Can you believe it has been nearly 20 years since the CTS-V debuted? It was a great noughties muscle car, and Cadillac did it right, they enlisted the LS6 from the Corvette and a six-speed Tremec manual transmission. They gave people the option of owning a practical grocery getter that could smoke proper sports cars off the line.
It was, and continues to be, one of the most exciting sedans to hit the market. Today, we'll take a trip down memory lane to visit a modern classic and reminisce about Cadillac's first generation CTS-V. We miss the Cadillac CTS-V for a variety of reasons, one of which is that it was a true supercar slayer of its era. Reach deep into your pockets and clear out some space in the garage because after reading this list, you may find yourself wanting to buy one.
Cadillac's Legacy
Cadillac did not hold back over the years. The CTS-V was available in three generations, each with a different body style. The sedan was always available, but the coupe and waggon were added in the second generation. Cadillac made it possible for you to own this car at any point in your life. It even accommodated your family and luggage. Who wouldn't want to drive one of the world's fastest production station waggons?
Cadillac debuted the 2022 CT5-V Blackwing just a few months ago. When designing this car, they stayed true to their roots. It has a 6.2-liter V8 engine that produces 668 horsepower. It also has a manual six-speed transmission! Any competitor will struggle to match the performance of this car on the track. Reserve one now, before dealers start jacking up the price on top of the sticker price.
Cadillac had a timeless design
It won't be difficult to impress your friends or the girl next door in the CTS-V. There aren't many seventeen-year-old cars that have aged as well as this one. Cadillac had a classic design and continues to use edgy techniques on the new CT5-V Blackwing. Many people will be taken in when you pull up in it and won't be able to guess the year it was made.
If it's already aged this well, it'll only get better with time. Consider a vintage Eldorado, Deville, or Fleetwood. All of these are desirable Cadillacs that anyone would be happy to have in their garage. This is a car that you will not grow tired of or have any regrets about purchasing. It'll be a great icebreaker when new neighbours move in or when you meet a fellow enthusiast at a car show for the first time.
The Competitive Environment
The Mercedes E63 AMG was one of Cadillac's main competitors when it launched the hard-core CTS-V. It had a 6.2-liter V8 engine that produced 507 horsepower. It had a slightly faster 0-60 time of 4.5 seconds and a quarter mile time of 12.5 seconds. This car weighed over 4,000 pounds, but it could outrun almost any Mercedes before its time. The main disadvantage was the cost. When it was new, this Mercedes cost around $82,000. Back in 2004, that was a lot of money.
The BMW M5 stepped up to the plate swinging for the fences. The M5 of 2004 was the world's first production sedan to use a V10. The engine was known as the S85, and it produced 500 horsepower at 7,750 rpm. According to some reports, the 0-60 time of this car was as low as 4.1 seconds. It was initially available only with an automatic transmission, but a six-speed manual was added in 2006. Keep in mind that when it was released, this car was significantly more expensive than a CTS-V.
Reliability Of the Cadillac CTS V
You might not associate a powerhouse like the CTS-V with dependability, but this vehicle has proven to be dependable. There are examples for sale with nearly 200,000 miles. The LS6 engine was well-built, and parts are plentiful. This engine was designed to withstand a beating and was used in a variety of vehicles. Sure, gas is expensive when you drive it every day, but where else can you have as much fun?
When compared to today's ultra-modern vehicles, the first generation CTS-V may appear to be a walk in the park in terms of difficulty to work on. You're on your way to becoming your own mechanic if you watch some YouTube videos. Continue to strengthen your bond with the CTS-V by working on it yourself and taking pride in your accomplishments. Its competitors in 2004 were not as dependable or as simple to work on.
The price of the Cadillac CTS V
It is unlikely that the first-generation CTS-V will become significantly less expensive. There was a time when a low-mileage first-generation Porsche Boxster could be had for around $10,000. Those days are long gone, and the days of cheap CTS-Vs will soon follow. When you consider that the 2022 CT5-V Blackwing starts at $83,995, they are still a steal right now. The price of the first generation will continue to rise as it approaches the status of modern classic.
Find a one-owner, low-mileage CTS-V with plenty of documentation, and that car will rise in value like a NYSE stock. Cars can be excellent investments if you choose the right one. The first generation CTS-V was only manufactured from 2004 to 2007. It had a low production rate but a high performance power. When it comes to selecting the right car to collect, these factors are nearly mandatory.
The Cadillac CTS V Is Affordable
When it comes to buying a car on a budget that has a manual transmission, a V8, and 400 horsepower, the options are limited. Keep in mind that this is also a luxury vehicle. It is possible to find one with relatively low mileage for less than $20,000. There are options available for around $15,000 or less for those who don't mind having over 100,000 miles on the odometer. Remember how fast this car is, even by 2021 standards.
Not all low-priced CTS-Vs are a good buy. The previous owners of these vehicles most likely drove them hard. The more documentation that is available, as with any other car purchase, the better. What appears to be a low-cost repair may end up costing thousands of dollars in repairs just to get it running properly. However, if you find the right one in the near future, it will almost certainly be a good investment.
The CTS-V has plenty of available parts for modification
The CTS-V still has a plethora of available parts for customization. The possibilities are endless, whether you want to work on cosmetics, performance, or suspension. Entry-level modifications, such as performance exhausts, are available from any of the leading manufacturers. Borla, Magnaflow, and Flowmaster all provide a range of options depending on your needs.
If you really want to amp up the power, Boost District offers an LSA supercharger kit that will catapult the CTS-V into a whole new race class. For $4,530, plus a few nights in the garage, you can have a track-ready CTS-V. Keep in mind that additional changes will be required to make this possible. The fine print specifies that cutting the hood or purchasing a cowl hood will be required to make it fit.
Cadillac CTS-V is rare
How uncommon is the Cadillac CTS-V? It doesn't seem like the CTS-V should be a rare car in a world where sedans were still in high demand and cross-overs were just getting started. It, like the Pontiac GTO, was never intended to be mass-produced. Cadillac V Net has released the production figures. Cadillac produced 2,509 of them in 2004. They produced the most in 2005, at 4,194, before declining to 1,201 in 2006. In the final year of production, 2007, they only produced 898 units.
Cadillac initially only offered the vehicle in two colours. This practise was common in the 1950s, when most cars were only available in a few colours. You could choose between Black Raven and Light Platinum. They added Red Line and Stealth Gray to the list in 2005. It's difficult to say how many of each colour were sold each year, but based on the models seen on the road, it's safe to say that most buyers went with the black or silver options.
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