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CTS-V road test.. a fantastic farewell to the V-8?

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Old Sep 3, 2008 | 11:07 AM
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Default CTS-V road test.. a fantastic farewell to the V-8?

With all this talk about fuel economy and what-not, this m5-beater may be the last huge-engined CTS we see in the near future.



You knew GM had finally gotten serious in 2004 when it offered a Cadillac that only came with a manual transmission.

In a move that probably cost the company quite a few sales to the gridlock-challenged and performance poseurs, the first-generation CTS-V (2004–07) came exclusively with a six-speed stick. Think about that for a minute. The last time a Caddy was offered without an automatic option was in 1942.
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...d_test?cid=292
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Old Sep 3, 2008 | 12:21 PM
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AFM (formerly DoD)
VVT
Direct Injection
HCCI
Bio-fuels
Performance Diesels
Eventual cam-less valvetrains

GM kicks the crap out of Honda and Toyota when it comes to mpg. In fact, 6+ liter V8s from GM are turning in numbers close to 2.4 liter 4 cylinder Hondas. ('08 G8 GT, 15/24, '08 Honda Accord Sedan, 22/31, not exactly even, no, but look at the difference in engine size, and vehicle mission)

Bob Putz thinks that Diesel's advantage over petrol will deminish with HCCI, and with the other features added in, you can see how it might. (Especially since AFM means a 4cyl when you need it and an 8cyl when you want it)

V8s are not going anywhere. Can we please stop with these totally unfounded chicken little threads?

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Old Sep 3, 2008 | 12:26 PM
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Originally Posted by DrkPhynx
GM kicks the crap out of Honda and Toyota when it comes to mpg. In fact, 6+ liter V8s from GM are turning in numbers close to 2.4 liter 4 cylinder Hondas. ('08 G8 GT, 15/24, '08 Honda Accord Sedan, 22/31, not exactly even, no, but look at the difference in engine size, and vehicle mission)V8s are not going anywhere.
And GM's 4 cylinder and V6 models do VERY well also.





Originally Posted by DrkPhynx
Can we please stop with these totally unfounded chicken little threads?
I agree.
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Old Sep 3, 2008 | 12:29 PM
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where do i sign to pick one of these bad boys up?
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Old Sep 20, 2008 | 01:00 PM
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Originally Posted by porkchop
where do i sign to pick one of these bad boys up?
Just paypal me the MSRP. I'll send one right over... just be warned it may not be as big as you thought. *hot wheels*
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Old Sep 21, 2008 | 04:09 PM
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Originally Posted by DeepV
Just paypal me the MSRP. I'll send one right over... just be warned it may not be as big as you thought. *hot wheels*
psh forget this guy! ill give you one for 5,000 off sticker.
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Old Sep 21, 2008 | 10:12 PM
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It's still not exactly attractive, or not blindingly ugly for that matter. MY EYES!!!
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Old Sep 21, 2008 | 11:02 PM
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Originally Posted by DiscerningZ32
It's still not exactly attractive, or not blindingly ugly for that matter. MY EYES!!!
I find the V quite attractive actually, I even like the looks of the base model CTSs.
They hit it out of the park with this one IMO.
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Old Sep 21, 2008 | 11:29 PM
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Originally Posted by LS1LT1
I find the V quite attractive actually, I even like the looks of the base model CTSs.
They hit it out of the park with this one IMO.
The sides of the car sare still tall, flat and bland IMO though, they make it look fatter. The front (and the back) is also an area that requires a certain "taste" in appearence to like the car and it still has too much chrome IMO. I also, personally, like a little anonimity in a sports sedan (ie e39 M5, older AMG sedans). But these days that's dying quickly, even minivans are trying to look bold and sporty.

It is quicker then the old M5 around a track though, and the M5 isn't much of a looker these days either...
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Old Sep 21, 2008 | 11:31 PM
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I find the v6 CTS better looking than the V version.
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Old Sep 22, 2008 | 03:44 AM
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Originally Posted by DiscerningZ32
It is quicker then the old M5 around a track though
It's quicker around a track than the new (ie: current) M5 as well isn't it?
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Old Sep 22, 2008 | 03:42 PM
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Originally Posted by LS1LT1
It's quicker around a track than the new (ie: current) M5 as well isn't it?
By old I mean the 05-08, they haven't released their new one yet, and so the one they currently have isn't exactly "new"
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Old Sep 22, 2008 | 04:44 PM
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Originally Posted by DiscerningZ32
By old I mean the 05-08, they haven't released their new one yet, and so the one they currently have isn't exactly "new"
Well, yeah, but when the 2005 M5 was beating the first gen CTS-V (LS6/LS2) no one said "oh yeah, well just wait until the new CTS-V LSA comes out, it will whip the BMW's ***" LOL. That would've been irrelevant.
It is what it is, the current car out at the time of the test is the current car and the winner is the winner, period.

When the C5 Z06 got beat by a Ford GT it simply got beat, that win wasn't immediately thrown out simply because a better/badder Corvette Z06/ZR1 was coming later on.
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Old Sep 22, 2008 | 09:27 PM
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Originally Posted by LS1LT1
Well, yeah, but when the 2005 M5 was beating the first gen CTS-V (LS6/LS2) no one said "oh yeah, well just wait until the new CTS-V LSA comes out, it will whip the BMW's ***" LOL. That would've been irrelevant.
It is what it is, the current car out at the time of the test is the current car and the winner is the winner, period.

When the C5 Z06 got beat by a Ford GT it simply got beat, that win wasn't immediately thrown out simply because a better/badder Corvette Z06/ZR1 was coming later on.
Yes, but at the same time the current M5 is still three years old. By THAT basis you should compare it to the LS2 CTSV which came out in 05 as well...
I'd still rather have the M5 though. On the other hand, I'd rather take a CLS63 AMG , S65 amg or E63 AMG. Not as quick as the M5 or CTS, just my preference.
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Old Sep 23, 2008 | 02:03 AM
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Originally Posted by DiscerningZ32
Yes, but at the same time the current M5 is still three years old. By THAT basis you should compare it to the LS2 CTSV which came out in 05 as well...
I'd still rather have the M5 though. On the other hand, I'd rather take a CLS63 AMG , S65 amg or E63 AMG. Not as quick as the M5 or CTS, just my preference.
So by your logic any new car generation can only be compared to another car that's generation just came out that year? That doesn't make sense. You would hardly have any cars to compare ever...

And your matchup doesn't even make sense either, the first generation CTS-V came out in '04 not '05 and the LS2 wasn't an engine for it until the '06 model year.

BMW nuthuggers can come up with whatever excuses they want, but the M5 in '09 gets spanked by the CTS-V in '09, that's all there is to it.
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Old Sep 23, 2008 | 03:49 AM
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Originally Posted by DiscerningZ32
I'd still rather have the M5 though. On the other hand, I'd rather take a CLS63 AMG , S65 amg or E63 AMG. Not as quick as the M5 or CTS, just my preference.
Yes, most namedropping, image only above all else, status seeking climber types would prefer those as well.







Originally Posted by LrngCrv
BMW nuthuggers can come up with whatever excuses they want, but the M5 in '09 gets spanked by the CTS-V in '09, that's all there is to it.
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Old Sep 23, 2008 | 04:25 PM
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Cool car! I'd take one!
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Old Sep 23, 2008 | 08:58 PM
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Originally Posted by LrngCrv
So by your logic any new car generation can only be compared to another car that's generation just came out that year? That doesn't make sense. You would hardly have any cars to compare ever...

And your matchup doesn't even make sense either, the first generation CTS-V came out in '04 not '05 and the LS2 wasn't an engine for it until the '06 model year.

BMW nuthuggers can come up with whatever excuses they want, but the M5 in '09 gets spanked by the CTS-V in '09, that's all there is to it.
Hmm. Can't say I'm a bmw nuthugger.
Just stating facts. The M5 isn't exactly new, now is it?
I already said the CTS-V would beat the current M5 around a track, before anyone else as a matter of fact
Beat it in other categories (value, refinement, top speed, luxury, customer service), doubtful.
Only GM would make a car to compete with the M5 and give it a Drag Coefficient of .355
My guess is they've never heard of a wind tunnel. Top speed won't even touch 200mph, the M5's stomping ground.

I really would have enjoyed intelligently debating this car and it's competitors with you, but your last statement sort of spoiled that... Too bad.

I don't think I'd be caught in a CTS-V anytime soon though, I WOULD definitely drive an M5 before one, that's certain.

Does that make me a BMW nuthugger? No. I even said the M5 was ugly, not to mention it's IDrive system is purely retarded.

It's great your getting butt hurt over my comments though

CTS-V is rubbish, the M5 has and will continue to outsell it.
Get over that... LOL

Last edited by DiscerningZ32; Sep 23, 2008 at 09:54 PM.
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Old Sep 23, 2008 | 09:03 PM
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Originally Posted by LS1LT1
Yes, most namedropping, image only above all else, status seeking climber types would prefer those as well.







Wow... Thanks for that thoughtful response.
I would have to say that I actually like those cars for their comfort, refinement, luxury, and yes to some extent their pressence.
But I'm sure the LSX series motors are more refined than the motors in the cars I listed, and that cadillac luxury and comfort is decades above the Mercedes S-class
Can you honestly say that people driving vetts and TAs don't want to be noticed?

BTW, you don't need to seek status to own an S65 AMG. You need to already have it to afford it



P.S: While GM's stock continues to plummet and GM teeters on the brink of bankruptcy, "image above all else" Diamler AG (mercedes-benz) stocks are steady and increasing (even with their failing SMART endeavor)
Alright, I don't feel like resorting to name calling and I'm bored now... Peace

Last edited by DiscerningZ32; Sep 23, 2008 at 09:22 PM.
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Old Sep 23, 2008 | 09:30 PM
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What's realy funny is that GM keeps churning out these over the top cars while completely failing to pull their company out of it's financial hole (if you will).

How much money in development do you think GM spent on this car and the LS9 motor?
Do you honestly think it will have a drastic change in their profit margin? Or any what so ever?
Hopefully you know enough to realize the answer is no.

I'm just stating that this car is rubbish in comparison to the M5 and other counterparts. Which it is.
It might beat it around a track, but tell that to the old man who's scared off by it's raw power and looks, or the person who's sensible enough to spend LESS money and buy the far quicker C6 Z06.

Here is an even easier question...
Which would you rather have, the new CTS-V or the C6 Z06?

What realy amazes me is how people on this site can go on about saving GM by buying American, then they go on to buy a used 98-02 f-body. How is that helping gm?
It's not even aiding America's GDP, or GM's profit margin for that matter. All you're doing is bantering on and typing away.



Which brings me to the more obvious conclusion that this is, as a matter of fact, falling on deaf ears.
Good night, and good bye.
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