CTS-V newbie what-to-know and Gotchas

DarkMatter · #1 (**permalink**) 03-12-07, 01:26 PM

All-
Poping my first post-cherry here so I'll try to play nice.

I will be buying my first V in the next three months and I CAN'T WAIT. I was deciding between a few different car models with a LSx based engine in it and finally settled on a CTS-V for many reasons. One being the lack of change in my pockets after flooring it in 1st/2nd gear on the test drive.

To the nitty-gritty:
In scrubbing the alias for potential "gotchas' of the CTS-V series I found what is below. I would like some opinions on anything I may have missed or if there are varying opinions on solutions to what I found.

1. Wheel hop- Major
Common known issue, big deal if your on the gas in 1st alot. Easily solve-able with aftermarket kits (I'm looking at the BMR kit due to the popularity of it as a fix). Don't bother with bugging the dealer on this, thier resolution sucks (ave 25% reduction with dealership resolve, 75% aftermarket resolve.)

2. Breaking the rear end- Major
Common known issue, again if your on the gas all the time and don't fix the wheel-hop. There are differing opinions, but it would seem from my research that this is NOT a major issue if your kind to the power of the engine and fix the wheel hop before doing any major autocrossing/racing around.

3. Radio button text rubbing off - Minor
Not a common issue based on postings, but definitely out there on a few different forums. Probably an annoyance more than an issue. IMHO, with 400HP, you shouldn't be trying to focus on reading the radio buttons. Fixable with different types of adhisives, avoidable if you wear gloves when racing around to avoid sweat on the buttons.

4. Trunk not poping up- Minor
TSB fix...new latch. Not that big of a deal since the trunk still opens, but annoying never the less considering the price of the car.

5. Oil type- Non-Issue
Mobile 1 Synthetic. Diff/tranny Royal Purple or Mobile 1 (I am personally all about Mobile 1, but it looks like RP is the way to go in the diff to keep it from whining.)

6. Misc. rattling- Moderate
It's not a European car (it is but it isn't...you know what I mean) There will be rattling so get over it. But.. most rattles can be fixed with a little velvet for interior, or adjustment/dynomat for internal metal and exterior issues (like the license plate)

7. Exhaust noise durring heavy acceleration - Minor
Corsa can hit the drive shaft durring "rigerous" driving, easyly adjustable to move it out of harms way.

I think that about covers it, but like I said, I want any/all opinions since some of these are show-stoppers for me (I will be auto-crossing with this.) Is there anything else I missed as potential "gotchas" or things to keep in mind?

Thanks all-
Dark Matter

odla · #2 (**permalink**) 03-12-07, 01:37 PM

radiator leak

DarkMatter · #3 (**permalink**) 03-12-07, 01:41 PM

I saw a few posts on that and dismissed them as one-time issues. Any news on why that occurs and and TSB/Fix comments on it Odla?

BTW, THANKS!

odla · #4 (**permalink**) 03-12-07, 02:30 PM

not yet. my wife droped the car off this morining. ill let you know what they say. mine for some reason overheated in traffic at the beach yesterday. looked like it had coolent. i dont know why it did it

**heavymetals** · #5 (**permalink**) 03-12-07, 03:59 PM

#1&2 can be minimized if you don't do clutch dumps.

#3 can be eliminated if you wear driving gloves.

The V is a hoot, and your doomed!

trukk · #6 (**permalink**) 03-12-07, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by odla

radiator leak

I second this, but it's not a big deal, and easily fixed.

Also: Motor Mounts. If you get on it a lot, the tourqe will eventually crack the mounts, and cause the liquid to leak out, and engine will run rough. I don't know of any after market mounts YET. I expect as people start going off warranty, we'll see these show up.

The wheel hop kits fix some of the hop, but don't cure it. To really fix it, you have to spend a bunch 'o dough on a true coilover kit.

I personally think the fit/finish on the car is amazing, I have no real squeeks or ratles (other than diff whine), that I haven't caused myself with after market mods.

I think you forgot the bigest issue though: Moditis. From the sound of your post, you are already F'd.

-Chris

Luna. · #7 (**permalink**) 03-12-07, 07:11 PM

I believe that the KARS III kit is the best bang-for-your-buck solution for wheel-hop. Some, like me, can't get the damn thing to stop hopping even with the kit, but I suppose I'm cursed or something. I seem to recall some claiming that Damian's new differential eliminated a lot of wheel hop, but I'd like to hear more from those that purchased the differential. Or, any thoughts from you Damian would be great.

This would kill 2 birds with one stone--differential failures should be at a minimum and wheel-hop also significantly gone!

lawfive · #8 (**permalink**) 03-12-07, 07:33 PM

IBG: Welcome to the forum, man!

lawfive · #9 (**permalink**) 03-12-07, 07:37 PM

Wheel hop is real, but can be mitigated mucho just by switching to non-EMT tires and running with traction control off (first push).

I'm nice to my power and don't hop much, yet I'm on my third differential. This 'Get-onthe-rag' rear end is the major flaw in the machine.

Koooop · #10 (**permalink**) 03-12-07, 09:18 PM

STFU and buy one!

You won't be sorry.

(Don't beat the crap out of the rear end)

theloanman219 · #11 (**permalink**) 03-12-07, 09:35 PM

Just enjoy it. and mod the hell out of that thing!

**ctsvett** · #12 (**permalink**) 03-13-07, 12:58 AM

welcome! good luck!

Reed

gergreg · #13 (**permalink**) 03-13-07, 02:44 PM

The rattles wouldn't be that annoying if the CTS-V was 40k new.

BigEnos · #14 (**permalink**) 03-13-07, 04:00 PM

If the T56 in the V is anything like the one in my camaro (and I suspect it is), don't bother with Mobil 1 trans fluid. No difference from the GM stuff. I use Redline D4 ATF and the shifts are far smoother. I hear good things about royal purple, but I have never tried it.