Buying a pre-owned high MSRP 2024 CT5VBW or a new 2025 model?

[hawk02]

The newer LT4s in the 5 Blackwing and Escalade V are different from the prior LT4s in the C7 Z06, ZL1 and V3, and also suffer an unusually high rate of bottom end failure, whereas the older LT4s had the usual lifter issues but had a stout bottom end. The actual number is speculative, but about a dozen CT5 V forum members have had bottom end engine failures. By comparison I haven't seen a single LF4 bottom end reported failure on this forum, so its not a normal or expected number of failures.

Do you have documented proof that the 5BW and Escalade-V LT4s are different from earlier LT4s? This is the first I’ve heard of that. The only differences I’m aware of are that these engines are on GM’s Global B platform, which uses a faster and more encrypted ECM, and that they use wideband O2 sensors instead of narrowband, allowing the engines to always run in closed loop.

I owned a ’17 ZL1 for almost seven years and spent a lot of time on the Camaro6 forum. Oil pump failure was the biggest issue with the LT4 in the ZL1—especially in model years ’17 and ’18. You didn’t see this problem in the Z06 because it used a dry sump oiling system. Supposedly, GM modified the pump starting with the ’19 model year, but there were still some reports of failures beyond that. Almost everyone who did a cam upgrade on a ZL1 spent the extra money to replace the oil pump, since it was cost-effective to do it while the engine was out.

 

[Savethemanuals]

I was having the same dilemma and placed an order for a ‘25. As I was on the goat rodeo with CF delays, a used ‘24 popped up that was highly equipped and I jumped on it. The ‘25 build was $114K MSRP and the ‘24 I bought was $130K MSRP when new. I paid much less than that. No regrets.

 

[MRAJB]

No blind spot monitoring on 25's? On a 100k car?

 

[ajamils]

No blind spot monitoring on 25's? On a 100k car?

Punishment for getting manual transmission

 

[MRAJB]

Wow. Didn't realize this. Seems kinda nuts.

 

[VBhak]

I am in the market for purchasing a CT5V-BW with the manual transmission and am torn on the choices. Would love to have some feedback from those of you with more experience with these cars.

Option 1:
2024 CT5V-BW high MSRP 131k, has all the options I love, CCB, upgraded leather with carbon backs, Carbon pack 1 and 2, sunroof (don't care for, but it's on there). 1400 miles, front PPF, ceramic coated from previous owner. $115k.

Option 2:
Any 2025 CT5V-BW. The precision pack is out of budget for me. I likely will buy one that's in transit or on the showroom floor. Main thing I'm after is Carbon pack 1 at a minimum and the carbon backs on the seats. Don't care for a sunroof and can live without the CCB. Priced anywhere from 105-123k as spec'd. Will have to pay at least 123-125k to get the equivalent above.

On the '25 models, I like the interior refresh and screen. I'm impartial to the exterior refresh. Sort of prefer the '24 look. I guess what I'm trying to consider is the '24 is the previous generation, and paying a premium for a heavily optioned car with relatively low miles. With a '25 I'm getting a new car, but lower spec in relation.

Thoughts, comments, advice? Thank you in advance.

For me? Definitely #1.

The options are what make it amazing. The exterior carbon packages actually make the car more interesting— on day 1 and day 730. I have CCB’s on mine, and the lack of brake dust is insane. Remember there is an approximated unsprung weight savings of ~64 lbs! That’s pretty large.

Also, CarPlay. The older non-Google system rarely glitches (for me anyway) and I love having CarPlay with a manual transmission. I never reach for my phone and use the screen for all interactions. .

 

[Super Saloon]

I would go with option #2 since you prefer the refreshed interior and are impartial to the exterior. With performance oriented cars I always prefer to buy new because you never know how the previous owner drove/treated it, especially once they knew they were getting rid of it. I would also question why someone was getting rid of it so quickly into ownership. Maybe they realized it just wasn’t for them or maybe there is something wrong with it. For me option #2 would give me way more peace of mind but I also don’t care as much about options. If you are budgeting you can always add the carbon bits later on down the road.

One other benefit of option #2 is Spring Mountain. I don’t think you will get that with the used option #1. Probably a $3k-$4k value.

 

[Finally-a-V]

In the "for whatever it's worth" department, and a lot to read in this thread, I'd go with a 2024 or wait and order a 2026. There's too much missing on the 2025's that I believe they are putting back in the 2026.. If you could pick up a new 2024 equipped the way you want it, you might be able to get a good deal if you shop and are willing to travel to get it. The other option is to look at a lightly used 2024. Prices seem to be all over on preowned units.

 

[Todd]

In the "for whatever it's worth" department, and a lot to read in this thread, I'd go with a 2024 or wait and order a 2026. There's too much missing on the 2025's that I believe they are putting back in the 2026.. If you could pick up a new 2024 equipped the way you want it, you might be able to get a good deal if you shop and are willing to travel to get it. The other option is to look at a lightly used 2024. Prices seem to be all over on preowned units.

Besides the blind spot indicators, what else are they “adding back” in 2026?

 

[Finally-a-V]

@Todd .... it escapes me now, but it's been discussed on another thread, or you can check the GM Order Guide.

 

[flaudia402]

Just an update for everyone who commented.

Decided to pass on the '24. I went and saw it in person. Beautiful spec, but it goes to show that despite low miles, not all cars are the same. Discovered two dents, one in passenger entry door sill, the other on driver side fender. The seller took care of via PDR, but the paint needed a solid paint correction. There was also a weird gap between the rear seat and the door that gave me a weird feeling. There was also what appeared to be a scratch or deep indentation in the steering wheel airbag cover. Likely from clumsy delivery driver or someone with their watch or jewelry. The initial PPF I thought was on the car was actually only on half the hood and front bumper, none on the carbon fiber. This played into my decision based on pricing the vehicle ultimately was overpriced and the seller wouldn't budge on price.

I ended up passing because of the above and the concern about someone else driving the car and not knowing how it was treated. It may be nit picky, but $115k for the above seemed more than I was willing to spend.

Back to the search for a '25!

 

[AdamUCF]

Besides the blind spot indicators, what else are they “adding back” in 2026?

That's it. Along with including the parking package and PDR as standard instead of optional.

 

[Todd]

That's it. Along with including the parking package and PDR as standard instead of optional.

Ah, yep. I already have both options on my 25, so haven’t been so obsessed with them like I am with not having the blind spot indicators.

 

[TruckeeTaurus]

As an owner of a 2022 CT5 V Blackwing, I would say go with Option 2, the 2025 model.

It appears GM finally had to admit that the 6.2L L87 V8 had machining issues that caused 28,000+ rod and main bearing failures in slightly less than 600,000 vehicles. The recall they made goes up to 2024, but not 2025 which hopefully means they identified the source of the machining debris causing the issue.

The newer LT4s in the 5 Blackwing and Escalade V are different from the prior LT4s in the C7 Z06, ZL1 and V3, and also suffer an unusually high rate of bottom end failure, whereas the older LT4s had the usual lifter issues but had a stout bottom end. The actual number is speculative, but about a dozen CT5 V forum members have had bottom end engine failures. By comparison I haven't seen a single LF4 bottom end reported failure on this forum, so its not a normal or expected number of failures.

Perhaps if GM identified the issue in the L87, and the mode of failure is similar to reported failures in the new LT4, then they made similar changes to the 2025 LT4 to correct that.

It is purely speculative of course, but if it turns out that the 2025 LT4s are perceived to have corrected the issue, then it will be an absolute wallop on the values of the prelift cars.

Look at 991.1 GT3 vs 991.2 GT3 values. The 991.1 car had a finger follower issue that caused engine failures. The actual number of failures was highly speculative. Porsche even tried to correct the issue with new engines for owners. Even so 991.1 values are roughly half of 991.2 values. The perception is key here. The car was seen as tainted and customers quickly learned to stay away. That is already happening with this new LT4. Customers coming from other platforms are already weary and informed of the reports of widespread engine failures even if the actual number isn't that high. If the 2025 LT4 returns to prior levels of reliability, the 2022-2024 cars will tank in value, even if the number of actual failures are low. It is one thing to already own a 2022-2024 LT4 (like me) and just dealing with an engine failure if it happens, but I certainly would be cautious buying one now.

These mofos on here putting their head in the sand like, all the ‘22-‘24 engine failures are only on trucks… damn.

Supper’s ready y’all

 

[ngoni]

Besides the blind spot indicators, what else are they “adding back” in 2026?

There are rumors that the surround video recording will return in 26 but as a paid for cloud subscription service. As is in the 25 there doesn't seem to be any way to record the surround video feed unlike 24 and earlier.

 

[ajamils]

There are rumors that the surround video recording will return in 26 but as a paid for cloud subscription service. As is in the 25 there doesn't seem to be any way to record the surround video feed unlike 24 and earlier.

I'll be okay paying for it, as long as there is an option unlike MY25, which does not. Or maybe it can be added later on with the software upgrade as all the hardware (surround camera, 5G etc.) is already there.

 

[T.O.Blackwing]

These mofos on here putting their head in the sand like, all the ‘22-‘24 engine failures are only on trucks… damn.

Supper’s ready y’all

Um, if you’re right, aren’t you doing the same thing as the ‘25s have exactly the same engine?
Seems like you’re not just serving dinner but eating with everyone else.
That is, if we’re eating anything at all, and I don’t think we are.

 

[jimijuma]

Um, if you’re right, aren’t you doing the same thing as the ‘25s have exactly the same engine?
Seems like you’re not just serving dinner but eating with everyone else.
That is, if we’re eating anything at all, and I don’t think we are.

Not choosing sides, just wanting to gather additional info......how do you know the 2025 LT4 is exactly 100% the same as the '22s-'24s? Could it be possible that they made the same tweaks/upgrades in the '25 LT4 that they did in the '25 L87 to address the issue(s).

Aside from being on the assembly line at the plant, how would we know for sure?

Automakers forthcoming honesty isn't exactly rampant, and it seems to be getting worse by the day.

 

[T.O.Blackwing]

Not choosing sides, just wanting to gather additional info......how do you know the 2025 LT4 is exactly 100% the same as the '22s-'24s? Could it be possible that they made the same tweaks/upgrades in the '25 LT4 that they did in the '25 L87 to address the issue(s).

Aside from being on the assembly line at the plant, how would we know for sure?

Automakers forthcoming honesty isn't exactly rampant, and it seems to be getting worse by the day.

Looks like you’re trying to turn up the volume of Truckeetaurus’s baseless allegations.
Oh yeah, wait…

 

[TruckeeTaurus]

Um, if you’re right, aren’t you doing the same thing as the ‘25s have exactly the same engine?
Seems like you’re not just serving dinner but eating with everyone else.
That is, if we’re eating anything at all, and I don’t think we are.

Well if the source can be trusted (considering the amount of people that have issues with the ‘22-‘25 I tend to lend it credence) then it is something they found out was a problem specifically with those years in January of ‘25. So if your engine was built after then it should be different.

The questionable part is whether the same issues that were found in the truck engines also afflicted the Blackwings. Which again, based on the number of posts about having engine issues leans me towards that being a high probability. If the dude’s post above can be believed, then that’s just more push…

In the end, I really don’t give a shit either way. I’m just happy to have the car, and I’m sure so is everyone regardless of build year.

This is a quote from an article on GMauthority:

“As it turns out, GM formed its own internal product investigation on January 16th, 2025, immediately after the launch of NHTSA investigation. Through a detailed analysis of field data and teardown inspections, GM’s engineering team identified a specific build window between March 1st, 2021, and May 31st, 2024, during which an increased rate of engine failure was tied to specific manufacturing defects.”