Ok, so as many of you know, I've been planning on getting a 2006 CTS-V in the near future (as soon as I get an engine in my hatchback and give it to my friend.) For the most part, the 2006 models are still hovering around $20,000 with 80,000 miles or so on them... but I'm confident that if I look hard enough, I'll find one for $15k-$16k.
My criteria for the car I've chosen are:
-Manual transmission
-RWD or AWD
-The most power I can get, preferably from a large engine (6.0L V8 in the case of the CTS-V)
-Under 100,000 miles... preferably around 70-80k.
-Luxurious/classy... a car that someone who doesn't care what's under the hood would still find impressive based on style, brand, and comfort
-Affordable to repair (the CTS-V has an engine that is closely related to more affordable GM vehicles... and the non-V8 CTS models are very common, and share many parts with the rest of the CTS-V.)
-Reasonably reliable... this won't be a daily beater, but I don't want to be fixing it constantly!
-As new as possible (I don't want a 20 year old luxury car, regardless of what it is...)
Now that I'm closely approaching the time where I'm going to start seriously shopping, I wanted to weigh my options once more... just to see if there wasn't another car worth looking at.
So far, I've ruled out:
European[
In general, Euro cars are out due to the high cost of ownership and repair.
Mercedes Benz - all - Automatic transmissions, expensive to repair, used reliability isn't a strong point.
BMW - 3 Series / M3- The 3 series was a STRONG contender, and I'd trust the reliability. However, I wouldn't really want to settle for anything short of an M3... and that puts it into the "too expensive to fix" category. Plus, although the M3 would be an awesome car, it's still only 300hp to the Caddy's 400, and only an I6 as opposed to the Caddy's monstrous V8 (obviously the newest M3 would not be in the running based on price!)
Audi - all - BEAUTIFUL cars. An S4 would be doable in my price range, but again, as with the other two German options... expensive to fix, and reliability for a used Audi isn't something they're known for. Plus, the S4's power isn't really up there, though it can be with modification, but I do not care to modify whatever car I get.
Other - Volvo, Saab, VW - The luxury image of these brands doesn't appeal to me, and they're lacking in the performance that I desire.
American
The CTS-V is a HUGE draw because it's American, and therefore can be cheaper to fix than a luxury import.
Cadillac - STS-V - if I could find one in my price range, I'd pass... simply because 1) it's only automatic, and 2) because it has a Northstar, rather than an LSx. The Northstar is generally limited only to Cadillac applications, which means sourcing replacement parts for it will be Cadillac-only... which means Cadillac prices. Plus, the STS is Caddy's top of the line, so even parts for a base STS wouldn't be cheap, like the CTS's parts will be (in comparison, anyway.) They are also less common. PLUS, although the supercharged engine is cool, forced induction and high mileage are not a good mix!
Cadillac - CTS V6 - I've considered buying a V6 CTS... I may even be able to afford a 2nd generation model (the current generation). However, I don't think I'd be satisfied, even with 300hp, knowing the monster V8 options exist. I'd never truly love it.
Lincoln - LS - The only Lincoln I'd really like. Sadly, it's underpowered, and the only model that comes with a manual is the V6. If I could get a Lincoln LS that made over 300hp, I'd probably consider it. Alas, no dice.
Chrysler - 300 SRT-8 - Although I hate the brand, and I feel their interiors are crap... the SRT-8 is one of the closest in consideration to the CTS-V. It offers much the same in terms of power, performance, luxury, and appearance. The thing that sways me is that Cadillac has a better luxury image than Chrysler.
Dodge - Magnum SRT-8 - Since the Charger is about the same thing as the 300, I'll only mention the Magnum. I LOVE the Magnum, but it falls to the same criticism as the Chrysler, only with even less of a luxury image.
Pontiac - G8 and GTO - Both are fantastic cars. Both offer pretty much the same thing as the Caddy, with a bit more of a sporty edge. My only real reason for not wanting either is the lack of a luxury image. I don't want a "sports car"
Asian
Asian makes are obviously a favorite, given the topic of this website... however, they don't have the muscle I want,
Lexus - IS - Not powerful enough. The only IS I'd consider is the IS-F, and I actually WOULD overlook the automatic transmission. Still, I'll never find one in my price range that hasn't been wrapped around a tree! No other Lexus model with the power and luxury I want comes with a manual transmission.
Infiniti - G - I'm probably still only looking at G35s with my price range. As with Lexus, even the 300hp V6 doesn't cut it. I want a V8, or at least a turbo 6. The M45 comes in automatic only, and quite frankly... it's ugly.
Acura - All - Aside from the NSX, which would be way too old and beat for my price range, Acura has nothing that meets the most important of my criteria.
Honda - S2000 - Too sporty, not luxurious enough, not enough power... though it was still a consideration despite those things.
Hyundai - Genesis - I doubt I'll find anything but a 2.0T Genesis Coupe for my price range... and that's very much the same as the S2000 in terms of my complaints. The sedan COULD be of interest, but Hyundai doesn't quite have the luxury image I want yet. Caddy trumps it by far.
Other Asian makes - Subaru, Nissan, Toyota, Mazda, Kia - None have the luxury clout that I want, and most don't have anything that meets my top criteria anyway.
So there's my lengthy train of thought.
I'd love to hear anyone's take on what I've mentioned, or suggestions on things I've overlooked. I'm pretty set on the CTS-V, but I'd like to take one last look at my other options, just in case!
For my price range, I want the most power, luxury, reliability, comfort, affordability, and "image" that I can get.
My criteria for the car I've chosen are:
-Manual transmission
-RWD or AWD
-The most power I can get, preferably from a large engine (6.0L V8 in the case of the CTS-V)
-Under 100,000 miles... preferably around 70-80k.
-Luxurious/classy... a car that someone who doesn't care what's under the hood would still find impressive based on style, brand, and comfort
-Affordable to repair (the CTS-V has an engine that is closely related to more affordable GM vehicles... and the non-V8 CTS models are very common, and share many parts with the rest of the CTS-V.)
-Reasonably reliable... this won't be a daily beater, but I don't want to be fixing it constantly!
-As new as possible (I don't want a 20 year old luxury car, regardless of what it is...)
Now that I'm closely approaching the time where I'm going to start seriously shopping, I wanted to weigh my options once more... just to see if there wasn't another car worth looking at.
So far, I've ruled out:
European[
In general, Euro cars are out due to the high cost of ownership and repair.
Mercedes Benz - all - Automatic transmissions, expensive to repair, used reliability isn't a strong point.
BMW - 3 Series / M3- The 3 series was a STRONG contender, and I'd trust the reliability. However, I wouldn't really want to settle for anything short of an M3... and that puts it into the "too expensive to fix" category. Plus, although the M3 would be an awesome car, it's still only 300hp to the Caddy's 400, and only an I6 as opposed to the Caddy's monstrous V8 (obviously the newest M3 would not be in the running based on price!)
Audi - all - BEAUTIFUL cars. An S4 would be doable in my price range, but again, as with the other two German options... expensive to fix, and reliability for a used Audi isn't something they're known for. Plus, the S4's power isn't really up there, though it can be with modification, but I do not care to modify whatever car I get.
Other - Volvo, Saab, VW - The luxury image of these brands doesn't appeal to me, and they're lacking in the performance that I desire.
American
The CTS-V is a HUGE draw because it's American, and therefore can be cheaper to fix than a luxury import.
Cadillac - STS-V - if I could find one in my price range, I'd pass... simply because 1) it's only automatic, and 2) because it has a Northstar, rather than an LSx. The Northstar is generally limited only to Cadillac applications, which means sourcing replacement parts for it will be Cadillac-only... which means Cadillac prices. Plus, the STS is Caddy's top of the line, so even parts for a base STS wouldn't be cheap, like the CTS's parts will be (in comparison, anyway.) They are also less common. PLUS, although the supercharged engine is cool, forced induction and high mileage are not a good mix!
Cadillac - CTS V6 - I've considered buying a V6 CTS... I may even be able to afford a 2nd generation model (the current generation). However, I don't think I'd be satisfied, even with 300hp, knowing the monster V8 options exist. I'd never truly love it.
Lincoln - LS - The only Lincoln I'd really like. Sadly, it's underpowered, and the only model that comes with a manual is the V6. If I could get a Lincoln LS that made over 300hp, I'd probably consider it. Alas, no dice.
Chrysler - 300 SRT-8 - Although I hate the brand, and I feel their interiors are crap... the SRT-8 is one of the closest in consideration to the CTS-V. It offers much the same in terms of power, performance, luxury, and appearance. The thing that sways me is that Cadillac has a better luxury image than Chrysler.
Dodge - Magnum SRT-8 - Since the Charger is about the same thing as the 300, I'll only mention the Magnum. I LOVE the Magnum, but it falls to the same criticism as the Chrysler, only with even less of a luxury image.
Pontiac - G8 and GTO - Both are fantastic cars. Both offer pretty much the same thing as the Caddy, with a bit more of a sporty edge. My only real reason for not wanting either is the lack of a luxury image. I don't want a "sports car"
Asian
Asian makes are obviously a favorite, given the topic of this website... however, they don't have the muscle I want,
Lexus - IS - Not powerful enough. The only IS I'd consider is the IS-F, and I actually WOULD overlook the automatic transmission. Still, I'll never find one in my price range that hasn't been wrapped around a tree! No other Lexus model with the power and luxury I want comes with a manual transmission.
Infiniti - G - I'm probably still only looking at G35s with my price range. As with Lexus, even the 300hp V6 doesn't cut it. I want a V8, or at least a turbo 6. The M45 comes in automatic only, and quite frankly... it's ugly.
Acura - All - Aside from the NSX, which would be way too old and beat for my price range, Acura has nothing that meets the most important of my criteria.
Honda - S2000 - Too sporty, not luxurious enough, not enough power... though it was still a consideration despite those things.
Hyundai - Genesis - I doubt I'll find anything but a 2.0T Genesis Coupe for my price range... and that's very much the same as the S2000 in terms of my complaints. The sedan COULD be of interest, but Hyundai doesn't quite have the luxury image I want yet. Caddy trumps it by far.
Other Asian makes - Subaru, Nissan, Toyota, Mazda, Kia - None have the luxury clout that I want, and most don't have anything that meets my top criteria anyway.
So there's my lengthy train of thought.
I'd love to hear anyone's take on what I've mentioned, or suggestions on things I've overlooked. I'm pretty set on the CTS-V, but I'd like to take one last look at my other options, just in case!
For my price range, I want the most power, luxury, reliability, comfort, affordability, and "image" that I can get.
oh....didn't bother reading haha...oh well
and StraightSuccess it is a cool car very comfortable and everytime i take it out I always end up turning heads. Plus, its the only one in the town I live in 
Comment