[island1064]

Hi everyone.
I have tested an SS and I am very close to move on it, I love the understated look, the performance and the comfort of it.

Now comes the catch, I have just seen a 2013 CTS-V with 12,000 miles for sale not too far from me for $50K.

So now I'm torn, I'd love to have the performance of the CTS-V but I prefer the sleeper aspect of the SS, I prefer to stay under the radar in my area.

Has any of you driven a CTS-V and what would you say it compares to the SS. I know they are different, but some input is appreciated.

FYI I have not test driven the CTS-V yet.

 

[willy92]

It's faster, handles nearly as well...well enough to be called a tie, and it is a Cadillac, which is to say it has more features. Chevy stuff is a bit of a "hand me down" compared to Cadillac, and the CTS-V is smaller.

 

[leadfart]

The CTS-V is a much smaller car. If you are over 6' tall and over 250 lbs., you will be cramped in it.:biggrin:

 

[1badss]

It's faster, handles nearly as well...well enough to be called a tie, and it is a Cadillac, which is to say it has more features. Chevy stuff is a bit of a "hand me down" compared to Cadillac, and the CTS-V is smaller.

Yes I do agree with everything Willy92 noted above! (I searched for months on a 1-3 year old Lease return w/low miles like in your case but each time I went to buy they were always sold? So I started focusing on the Chevy SS)..honestly it was a tough decision but I'm happy with my PBM Chevy SS..GO TEST DRIVE THE CTS-V!

 

[davidcroft]

I'd take a V over an SS sedan any day. The only problem is I can't find a new one for the same $ as an SS sedan. No doubt that's a KILLER deal on a V. I would have to go test drive it and see for myself. See if the paint matches on all panels cause that really is a KILLER deal.....almost too good to be true. They start @ 68K stripped brand new.

 

[15SuperSport]

Drive them both, check the carfax on the Caddy. Also check the service history and places like under the hood, under the engine cover and of course under the car. The tires may indicate the current owner's driving style, and the dipstick is always a good indicator of maintenance or lack thereof. Paint and interior finish are good indicators of pride in ownership and two things that "car guys" take pretty good care of. Check the bolts on the supercharger pulley to make sure there hasn't been a pulley swap, as a swap with no tune will run way too lean and cause damage that may not be immediately apparent.
If all of these checks show a quality used car, it makes the decision pretty tough. For me, a limited run car that provides for some exclusivity not related to the Cadillac insignia would sway me toward the SS, but I'm but a lowly dockworker in the food chain, perhaps a different color collar would sway me the other way...
Good luck, post pics with your decision!

 

[Brad02ss]

CTS-V is tempting, easy mods away from big power but smaller and you never know what you're getting with a used car. Also different perception between the two cars.
Think I would go for something new, more low key, and with a more usable backseat for my growing family.
The V should be pretty solid and still have a lot of warranty left, if you don't need a big car and are ok with the perception that goes with the Caddy get the V. Can also buy more warranty.

 

[monaroCountry]

Also take into account that the CTS-V is yesterdays car with yesterdays technology, and that it has been SUPERSEDED BY THE ALPHA. The price, exclusivity, style, and all that jazz will just continue to plummet more and more.

The Chevy SS on the other hand is roomier, comes out on a much better and more capable platform, more exclusive (less around), newer design, and its price wont keep plummeting especially since it will be the last Australian/Holden made car EVER.

The Chevy SS isnt lacking in the chassis or handling department, but if you really want to go all out then slap a turbo/supercharger and get MRC on the Chevy SS (call it HSV GTS spec). Then go hunt some unsuspecting GTR's, Camaro Z/28, or Alpha CTS-V for far less the price and in a more comfortable car (whenever Caddy decides to come out with the Alpha V). Just remember that the chassis on the Chevy SS is much better and more advanced form of Zeta than the one on the Z/28 (Chevy SS = Zeta 2 is better than Z/28 = Zeta 1).

 

[037]

I was checking out a cts-v and SS at a dealership, wife and self both sat in them and decided we liked the SS interior better, caddy felt much smaller inside.

If you want to keep a low profile, you can't beat SS, that's why I chose it.

 

[SlingShot]

Also take into account that the CTS-V is yesterdays car with yesterdays technology, and that it has been SUPERSEDED BY THE ALPHA. The price, exclusivity, style, and all that jazz will just continue to plummet more and more.

The Chevy SS on the other hand is roomier, comes out on a much better and more capable platform, more exclusive (less around), newer design, and its price wont keep plummeting especially since it will be the last Australian/Holden made car EVER.

The Chevy SS isnt lacking in the chassis or handling department, but if you really want to go all out then slap a turbo/supercharger and get MRC on the Chevy SS (call it HSV GTS spec). Then go hunt some unsuspecting GTR's, Camaro Z/28, or Alpha CTS-V for far less the price and in a more comfortable car (whenever Caddy decides to come out with the Alpha V). Just remember that the chassis on the Chevy SS is much better and more advanced form of Zeta than the one on the Z/28 (Chevy SS = Zeta 2 is better than Z/28 = Zeta 1).

Sorry I have to disagree with just about everything you have stated here. My ZL1 is also on a zeta platform, but the SS isn't even close to the chassis performance or handling as the ZL1. And the ZL1 and CTS-V are setup with many of the same characteristics. And you can't just get a MRC system and throw it on a car, won't work ...

 

[2074]

Have a friendly dealer punch up the caddy in VIS and see what pops up like where it was registered, service and warranty history.

V Sedans, which I'm guessing it is because of the $$ drop value like a ton of bricks. Coupes aren't as bad and sportwagons hold value well.

If you plan to have people in the backseat go with the SS for sure the CTS back seat is bad.

The SS is a hard riding car; the V is more kidney friendly.

The SS gives a better 'thrill ride' ... the V is too quiet and civilized by comparison but both give you excellent acceleration adrenaline rushes!

The main question is do you want to go from 0-60 in 4.5 or 3.8???

Warning to 'ya there are a ton of buyback (lemon branded title) V-s out there.......

 

[island1064]

Well, I thought long and hard, I did not test the CTS as I had sat in one and it is a little cramped for my big 6'5 frame. I also prefer the unassuming look of the SS as I find the CTS-V way to "Flashy".

So I just ordered my SS, I'll have it next week. It's a silver with sun roof and spare tire. I also have them change the tires for Michelin Super Sport, I've used those before and they are incredible.

So if all goes well, on Tuesday I'll have my roller-coaster ride home. YAY!

 

[15SuperSport]

Well, I thought long and hard, I did not test the CTS as I had sat in one and it is a little cramped for my big 6'5 frame. I also prefer the unassuming look of the SS as I find the CTS-V way to "Flashy".

So I just ordered my SS, I'll have it next week. It's a silver with sun roof and spare tire. I also have them change the tires for Michelin Super Sport, I've used those before and they are incredible.

So if all goes well, on Tuesday I'll have my roller-coaster ride home. YAY!

Congratulations, I think you made the right call. We'll be looking for pics of the silver bullet soon!

 

[willy92]

Well, I thought long and hard, I did not test the CTS as I had sat in one and it is a little cramped for my big 6'5 frame. I also prefer the unassuming look of the SS as I find the CTS-V way to "Flashy".

So I just ordered my SS, I'll have it next week. It's a silver with sun roof and spare tire. I also have them change the tires for Michelin Super Sport, I've used those before and they are incredible.

So if all goes well, on Tuesday I'll have my roller-coaster ride home. YAY!

I was hoping someone else was hip to that besides me!!! Those tires ARE incredible! I've done that a couple times before. I last had a set Pilot Sport PS2's on my Seville and they made it a true "Sport Sedan". These tires(Super Sports) are the successor to those. Hower, our Bridgstones are at the top of their game too, but the Super Sports are better.

Besides, what better tires to put on an SS but "Super Sports. People got a kick out of my Firehawk having "Firehawk" tires on it!

 

[Brad02ss]

I had the Super Sports on my G8, yes awesome tire, they'll be on my SS.

 

[GXPaycheck]

Good choice!

 

[Shortbus]

Sorry I have to disagree with just about everything you have stated here. My ZL1 is also on a zeta platform, but the SS isn't even close to the chassis performance or handling as the ZL1. And the ZL1 and CTS-V are setup with many of the same characteristics. And you can't just get a MRC system and throw it on a car, won't work ...

Doesn't Holden already make a version of the Commodore with MRC? So it really wouldn't be 'throwing it on it' would it? I thought they made a higher performance version of the SS over there that was on the same platform. (I may be wrong)

 

[GXPaycheck]

Doesn't Holden already make a version of the Commodore with MRC? So it really wouldn't be 'throwing it on it' would it? I thought they made a higher performance version of the SS over there that was on the same platform. (I may be wrong)

You're thinking about the HSV version. LSA and MRC and 6M.

 

[Shortbus]

You're thinking about the HSV version. LSA and MRC and 6M.

But it is the same car as an SS right? Just with those extras? If so it has been designed to have MRC which would negate the post about 'throwing MRC on an SS'

 

[Commodoreman2000]

But it is the same car as an SS right? Just with those extras? If so it has been designed to have MRC which would negate the post about 'throwing MRC on an SS'

The HSV is what they term a Core Car, Holden build it to HSV spec in the factory and it utilises a HSV wiring loom so MRC can be plugged into the HSV when they finish them in Melbourne.

The SS wiring loom is different and can't be added to. I wouldn't say it is impossible to do but it would be costly to add MRC aftermarket if it is even possible.

25th Anniversary GTS but same process and better commentry