So my friend David and I went to the Chevy dealership yesterday after work to look at a 2005 CTS-V with 29K miles.

Keep in mind both David and I test drove the CTS-V brand new back in 2004 and currently we both have modified Fleetwood Broughams. Back then I thought it was the greatest thing, granted I was driving a modded 2003 VW Passat 1.8T 5 speed.

... Either our tastes have changed or those cars just do not hold up well over the years!! I forgot how much plastic was everywhere. The car rattled like crazy over every road imperfection and the rear end was making noises like no tomorrow. The wheel hop was very annoying. The interior did not hold up well at all, there were fading buttons on the dash, some of the center console was peeling and the steering wheel buttons were fading as well... 29,000 miles!!!! Sure it was fast and sounded like a Vette, but it just did not appeal to either of us since that initial test drive 4 years ago. Price tag for this 2005 we drove was $28K.

After that we got back in David's '95 FWB and went back to my house. His car felt solid, smooth, the doors closed without giving you the feeling they will break. Sure it was not as fast, but with 80K miles on the clock it and being 10 years old than that CTS-V it sure feels, smells, and even looks newer. David even let me drive his FWB because I wanted to see what a stock suspension felt like again, I sort of miss that smooth ride these cars have.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u222/angelatruck/1995Fleetwood/IMG_9462.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u222/angelatruck/1995Fleetwood/IMG_9464.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u222/angelatruck/1995Fleetwood/IMG_9479.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u222/angelatruck/1995Fleetwood/IMG_9486.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u222/angelatruck/1995Fleetwood/IMG_9490.jpg


When we got back to my house we took my FWB for a spin. I let David drive it and he couldn't believe how stiff the suspension was and it actually took corners well! We couldn't do any WOT passes because my transmission is dying, but he was impressed with the power.

Overall verdict:

David is keeping his FWB. He was going to have me put it up for sale and buy a CTS-V.. but after seeing how one has held up after 29K miles.. no thanks.

I have decided to take my FWB to another level. I will most likely go with the 396 Long Block that is rated 520 flywheel horsepower. As for the transmission, in the next month or two I will be buying a CPT level 3 4L60e rated for 600 rwhp. That should put the Fleetwood in the mid 12s and if I desire more power I can always supercharge or add 100 shot of Nitrous to bring it into the 11s in the 1/4. There is some body work I want done as well such as removing the vinyl top, painting the window trim black, custom grill, etc. And just for shits and giggles, I will put in a touch screen DVD/NAV like the CTS-V had, except it will have integrated Bluetooth.

I will never sell my Fleetwood, so all that work will be fun and build me a nice 500 hp monster that I can still drive and have all the modern comforts. Why pay $28K for that CTS-V when I can do the aforementioned to my FWB for $10-12K :thumbsup: . Maybe in a couple years the STS-V prices will be in the mid 20Ks and I will take a look at them for a daily driver, hopefully they are better built than the CTS-V.

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa306/96fleetwood/IMAG0016.jpg

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa306/96fleetwood/ISSCA2007Small140.jpg

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa306/96fleetwood/show032.jpg


Take care,
Elias

Awesome post...and I must say, all very true. I "got" what it was about the CTS-V you thought to like so much, and I do too, but they're far, far from perfect cars. Not as completely sorted and refined as one might expect for the pricetag new, and very much just like they seemed...a CTS with a Vette engine shoe-horned in. Problem was, things like the rear end were never well designed or up to the task, and the car in general suffered from an interior that pleased few in quality or looks (oh boy...peeling...SO many gen 1 CTS's have parts constantly replaced inside for that), and more.

They're still fun when all is right and can be downright beasts, but not overly high on the luxury or refinement with that steamy grunt.

And then you have the dinosaur Fleetwood. I've never been impressed by the overall build quality and such, just because of my new car tendencies, but there's no doubting all of the materials and even the styling were by far the ultimate of this platform--thankfully so. Then again, even with 133k and a side replaced after an accident...there's nothing but a driver door panel creak in mine (well, unless the road is torn up) and it's generally a whisper of a car.

David's car is just stunning...and I still like those wheels, of the 3 you've had, most of all. Then your black beast, of course, which goes without saying.

The post also brings to mind my father every time I bring up selling mine..."No, don't, I'll take it. We'll hot rod it...exhaust, etc." as he smiles at my Regal driving brother. I'd the same, and it's still amazing all that you can do with these grandma-based boats if you have the budget. Wheels alone, even with keeping the stock marshmallow suspension (me too...), totally transform things.

Ah...good read. I think even all the CTS-V guys would agree, and they love their cars. None would want to drive a Fleetwood, but it's all relative. The new gen CTS-V should finally hit all the marks the old car missed, and the STS-V already seems to have, with it's higher pricepoint providing a much more polished and finished rocket from the getgo. And we do have a Fleetwood guy who also has one of those...both that he loves.

The CTS-V guys would definitely have a cow over this. But honestly, I think if I had to pick a fast current production 4-door and stay under $50k, I'd have to go with the 300C SRT-8...which says a lot, because I can't stand Chrysler in general. At least the size is closer to these cars, and actually the wheelbase is within an inch or two.

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd251/tenmark262/DSCN7270-1.jpg

I feel the same. Test drove the CTS-V a few years in a row out on GM's Auto Show In Motion test track. What a Blast! Lot's of fun but I can't justify the price. When I looked, a while back, you could get a good used one for $34K. I just can't see spending that when you can get a 98-2000 Vette for half of that.

You'd have to really be in love with the CTS-V to get one. And I like them, just not in love with them.

Now, my FWB, that's a different story. Don't know why, I just do. I like that car. I've owned two of them. And been admiring them since I first saw one back in college. I had a 83 Coupe de Ville at the time and would have traded that and all my homework for that 93 FWB!!!

Nice FWBs by the way. Glad to see you're thinking of keeping your car.

It was David that was considering selling his, mine is here to stay ;)

I can't put my finger on it, but I swear when I drove the CTS-V back in 2004 it was a dream come true. This example might have been beat to hell, not sure...

I think the STS-V would be perfect because I could use the auto in Chicago traffic. The STS-V prices are dropping rapidly, maybe I will scoop one up next year and make it my daily driver!

My Father had two SRT-8 Chargers... they are nice but fall into the same issue the CTS-V has, CHEAP interior.

I know our cars are old and the CTS-V owners probably wouldn't like a thread like this, but if I am going to spend $28-35K of my hard earned money, I better be getting some quality. I would much rather have a 2005 C6 or AWD Trailblazer SS for that kind of money.

Take care,
Elias

I can't put my finger on it, but I swear when I drove the CTS-V back in 2004 it was a dream come true. This example might have been beat to hell, not sure...


Really, I don't think so. Read much of any reviews of examples with some miles under their belt, even if babied, and they seem a bit ragged. One of the mag's had one long-term and always commented, even not far from new, about all the clunks and thunks and shakes, etc. from the drivetrain and--as most owners--needing bushings and the diff changed before long. The typical CTS guts were good, the problem was they seemed to be a bit at their limit when set to -V specs and power. A bit crude, generally.

But oh well. That gave you a good real-world look at one that wasn't brand new. That can always be REALLY telling.

Funny you say that, we must have similar taste in cars. I too like the Trailblazer SS - nearly bought one new but ended up with a Demo Police Pursuit Tahoe with 4,000 miles on it.

Something very appealing about that 6.0 in anything!!

The Police Tahoe's are nice. They use them here locally during the winter.

I test drove a loaded AWD Trailblazer SS a couple months back. It was right after our horrible winter and AWD was very appealing, so was the 400 hp :cool2:

The TB SS I test drove had 19K miles and felt far more solid than the CTS-V with 29K.