[TracerHawk]

Hi guys, I'm new to this forum, but I wanted to get some feedback from you CTS-V owners as I'm considering buying a 2006 CTS-V myself. All the complaints and the sheer number of "wheel-hop" threads I came across when researching the vehicle here really threw me off. I guess I expected to find more gushing like I see on the S4 and M3 car forums about their cars and less complaints, so it made me a little nervous about this car now, which I was hoping would "be the one" for me! I really like the design and was impressed by all the specs.

Of you 04 - 06 CTS-V owners out there, would you guys purchase the CTS-V again, knowing what you now, all the highs and lows of the car? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated regarding your CTS-V experience and if you would do it again or if you have major concerns or if its all worth it. Dont worry about any comparisons to any of the other cars, as I know the highs and lows of those vehicles intimately already, but I have limited CTS-V info. I'm still doing tons of forum reading now on the CTS-V, but I'm looking for any CTS-V ownership info and experiences from you owners that you can share. It would really help me to know if you would do it all over again or would you make a different decision, would you recommend this car to you friend or are there too many minor/major issues not being fixed/addressed that make you wish you would have went another route.

I realize that being on a cadillac forum, most of you are probably enthusiasts so I'm likely to get a biased answer, but I'm going to give it a shot anyway and appreciate the responses.

Thanks in advance guys!

 

[heavymetals]

Go drive one and then try to convince yourself that you don't want it.

Wheel hop?

Not a complaint here, but I don't drive it that hard off the line.

Would I buy one again?

YES

 

[crowan]

If the Corvette is the best 2-dr performance value on the market, the V is the best 4-dr bang-for-the-buck. It is a fantastic luxury hotrod with unbeatable handling.

Wheelhop? Not a problem unless you can't resist performing hard launches and clutch dumps more fitting for NOPI Tunervision than a $50K performance sedan.

Would I buy another one? You bet!

CR

 

[TracerHawk]

I'm fine with not performing hard launches and clutch dumps, I don't drag race and am not planning on tracking it. It would be a daily driver, but I'm sure I would drive it "strong", but I wouldnt be doing launch control from every red light or anything. As long as I can accelerate aggresively, then I'm good, maybe show some friends the power of the engine without wheelspin, show them my 0-60 power etc without doing some embarrassing wheelhop or whatever, etc.

Thanks for the responses, keep em coming!

Also, anyone know offhand if employee pricing discounts can be used for the CTS-V (my grandfather was an engineer at Cadillac for 40 years, so I can get some sort of employee pricing, I think it was called S-type but I may be wrong on that part, but either way I dont know yet if that includes V cars like the CTS-V).

 

[Mutlu]

I never launch my car that hard where I have complaints about the wheel hop. I track my car regularly and everytime I go I am amazed how well this car handles and how damn fast it is. I used to own a E46 M3 and test drove the new S4 before I got my V. The V just feels so much faster and you get all the creature features with it without having to dish out a whole lot more for options that should come with those cars already.

Seriously just go drive it and you'll understand.

A couple of things they could have done better are the big steering wheel and the truck like hand/foot brake. But you get used to those things right away where it doesn't bother you that much anymore

I have 10k miles on mine and have not had any problems with it at all. Tires seem to go pretty quickly but that's probalby more from tracking the car than anything else.

 

[heavymetals]

Check this link for discount information available:

https://www.gmfamilyfirst.com/ip-gmemployee/

My biggest complaint is the location of the brake and hood release.

 

[feline]

She's -SEXY-SEXY-SEXY!!! When I am at a red light other drivers "really" stare at the car (I know they are NOT staring at me). I have had a new battery replaced and a radiator -- Don't run it hard or haven't taken it to the track, No rear end noise at all so no problems there. I ONLY have 2600 miles but every mile has been a JOY!!! Only problem here is that my Husband Hates the fact that it is a 4-door and now he wants a VETTE.
YES, I think you should get a "V".
Ginnie

 

[rand49er]

Ten months and 14k miles with no problems. I echo the challenge to go drive one. You just plain don't get tired driving a V ... it generates excitement each and every time you get behind the wheel. What else costing 50k does that? :yup:

 

[benh]

Even on the verge of doing the winter tire change-over, absolutely NO complaints and would do it again in a heartbeat! It is a true sports car with 4 doors and I come home every night (after working in a job I love to hate) with a huge smile and sometimes I wish the commute were longer especially on the twisties. I have expericienced very little hop and no other issues in over 8kmiles.

 

[dqw1]

I've had my 04 since May of this year. No wheel hop of rear diff whine and i don't really launch that hard bc this is daily driver and I can't afford to be without my ride. No major repairs-just the battery and 3 tire pressure sensors-all replace under warranty. If you don't plan to do hard launches you SHOULD be ok. This best I can tell is to get an 06 that not being used for test drives.
I would love to buy the next gerneration V. Good luck.

 

[keeksv]

I'll probably never sell this car.

ew

 

[Closer_2001]

I think it was called S-type but I may be wrong on that part, but either way I dont know yet if that includes V cars like the CTS-V).

It is called GMS (GM Employee Pricing). The price is printed on the invoice and should be about 3-4% below the published invoice on KBB, edmunds, etc. Should be about $48k on a loaded V.

You also can take advantage of an GM rebates. Currently, if you do a Smart Buy Cadillac is kicking in $1900 in Down Payment Assistance. You don't have to complete the program, so you may always refinance at any time.

And...I would definitely buy another V. I wouldn't count on your dealer really understanding the car or being able to treat you properly (the imports guys still have Caddy beat), however, the car is a phenomenal machine that can be made that much more enjoyable with tasteful mods discussed herin.

 

[Koooop]

The car is a blast! Get one, you won't be sorry. With the update kit the wheel hop is no big deal. You will spend less time in the shop with the V than a M3 or an S4. All of them are a blast, but the big fat V8 rocks!

 

[GT04CTS-V]

The V is a blast. I never thought I'd buy a Cadillac. But, I made the mistake of driving one and was hooked.

The biggest problem with owning a V is finding a dealer with a service department that is V knowledgable. The thing that turns most owners away are dealers who know nothing about the car and try to blame problems on aftermarket parts.

IMHO - Don't drive one, if you do, you'll buy it. Find a dealer with V friendly service department.


GT

 

[stkshkr]

Had a new Tbird with many mods (330hp) and loved the car, never thought I would sell it. Followed the V with great interest. My grandson and I were killing time and he suggested we stop at the Caddy dealer and look at one, so we did. Smart salesman, after sitting in the car looking for awhile he suggested we test drive it and didn't come along. Three or four minutes later the expression on my face said it all, I told my grandson " I've got to have this car" he was grinning and said " I knew that would do it". Three days of negotation and it was mine. Love the car and would do it all again :2thumbs:
DRIVE ONE!

 

[2004ctsv]

DO NOT BUY THE CAR

IT IS NOT MEANT TO BE (CONCURRENTLY)
1. rice boy competition
2. beemer and MB competition (all models from $30K to $250K)
3. vette and viper competition
and worst of all
4. $120K car for $50K

Between the trolls and whiners, most of the threads on this board have become boring.

If you do ignore my advice, support the FAQ. That's where the useful info can be found.

But do your due diligence first. Know what the hell you're buying.

Tony

BTW - the only problem I have had was a battery that my security system was running down. So Cadillac gave me a new battery (not really needed) and I don't store my security fob in the garage any more.

 

[Dreamin]

Love the car... no complaints.

 

[crowan]

DO NOT BUY THE CAR

IT IS NOT MEANT TO BE (CONCURRENTLY)
1. rice boy competition
2. beemer and MB competition (all models from $30K to $250K)
3. vette and viper competition
and worst of all
4. $120K car for $50K

Between the trolls and whiners, most of the threads on this board have become boring.

If you do ignore my advice, support the FAQ. That's where the useful info can be found.

But do your due diligence first. Know what the hell you're buying.

Tony

BTW - the only problem I have had was a battery that my security system was running down. So Cadillac gave me a new battery (not really needed) and I don't store my security fob in the garage any more.

:werd:

Well said Tony. I'm beginning to think we need a separate Whiners Forum for people who believe that their V should be a perfect luxury/road race/super stock/drift/rally car when it rolls off the showroom floor.

If I see one more wheel hop tread, my head is going to explode. News Flash: The V is not the General Lee.

CR

 

[verbs]

I love the car except the rear end/suspension is a piece of shit. This is a sports sedan and I like to drive my cars the way they are meant to be driven. This car was tested on the Nurburgring for a reason.

The rear end crap is enough to keep me from getting another one. I had mine replaced at only 3300 miles with 90% highway driving.

 

[TracerHawk]

great, thanks for all the replies so far guys! I'm going to try to get in over the next couple days and test drive one, maybe even this afternoon. I'm surprised none of you wanted a car a little lighter or a little shorter. The car seems ideal for me, although a good deal longer (over a foot) than both the M3 and the S4, and heavier too. Of course, I'm single with no children, so maybe its just me not really caring or needing a car all that big/long, and not the CTS-V is, either, but I guess when looking at it in terms of length to the M3 or S4, it definitely seems kinda long.

Also I tried building a CTS-V on the cadillac website and researched a few other sites, it appears the cars are fully loaded for that price, the only option at all really is the Performance Shock Absorber Package for $1260.00 (worth getting, right?), and the Goodyear Eagle EMT run-flat tires. I probably wouldnt get these runflats unless you guys have had good experience with them and recommend them. Seems like a lot of people really like the GSD3's, which I'm assuming are not runflats. Does it matter what wheels and tires I get, or is the best thing to just keep whatever is standard on the car when you buy it, and when they run out, then buy GSD3's?

Also, seems like the performance shock absorber package is a good thing to get based on threads. I wonder if on the 2006 it's still worth the buy.

Last question, how helpful do you think the dealers will be with someone who is going to buy using employee pricing? I have to think they won't make much money on the deal at all, so Im wondering if the sales reps or dealers really have much incentive in teaching me about the car and spending time with me in checking it out, versus someone off the street.