1st gen. But otherwise, pretty reliable (assuming it hasn't been heavily abused by the previous owner).

http://www.cadillacfaq.com/faq/index.html

 

[Gillbot]

V1 most likely, and going from a Camaro to a CTS-V I think I can handle the depreciation and "crappy GM" issues.

I'm not overly concerned about the rear diff. I won't be beating on it too much, plus I had the same concerns with the 10 bolt on my Camaro.

 

[96Firebird]

If not worried about the rear end, they are great cars. New Era Performance had one for sale when I worked there that made 550RWHP. The guy put a bunch of money into it, blew the rear end, reinforced the rear end, then put it up for sale so he could buy a Lamborghini. They are fun cars, but don't expect them to be like the newer ones. I'd personally look at the '09+ CTS-V's...

 

[Gillbot]

If not worried about the rear end, they are great cars. New Era Performance had one for sale when I worked there that made 550RWHP. The guy put a bunch of money into it, blew the rear end, reinforced the rear end, then put it up for sale so he could buy a Lamborghini. They are fun cars, but don't expect them to be like the newer ones. I'd personally look at the '09+ CTS-V's...

Yeah, I was originally looking for an 09+ but I ran across an 05 for a decent deal. Just trying to decide if I want to jump on the 05 and play with it or sell my Camaro and save/wait for the right 09+.

I'm leaning towards instant gratification and getting the 05 really. I can swap the fun stuff from my Camaro right over and let my Camaro go as stock. Probably be easier to sell that way too.

 

[manimal]

I would own an 05 in a heartbeat. The rear end issues are solveable and the hop wasnt that bad after the mods.

 

[Gillbot]

Yeah, i'm not really afraid of the rear issues. I'm open to any year really, but the prices of the 09+'s seem silly to me. It seems as though if they have a reasonable price the sell fast, otherwise they are priced so close to new that I don't see the point in used.

 

[ViviTheMage]

My buddies only grip is the rear end, and if he ever has to replace the magnetic suspension up front whatchamcallit.

 

[Gillbot]

I'll see what's out there. These seem to hold value better than a Camaro anyway.

 

[manimal]

I think they are a tremendous value and a bargain when it comes to maintennce compared to other cars in its class.


They sound amazing uncorked too!

Cant wait to see you 1/4 times

 

[HarryLui]

Jlee has one.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

2006+ The 6.0L is a better choice. Plus, many of the kinks were worked out by that time.

Other gripes include the climate/nav/stereo buttons text rubs off.

 

[Gillbot]

2006+ The 6.0L is a better choice. Plus, many of the kinks were worked out by that time.

Other gripes include the climate/nav/stereo buttons text rubs off.

But by that argument you can say 09+ is better also. Cars continue to improve with every gen. As long as I know the cons and can accept them, i'm ok with a first year run.

 

[thegimp03]

KentState has a newer one I believe.

One of my friends had an '05. Eventually got rid of it because it went out of warranty and out of warranty repair expenses were getting kind of ridiculous.

 

[Howard]

Possibly the biggest issue is the grenading rear differential. The 2006 and later models received slightly stronger ones, but they are still known to fail. Upgrading at least one of the half-shafts is known to help with the longevity of the diff, and it also eliminates wheel hop during wheelspin (which may or may not be the sole cause of grenading diffs).

http://www.shop.gforce1320.com/product.sc?productId=52&categoryId=22

Of course, you can go whole hog and put this in and then you'd have an almost bulletproof car.

http://www.shop.gforce1320.com/product.sc?productId=184&categoryId=13

 

[jlee]

I like mine. Rear window regulators like to die (~$60 at RockAuto, no biggie).

 

[Sidekicknichola]

My dad owned an 06' for a while and I drove it most summers (he switched to his hotrod then)... I loved the car (but wasn't paying for it either).

Got up and moved, engine sounded great, ride was better than I thought it would have been, and it had all the creature comforts you could want.

I agree with others though and shoot for an 06+ if you're going first gen.

 

[Gillbot]

I'd go for an 06+ if the prices weren't stupid.

 

[andylawcc]

then what kind of answers you want to hear Gillbot?

 

[Howard]

I'd go for an 06+ if the prices weren't stupid.

You can get them for less than 16K

 

[Gillbot]

Well, mainly what needs checked and replaced, etc. I found out from the seller that motor mounts are a typical issue so I am going to assume they need changed. Any thing else?

 

[jlee]

Where are you finding 06's for less than 16k? It's hard to find an 04 at that price unless you want tons of miles.

Gillbot, yeah motor mounts are fluid-filled and fail too. The dual mass flywheel also isn't very popular, but the Z06 flywheel and clutch can go in if you really don't like it (with a slightly modified slave cylinder, I think).

Brakes are pretty cheap if you don't buy parts from the dealer. The previous owner of my car replaced the rear differential bushings right before I bought it; not sure what their failure rate is. My car had 68k, 71k now.

 

[Gillbot]

I think i'm gonna pass on the 05 I found. With the miles and unknown history on the car, I just don't want to risk it. The current owner bought it wholesale and has zero history.... I'd rather pay a little more and know the history over having to assume the worst and replace everything.