New CTS-v or E39 M5?

Kmac · 23rd November 2008, 14:28

Dear Abby (or is it Dear Gustav?)

As an owner of an M5, I love the car. So at the moment I have a choice. I can keep the M5 and put some more money into it (and the M3 of course), or I can sell it and get the new CTS-v. Both good choices, but I cant make up my mind.

Yours truly,

Dazed and Confused

gsfent · 23rd November 2008, 14:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kmac

Dear Abby (or is it Dear Gustav?)

As an owner of an M5, I love the car. So at the moment I have a choice. I can keep the M5 and put some more money into it (and the M3 of course), or I can sell it and get the new CTS-v. Both good choices, but I cant make up my mind.

Yours truly,

Dazed and Confused

New CTS-V appears to be a heck of a car @ $65k ish, and it has lots of newer technology, only some of which you can retrofit on the M5. BUT:

1. NEVER buy the first year of a new car; even the Germans take time to get it right. SEE E60 M5, it took a year or two to sort out SMG (and it going the way of the dodo bird for the next generation) and just now ('09) seem to have idrive sorted out.

2. Given the troubles the Big 3? Detroit companies are going through, not sure I want to invest $65k under those circumstances.

3. New car depreciation. Your call, but I suspect that car will not hold value well because of GM troubles, as well as spotty history of build quality and the lousy economy. Big boys who like big boy toys tend to like the latest and greatest, only the rare car holds value well (E39 M5 did well for the first 5 years of so, current economic downturn and $4/gallon gas put the hurt on it too).

4. What do you need to do to the E39 to make you happy? Probably won't get most of that money back either, but in the long run much less of a "loss".

Hey, go take a test drive. It should be a hoot, and with a choice of 6 speed stick or auto ( and GM does have great slushboxes) in a car designed around those transmissions, you can't go wrong for an afternoon!

Regards,
Jerry

Kleintje · 23rd November 2008, 15:27

Thats not a choice

Sebring NL · 23rd November 2008, 15:38

well, its sure appears to be a fast car, that Caddy. And the dash etc looks near european quality.

However, only in the unlikely case that this car will be the sole first US car to hold value, I would advise to buy one.

Don't start with BMW depreciation values please. They are steep but have never ever matched GM or Chrysler rates, even the fast Corvettes never held value well.

My advise, keep the E39 as its nearly on its all-time low value right now and buy a CTS/V as a year-old in a couple of years.

Wout

TMcNasty · 23rd November 2008, 15:56

No need to ever buy a new car....especially a redesigned/newly designed one. Let GM work the bugs out then pick up 1-2 yr. old one for WAY less than 65k. Just don't pick up a used 1st year car.

If the depr. rate for the CTS is anything like the M you'll be glad you waited.

kosmo · 23rd November 2008, 17:10

If you really want the Caddy, wait a few months as I suspect some dealers will discount it. Notwithstanding their financial troubles, I think GM is finally learning about the concept of supply and demand and not wont flood the mkt w/ the V. Hopefully it will be like the ZR-1. Having driven the standard CTS in automatic, I like it. the interior is very nice and the handling was very composed given its ride quality. The V should be even better w/ the magnetic shocks. The only draw back was the size and shape of the rear doors. Its very small and you have to bend forward a lot to get into the rear. But once in the space is ok.

jimmyz2 · 23rd November 2008, 19:44

What's not to love about 550 hp and closer to 625 hp with simple mods.

jclyman · 23rd November 2008, 20:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmyz2

What's not to love about 550 hp and closer to 625 hp with simple mods.

FIT and FINISH ...

shoand03cobra · 23rd November 2008, 20:09

Go for the V

ppatel9 · 23rd November 2008, 20:42

I would wait till the BIG 3 are back in the game. If you buy one right now, you dont know if they will go into bankruptcy by the end of the year. And I would bet that getting service done to the car after the bankruptcy would be hard as hell since most dealers would close up their doors. CTS-V isnt a bad car at all, but then again its american. Top Gear did a review on it recently. It was the second episode of sesason 12. I agree with some other board members on here that its does take 1-2 years after the car release to get the bugs all sorted out. The old CTS-V was a piece of crap. But with this, they have def. stepped up and sorted it all out. I dont know why GM is releasing high horsepower cars when they know they are in financial trouble. Very stupid mistakes by CEOs. They are burning close to 2 billion every month!

Now that is just ridicioulous. Maybe you can pick up an 09' E60 M5 with low miles by the middle of next year and still pay close to CTS-V numbers. I know this market is bad, but it is an excellent time to pick up a new car. Friend just picked up a 99' 360 for close to 70k. You can pick up a V8 Vantage for 70k-80k. Market for high horsepower exotic cars have plummeted. Personally, I would just look around everywhere throughout the country for these sweet ***** deals if you're in the market for one. Good luck and keep us posted on what you decided to get.