Why are CTS-Vs so cheap?

Page 2 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.

Pariah

Elite Member
Apr 16, 2000
7,357
20
81
$18k seems reasonable, in fact I wouldn't pay more than $20k for that car. It's still six years old, even if it is a high performance car. A Mustang GT with more HP can be had brand new off the lot for $29k.

The CTS-V doesn't have the collector value of say, an M5, and won't command the same prices.

Things I have learned from reading AT Garage:

A Mustang is the greatest car available for sale today.

It doesn't matter what car is being discussed. It has no relevance, since someone will post to remind you about how much faster and cheaper a Mustang is while making you look like a retard for discussing the positive aspects of any other car.
 

exdeath

Lifer
Jan 29, 2004
13,679
10
81
Because a Mustang has 4 doors, dual climate control, and a big comfortable back seat big enough for adults.
 

EightySix Four

Diamond Member
Jul 17, 2004
5,122
52
91
Even if you were getting $20,000 in parts for free and couldn't build it yourself for half as much?

Yeah, I'm willing to buy a modded car if the work appears to have been done right. Is it a risk? Sure, but so is any used car that doesn't have immaculate records of every little thing. Modded cars will often save you money on mods that you wanted anyways, and it assumes you are willing to put up with the little things involved with modding.
 

exdeath

Lifer
Jan 29, 2004
13,679
10
81
Yeah, I'm willing to buy a modded car if the work appears to have been done right. Is it a risk? Sure, but so is any used car that doesn't have immaculate records of every little thing. Modded cars will often save you money on mods that you wanted anyways, and it assumes you are willing to put up with the little things involved with modding.

Worst case you blow a piston, you're out $2k for an even better shortblock, and still thousands ahead of where you would be doing it from scratch.
 

Pariah

Elite Member
Apr 16, 2000
7,357
20
81
Because a Mustang has 4 doors, dual climate control, and a big comfortable back seat big enough for adults.

Who cares? As someone has already stated in this thread. A Mustang at $29k is a better value than a CTS-V at $18k. The evidence is undeniable. It doesn't matter what advantage other vehicles have. The Mustang is better because it is cheaper and faster, even if it isn't.
 

jlee

Lifer
Sep 12, 2001
48,518
223
106
Because a Mustang has 4 doors, dual climate control, and a big comfortable back seat big enough for adults.

Yep, I already have an impractical two door car - if I replace the Subaru, I need four doors.
 

thescreensavers

Diamond Member
Aug 3, 2005
9,916
2
81
Even if you were getting $20,000 in parts for free and couldn't build it yourself for half as much?


heh, then I guess I would draw the line to see if the owner knew what was in there and who did the work and if he did all the maintenance properly.
 

jlee

Lifer
Sep 12, 2001
48,518
223
106
From what I'm reading, it seems the diffs were improved for 06-07. What's an aftermarket/better diff cost for an 04, anyone know?
 

EightySix Four

Diamond Member
Jul 17, 2004
5,122
52
91
From what I'm reading, it seems the diffs were improved for 06-07. What's an aftermarket/better diff cost for an 04, anyone know?

It's actually a wheel hop issue and the diff can't deal with the shock. You can go after it by either stopping the wheel hop with new bushings etc or replace the diff.
 

WhoBeDaPlaya

Diamond Member
Sep 15, 2000
7,415
404
126
It's an American car...
Stuff it. Mine's an American too :)

ls6_resized.jpg
 

Demo24

Diamond Member
Aug 5, 2004
8,356
9
81
From what I'm reading, it seems the diffs were improved for 06-07. What's an aftermarket/better diff cost for an 04, anyone know?

from the link I posted:

"The good news is you can upgrade an early diff to the latest gen 1 design with all GM/Getrag parts for $1,800. If you abstain from wheel hopping burnouts these diffs are strong enough for around 500 RWP with no issues what so ever."
 

exdeath

Lifer
Jan 29, 2004
13,679
10
81
Weakest link in any IRS are the differential mounts. Unlike a solid axle, the differential housing in an IRS is mounted rigidly to the sub frame via its cast aluminum housing and rear cover. It must be rigid enough to withstand extreme twisting forces on all three axis, with flexible jointed axles instead of solid rigid axle tubes. But its also the most significant source of cabin noise when solid mounts are used (moaning and gear whine). Factory mounts always err on the side of NVH and allow the housing to move too much, and that is how you break diff covers and axles with any meaningful amount of torque and not enough grip.

Its actually not good grip and power launches that break them, it's lack of traction. The massive jack hammering that occurs against the soft diff mounts when a wheel slips and alternates between slip and traction as the LSD clutches engage and disengage rapidly, that's what wheel hop is.

There is no excuse for squishy mounts in something like my Cobra, but in a Caddy there is obviously some expectation of a cush quiet ride.
 
Last edited:

Chess

Golden Member
Mar 5, 2001
1,452
7
81
I actually looked at buying one of these back in 2008, but decided against it and went with a Chrysler 300 SRT-8....

Well the CTS-V have gone down in price, because in 2008 they were about 30-32k for a used one... Glad to see the price drop...

They are fun little car, but I prefer my "beltway cruiser" instead haha....