Just a question, how many of you fellow V owners knew what you were getting yourself into before buying the V? I went to the NYC auto show ('03) and saw a CTS with a LS6 in it and thought to myself, now wouldn't that be fun. When I was able to go and get myself one, while out on the test drive someone else bought the grey one out from under me. When I came back to pick mine up, the salesman said the other gentleman called the dealer completely surprised with the car, I guess he didn't know and they sold him on it. The other V's out there, like the people that don't post here, do yous think they wanted the performance, or just a Cadillac and got turned on to the V?

I knew the details of what was good and bad about the car intimately. I think most of the people here probably did as well - spending a few weeks on the board before you buy pretty much eliminates any surprises.

I would assume if you are into your V enough to be on this board then you knew about it ahead of time.

I always wanted a CTS, just loved the look and it had good reviews. Well, I wanted to do some Mod's and the first one was to get a NAV and upgrade a few other things. At the same time, the dealership had a V on the lot giving me evil looks when i took the CTS in for a recall. After adding up the cost of Mod's I wanted, it added up to a used V. So, I traded on a superfast Black V and the rest is history. :cloud9:

ROLL TIDE!

hmm..

I was told on a Thursday they would be avialble to order on Monday. That was the weekend of the LA Auto Show (I don't live in LA). Flew down to LA to see the car getting dizzy at the show (Friday), and asked the reps some specific questions (the one I remember offhand was...was there room in the trunk for a spare? - somehow I knew I would ditch the RFs, the rep wasn't allowed to open the trunk to look but did look thru the rear seat pass thru to confirm for me). Flew home same day. Found a dealer who wasn't charging >MSRP AND could get me the 1st one. Next day they had my deposit, I had an order number with my name on it, build and delivery date (<6weeks), it arrived exactly as expected.

Clearly I had no idea.

I moved to the V from the M3. The V is much more rare around here than the M3 and I like the ride a lot better and I enjoy the power advantage. Plus it started to seem like everyone else who was driving the M3 was some high school kid with rich parents or some 30 something yuppie wanna-be.

I was on this forum before I bought the CTS-V. I found out all the goods and bads about it. So i knew what I was getting into.

Lately I've been wishy washy between keeping the V or replacing her with a C6 Z06... but I love this car WAY too much.. i'm keeping her.

I don't think your "average" Cadillac buyer would buy a car with a stick, so it seems to me that anyone who bought a V should have known that it wasn't your average Caddy. As far as my story goes, I wanted a GM RWD car with room for 4. That meant I had a choice between the GTO and the V. The GTO was more affordable, but the V was more car.

I read about the V at least a year before I bought one.
Even with all the issues I read about on this forum, I was sold the first time I nailed it coming onto 495 in 3rd gear and hearing the sales men wimper like a baby durning the testr drive.
While my BMW had some bag, it did not compare to the V!!

Drive it like you stold it!!!!

I said 20 years ago (when my kids were very young) that if they ever made a 4-door Corvette, I would buy one. So when I first read about the V--when it was first mentioned in the press--I was 99% committed. I found out when the first one was coming to a nearby dealer and went to see it. Didn't buy one from that dealer, but shortly after that from another dealer.

Incidentally, I've bought more than 30 new cars in my lifetime for me, my wife, and family. The CTS-V was the first that I ever paid MSRP for (in April, 2004). And even though it's now depreciated by probably 30%--and I've had some repair issues--I have no regrets.

The Super Bowl commercial sold me on the V. I have two kids so a Vette was out of the question.

I didn't find this forum until AFTER I bought the car but I new it had some issues from reading magazines, especially with wheel hop and rear end failures.

I love the V because it has a unique look, both inside and out. You can't mistake it for another car. That says a lot these days since you can't tell some cars apart.

I was fully aware of the problems with this car before I bought it. You have to realize that there are few cars out there that have absolutely no problems. People on forums tend to be the most vocal of car enthusiasts. Unfortunately, most are focused on what is wrong with a vehicle. You also tend to see alot more people join car forums when something goes wrong - often looking for answers. This usually makes it seem like 'everyone' is unhappy with their cars.

Envy time fellas. I have been a vette(Z06,convs.) guy for some time, until realizing I rarely got to drive it because of the wife and kids. Vettes gone, EVO 8 w/400 in. I ditched the Evo and was looking at GTOs and the V. I was set on the GTO, but the wife stepped in with the V opinon. I explained the 20,000 difference but "who cares, that car is awesome", was her reply. Thanks to my lovely wife.

I had a GTO and a Silvy SS. I told my wife I was getting a V and keeping GTO. She was fine with that and she doesn't drive a manual tranny so she doesn't drive either car.

nice wife ;)...my wife said...'its up to you' and had no opinion...i guess it's better than her TRYING to say no :) Because that wouldn't have worked!

I did so much research before I bought, I think I knew exactly what I was getting into....
... and I have not looked back...

Reed

I knew exactly what I was getting into (except for diff failures). My wife is the one that didn't realize what the "mod bug" was. She should have never said "Go for it, you deserve it." :D

The only way to have the best of both worlds is to have both of them.:p

I wanted a four door Vette, I got more then that, and I am a happy guy.:cloud9:

I had NO idea that this car was going to be my favorite car to date.

I had test driven a prototype V back in early 2003 and wasn't impressed at all. Suspension was sloppy, engine definitely wasn't the LS6 and the other test cars, were the M5, M3 and MB AMG, so the company was "steep".

March '04, GM sent me a "get out of lease early" notice and I went to my dealer to try out the new STS. Since the STS wasn't out my dealer had me try out the XLR. Nice car but I want four doors and a trunk. There was a Black CTS-V with TSW wheels sitting on the floor looking awesome, but I wasn't interested. My salesman knowing I could drive a stick suggested I take the V out. As soon as I accerated and took the first curve, I knew this was my next car.

I didn't know anything about the forum, the V brought me here!!

There's not a day that goes by that I don't marvel at how well this car handles and performs. My V feels more like an appendage to my body than a separate mobile container. I think it and it does it!!

Reed, I would of never thought you did research before getting the V. :sneaky:

I researched and read and read and researched...
was aware and ready for my V.. just not the PAYMENTS!!!!

I too researched the vehicle and was completely prepared. I purchased this car for the performance and the touch of luxury. I think most prospective buyers will be knowledgeable of the V Series; it’s kind of hard not to be.

I'll give you the short story. After waiting nearly a year for a 2004 GTO, I began reading about this CTS-V. The more I read, the more I wondered why the hell I was putting up with the GTO import fiasco (too long to explain). I finally cancelled my GTO and began the CTS-V search. I called over 25 dealers ships east of the Mississippi and finally found a dealer willing to take GMS in Cleveland. Flew out the next morning and drove it back. That was in February of 2004. I'm actually #2 on the FAQ's registery. I too have never looked back. The car CAN be great, the dealers unfortunately have left MUCH to be desired.

I knew exactly what I was getting into (except for diff failures). My wife is the one that didn't realize what the "mod bug" was. She should have never said "Go for it, you deserve it." :D

My situation was similar. I knew all the positives but didn't know about all the problems with the differential (that others have had) and I didn't truly undrestand what a pain the CAGS would be.

CAGS eliminated and have had no problems w/ diff (with additive put in when changing the fluid last spring).

The only reason I wouldn't buy another one is because STS-V could be my next car.

Tony

No! I Didn't!!

I had no idea how fond I could be of a car!!!

I watch all the car shows, and saw the V being tested, but knowing the price range, just never thought we could own one. So I just added it to my long list of lustmobiles.

In the consideration of brevity, we traded 3 cars in to afford it, and it was worth it 200%!

Sure, there are some inherent problems, but I'm sure all vehicles that so much is demanded from carry some weakness, well at least the ones onder 100K.

I'm in a bad fkucing mood today after a talk with my service manager so I'll wait to answer this post another day.

This is my first GM car in over twenty years. (Still have a 99 Lightining) The car is great, I can get in and out easily. Great power and handeling. Only problem is the lousy dealer experience I have had for service. I am going to try a new dealer next week and am keeping my fingers crossed.

I sure didn't. I should had kept my 2002 Z06. It was twice as FAST

I was on the boards before purchase....so I knew the good and bad. But I didn't want a GM, I was trading a BMW and had always been dissapointed with GM's styling and quality. I hoped the Caddy would be built right. I loved the styling and when I first saw they were putting the LS6 in, I thought I could maybe buy that! I finally did, and I love the car! But would have NEVER bought a regular CTS.

I sort of knew what I was getting into.

I had been looking into used 911's (2001-2002) and M5's (2000-2001) for some time. The price was in the vicinity of what I wanted to spend (50K or so) for my new commuter car. Had done some reading, including of course the new V, but for some reason I thought it was going to be more expensive than it really was, so I never really looked into it.

March 2004 comes around and now I'm really about to make a decision; a black, gorgeous 2000 M5 (about 40,000), and an absolutely stunning 2001 navy blue 911 with about 30,000. At the end I decided on the M5, called the dealer to bring it home, and was told that it had just been sold.

Bummed out I thought, what now? went back to square 1 for about a minute and thought about the V... I wasn't even sure if it was out yet, so I went to the Cadillac website, and saw it there! available and at $51,195! I can do that, I remember thinking.

Did some searches on the net and came across another newsgroup (extinct by now I think?) where there was somebofy from a dealer with screen name msheri posting some pretty good information. Someone else (Clinton Mills?) was also posting some good information information, and a whole bunch of M3 owners bashing the V to the end.

Somehow it just clicked. I had to have the V.

Drove to Brogan (I'm in NJ by the way) where I saw it in person for the first time. Awesome! Salesperson however suc***. The only thing he said was "it's 6K above sticker," like telling me, don't even bother. I'm sort of used to that sh** so I stuck around, checked it well, and drove to McGuire. They had one in stock and in about half an hour struck a deal at MSRP (that was a good deal back in 03/04).

Happy since then. I knew about the wheel hop, but was still surprised when I felt it driving home for the first time in it later that week. No complaints from McGuire though. Treated me well so far.

I didn't know. I ordered mine in Dec of 03. It was the only fast 5 passenger car on the road (now there are a bunch of Chrysler SRT-8 cars) and I still would have bought it.

I knew. This is my fourth Cad. I was driving a 95 Seville when the CTS came out. Fell in love with the look and everything I read about it said it was the real deal. Bought one. Went to the Boundurant High Peformance Driving school when I heard they switched from Mustangs to CTS's. After they taught me how to really drive, realized I could handle more power. Soon as they announced the V, started talking to my dealer and put down a deposit for the first one they got from Detroit.