Abandoning the Germans

[chicagob5]

Congrats and nice car! I too have been eyeing the CT4/5 blackwings. Would love to hear some of your thoughts after a couple weeks of living with the thing.

[Bc2005]

What I miss are the days that you could get a 1-2 year old domestic vehicle for a great discount over new. That meant you could be in a really nice car for a much more reasonable price. The only big exception seemed to be domestic light trucks, which always held value very well.

However, with today’s short supply, big dealer mark-ups and long ordering times you will probably find someone trying to resell this kind of car in a few months for thousands more than sticker, mostly because you can get it from them “now”.

[Schn3ll]

Originally Posted by Bc2005

What I miss are the days that you could get a 1-2 year old domestic vehicle for a great discount over new. That meant you could be in a really nice car for a much more reasonable price. The only big exception seemed to be domestic light trucks, which always held value very well.

However, with today’s short supply, big dealer mark-ups and long ordering times you will probably find someone trying to resell this kind of car in a few months for thousands more than sticker, mostly because you can get it from them “now”.

I have a feeling that's going to change within the next 6 months. The free-lunch bill is coming due and a lot of dealers are going to be sitting on high priced inventory for a long time I think. Most buyers are not cash-buyers, and rates are driving up the monthly's to equal rent payments.

I think this car, particularly in a manual is still a a great deal for what I paid ($70k OTD) and based on the lack of availability and transition to EV, I don't think I'll lose much once I sell.

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by Schn3ll

I did, and that was on the short list. What made me not go for one is the lack of manual, the older tech, distance to a local Alfa dealer (20+ miles), price is above what I paid for the BW, and the lack of customization options in the driving dynamics.

Don't get me wrong, it's a phenomenal car and I would love one, it's just Alfa should already be on gen 2 and the company seems to be a bit neglected, but for driving dynamics it's right there with the BW and definitely has a better engine/sound/auto transmission.

They are both underappreciated cars, so they have that in common!

All fair points. Enjoy the Caddy in good health.

[Schn3ll]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

What is sad is if one wants a 4-door sports sedan with manual transmission, he has to buy a 600 HP $70,000, winged, doodadded-up, clown-car automobile. Gone are the days of reasonably priced, reasonably powered, decent-looking great-driving sports sedans.

Except for this one...

[ntg44]

Congrats OP. I would have tried to get one if GM had the balls to throw an LT2 in it instead. Having two V8 options at different price points would have been a complete blowout against the competition.

[Schn3ll]

Originally Posted by ntg44

Congrats OP. I would have tried to get one if GM had the balls to throw an LT2 in it instead. Having two V8 options at different price points would have been a complete blowout against the competition.

Agreed, that would have been a better solution but the 3.6L in this car is no slouch. 445 lb-ft. at 3500rpm, this engine with a 600hp tune was used to race in Caddy's GT3 class cars so it does have some racing pedigree - I've barely even tapped into the powerband and it feels strong with almost no lag. But yes, the alpha platform was tailor-made for the LT v8 motor.

A few of these 3.6TT engines have already eclipsed the 700+whp mark so it's proven to be tunable too.

[Humdizzle]

oh yeah if they put an LT2 in it there would already be one in my garage.

[Donatello.]

Congrats and cannot blame you!

I'd love to have a CT5-V Blackwing (The only DDish car I think I'd replace my DD Hellcat with right now), but $100k? F no

[TonyTone]

Beauty! I have heard great things so far about them.

[BeEmVe]

My first thought being black is if the rear fin was removed it would look like an unmarked police car. That said, it does not matter what I think, only matters is if the driver is happy.

[Schn3ll]

Originally Posted by BeEmVe

My first thought being black is if the rear fin was removed it would look like an unmarked police car. That said, it does not matter what I think, only matters is if the driver is happy.

Interesting.

What part of Jersey do you live in where the cops drive black Caddy's?

[OkieSnuffBox]

Love it! I'll take mine in highlighter blue with the caramel leather interior and the carbon exterior bits.

[Lady Jane]

Originally Posted by Schn3ll

money times of 2021.


So after much deliberation, I decided that the CT4 V Blackwing would be the right size, and give me everything I wanted:

Sensible choice!

[Mavus]

Congrats!

It's a niche vehicle and should hold value with manual. Black is the best color for it.

[XutvJet]

I saw a white one yesterday. I have to say that it looked pretty good. Definitely better than any crap from BMW as of late, that is for sure!

[overcoil]

really bummed me when Cadillac dropped the CT6. I really wanted to consider buying one new.

[DB_Cooper]

Originally Posted by Donatello.

Congrats and cannot blame you!

I'd love to have a CT5-V Blackwing (The only DDish car I think I'd replace my DD Hellcat with right now), but $100k? F no

Would you get an M5 Comp for $100k? I think most people would. M5 goes for $110k, comp pack bumps it up to $120-130kish ?

If comparing to some other large-ish sports sedans, the CT5 is a pretty good deal, without ADM obv. Also gets a manual option.

[cfm56d7b]

Congratulations! You deserve to drive the vehicle which provides the most inspiration.

My 2017 BMW F36 is fantastic. Probably, the best non M BMW I've driven. If I had to buy another car today, it would be X4MC (humbly calling it a car). if I had to buy another full size SUV today, it would probably be GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate or Cadillac Escalade.

Magnetic ride suspension is what BMW M Adaptive aspires to be.

[RM7]

Originally Posted by cfm56d7b

Congratulations! You deserve to drive the vehicle which provides the most inspiration.

My 2017 BMW F36 is fantastic. Probably, the best non M BMW I've driven. If I had to buy another car today, it would be X4MC (humbly calling it a car). if I had to buy another full size SUV today, it would probably be GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate or Cadillac Escalade.

Magnetic ride suspension is what BMW M Adaptive aspires to be.

IDK, that F36 steering and suspension was pretty bad...bad for any kind of sporty driving. Horrible car? Not by any means. But nowhere near the level of cars I've owned before and after in terms of "ultimate driving machine". Couldn't be more opposite of GM driving dynamics in cars CT4 like the where it counts.

[AWDtoRWD]

Did you ever consider a corvette?

[Schn3ll]

Originally Posted by AWDtoRWD

Did you ever consider a corvette?

Yes but not for long. Wanted 4 seats and decent cargo room, plus a manual transmission. Also they are a dime a dozen now.