[brypt0]

Hey all. New to the forums, but hoping to soon be an official owner of a CTS-V, however, just had a few questions to help me make my mind.

Long story short, been shopping around for a new vehicle to purchase and preferably 2019+. Have looked at the M8, C8 Z51, M4, C63S, and a few others, however was not fully pleased with missing options for the price tag they're asking for. Recently saw a 2016 CTS-V Carbon Fiber package get listed locally, love the look of it, the price doesn't seem too unfair for what's offered and have always been a fan of the V. However, there are a few things that led me to want to hear the opinions of the V community on whether or not this would be a good purchase.

Details follow -
2016 CTS-V, 42,000 miles, 6.2L v8 RWD LT4 Supercharged motor, recaro seats, panoramic roof, carbon fiber package, $66K price tag (compared to $90K+ on other vehicles I have been looking at)

My issues are -
Mileage seem pretty high and I don't really want to go through any transmission problems which I've heard is common (if anyone could also lead me to a more detailed thread/article about the '16 transmission issues that'd be super helpful)

I was also looking for a minimum 2019+ year, however, I wonder what/if there are any major differences between the 2016 and 18/19 V models that make getting a newer model a much better purchase?

The V honestly looks amazing - and I would be saving more money purchasing this car than any other newer model car that I have been shopping for. I wonder if the 2016 will bring me headaches/a ton of money into maintenance down the road, especially buying when it has 42K miles already making it not worth the purchase and to continue my shopping search?

I appreciate any sort of advice.

Realized I had posted this in the wrong section and my other thread that's in the right section is awaiting approval or something. Sorry for messing up the threads, hopefully a moderator can fix this for me

 

[suprahero]

I can't offer you any advice on the newer V, but I bought my 2011 with 83000 miles on it and the only time I've touched a wrench to it was changing the oil and adding go fast parts. It now has 103000 miles and going strong. I wouldn't be afraid of buying a 42000 mile cadillac at all. This carbon fiber package sounds amazing. I'd love to see pictures of it so I think I will go google some. Good luck with your future purchase.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[brypt0]

I can't offer you any advice on the newer V, but I bought my 2011 with 83000 miles on it and the only time I've touched a wrench to it was changing the oil and adding go fast parts. It now has 103000 miles and going strong. I wouldn't be afraid of buying a 42000 mile cadillac at all. This carbon fiber package sounds amazing. I'd love to see pictures of it so I think I will go google some. Good luck with your future purchase.

Welcome to the forum.

Appreciate it. That's really good to hear yours has been holding up well since my main fear is purchasing and not looking for what I should be in regards to the year of this V and ending up having some transmission/motor issues, which essentially is adding to the cost of the vehicle at the end of the day. It does look amazing though, only thing it's missing that I wish it had was the suede wrapping finishes on the steering wheel and seats.

 

[Corsair231]

Like Supra, I own a V2 and one with even higher mileage on it. Knock-on wood, no powertrain issues so far but truthfully, I don't drive as hard these days as I did in my youth so my car is pretty much babied. With most LS platform cars, I don't think it is the quantity of the miles as much as it is the quality of those miles. 42,000 miles on basically a 7-year-old car is only 6,000 miles a year, so not really excessive for even a weekend car. As long as that V shows no signs of abuse, I would consider it just getting broken in. Plus, with the money you save on purchase price if you do happen to need any repairs, it will essentially make it less expensive for upgrades so you can close the distance between the V and that CZ and still save a nickel or two.

 

[chalizmo]

I just bought a 2016 CTS-V from Carvana (link) two weeks ago with much lower mileage for a little bit more $$ than what you've detailed. It has the carbon fiber package and not much more, but the pricing I've seen during my hunt has been more aligned with year and mileage than features. As for the Y/Y differences, here is a (link) from this community that I found in my research that helped me quite a bit.

The car just got back from a used car inspection at the dealer and found no issues, "the mechanic was impressed with the condition" and so far been a really great car but this is only a couple of weeks in. There is some general used car wear and tear that I'm having taken care of like buying all new Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, upgrading brake pads to EBC red stuff, and while it doesn't have the transmission shudder issue, trying to decide whether or not to take care of that TSB preemptively.

 

[pfram]

Go for it! Sounds like a decent deal in today's market anyways. Regarding the trans, I've had this 8l90 trans in 2 cars now, first was an atsv. They both had the rumble strip vibration that it's known for. Never had it corrected on the atsv, but did on the ctsv. The only thing that needed done was changing the fluid with an updated fluid. Has eliminated the vibration completely. That was about 20k miles ago. I'm pushing about 100 extra hp as well during that time. This is the official gm fix and for me at least has been the fix. Hope that helps. Good luck on whatever car you decide.

 

[djdonte]

There was a CUE update for the 2017 MY and the dedicated boost gauge is slightly different in that it doesn't show vacuum. You can still get the same separate gauge to come up on either side tho. That's what I use as its easier to see out of the corner of your eye. I dont think GM has apple carplay on their 2016 MY cars. Other than that I am not sure there are significant differences as this car was only made for three years. Looks like this car has all the options except the PDR. Not bad.

I'd say that pricing is not out of line in this market. I looked at similar 4 door performance sedans and this was the best bang for the buck. I can say for sure the fifth generation smallblock in this car will be infinitely more reliable than any of the German cars you looked at. The transmission problems were pretty hit or miss. I would guess if the car was going to have them, they would have already popped up at 42K miles. This isnt a CTS-V problem, rather an 8 speed problem. The same issues were mentioned with my 2017 Sierra but I had no problems at 35K when I got rid of my old truck.

I wouldnt stress on the transmission too much. If you like the car I would pull the trigger. The CF and Recaros are two must haves

 

[Lostwave]

My 2016 has apple car play...

 

[djdonte]

Ah ok I am mistaken. I am still pretty sure CUE was given a refresh at some point in the V3s life cycle.

 

[chalizmo]

My 2016 has apple car play...

mine has Apple CarPlay but I can’t seem to get Pandora to work because of it. need to research more but it seems to be an issue with Apple phones.

 

[Rboughne1]

Slight CUE updates in the 17.5+ V (i.e., on a 16 the exhaust "butterflys" aren't independently controllable, they're linked to the performance mode the car is set to, same with the steering feel and shock setting. The Electronic Dash Display is slightly different, but no better or worse ). I dont think there's a rear camera washer in the 16.

From a performance/looks perspective, there is no difference between any of them. All of these cars with the 8-speed have had their original factory ATF fluid flushed by now with the updated formulation used in the 18.5+, so that issue is solved (keep in mind that fluid effected EVERY GM vehicle with the 8-speed).

I would believe that a low 42,000kmi on a 6 y/o car means it was used as a weekend toy, and pampered. If it's as clean as the "toy" corvettes I see out there that are the same model year, mileage wouldn't worry me. Super clean, bone stock, and loaded with a good Carfax, $65k is ballpark. If it IS super clean, I would start negotiations at $60. Anything under $65 is a win, but don't be surprised if the dealer holds firm. I see 19's with 22k/mi on Car Gurus going for $80k. There are also a lotta 19's out there with low mileage for $88k.

 

[Rboughne1]

Slight CUE updates in the 17.5+ V (i.e., on a 16 the exhaust "butterflys" aren't independently controllable, they're linked to the performance mode the car is set to, same with the steering feel and shock setting. The Electronic Dash Display is slightly different, but no better or worse ). I dont think there's a rear camera washer in the 16.

From a performance/looks perspective, there is no difference between any of them. All of these cars with the 8-speed have had their original factory ATF fluid flushed by now with the updated formulation used in the 18.5+, so that issue is solved (keep in mind that fluid effected EVERY GM vehicle with the 8-speed).

I would believe that a low 42,000kmi on a 6 y/o car means it was used as a weekend toy, and pampered. If it's as clean as the "toy" corvettes I see out there that are the same model year, mileage wouldn't worry me. Super clean, bone stock, and loaded with a good Carfax, $65k is ballpark. If it IS super clean, I would start negotiations at $60. Anything under $65 is a win, but don't be surprised if the dealer holds firm. I see 19's with 22k/mi on Car Gurus going for $80k. There are also a lotta 19's out there with low mileage for $88k.

 

[tompinky]

I bought a 2016 in 2018 with 16k miles on it. No Recaros or carbon fiber but the sueded steering wheel ans shift knob, luxury package, and crystal white tri coat. Never tracked and it cost me $65k. It was an early lease turnback for a 2018 by the owner. Bought it from a dealer in winter.

 

[chalizmo]

@brypt0 did you buy it?

 

[djdonte]

I bought a 2016 in 2018 with 16k miles on it. No Recaros or carbon fiber but the sueded steering wheel ans shift knob, luxury package, and crystal white tri coat. Never tracked and it cost me $65k. It was an early lease turnback for a 2018 by the owner. Bought it from a dealer in winter.

That was pre covid lol.. a 2018 with miles like that is going to be worth 15-20K more than that in todays market. Problem is 2/3 of the V3 on sale in Houston have been wrecked!