GM will decline warranty if you put in the additive

[SBONES]

if anything you can get some free advice...If they're f***ing you, what else is there..

[moodym]

Not sure if this will help with the issues with the V, but please let Cadillac know my decision.

Of the new cars available in my price range, the V was the type of car I was looking for. Luxury and performance. Fun to drive with quite a few bells and whistles.

I have been looking to either restore my Buick or buy a new V. I have been reading here for the last couple of months.

All of the issues identified by current owners with the seeming not caring attitude by Cadillac has made my decision for me. They will not have me as a customer.

No way would I invest $50K in a vehicle with all of these problems! Totally unacceptable! I would not purchase a V if the price was cut in half. Vehicle reliability is one of the major selling points. Car is worthless if it is in the shop all the time or I have to put up with clanking and clunking, rearends disintegrating, tires wearing out quicker than my oil change frequency, clutch problems, etc.

Cadillac, don't try to sell a "hot rod" Cadillac with "lego" parts. Cadillac, own up to the design flaws and fix it or lose customers forever.

I have owned numerous 60's muscle cars that did not have these types of problems. They were built to live up to the advertising. They may not have been as smooth as the V or go 150 mph, but they did stay together unless you abused them really hard.

I have been researching for a few months. I am not into the ricers. The GTO, while more affordable, did not excite me with its looks. The new mopars are plain ugly. The V is what perked my interest. This car is not worth it to me if all it does is cause me grief with all the problems it has.

I did want one, the concept is exactly what I was looking for. I wish all the owners good luck with their Vs. Just something I cannot do. I thank everyone for posting here and preventing me from having major buyers remorse.

I live in Florida and it has a good lemon law. I have no doubt that is where I would have ended up if I purchased a V. I am not in a big hurry to buy something new. I will wait and check out other car companies.

Mike

[slow35th]

Keep in mind that there are thousands of satisfied V owners, myself included. There are some issues that need to be addressed on some cars. The problem here is, the way the few V owners that are having these problems, are being treated. We are also dealing with, for the most part, dealerships and GM reps that have never handled performance vehicles and know nothing about them or the people that drive them. The irony is that the people that want luxury performance vehicles are exactly the crowd that Cadillac is trying to attract as a customer. These customers are being run off and treated poorly by ignorant dealerships and GM reps. These are not your Daddy's Cadillac's and are not being driven by your traditional Blue haired crowd. Cadillac better decide which customer they are going to cater too and treat them accordingly. Cadillac's future is with us not the Blue haired crowd.

Cadillac hear this: You better wake up or go the way of Oldsmobile.

Tuff growing pains.

Edit: It is not just the V owners having these problems. I've asked the guys having similar issues in the CTS forum to participate in this thread also.

[StealthV]

Originally Posted by AmesCTS-V

I was thinking the exact same thing. Having a synthetic diff fluid is not an issue or a case where the customer did something wrong, in fact the customer did something better than factory. If you don't say anything they will just drain it and there won't be an issue.

The factory differential lube is synthetic. With the issues we're having, going to a different fluid may not be enough but it certainly is worth trying. As others mentioned with the recent rash of warranty denials, RP could be bad words in the eyes of the friendly dealer folks.

[GAGS-V]

Moodym: Go for the V car! You will love driving it and IF you do have any problems it is under warranty. The main thing seems to be the dealer and how some are much better at customer service than others. I have never had so much fun driving ANY car. Give it a test drive, meet the service manager and general manager then GO FOR IT!

[ctsvett]

To add fuel to the fire:

I got my car back today with the dealer telling me that I have all the PCM programs (past present and updaed)... Well, accoridng to Rick, I have NOTHING...yes nothing... They told me many times they updated the program (months ago for all the updates) and this time as well, but its the SAME program that my V left the factory Floor with over 1.5 years ago...

Boneheads...

Reason number 1,288 to get the StealthV tune..

Reed

[Dave's V]

I had the grape crap fluid replaced with Lucas and the rear dif is a lot quieter. Yes, they put in the additive.

I'm also tired about "abusive driving" statements by certain dealers also. After my first rear dif was replaced, a mechanic said they can track how I drive the car. I told him that I just bought this car with 661 miles on it around 500 miles ago so you might want to blame your sales department for "abusive driving". Well they shut up about it.

Now when I asked about the bushings, they wanted to test drive my car to verify it wheel hops. A call to Cadillac took care of that. The dealer asked if I "drive agressively". I told them, yes when I'm on a two lane road and I'm trying to pass 2 trucks going uphill. I won't hesitate to use full power, and I want the bushings replaced so I don't have to worry about using full power.

I got Cadillac to "allow" me to use Lucas oil in the rear dif. This is a "case by case" basis. I use Mobil 1 in the tranny. The GM grape scented stuff is overpriced garbage.

Overall, I'm happy with my V and my dealer. Sometimes it takes some arguing with them to get them to do what needs to be done. I know their mechanics are tired of looking at my rear dif. They also had to do a 4 wheel relignment due to abnormal tire wear.

My best advice is don't admit how you drive your car to anyone in the dealership. It is really none of their business. Now if they catch you on a racetrack, it is your word against theirs.

And yeah, if my rear dif was replaced 3 times, they would be buying back my car. I don't know why people put up with that crap.

[thebigjimsho]

Was planning on changing the diff fluid this afternoon but my B&B won't allow it. I didn't feel like a hassle today, so I just changed my oil. But after hearing all these new diffs being installed and getting louder with the GM synthetic, I bought a bunch of Redline. We'll see soon how that makes my loud #2 diff sound.

It seems most people are pretty satisfied with the Specterwerkes/GM cradles bushings. Maybe Quaife can help us with inadequate power capacities the Getrag seems to have. They've said they'd be willing to develop a unit in the past. A donated new diff and 13 definites is all it takes.....

[CTS5]

ACE - Go to a different dealer! Hell, my dealer suggests things I should request or mention (if I have a smidgeon of the negative effect, such as a pull to one side so thet can do a 4 wheel after the bushing install on Caddy's dime, as they feel it's warranted after the upgrade), tells me why he suggests it, then types it on the order if I agree. These guys own V's, are family related to race shops, set my alignment to performance settings at their suggestion, unbaffle the stock exhaust on their V's (55 gallon drum of fiberglass. no sound/performance difference?) and reweld the mufflers, circle track and 1/4 mile their V's and work on my V. Complain about diff noise? They give me a quicky drain/refill of grape + FM, on my way to work with no appoinntment. Your dealer blows. These guys had the bushings in an tested ASA they were released (told me it was better, about 70%) as they drive their V's hard and know what typical V buyers expect. Good luck! I'd switch dealers.

[StealthV]

Originally Posted by thebigjimsho

Was planning on changing the diff fluid this afternoon but my B&B won't allow it.

Use a hex socket or slide a 10-mm wrench over the long arm of the allen wrench and then put it into the fill plug. It is tight but can be done.

[revcoman]

I would not purchase a V if the price was cut in half.

Kind of an exaggeration there, don't you think? If the price was cut in half, I'd buy three more and give 'em away to my friends!

[moodym]

Revcoman

Actually not an exageration for me. Others most likely not.

Many many years ago I got into arguments with a Dodge Dealer over vehicle warranty. Car would run fine and then at random moments would shut off. Car would restart and then would run fine for awhile and then do it again. Completely random. Pulling into traffic or trying to pass someone was just plain dangerous.

I took it in to the dealer multiple times. Dealer changed computer but it did not change anything. They could not find anything wrong and said they could not change any more parts unless they could prove them bad. HIghly frustrated was not proper description for my mental health at the time. I talked to corporate and there ownly solution was to take the vehicle to a dealer over 200 miles away and have them look at it. All of this at my expense. The stalling was random. What was the chances of it messing up at the dealer? Ever drive a care that randomly stalled?

I ended up ripping out all of the ignition system and putting in the older performance electronic ignition myself. Problem went away.

Neither corporate or dealer cared if I got killed tryng to pull out in traffic or passing.

Just think what might happen if someone has a rearend lock up while driving the V? I had an older mopar that had broken some some pieces of ring gear and they got caught between the ring and pinion gear while driving, rear end locked up solid. Luckily I was driving in a straight line and only doing about 15 mph at the time.

From the amount of post I read here, the people not having any problems are a minority. People say you have to live with the rearend noise. New rearends go in and they go out again in a short time.

I am into performance cars. Was an old mopar guy. I have owned a 340 cuda, hemi challenger, 440 super bee and gtx. Last few years a turbo buick. I have driven them all "aggresively" Have not seen problems like the group here experiences on those vehicles.

I honestly cannot understand how it is acceptable to spend the $$$ for this car and put up with the problems and dealer attitude.

At the moment the V is the only new car I have seen that I would want. The car is a great idea. Luxury and performance that is relatively affordable. You buy a "hot rod" you are probably going to drive aggresively every so often. I will not buy a car like this and be afraid of hurting it every time. I will not go through the fighting the dealer process again. Not worth the emotional stress to me. Not worth the payment I would be making while the vehicle sits in the shop

Buy an extended warranty for the car? How many rearends do you think Cadillac will put in the car for you over a 100k miles warrantly. I guarantee they will stop after awhile and blame the owner for abuse.

I will watch and see how the future V models hold up. Maybe Cadillac will read here and decide they really want to support the V or not.

Maybe I have been spoiled by my turbo buick. Fast out of the factory and alot faster with minimal $$$. Different car I know. I wonder how popular they would have been if the rear ends went out every time they brought the boost up

I was this close to driving down state and picking up an 05 stealth gray without sunroof. Not any more.

I do wish every owner here good luck and hope they enjoy the car for many years. Be safe and keep the pressure on to get the vehicle right. I will go back to lurking here and see how the newer models hold up.

Mike

[SBONES]

Big jim where can i get this...auto zone or pep boys..how meny do i need to get the diff change done..and they put modifier in it already so no modifier...right

[slow35th]

Originally Posted by SBONES

Big jim where can i get this...auto zone or pep boys..how meny do i need to get the diff change done..and they put modifier in it already so no modifier...right

Right. You need a little less that 1.5 quarts per change so buy 3 quarts and you have enough to do it twice. Most speed shops will have it or you can order Redline from Summit Racing. That is where I get mine. It is about $7.50 per quart. And no....I am not Big Jim but I do play him on TV

[Dave's V]

Moodym,
You found a reason not to buy the V and I respect your decision. While a few people have had problems with their V or with their dealer, a lot of had no problems. All of my problems have been minor.

I can tell you "horror" stories on just about any car out there. While the V isn't the most reliable car I have ever owned, it isn't my worst. It has been a very enjoyable 12k miles of driving. 10 times more than any other car I have owned.

And if the dif "locked" up it would most likely be in pieces on the highway, if that has ever happened (which I don't think it has). However it has proved its self to fail at times (whine/howl are not failures).

This is also a car enthusiast site with around 150-200 V owners. A small percentage of the ~ 7000 Vs on the road. People here like to push their car to its limits.

You already found your reason not to buy the V, probably without even test driving one. Chances are that if you test drove one, ~$50k would seem worth it and you would buy one if you could.