[Spedizzo]

Hello everyone, I currently own a 6 speed 2003 G35 coupe and have been looking into getting a CTS-V for under $25,000 after I sell it... which gives me a decent amount of options between the 2005 models.

I am looking into either a white or black one, but this car just seems overall sexy. The brembos, the speed, the look, just everything screams out "awesome"...

I am no stranger to expensive maintenance as the G35 has had its fair share of costly repairs, but I am curious anyway and would appreciate it if anyone can give me some information on how expensive maintenance and such is with the CTS-V. Stuff like break jobs, known problems, and I had several friends tell me about how there is a rear suspension or differential problem with the car having too much power for the frame and this being a serious issue. Also anything I should look out for when searching and test driving them would be valuable as well.

Thanks in advance,
Mike

 

[SkullV]

Love my 2005. There are PLENTY out there for $25k or less and you can even find them in that price range already supercharged. The biggest problems we have are motor mounts, differential bushings, differential assembly's, and peeling radio buttons.

P.s. There were no white CTS-Vs from 2004-2007.

 

[Spedizzo]

What is the difference in the engine performance between the supercharged or not? I thought they were standard at ~400HP? I'm sorry I will do more research on them it is late and I got excited thinking about getting one so I came here.

That sucks about no whites though, guess I will settle for black. :lildevil:

As for the motor mounts, differential bushings, and differential assembly, are they covered under warranty and if not how much and how serious is the issue?

 

[SkullV]

What is the difference in the engine performance between the supercharged or not? I thought they were standard at ~400HP? I'm sorry I will do more research on them it is late and I got excited thinking about getting one so I came here.

That sucks about no whites though, guess I will settle for black. :lildevil:

As for the motor mounts, differential bushings, and differential assembly, are they covered under warranty and if not how much and how serious is the issue?

All 2005 CTS-Vs come stock with an LS6 engine rated at 400HP. The superchargers that most people put on are made by Magnusson and known around here as Maggies. These will generally get you between 120-140 horsepower depending on your supporting mods and tuning. This was what I meant by already supercharged.

The problems I listed are all covered under warranty and are not TERRIBLE but because you are on a forum you will only hear the bad stories (stuff breaking) and no one ever just chimes in to say their stuff isn't breaking!

 

[CTSV_510]

My stuff isn't breaking. :alright:

Maintenance isn't bad at all for this car, for me. I changed out all the fluids in my 40k mile 2005 within the first 6 months that I got it, more for piece of mind than anything. Besides that, regular oil changes are all that I've needed.

I replaced brake pads for lower dust pads, not out of necessity. The brake pads are simple to change, the hawk brake pads I am running were $200 for all 4 corners, rotors are ~$100 each if you need to replace them.

The differential problem is not a problem for most people. It you accept the fact that you can't do clutch dumps and need to let out of the throttle if you encounter wheel hop, you will be just fine. I have 500+ hp and I have had no differential issues except for a slight whine in my original diff (replaced under warranty). I also like winding out the gears and whipping the tail around whenever the opportunity and the mood strikes me. I get wheel hop occasionally but I just let out of the gas and I've been fine.

And if you want to spend $25k, you can probably find a relatively low mileage '06 with some warranty remaining for that.

:thumbsup:

 

[Paisan]

Good posts. I'm in a similar boat, looking to pickup a 05-07 CTSV for my spring-summer-fall DD in the $22-25k range. Any particular differences between the LS6 cars and the LS2 cars, other than the obvious engine difference. Did they change the radio on the LS2 cars?(Thought I read that somewhere?) or any other improvements to make an 06-07 car be more desireable (other than they are newer) than the older ones?

-mike

 

[CTSV_510]

Good posts. I'm in a similar boat, looking to pickup a 05-07 CTSV for my spring-summer-fall DD in the $22-25k range. Any particular differences between the LS6 cars and the LS2 cars, other than the obvious engine difference. Did they change the radio on the LS2 cars?(Thought I read that somewhere?) or any other improvements to make an 06-07 car be more desireable (other than they are newer) than the older ones?

-mike

check the Cadillac FAQ page for the specific differences (and a lot of other good info). The LS2 cars have a slightly better differential (unless you find one of the many '04-'05s that have had a replacement '06+ diff put in) and slightly beefier axles (no material difference however).

XM nav traffic and steering wheel radio controls I believe are the only radio differences.

There were small transmission tweaks in the LS2 cars (I forget exactly what, check the FAQ).

 

[tdyguy2k]

That sucks about no whites though, guess I will settle for black. :lildevil:

Who needs white? Stealth gray is the best looking color anyway. :cool2: :duck:

BTW, mine is bone stock except CAGS eliminator, and still on original rearend. As stated above, be careful with wheelhop and you'll be just fine.

And :welcome: to the forum.

 

[dantheman86]

Who needs white? Stealth gray is the best looking color anyway. :cool2: :duck:

BTW, mine is bone stock except CAGS eliminator, and still on original rearend. As stated above, be careful with wheelhop and you'll be just fine.

And :welcome: to the forum.

+1 to the Stealth Gray! Welcome.

 

[AG'S-V]

+2 on the stealth gray and bone stock, go for it!

 

[Slithering_Joe]

I highly recommend getting one with a warranty. Despite the numerous trips to the dealership I love the car.

Replaced under warranty:
Battery (dead)
Chrome trim on hood (peeling)
Differential (whines)
Navigation/Radio (peeling buttons)
Driver 1/Driver 2 Memory Select Switch (peeling button)
Power steering hose (leak)
Backup Lens (water)
Headlamp Housings (delaminating)

Black FTW!

 

[smokisnshellz]

I have an 04, but same difference. And mine is kinda stock (k&N) so stock. And yeah avoid wheel hop and the white one since ts probably repainted. Cost of ownership is kinda high but fun level surpasses it. And dont let them fool you the color to get is Platinum! :kick:

 

[trhs75]

Platinum -- yesss!!!!!

 

[SkullV]

+1 to the Stealth Gray! Welcome.

+2 on the stealth gray and bone stock, go for it!

And dont let them fool you the color to get is Platinum! :kick:

Platinum -- yesss!!!!!

I love my Redline V...and the color to get is anything BUT stealth gray...:hide:

 

[CTSV_510]

It's funny how confused you all are. You can argue amongst yourselves as long as you like about whether redline, stealth grey or platinum is faster.

It doesn't much matter, they're all slower than black.

 

[SkullV]

Redline may not be the fastest..but it damn sure looks the best...even Cadillac knows, that's why they use it in all their commercials!