Corvette-Powered Cadillac CTS-V: A High-Performance Bargain

If you’ve put in the hours online searching for cheap used sedans that are also fun to drive and have a bit of power under the hood, you may have come up with some early 2010s BMW M3s, a WRX STi or two, a 2018 Audi S4, or even a Jaguar XF S. They are all out there and are built for cheap thrills with the added bonus of being relatively luxe and comfortable.

Base Trim Engine

6.2L V8 Gas

Base Trim Transmission

6-Speed Manual

Base Trim Drivetrain

Rear-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

556 hp

Base Trim Torque

551 lb-ft @ 3800 rpm

Fuel Economy

14/19 MPG

Make

Cadillac

Model

CTS-V Sedan

Segment

Large Luxury Sedan

Infotainment & Features

6 /10

However, if you want to buy American, you should look at this sedan. There is a used American sedan on the market at the moment that not only flaunts some muscular sleeper sedan moves and a comfortable interior, but also boasts a real animal of an engine under the hood. This beefy Cadillac sedan is fitted with the same supercharged LSA V8 as the C6 Chevy Corvette ZR1, and you can pick one up for around $25,000. What else could you ask for?

With Prices Around $25,000, This LSA-Powered Cadillac Is A Steal

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If it is a cheap high-performance sedan that you are looking for, you should be looking out for a used second-gen Cadillac CTS-V. Produced as a sedan between 2009 and 2014, this angular, jagged, and sharp-nosed Cadillac was built as the funner and angrier variant of the second-gen Cadillac CTS.

The CTS lineup comes equipped with a choice of three relatively powerful V6 mills: a 263-horsepower LY7 V6, a 270-horsepower LFT V6 from 2010 onwards, and finally, a direct-injection 304-horsepower LLT V6. But the CST-V comes equipped with a supercharged V8 straight from the C6 Corvette ZR1.

Average Used Prices Of The Second-Gen Cadillac CTS-V

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The second-gen CTS-V lineup runs from 2009 to 2015, but you can only get a sedan flavor for model years between 2009 and 2014. The CTS-V coupe is available for all model years of the second generation, or for the same model years as the sedan; you can also pick up a performance wagon variant.

But, if you are looking for overall performance sedan comfort with some insane motivation under the hood, the circa-$25,000 prices for the CTS-V sedan should certainly scratch the itch. According to Kelley Blue Book, the cheapest MY you can get is the 2009 CTS-V, at a fair purchase price of $19,542.

Second-Gen Cadillac CTS-V Years And KBB Fair Purchase Price

At auction, prices can vary slightly more. While we see a top fair purchase price of just north of $25,500, according to Classic.com, the most expensive example sold went under the hammer for $55,500. It is worth noting, though, that this was a model with just 4,000 miles on the clock and is a manual transmission model.

Second-Generation Cadillac CTS-V Performance Specifications

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You may look at the prices for the 12–16-year-old CTS-V and think it is still relatively expensive for its age, but what you are paying for, really, is the supercharged LSA V8 it comes equipped with. It turns the relatively powerful and sporty second-gen CTS into a proper bargain-basement powerhouse.

Second-Gen Cadillac CTS-V Performance Specs

The Gen-IV small-block LSA V8 is relatively lightweight, very hardy, and can send the 4,392-pound CTS-V to 60 mph in just under four seconds. The ZR1 that the CTS-V borrows its engine from can dash to 60 in as little as 3.3 seconds, but it does weigh a considerable amount less at 3,350 pounds and boasts a slightly higher-tuned version of the LSA (638 horsepower).

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The LSA boasts a cast aluminum block with a deep skirt design, so you get an ultra-rigid mill and reduced vibrations at high revs; the forged steel crankshaft and eight-bolt flange ensure a strong flywheel attachment; the pistons are high-silicon cast; the connecting rods are forged powder-metal, and squirters spray oil onto the pistons to keep them at the right temps when you’re gunning it.

The cylinder heads it boasts are high-flow, rotocast A356-T6 aluminum with intake port “wings,” so you get efficient combustion courtesy of the swirl, and to top it all off, the whole thing is mated to a supercharger with an integrated air-to-liquid intercooler. Like we see with the C6 Corvette ZR1, the CTS-V is truly supercar DNA in an everyday vehicle.

You Get ZR1 Power Blended With Sedan Comfort, Win-Win

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With fair purchase price estimates of $25,547 for the latest iteration of the second-gen, you only have to spend $45.95 per horsepower. Any way you look at that, it is good value for money. You can either choose an automatic transmission model, which generally come in a little bit cheaper, or you can get the full supercharged V8 experience with a six-speed manual transmission.

We’d say either choice is a good one; with the auto box, you get a 6L90 torque-converter planetary setup that has been performance-tuned and paired with flappy paddles, and with the manual box, you get a more hands-on feel. The manual transmission is a TR-6060 unit that boasts a twin-disc clutch, hardened gears, a dual-mass flywheel, and strong syncros, all of which help to cut out most vibrations. But, alongside what you can do in a second-gen CTS-V speed-wise, you also get the everyday comfort of a sedan.

Interior Comfort And What You Get Inside

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Because of the age of the second-gen CTS-V, you shouldn’t expect too much in the way of ultra-modern tech, but that shouldn’t be the reason you buy one. Mind you, it is still relatively well-equipped with tech, with a backup camera, a Bose 5.1 surround-sound system, a 40GB hard drive for your music, and an eight-inch ‘glide-up’ diagonal touchscreen sitting in the center of the dash.

Aside from the somewhat lack of up-to-date tech, the CTS-V is well-equipped for a comfortable and athletic ride, but maybe not as luxurious a feel compared to some of its similarly-aged competitors, like the BMW M5 or the E63 AMG. But that can be forgiven; remember the supercharged LSA under the hood.

There are models on the market with the originally optional bolstered 14-way-adjustable Recaro seats, so it is worth keeping your eye on the market to see what is about; you get leather upholstery; suede microfiber inserts are showcased around the cabin, and the soft material used on the steering wheel and gear shift is comfortable. To finish off the interior build, the CTS-V showcases:

• Ambient lighting in the footwells and on the doors
• Dual-zone climate control
• Bluetooth connectivity
• A sunroof
• Keyless entry

It may not be the most luxe used sedan on the market, but the athletic focus of the cabin and the comfortable-enough design make it ideal for having fun and everyday driving.

The Performance Features That Make It A Proper Sleeper

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You could argue that its sharp face, upper and lower front grille, and the 19-inch five-double-spoke wheels hint at its capability, but aside from that, the second-gen CTS-V looks somewhat like your typical sedan. However, alongside the ZR1 engine and quick-shifting transmission options, the CTS-V is set up as a bona fide sleeper sedan.

The standard CTS chassis has been beefed up with hydroform frame rails and high-strength steel reinforcements, so you get less flex and a sharper feel behind the wheel; fully-independent suspension sits on all four corners with a short/long arm design up front and a multi-link at the back, while Cadillac also fitted the CTS-V with Brembo brakes with ventilated discs, Magnetic Ride Control, which adjusts damping on the fly, and a limited-slip differential.

All in all, you get immense power and speed, awesome stopping distances (with most tests reporting 60–0 distances of between 105 and 111 feet), a stable ride in the corners, and genuine sports car control, courtesy of the rear-wheel drive layout, low ground clearance, speed-sensing hydraulic-assist 16.1:1 steering, and the limited-slip diff.

What You Should Know About The Second-Gen Cadillac CTS-V

Cadillac

The first important thing you need to know about the 2009–2014 Cadillac CTS-V sedan is that it can be a very well-priced and performance-oriented sleeper sedan that can offer a heck of a lot of fun, both in a straight line and around the curvies. The second important thing you need to know about it is that, despite the low-for-its-power price, it can be an expensive sedan to own, especially high-mileage models.

Common Problems You Should Look Out For

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According to reviews of the second-gen CTS-V on Kelley Blue Book, owners have been very happy with their models. Overall, the CTS-V gets a rating of 4.5 out of 5, a value rating of 4.5, a quality rating of 4.6, a reliability rating of 4.6, a comfort rating of 4.6, a styling rating of 4.7, and a performance rating of 4.7.

But despite the all-around high praise, there are a fair few owner complaints and common problems reported with the second-gen CTS-V, which you should take note of if you are looking for one.

• Timing chain and tensioner stretch can lead to incorrect valve timing and a check engine light.
• Whining noises from the supercharger.
• Differential failure due to its undersized nature and Cadillac’s use of thin aluminum. This can lead to it cracking and ultimately failing.
• Wear and tear on the suspension components and on the Magnetic Ride Control lead to poor handling and an uncomfortable ride.
• Electrical bugs are caused by a faulty wiring harness.
• The gas cap can loosen and throw up a check engine light.
• Coolant leaks.

There are also several recalls for certain MYs. The 2009 CTS-V has been recalled for a number of reasons, including a faulty ignition switch that may turn off, meaning that the airbags may not deploy in a crash, the nuts on the rear suspension toe link may loosen, causing loss of control, and the heated windshield washer module may short-circuit and cause a fire.

The 2014 model has also been recalled seven times for damaged seat heaters, causing a fire, the front seats not staying in place when you are driving, and the axle roll pins fracturing and making the wheels lock up. Alongside everything you should look for when buying a used car, and everything you should look out for on your test drive, you should ensure that all the recalls and known pinch points have been addressed before driving off in one.

Annual Running Costs Are Not What You Can Call Low

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According to RepairPal, the Cadillac CTS will cost you, on average, $663 a year to maintain. There isn’t any information on the CTS-V maintenance costs on RepairPal, but we can only presume, courtesy of the supercharged engine, even though it is a renownedly solid one, that costs will be slightly higher when the supercharger throws up some problems.

Alongside that, fuel costs are as high as you might expect from a 6.2-liter supercharged V8. Combined mpg estimates on Fueleconomy.gov state that the 2014 Cadillac CTS-V equipped with an automatic transmission only achieves 14 mpg (12 mpg in the city and 18 mpg on the highway). There isn’t any data about the 2014 manual-transmission models, but Fueleconomy.gov says that the 2013 model equipped with a manual transmission fares a little better with a combined mpg rating of 16 mpg (14 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway).

Second-Gen Cadillac CTS-V EPA Estimates

Fuel-cost-wise, what makes the second-gen CTS-V so expensive to fuel up, alongside the sheer power of the LSA V8 under the hood, is that to get the most out of the available power, you have to run it on premium gas.

Should You Buy A Second-Gen Cadillac CTS-V?

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We think so, yes. If you are looking for a performance sedan at a bargain price, then, yes, you should buy one. The LSA V8 under the hood may not be as powerful as the one found in the Corvette ZR1, but considering the CTS-V’s weight, the added comfort features, and the beefy sleeper looks, it can still sprint exceptionally well and stick to the road as well as some of our other homegrown sports sedans and European counterparts.

Some owners have praised the CTS-V for sticking to the road as well as some of the BMW M models (though we know that is debatable), and it can out-sprint a 2014 Porsche 911 Carrera (4.5 seconds to 60 mph), so there isn’t much to dislike.

There are, of course, some drawbacks and problems with the CTS-V, and you can pick up a 2014 Audi S8 for just north of $17,000, which boasts a 520-horsepower bi-turbocharged V8. You do have to run the CTS-V on premium gas if you want to properly stretch its legs, and it isn’t the most luxurious ‘luxury sedan‘ on the market, but if you look for a low-mileage example with a stamped-up maintenance book that has had some of the most common problems taken care of, there is no reason why you can’t have oodles of on-road fun, both in a straight line and up in the canyons.