CTS-V Gen 1

Have you thought about an E39 M5? Roughly the same price as the Gen 1 V although a little older. The E39 is a bucket list car for me.
I like the Gen 1 Vs but I'm too in lust with the CTSV wagon to ever consider the Gen 1.

 

Gen I CTS-V is a great drivers car; it's a beast in the best possible way. Wheel hop is a function of driver technique, can be avoided. The torque is addictive. You will likely get used to the interior if you like the drive experience.

Budget more for tires vs your old car... ;-)

Best,
Rob

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

 

I have not owned one yet but have driven several at dealers. I think they are a spectacular frivers car. I will buy one at some point.

Lee

 

I have a 2012 CTS V sport wagon with six speed manual. The car is a dream and handles better than any Ferrari four seat sport coupe for it has magnetic suspension.
I make about 19 MPG on the highway and can out perform anything I come across if need be. I expect down the line the car may hold its value better than any other model due to the rarity of 6 speed manual, a V and the sport Wagon.
My two bits on this.

 

I owned a Gen 1, fantastic car. I actually liked the fact that it felt more raw than my Gen 2 CTS-V. One thing really bugged me though. The shifter would get loose so it was tough to find the gears. Now on most cars this is an easy fix. Lift up the shifter boot and tighten the bolts. Not so on this car, you have to do it from underneath the car. Surely there is a permanent fix for this but I remember at the time several owners having the same problem.

Have you considered a Mercedes E55? I owned one of those in the past as well. Easy to mod and lots of fun! Doesn't handle as well as the V but nicer interior and great torque.

 

Manual Maserati coupe?

I am also in lust with the CTS V wagon.

 

I owned one for three years as a daily driver. You have to be careful with your right elbow not crushing the plastic side console. Good all around car. I did a tune and hf cool air intake and it was fun. Search for one with lower miles i.e 50 thousand miles or less. Make sure the differential oil is changed. For 15 thousand, you can't go wrong at that budget.

 

I love the car you wright about. I could not find the manual otherwise I would have cought one. It is very rare and a keeper.

I was going to debate you on your comments on handles better than XXX. But I looked at your profile and saw your cars and decided to sneak away quietly.

They are not your grandfathers caddy. Good luck with your new car

best

Lee

 

If you are considering automatics, you may as well through the Jaguar S Type R into the mix. 390 hp supercharged v8, and you shouldn't have any trouble finding one well below $20K.

 

I like the car but prefer the more balanced feel of the e46 M3. My biggest complaint with the CTS-V is the shifter because it does not feel that great and isnt very smooth IMO. The e46 M3 shifter isnt the greatest either but is better than the CTS-V. I would get a short shift kit for the M3. For the price the CTS-V is a bargain but if you could stretch a little more and dont mind a coupe as opposed to a sedan I would go M3.

 

How about the Pontiac GTO? Plenty of LS1s in your budget, maybe a few LS2s as well.

E39 M5 is legendary in my opinion but be prepared for higher maintenance costs. I used to like the first gen CTS models but feel they haven't aged too well. The others aren't manual so won't be as nice to drive in my opinion.

 

I had one for 4 yrs and really loved it. I had one built by Mallett but the stock components of the car were very well done.

Handling was great, so was braking. The powertrain is well done and very reliable. The early cars (pre 07?) had problems with the Getrag diff. It was more driver abuse than an actual problem. Most were recalled and replaced.

The wheel hop is a driving problem...many independent rear cars suffer the same.

There were barely any running costs...nothing breaks and maintenance was a joke.

Also, the styling is unique and aggressive. It was easy to find it in a parking lot full of the typical German sedans.

A real Euro contender but with better engineering (less maintenance and failures).

LS