Drove the CTS-V on track at Monticello Motor Club

[jwasbury]

I figured I'd share with you guys my experience thus far with the CTS-V Wagon.

There is a program available to Northeast regional Caddy dealers where they can give you a free pass to drive a CTS-V at the member's only Monticello Motorclub track. My dealer set me up with a pass, and I ran the full course yesterday driving one of the Motorclub's fleet cars: a CTS-V Wagon nearly identical to mine with a 6 Speed manual transmission. Great car + incredible facility & people = an extremely big smile on my face.

This track time has rounded out my ownership experience with the CTS-V so that I can say first hand that the wagon is a vehicle that performs exceptionally well under a wide range of use.

Road trip with the Mrs. to Washington DC? Check!
Haul bass guitar gear to gig (amp with 2 cabinets and 2 axes)? Check!
Haul groceries and 40lb bags of dog food? Check!
Haul me, wife and two dogs to the country for a hike (95lb Rottie mix and 65lb Heinz 57 mutt)? Check!
Haul @$$ at the racetrack? Check!

MMC Clubhouse - this place is paradise for car guys:




CTS-V Coupes are part of MMC's HPDE fleet:


My ride was this Wagon - #7


Other than needing an interior detail, #7 appears no worse for the wear despite the daily beating it receives at the track.



Cadillac has definitely nailed it IMHO. The ride is firm, but nicely damped and the car is very comfortable on the highway. In the curves the car is very confidence inspiring and it "shrinks" when pushed in the twisties. Its also reasonably quiet cruising on the highway, with just the right amount of V8 rumble in the cabin. When you cog down a gear or two and bury your right foot, it sounds like a hot rod. Chop the throttle and you get wonderful pops and burbles as the revs drop...absolutely lovely V8 music. The 6 speed manual gearbox is very smooth and easy to use, and the shifter itself is perfectly positioned so that it falls to hand with your elbow sitting on the center console armrest. Of course it stops as well as it goes too, massive 6 piston Brembos do not disappoint.

It is hard to find anything to complain about with the chassis and powertrain, so it seems most auto journos focus criticism on the interior. I find the inside of the CTS-V is a nice place to be.

[speeder]

That's awesome. Especially the part where you got to drive your car on the track w/o actually driving your car on the track.

[kaisen]

And, you need to stop shaving your arms

[stomachmonkey]

My next door neighbor is marketing veep for Cadillac/GM.

He brings home toys all the time.

He tossed me the keys to one a while back, said "don't turn off the traction control"

That thing is a beast.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I'll be looking for one in 8-10 years when they've depreciated to my price point. Awesome cars.

[MMARSH]

I really really like those cars. I'm a wagon guy also. The only thing you didn't mention was towing. I tow my track bike to the track with my Volvo wagon. It rated to tow 3500 lbs. I know the motor and chassis can handle it no problem, but do you know if cadillac actually gives the CTS-V a tow rating or provides a factory hitch.

[jwasbury]

Originally Posted by MMARSH

I know the motor and chassis can handle it no problem, but do you know if caddilac actually gives the CTS-V a tow rating or provides a factory hitch.

The manual says the CTS-V isn't designed for towing. It says the regular CTS can pull a 1000lb trailer, and I do think there is a factory hitch available for the non-V models, but I believe it won't fit a V.

A quick google search found this:
Cadillac CTS-V 2012 Trailer Hitch By Curt find it at Humphreys Hitch And Trailer Parts-Hitch Division

[MMARSH]

Originally Posted by jwasbury

The manual says the CTS-V isn't designed for towing. It says the regular CTS can pull a 1000lb trailer, and I do think there is a factory hitch available for the non-V models, but I believe it won't fit a V.

A quick google search found this:
Cadillac CTS-V 2012 Trailer Hitch By Curt find it at Humphreys Hitch And Trailer Parts-Hitch Division

Funny, I put a Curt hitch on my Volvo too. I don't think my current set up is 1000 lbs, so I should be good to go. Thank you for the info.