2009 Cadillac CTS V

Description

Look, the bottom line is that you just have to come drive this 2009 Cadillac CTS-V before you'll understand it. With the supercharged heart of a Corvette, this is arguably the best car that General Motors builds and it does everything right. But honestly, none of that matters when you mash the throttle and this luxury cruiser blasts itself to the far side of 170 MPH. So please, just come drive it and you'll understand. With just two owners, the upgraded chrome wheels, sunroof and Navigation, this one is a modern collectable ready for fun.

I know that the creased "Art & Science" look on late-model Cadillacs are a love-it-or-hate-it proposition, but the CTS is arguably the finest example yet of the angular look and the CTS-V only accentuates the aggressive shape. I'm guessing that designers sketched this one first, then took out the cool stuff to make the garden-variety versions simply because it looks so right. Dig the domed hood, the vents in the fenders that complete the angle of the windshield (I understand that this particular stamping was outrageously expensive to develop but the designers wouldn't budge on eliminating it), and, of course, the mesh grilles that are only part of the V package. The paint is what you'd expect on a car with a price tag above $70,000 and even after a few years of fun, this one still looks quite good. Sure, there are a few signs of use here and there, but after all, how could you resist driving a car this amazing??

The CTS-V is much more than just a burly engine, as you'll quickly discover the moment you open the door. The black leather and suede Recaros are sculpted and supportive, every bit a match for the car's performance and price. The leather looks great, with the only noticeable issue being a small scratch in between the rear seats. Look closely and you might see it. Otherwise, there no real notable wear, even on the high-traffic areas, including the driver's bolsters. Elegant chrome-rimmed dials dance to life when you turn the key, and like most luxury manufacturers, Cadillac uses a variety of materials on the dash: chrome, textured plastic, and "piano black" trim that looks very high tech. Everything was standard on the V, so you won't be wishing for any extra hardware, and when you get tired of the V8's song, you can fire up the stereo which sounds spectacular. The V is also a real car, meaning that you can fill it with passengers and luggage and head out on the road thanks to a spacious, fully finished trunk complete with cargo net (you'll need it!).

But the real story on the V is the Corvette-derived 6.2-liter supercharged V8, which belts out 556 horsepower and 551 pounds of torque, astounding numbers for a four-door from Cadillac, wouldn't you say? It's smooth and seamless when you're just cruising, like any modern Cadillac, but mash the throttle and boost comes up instantly, the 6-speed automatic drops down a gear or three, and suddenly the speedometer and tach needles are racing each other around the dials. The chassis settings are ideal, comfortable yet deadly accurate and this might be the most tossable car I've ever driven with just the right amount of electronic assistance. If the Corvette is any indicator, the CTS-V is going to be bulletproof now and in the future, so you can buy this one with confidence. Massive Brembo brakes live behind gorgeous V-specific alloys with Michelin performance radials.

Can you tell I love this car? Go ahead, try to find 550 horsepower for less cash than this. Call today!