Even on vacation, I’m scrolling through the CarMax app for unicorns, and believe I added this 2014 Cadillac CTS-V wagon to my “saved” profile while in France mid-June for the 93rd running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans (my sixth). In my head, there was a loose connection between this Cadillac with a Corvette engine, the Cadillac Hertz #12 car (below) that came in fifth overall (fourth after the cheating #50 Ferrari was DQ’d), and the #81 Corvette Z06 GT3.R that finished on the podium third in LMGT3 – but there are lots of loose connections in my head in general. I couldn’t write until I got back to the USA. More on Le Mans later – back to the Cadillac CTS-V wagon.
Cadillac introduced the wagon version of the CTS-V in 2011, but only made them through 2014. With perhaps 2,000 units sold, it’s a unicorn (514 manual models are definitely unicorns!). “The CTS-V wagon shares the 556Â hp (415Â kW) engine and six-speed manual or automatic transmission, Magnetic Ride Control, Brembo brakes, 19-inch aluminum wheels and performance tires, and a dual-airflow grille also used in the CTS-V sedan and coupe.” – Wiki. Motor Trend tested an identical CTS-V wagon in 2014, achieving 60 mph in 3.9 seconds. This made it the quickest CTS-V sedan or wagon they had tested to date, matching the exact same timing as the 50th anniversary Porsche 911. The wagon also pulled 0.93 g in lateral acceleration. Not bad for a 4,400 lb “family” car.
By modern standards, the car is fairly average inside, featuring seat heaters, navigation, and Bose audio, but lacking in other technology and convenience features. It’s a driver’s car, and I have to remind myself that not all drivers are as soft and old as I am, insisting on features like seat massagers, heated steering wheels, and automatic cruise control. It’s actually a nice interior if you don’t want the fancy stuff. Underneath, the car has Magnetic Ride Control and Brembo brakes. Performance oriented.
The Cadillac has a giant cargo bay with or without the seats down. Great road trip car, except for the 14 city/19 highway miles per gallon. You pay a price for the horsepower.
The Cadillac CTS-V features a six-speed automatic transmission, making it less rare than a manual, but no less impressive in terms of speed. And look at CarMax’s key photo. Are they trying to make me think it comes with two keys by showing the emergency key in the photo? Shame.
The heart and soul of the Cadillac CTS-V wagon is the 6.2-liter supercharged V-8, based on the Corvette LS9 (from the ZR1), which produces 556 horsepower. Historically, the small block motor has been quite reliable; yet, I’d still opt for Maxcare, given some reports of trouble with the Magnetic Ride Control shocks and leaking rear differentials. Honestly, I suspect the shocks are not covered by MaxCare, but an inspection during the first 90 days or 4,000 miles should tell you if they’re healthy. If not, insist on replacement by CarMax or return the car and get your money back.
Typically, an American car like this would be eligible for MaxCare for an additional five years and up to 150,000 odometer miles. Oddly, CarMax has dropped the MaxCare terms on its website for all cars, it seems. What’s up with that? I will have to ask them and report back. I dislike this intensely.
Today, there are 18 CTS-V wagons on Autotrader and six on Cars.com. Not a lot out there. One has almost the same mileage and is $6,000 more. A few have only 10-15,000 miles and are selling for astronomical prices ($90k), and a few of the rare manual transmission models are also commanding high prices. This one is very reasonably priced at $57k and 32,000 miles. The 2014 Cadillac CTS-V wagon was sold new for approximately $75,000. In eleven years, it hasn’t depreciated all that much, but it is an unusual, limited-production car. At the moment, this Cadillac is being shipped to Ellicott City, MD, near Baltimore. Here’s the link to track it.
Stock No: 26709277 VIN: 1G6DV8EP8E0125037
KEEP SCROLLING FOR MY LE MANS JIBBER JABBER
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