2004 Cadillac CTS-V : Tell Me About It

[SoCalDubber]

Found what seems to be a great deal on a very clean car... 40k miles with a couple very light mods for $20k.

Anything to be wary of? How are the to service, maintain, and live with...

[patrikman]

The rear ends are said to be fragile. Minuscule aftermarket for wheels too. Otherwise awesome, a close friend has a modded one and its a hoot to drive.

[1990MoneyPit]

2004-2005 models had a weak rear end that did not like aggressive launches. They also had the LS6 engine.

2006-2007 had a beefed up rear end and LS2 engine (same specs but broader powerband).

A 6-speed Tremec manual lifted out of the C5 Z06 was the only transmission.

The wheel bolt pattern is 6 lug (6 x 115), limiting aftermarket wheel choices.

Don't expect the same sort of refinement you'd get in the comtemparary German competition, the CTS-V is a little more raw and characterful.

Foot operated emergency brake.

Overall, they're a lot of car for the money.

[XenoLlama]

Five lug swap, or photochop?

[ABATurbo]

Five lug swap, or photochop?

adapters?

[stascom]

Five lug swap, or photochop?

adapters?

Aliens.


How much do those things weigh? Is the body rigid?

[ABATurbo]

Aliens.


How much do those things weigh? Is the body rigid?

wikipedia says they weigh 3,850. Not too bad, but still pretty fat.

[SoCalDubber]

2004-2005 models had a weak rear end that did not like aggressive launches. They also had the LS6 engine.

Interesting about the rear ends... How "weak"? Is it something that I'd need to be concerned with in non-hooligan driving?

[compy222]

Interesting about the rear ends... How "weak"? Is it something that I'd need to be concerned with in non-hooligan driving?

not really. they suffer from pretty bad wheel hop issues, which in turn shreds rear diffs very quickly. basically, if you're not hard launching it or taking it to drag strips you should be fine. just make sure you put good diff fluid in it, change it frequently, and don't drag people from a dig.

for a car that is great fun to bomb entrance ramps with...totally worth it.

[WakusPakus]

freakin love that gen of CTS-V. i'd so hop on it...and worry about what breaks later on

[SoCalDubber]

freakin love that gen of CTS-V. i'd so hop on it...and worry about what breaks later on

I don't mind if things break eventually (which I know they will)... I just want to make sure it's going to be affordable and reasonable to fix/replace.

[ABATurbo]

I don't mind if things break eventually (which I know they will)... I just want to make sure it's going to be affordable and reasonable to fix/replace.

I wouldn't imagine that replacing the rear diff is too expensive, unless that rear end is specific to the cts-v.

[rynodyno312]

I wouldn't imagine that replacing the rear diff is too expensive, unless that rear end is specific to the cts-v.

Replacing the stock Getrag diff with an 8.8" ford from an IRS car is a common upgrade.

I know it's not as pretty, but for less $$$ than a CTS-V you can get a very clean LS2 GTO with similar performance (never driven a V but I would hope it handled a bit better stock for stock). It also has some wheelhop issues, but they are fairly easily fixed and the rear diff is stronger (it's a dana 44). To give you an idea of pricing, I paid less than $15k for my 2005 w/ 44k on it.

[SoCalDubber]

I'm interested in the car because of the wolf in sheeps clothing aspect... Love the refinement

[rynodyno312]

I'm interested in the car because of the wolf in sheeps clothing aspect... Love the refinement

Huh, I have never driven one, but "refined" isn't a term I have ever heard to describe a 1st gen CTS-V. Defintely very cool cars, though. The LS2/t56 is a great combination--torque everywhere with a nice linear power delivery and a super OD 6th gear for highway cruising.

[zmt]

I'm interested in the car because of the wolf in sheeps clothing aspect... Love the refinement

Yeah, I wouldn't exactly call the 1st gen CTS-V "refined." It's a whole lot of car, and it feels like it in every measure. All the used examples I've driven feel a lot like higher mileage C5s for some reason (aside from sharing drivetrains). They drive like bigger cars than they are, and there's lots of drivetrain play/movement. The interiors start breaking down after not too long as well. Not bad cars by any means, and quite the sledgehammer of a sedan, but don't expect a luxury car drive or interior.