Vehicles from the 2000s seem far too new to be shown on a site known for old, dusty vehicles. This 2005 Cadillac CTS-V is a solid two decades old now, however, and it just doesn’t seem possible that this car, or this series of cars, could be that old. How is time ticking away so much faster now than it did when we were younger? This one is posted here on craigslist in Modesto, California, and they’re asking $21,500. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Mitchell G. for the tip!
We’ve seen three of Cadillac’s CST models, one Florida’d-up sedan (vinyl roof, etc.) that Jim showed us this summer, and two wagons. One of those wagons was a monster, a dream machine for a lot of us, a black CTS-V wagon with a rare six-speed manual. I have to wonder if Cadillac would have sold more of these cars if they offered AWD along with a six-speed manual in the CTS-V series?
I really like the size and style of the first-generation CTS, which was made from 2002 for the 2003 model year, until the end of 2007. The CTS-V version was made from 2004 to 2007 in the first-gen cars. The first-generation cars were just a smidge (as no CTS-V owner said, ever) smaller and just seemed sportier. Of course, the coupe version didn’t come out until the second generation came along and there was never a factory convertible, but some companies created them.
The interiors tended to sway toward the simple side (I didn’t want to say cheap), and that’s one area where Cadillac could have maybe spent a bit more time. But it was the early/mid-2000s, a different era than we’re used to now. The big deal here is seeing that short-throw Tremec six-speed manual poking out of the console area. An automatic wasn’t available in this car. It does look flawless inside, other than some normal creases on the driver’s side left bolster area. The back seat looks like it’s never been used.
The engine under this unfortunate plastic cover (let’s see the engine, for cryin’ out loud!) is an LS6, a 346-cu.in. (5.7-liter) OHV V8 from Corvette’s ZO6, with 400 horsepower and about the same in torque. The rear wheels receive that power through the sweet-shifting six-speed manual, and the seller says they are the second owner. It’s in completely stock condition (no modifications, but all the required maintenance), it has 75,000 miles, and it works as it should. The asking price is about where it should be, price-wise, from what I can tell. Unless Car & Driver is wrong. An underside engine photo would be great, as the early cars are prone to some valley cover leaks. Have any of you owned or driven a first-generation CTS-V?
My primary ride! Found a guy on the forom that modified the Hurst Camaro shifter for the Caddy and upgraded the bushings now it’s click click. These have a weak rear differential so don’t launch them but this car will scoot. The LS6 with it’s better heads and the cam profile makes it pull hard about 4K right to redline. Way too illegal to max out 5th and 6th gear. As the author stated it’s been a while since these were built and some parts are getting hard to source. Example my harmonic balancer was starting to leave and GM didn’t have one anywhere. Ending up buying a performance unit made in USA vs some juck that will cause issues down the road. It’s a great handling car that will eat the highway. Took me almost Two years to find mine, low mileage and unmodified. New owner should enjoy this one.
I’m very, very jealous that you have one of these, Cadmanls, and that you drive it often enough to be considered a primary ride! Thanks for the excellent follow-up info. I did read about the rear diff and should have mentioned that, dang. In an ideal world, this would be my business road trip car; to heck with the 14 mpg.
It usually pulls down 21 to 22 mpg on the highway.And I live in Fl so you take it from there.
Drove my all-stock Raven Black 2004 CTS-V to work just today. Will fill it up tonight, stabilize the fuel, put it on a tender, and park it for the winter. Such a blast to drive (just not in the snow). And Scotty, FYI, I get 25 mpg on long highway trips.
Lucky! 25 mpg is great. I read that the wagon version got 14 mpg.
One of my all-time favorite Cadillacs. I had a co-worker back in the day that had one (with 6 speed). He loved it but had the rear end problems mentioned by other posters.
Fixed in 2006 &7’s
This seller gives off a strong “I know what I’ve got” vibe, though I understand how frustrating it can be to sell a car on Craigslist, so I’ll not judge too harshly, haha.
It is a nice car. However, a 2006, same color and also a 6-speed, sold on BaT for 18 grand in August. It had 59k on it and was uber clean, and I think the market has been getting softer as of late. So my guess is he will be sitting on this for a while.
I begged,,, literally, BEGGED my daughter to buy one of these when she decided her Dodge Caliber( a nice car, btw) didn’t fit the L.A. parking lots. She asked me, “dad, I want a sports sedan, what do you think”? I said Caddy, Caddy, CADDY,,,she said, “oh, dad, I don’t want some old mans car”, and went with the BMW, also a very nice car. I think she would have been happy with this car, but for younger people, Cadillac just can’t get past that stigma of being an “old mans car”. Splitting hairs really, they are all amazing machines, as long as one doesn’t have to have them repaired, that is.
Fantastic cars 2004 was the first year and having ordered 8 mo in advance in 2003 got the first one in San Diego which I used as a company car for a few years then sold it to my son who has it up in Canada(not driven in winter). It still has the lifetime originally contracted XM Radio playing the tunes- It always reminded me of a GTI on steroids
I suspect this would handily outrun the 427 Chevelle also here today. Yes, it’s newer-
Go ahead, Scott, say it, CHEAP!
Cadillac came out with some great cars in the early 2000s but there was ALWAYS a disappointing factor. Either they were underpowered or the interior was cheap and took away from the grandure of Cadillac.
Looking at that dashboard my first thought was too much cheap black plastic.
As always, just my opinion.
I’m with you. Scotty. I have always loved the 1st gen CTS-V, ever since reading about it in Autoweek all those years ago. IIRC, Mallett made a fire breathing version of the 1st gen.
I put well over 100k miles on my 2004 V. Sold it and got an 09 V sedan. Drove that till 108k then got a 13 v wagon which I still have. First gen was definitely a fun car. Never had a rear end problem with mine and I punched it hard everyday! Wagon is my favorite though. Been problem free too!
I have 100,000 miles in my 07 V. Borla cat back and K&N FIPK. On dyno 365 to rear wheels. Fun ride and has been on salt free diet (western PA)
Still on original clutch. No problems with rear diff.
Get one. You’ll like!
When those first came out we sold several and all were younger men who wanted the action. Then they discovered the tires lasted a max of 8K miles before needing replacement. They tires are run flats and cost an arm and a leg back then.
Yes they are fast.