Racer's Lounge - Can't decide on my next car: used 03 Vette, 05 CTS-V or 05 STS?

I'm really leaning toward the 05 STS, found some around loaded, all wheel drive, 18" wheels, navigation, Bose 15 speaker system, under 30K miles, for high $20's. I like these cars because they would make an excellent driver and probably hold their value better than a Vette or CTS-V, and most likely have the lowest insurance rates. The luxury would be unlike any other car also, with features like heated & cooled seats, adaptive cruise control, and magnetic ride, not to mention a 320 hp Northstar.

For the same money, I can choose from a wide selection of clean used Vettes, with about 20k miles. That wouldn't be a daily driver though and would require me to keep another vehicle which would kinda suck for insurance and garage space. I know the mileage is very good for these cars, but it's only a 2-seater and I bet insurance would be alot. I'm 33 and single.

Finally I've been pondering a CTS-V, like an 05, which is really a cross between a Vette and an STS. More grunt in the LS motor than the Northstar, but also less refinement than the STS, and less zip than a Vette. I could theoretically drive a CTS-V year-round, but I probably wouldn't and would have to keep another daily driver which I'm trying to avoid.

I've already had an f-body and know all about the power of the LS motors and have ridden in plenty of C5 vettes. The STS looks, performance & luxury features really appeal to me though.

I like the CTS-V.

Why wouldnt you daily drive a cts-v. Since you couldnt dd the vette that would be my next choice.

I live in Detroit area, we get alot of snow & salt. The STS would be all wheel drive. The CTS-V would never make my commute with how little they plow up here, I'd get stuck as soon as I left my driveway.

DD manual's sucks in traffic, it's nice to just put it in D and go sometimes.

Spend a couple grand extra and buy a brand new Pontiac G8.

Sounds like you need an AWD or 4x4 truck. Trail Blazer SS AWD maybe. Out of that list, I'd pick the CTS-V as a daily. Fun and practical. Insurance on a Corvette is less than you think, probably even less than the f-body in your sig. Call your insurance co and check.

I've got a Jeep that's my DD now, only worth about $2K so I would keep it and not trade it in. I could get a loaded STS Northstar and drive it year round or keep the Jeep and get a CTS-V or a Vette. I've looked at the TBSS' and they don't appeal to me. I need to get some insurance quotes.

I’d choose the Vette or the CTSV depending upon your needs. I’ve driven all three and the STS AWD finishes a DISTANT 3rd. I did not care for it at all. I would rather have a 3.6 CTS than the STS.

Vette's resale is in the shitter right now with dealers offering 8K+ off sticker

I suppose I'll wait a few months and see if I can't find a deal on a clean used '05 C6.

Although this is a heck of a lot of car for the money... http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?rdpage=thumb&car_id=237540023&dealer_id=1154104&car_year=2005&model=STS&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&start_year=2005&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=100&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&make=CAD&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=48226&advanced=&end_year=2008&doors=&transmission=&max_price=30000&cardist=24

Spend a couple grand extra and buy a brand new Pontiac G8.

I was just reading up on those cars on this forum. I saw one for the first time here in Detroit at a photoshoot downtown on a side street. Looked pretty good and from what I just read, you can pick up about 40 hp with CAI, exhaust & a tune... which would put the car right at low 13's.

I have a 05 CTS V bad azz car lots of fun and you dont see the ctsv all the time. way less of them then vett's and lot more fun than a sts just had one for a loner (recall on the diff seal) and a lot of attention than the other cars. and its no slouch in performance.

A G8? :lol: Buy a GTO. Same weight

I'd wait and grab an sts-V. 80k brand new, I saw some on auto trader(06s) with 13k miles for 40k last month, 469hp with those I think.

My daily now is an 02 STS, I love it. Its so damn comfy, brand new $49k, used with 55k miles I paid 10,900, from a caddy dealer!!! Loaded minus sunroof and nav. 300hp northstar gets out on the highway as well.

CTS seems to hold its value over the bigger sts. Either way, I'm hooked on caddys for daily drivers

The 1SG package on the new STS' which is the premium luxury performance package is really an amazing car. Only thing is that there really isn't much available in the way of mods for the cars to eek a little extra perfomance. Corsa & Magnaflow both make catbacks which I would definitely get, but the catback & cai really don't add any extra zip and nobody offers any tuning upgrades.

The STS-V is really a supercar in my book, but I'm not at a level where I can afford $40k for a daily driver or extra car.

Keep the jeep as a DD and get a Vette or CTS-V.

Not sure if this sways anyone's mind but a guy over on Cadillac Forum said he ran a 13.6 in a STS Northstar...

http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/cadillac-sts-forum-2005-through-2010/134504-finally-ran-my-caddy-down-1-a.html

Here you go, this might be a god deal. They are in Rittman Ohio.

http://www.lariachevybuick.com/cgi-win/CarShow.exe?4873

honestly dude, i couldnt imagine driving any of those three cars in the snow. maybe its cause i was born an raised in california but i think snow is evil lol. Its nasty and seems like it would just ruin a car. I wouls seriously just keep driving your jeep and buy a brand new sts-v

I'd say the vette. You might get away with cheaper insurance. I called my insurance company "USSA" and they quoted me $100 less every 6 months than what I'm paying for my T/A.

honestly dude, i couldnt imagine driving any of those three cars in the snow. maybe its cause i was born an raised in california but i think snow is evil lol. Its nasty and seems like it would just ruin a car. I wouls seriously just keep driving your jeep and buy a brand new sts-v

I would never drive a Vette in the snow up here, but I have seen it done...

The STS is supposed to be pretty awful in the snow, but every vehicle I've ever owned has been V8 and rwd so I'm sure I could manage. If I can keep an fbody on the road in the snow, I'm sure I can keep a 4,000 lb Cadillac with Stabilitrak on the road.

CTS-V CTS-V dude CTS-V haha. Get it black too, freakin love those cars

A G8? :lol: Buy a GTO. Same weight

Not sure what you're laughing at. The guy is obviously considering a 4-door. A G8 is an excellent choice.

I say CTS-V. My dad brought one home from his work one weekend and that car was an absolute blast! My mom had a regular CTS and that car was pretty nice too :P If you want to wait though, I vote G8.

Not sure what you're laughing at. The guy is obviously considering a 4-door. A G8 is an excellent choice.

I'm just an ass. :lol: The G8 is really starting to warm up to me.

[QUOTE=COD02SS;8958493]I'm just an ass. :lol: The G8 is really starting to warm up to me.[/QUOTE

I'm still on the fence about the exterior styling, the interior is blah, but the performance is remarkable. The car mags are giving it some pretty high reviews too, putting it right up with the BMW's...

your 30+ and single i would go vette for the booty.