[MrAceman]

Just finished up on the recently locked "Difference between 04/05 and 06/07 CTS-V?" so I realize that I'm opening another can of worms. Funny stuff though...

I've been reading a lot on this forum and have been shopping around for a CTS-V for a little while now.

While I THINK I'd prefer the 06/07 because of the obviously improved steering wheel radio controls among other less important things (rear diff, etc) I don't know if I can justify the extra $5-7k you pay going from an 04 to an 06.

I've found several 04s in the $17-18k price range while most 06s are priced in the $25k range.

I have no need for the 6.0 to haul a boat but I do drive hard and will probably track it a little at HPDEs so the 04/05 drivetrain issues worry me. (Before you flame me read the aforementioned thread and realize this is tongue in cheek)

I guess what I'm really looking for are some 04/05 owners out there that track their cars and their thoughts.

And, JUST IN CASE this turns into a "check out this link and buy my car!!1" I'm looking for Black on black. :thumbsup:

 

[CadiBlk]

You think that the steering wheel controls are more important than an improved diff? Interesting.

I think currently the reason someone would need to decide on an 06/07 over an 04/05 is warranty. There are still a few 04/05s running around with extended warranties, but they will run a little more than one without. If you become a supporting member here and find an 04/05 we can run the vin for you find out if it has the newer versioned diff that has only had 2 reported grenades (one was at the strip on drag radials and 600hp).

If you can do some work yourself and don't need a warranty, there are great homemade improvements to some parts that go bad on this forum everyday, then i'd say pick up an 04/05 with a replaced diff and use the $5k saved and slap a maggie on there. :thumbsup:

 

[rjoffe]

Define track? drag or road

 

[ccextra1976]

And, JUST IN CASE this turns into a "check out this link and buy my car!!1" I'm looking for Black on black. :thumbsup:[/QUOTE]

I bought an 05 with warranty because it was 5K less at the time than an sim 07....had the diff replaced under warranty...bought extended warranty until 2012 and used the rest to do performance mods... Headers/TB/Intake tube/Tune/tires/visual mods...SI i ended up with my V the way I wanted it for the same price as a stock 07

[/IMG]

 

[trambow]

Dang I miss my black one. Miss maggie will cheer me up!!!! I would say get an 04/05 and save the extra money for mods.

 

[CTSV_510]

You think that the steering wheel controls are more important than an improved diff? Interesting.

I think he was kidding about that.

I hope he was.

If you can do some work yourself and don't need a warranty, there are great homemade improvements to some parts that go bad on this forum everyday, then i'd say pick up an 04/05 with a replaced diff and use the $5k saved and slap a maggie on there. :thumbsup:

:yeah: :highfive:

 

[rand49er]

Warranty is a plus, IMHO. All things being equal, I'd try to find one that's been carefully driven (if that's possible to determine). Certainly, low miles is a rough indicator of use/abuse, but is not at all perfect. Exterior/interior shape might tell you how well the car was respected and cared for.

As far as '04/'05 vs '06/'07, if you've got a new diff it's poTAto vs poTAHto.

FWIW, I like my steering wheel controls just fine and wouldn't want them changed.

Good luck!

 

[MrAceman]

Yes... the steering controls were part of the "tongue in cheek" part.

Ok, thanks for the good advice.

and ccextra1976... that V is sick. :worship:

 

[ccextra1976]

Yes... the steering controls were part of the "tongue in cheek" part.

Ok, thanks for the good advice.

and ccextra1976... that V is sick. :worship:

thank you very much, many have posted here that they bought low mile 04/05 for very good prices...18,000-21,000

if I had to do it all over again I would go the same route...it all depends on what your overall goals are..like if you want a warranty vrs mod'n the hell out of the car then warranty won't matter....right now I'm kicking myself in the ass because I want to install a Cam and Head combo so so bad....but cannot justify it until my extended warranty runs out since I already dropped the cash on it...

good luck, in the end you will be happy either way you go becuase it will be your V

I do agree with finding one that was cared for....I might have overpaid a grand for mine at the time but the guy drove it 4,000 miles a year, never ate or drank in the car, was older and never raced it, one owner car, and it was spottless

 

[MrAceman]

Just so I have this straight regarding the rear diff issues... the REAL problem with the 04/05... not the steering wheel however nice the 06/07 one might be.

How many, on average, of the 04s would have had the replacement done?

And... if it HASN'T been done under warranty and I find a sweet deal on low mileage 04, how much would it run for me to make that swap? Is it a simple direct swap for an intermediate level mechanic (me) or is a PITA swap?


If I start finding cars that I'm going to pursue I'll definitely go the supporting member route and check the VINs.


Oh, and HPDE = High Performance Driving Event. That's at the track. I live my life more than just 1/4 mile at a time.

 

[ctsv154]

I would guess about 50 to 75% of the 04/05 have the updated diff. If they didn't break, they start to howl and still get replaced (like mine). Like cadiblk said, if you become a supporting member you can have the VIN run here and somebody can tell you if you have the new diff or not. Or if you buy from a dealer, make them pull the service history BEFORE you pull the trigger.

 

[MrAceman]

So I contacted a dealer that is selling a 05 CTS-V with 36k miles and asked them about the rear differential replacement.

They sent me a scan of a 2 page "GM Vehicle Inquiry System Summary" that I'm assuming they have the ability to run.

They told me "you can see they fixed the rear differential."

The only powertrain related items on the summary I see are:

Y0039 - Inventory Upgrade - Reprogram Powertrain Control Module @ 6113k
F2154 - Bushing, Rear Differential Carrier Support or Mount Replace @ 35892k

The last thing was done less than 500 miles ago. Is that the item I'm looking for? Seems like it should be a little more extensive than that... but then again I have no idea.

What should I be looking for if a dealer sends me something like that? I know it'd be nice to just be able to trust a used car salesman given their stellar occupational reputation... but I'm too cynical for that.

 

[kerberos]

And... if it HASN'T been done under warranty and I find a sweet deal on low mileage 04, how much would it run for me to make that swap? Is it a simple direct swap for an intermediate level mechanic (me) or is a PITA swap?

bump

In the same situation. Looking at two 05's. Both owners say the differential is original.

 

[AG'S-V]

Bought mine certified with 32k miles...65yo woman (original owner) traded in it for an '09 with an auto.

It was ULTRA clean and un-abused. But I did get the service history...a definite if you are looking at any of these cars, from '04 to '07.