Another "So long, RL" thread...but I'm not going anywhere!
03-20-2009, 09:05 PM
#1
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
Another "So long, RL" thread...but I'm not going anywhere!
So most of you regulars know I've been drooling over the Cadillac CTS-V for over a year. I said it would be my next car and I picked up a Radiant Silver V with nav, Ultraview moonroof, and regular seats (e.g. not Recaros) for GM employee price. Bought at a dealer in Michigan and drove it home today. Pictures soon to come in this thread.
I'm not leaving the forum, though, it's been my online home since BEFORE I owned an Acura, and I'll still be modding here in the RL section as I know the car more intimately than many, having modded mine.
Pix of the new "Silver Dragon" that replaced my "Sleeping Beauty" RL coming shortly.
All I can say about the driving experience after driving Hondas/Acuras for 20 years is....oooooooooooh, so THAT's what low-end torque is!
The gas mileage.....HAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA! That's a good one. I averaged 16 mpg on my trip home from Michigan. I averaged 23.5 mpg in the RL on the way there. I got $19.5 for my RL in trade. That's about right, Galves says $19775. It'll be going to the East Coast Mannheim's pretty soon. Will the next person who gets my A-Spec take good care of her? *snif*
My AEM intake with bracket, 5Zigen exhaust, and OEM rims/tires with 996 miles on them will be in the Black Market in the next week or so.
Sleeping Beauty, back to stock A-Spec/non-kit form.
The new Silver Dragon
I'm not leaving the forum, though, it's been my online home since BEFORE I owned an Acura, and I'll still be modding here in the RL section as I know the car more intimately than many, having modded mine.
Pix of the new "Silver Dragon" that replaced my "Sleeping Beauty" RL coming shortly.
All I can say about the driving experience after driving Hondas/Acuras for 20 years is....oooooooooooh, so THAT's what low-end torque is!
The gas mileage.....HAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA! That's a good one. I averaged 16 mpg on my trip home from Michigan. I averaged 23.5 mpg in the RL on the way there. I got $19.5 for my RL in trade. That's about right, Galves says $19775. It'll be going to the East Coast Mannheim's pretty soon. Will the next person who gets my A-Spec take good care of her? *snif*My AEM intake with bracket, 5Zigen exhaust, and OEM rims/tires with 996 miles on them will be in the Black Market in the next week or so.
Sleeping Beauty, back to stock A-Spec/non-kit form.
The new Silver Dragon
03-20-2009, 09:20 PM
#3
Pro
Yea, My friend gets that discount and is Dyin' for the new caddy. All He'll own is a V. And Hes a Huge GM Fan (his dad worked there for YEARS).
Care to share the $$? I saw an 09 (V, nav, Recaro Seats, etc) with 4,000 mi for 54. What A Fn ride!
Care to share the $$? I saw an 09 (V, nav, Recaro Seats, etc) with 4,000 mi for 54. What A Fn ride!
03-20-2009, 09:40 PM
#5
05 slate grey e500 AMG sp
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: St Simons Island Ga
Age: 59
Posts: 345
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Congrats on the step up. Is it stick or slush box? Low end torque can be addictive can't it? I have been checking out the caddy forums for a while. I wold say in 2 yrs I will get a used V or E/CLS 63.
The General is doing a lot of things right I hope they can make it. If they would go on file chapt 11 and break the UAW I would buy one tom, but I am afraid that if they are nationalized and are run by bureaucrats and not car people like Lutz that they will end up making uninspired cars again.
The General is doing a lot of things right I hope they can make it. If they would go on file chapt 11 and break the UAW I would buy one tom, but I am afraid that if they are nationalized and are run by bureaucrats and not car people like Lutz that they will end up making uninspired cars again.
03-20-2009, 09:40 PM
#6
2013 RL or bust
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Titletown, MA
Age: 39
Posts: 830
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Damn.. Bob be steppin up his game x 1000!!
I know it's silly to talk MPG when a car has over 500 horses and just as much torque, but...
Bob.. Please clue us in on mileage for everday driving of city/highway combined. It says it's 13/18 mpg according to a couple sites I've seen, but some sites say not available.
Anyway, just curious because I'm eyeballing an M5 down the road.... way, WAY down the road.. and it says it get 11/17
CONGRATULATIONS BOB!!!
Blazing is gonna be so happy
I know it's silly to talk MPG when a car has over 500 horses and just as much torque, but...
Bob.. Please clue us in on mileage for everday driving of city/highway combined. It says it's 13/18 mpg according to a couple sites I've seen, but some sites say not available.
Anyway, just curious because I'm eyeballing an M5 down the road.... way, WAY down the road.. and it says it get 11/17
CONGRATULATIONS BOB!!!
Blazing is gonna be so happy
Trending Topics
03-20-2009, 09:53 PM
#10
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
I constantly have to back off on the throttle. I was on the Ohio Turnpike and accelerated to pass someone in the third lane. I looked down after I passed and was at 100 mph. That's what 556 hp and massive low-end torque (400 lb-ft at IDLE) do for you.
That's what 556 hp and massive low-end torque (400 lb-ft at IDLE) do for you.
03-20-2009, 10:01 PM
#14
2013 RL or bust
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Titletown, MA
Age: 39
Posts: 830
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No, no, NO! Stop it, stop it...
<--- opens up cars.com
AHHHHHHHH!!
03-20-2009, 10:32 PM
#15
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
Stay in school and you'll get your own. 
Either that, or they'll depreciate fast and you'll be able to get one cheap in 3-4 years.
It's an automatic. a) my wife has to be able to drive the car in an emergency. b) the automatic was what made the record run around the Nurburgring. I WAS going to wait for a used V but I got a deal I couldn't resist. I'm rewarding the General for making good product. Bob Lutz FTW! 
No rattles, no squeaks, fit and finish is almost as good as my RL. Definitely not what I was expecting from GM. God bless America!!! 
Not leaving Acura for good, though. If the 3G RL is enough to make me come back, I will. I've still got two Hondas in the garage, though after driving the Silver Dragon today, I think I'm almost ready to sell my S2000.
Either that, or they'll depreciate fast and you'll be able to get one cheap in 3-4 years.
Congrats on the step up. Is it stick or slush box? Low end torque can be addictive can't it? I have been checking out the caddy forums for a while. I wold say in 2 yrs I will get a used V or E/CLS 63.
The General is doing a lot of things right I hope they can make it. If they would go on file chapt 11 and break the UAW I would buy one tom, but I am afraid that if they are nationalized and are run by bureaucrats and not car people like Lutz that they will end up making uninspired cars again.
The General is doing a lot of things right I hope they can make it. If they would go on file chapt 11 and break the UAW I would buy one tom, but I am afraid that if they are nationalized and are run by bureaucrats and not car people like Lutz that they will end up making uninspired cars again.
No rattles, no squeaks, fit and finish is almost as good as my RL. Definitely not what I was expecting from GM. God bless America!!! Not leaving Acura for good, though. If the 3G RL is enough to make me come back, I will. I've still got two Hondas in the garage, though after driving the Silver Dragon today, I think I'm almost ready to sell my S2000.
03-21-2009, 09:59 AM
#21
Burning Brakes
Congrats! I saw one the other day and thought of you Bob, who knew you were (finally) getting it. 
I'm afraid to ask, but how did you do on trade on the RL?
I'm afraid to ask, but how did you do on trade on the RL?
03-21-2009, 10:23 AM
#22
2012 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe
Hey Bob,
About a month ago my brother-in-law called me as he has been in the market to get out of his 10 year old Infiniti G20. He had narrowed it down to the BMW 3 series and a Cadillac CTS, both new. He wanted my thoughts.
He was genuinely surprised to hear me say that I thought he should give the CTS a serious look. I guess with my track record of buying foreign cars for the past 18 years, he was expecting me to automatically give the nod to the BMW.
I told him that while the 3 series is still the standard as a driver's car, I've been seriously impressed with the CTS, and if I was in the market today the CTS would be at the top of my list to consider.
I also told him that with two small kids, the CTS may give him a little more room, and he may be able to get a little more for his money with the Caddy.
He called me back the next day with news that he bought a Black/Black CTS. Foolishly though he settled for the base engine (IMO at minimum you have to get the 3.6 DI engine), but he did upgrade to the luxury package. They both commented on how it drives nothing like my parent's old '91 Cadillac Brougham. Those of you who recall, those were the last of the true land yachts with steering that felt like the connection between the steering wheel and the rack was made of overcooked pasta.
I will be monitoring his experience and I look forward to hearing about yours as well. Specifically around reliability and fit/finish. If the car proves to be the real deal, I will strongly consider it when I choose to get a new car.
The exterior changes, though subtle from the previous model really give the car character, but the interior is absolutely stunning. I equate it to how I felt the first time I sat in an RL.
Congrats again.
About a month ago my brother-in-law called me as he has been in the market to get out of his 10 year old Infiniti G20. He had narrowed it down to the BMW 3 series and a Cadillac CTS, both new. He wanted my thoughts.
He was genuinely surprised to hear me say that I thought he should give the CTS a serious look. I guess with my track record of buying foreign cars for the past 18 years, he was expecting me to automatically give the nod to the BMW.
I told him that while the 3 series is still the standard as a driver's car, I've been seriously impressed with the CTS, and if I was in the market today the CTS would be at the top of my list to consider.
I also told him that with two small kids, the CTS may give him a little more room, and he may be able to get a little more for his money with the Caddy.
He called me back the next day with news that he bought a Black/Black CTS. Foolishly though he settled for the base engine (IMO at minimum you have to get the 3.6 DI engine), but he did upgrade to the luxury package. They both commented on how it drives nothing like my parent's old '91 Cadillac Brougham. Those of you who recall, those were the last of the true land yachts with steering that felt like the connection between the steering wheel and the rack was made of overcooked pasta.
I will be monitoring his experience and I look forward to hearing about yours as well. Specifically around reliability and fit/finish. If the car proves to be the real deal, I will strongly consider it when I choose to get a new car.
The exterior changes, though subtle from the previous model really give the car character, but the interior is absolutely stunning. I equate it to how I felt the first time I sat in an RL.
Congrats again.
03-21-2009, 05:41 PM
#25
Drifting
Congrats Bob! Looks real nice. Is it safe to assume you like Silver cars? Pics of the inside would be nice.
03-21-2009, 09:25 PM
#26
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
Thanks for the comments. I can't believe I actually bought it. It's expensive.....but it's actually TENS of thousands less than the stated competition (M5 and AMG E). I'm going to enjoy it until it's time for me to buy my Acura hybrid.
I'll have to upload some video. It sounds like a BEAST idling in the driveway....yet some owners what to put a louder exhaust on it.
I'll have to upload some video. It sounds like a BEAST idling in the driveway....yet some owners what to put a louder exhaust on it.
03-21-2009, 09:30 PM
#27
Burning Brakes
Can the engine be tune to the spec of ZR1?
Thanks for the comments. I can't believe I actually bought it. It's expensive.....but it's actually TENS of thousands less than the stated competition (M5 and AMG E). I'm going to enjoy it until it's time for me to buy my Acura hybrid.
I'll have to upload some video. It sounds like a BEAST idling in the driveway....yet some owners what to put a louder exhaust on it.
I'll have to upload some video. It sounds like a BEAST idling in the driveway....yet some owners what to put a louder exhaust on it.
03-21-2009, 09:39 PM
#28
Your Friendly Canadian
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Age: 31
Posts: 17,431
Received 1,485 Likes
on
1,049 Posts
^ I think the CTS-V is just a de-tuned version of the same engine, so maybe it can!
I wouldn't mind a 638hp Cadillac...
question: how are you managing 22 mpg going almost 80?
I wouldn't mind a 638hp Cadillac...
question: how are you managing 22 mpg going almost 80?
03-22-2009, 12:59 AM
#31
B A N N E D
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Seekonk, MA
Age: 36
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hope it doesnt fall apart like my 2 CTS's
Good luck tho....you will need it...not being a dick jus sayin that my experiance with GM has ALLLLLL been baddd
Good luck tho....you will need it...not being a dick jus sayin that my experiance with GM has ALLLLLL been baddd
03-22-2009, 01:38 AM
#32
03-22-2009, 05:10 AM
#33
Advanced
Join Date: Jun 2008
Age: 40
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Congratulations on the Car Bob, was thrilled to see you finally got it. The pics of it are amazing(the rest areas in ohio turnpike are very nice as well!)
I love my E-350(a fellow silver car lover)...but ive been itching to get a little hot-rod myself. ive been eyeing an SL550, but 100k is hard to swallow, on a interns salary!! Ive had my eyes on cts-v or an m3 as well, more reasonable, but also still expensive, nonetheless ive saved quite a bit over the years. It seems everytime I want to buy a new car, and I try very hard for Acura to win me over, but they just dont have the variety or horsepower i want i guess. But I also have access to Gm employee price bob, if u dont mind, could u pm or share with us how much you paid. I am also looking to make a purchase within a 4-6weeks, and would greatly appreciate your input on the cts-v.
The dealer offered to let me take it home for the weekend, but he knows..as do I, if i took it home, im not returning it, so ive refrained.
I love my E-350(a fellow silver car lover)...but ive been itching to get a little hot-rod myself. ive been eyeing an SL550, but 100k is hard to swallow, on a interns salary!! Ive had my eyes on cts-v or an m3 as well, more reasonable, but also still expensive, nonetheless ive saved quite a bit over the years. It seems everytime I want to buy a new car, and I try very hard for Acura to win me over, but they just dont have the variety or horsepower i want i guess. But I also have access to Gm employee price bob, if u dont mind, could u pm or share with us how much you paid. I am also looking to make a purchase within a 4-6weeks, and would greatly appreciate your input on the cts-v.
The dealer offered to let me take it home for the weekend, but he knows..as do I, if i took it home, im not returning it, so ive refrained.
03-22-2009, 05:46 AM
#34
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
vinodc, you've got PM. A dealer who offered to let you take a CTS-V home for the weekend when many are refusing to allow test drives?
@ AMAN: The highest instant mileage I got while my foot was on the pedal was 22 mpg, so I got a shot of that unexpected surprise. I averaged 16 mpg as I said. I'm sure it'll get closer to the advertised 19 after a few thousand miles.
03-22-2009, 08:25 AM
#35
Advanced
Join Date: Mar 2009
Age: 38
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I completely agree it is useless without pics, but I am not allowed to take pics ... seriously haha. It is actually my friends father, and he has a lot of cars ... R8, 911 Turbo, Q7, Saab 93, and I don't remember the 5th car they have right now. Apparently his father wants to replace the Q7 with an A4 though because of gas consumption.
You will have to settle for pics of my RL when I get it in 2 weeks.
You will have to settle for pics of my RL when I get it in 2 weeks.
03-22-2009, 03:57 PM
#36
Race Director
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Charlotte(home) /Raleigh (school), NC
Age: 35
Posts: 11,395
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wow congrats on the new ride. Whoever gets your RL will be very lucky.
I love how the dash have those red lines going up to the needle. That's so awesome.
I love how the dash have those red lines going up to the needle. That's so awesome.
03-22-2009, 03:58 PM
#37
Senior Moderator
@ CTS-V...M3 WHO!?!???
Congrats, man!
03-22-2009, 04:17 PM
#40
Someday, an RS6 Avant+
Nice ride Bob. If I make it back to the land of the big Target`, I may look at one. I just have to have a good job first, have a house, pay for my kids education... Trivial things.