CT4-V Disappointed after lengthy Test drive

[Roadhawk]

You can retrofit the camera rear view mirror if you want more visibility:

NEW LiveView Video Mirror KIT for cars (RPO DRZ) ATS CTS UPGRADE

**ANOTHER KIT WILL BE AVAILABLE 9/5** This kit uses Brand New 2020-2024 Cadillac CT5 parts to add the LiveView camera system to your vehicle, kit includes all new parts and everything necessary to install it in you specific vehicle. Instructions included with diagrams to ease installation...

mods4alpha.com

For the side, you can get one of the 8000 stick on blind spot mirrors like this one:

Amazon.com

We have the technology to solve your problems!

LOL - good suggestions....thanks for the reply. I will certainly look into and consider both. And its not that the 4 BW is bad per se - I have just been spoiled with high visibility cars my whole life and have gotten used to and rely on such in my (spirited) driving. Another factor, i think, is that I'm getting older....and my eyes have never been good and are getting worse.

At the very least I think I can use the blind spot mirror stick ons. I find I need to double check my sides more then I used to in my other cars as the BW pillars block my peripheral vision just enough to make me hesitate before acting. Thanks!

Just ordered the side blind spot mirrors BTW!

 

[jcsperson]

I have just been spoiled with high visibility cars my whole life and have gotten used to and rely on such in my (spirited) driving.

I'm coming from a C7 Corvette so the visibility in the 4BW seems panoramic.

 

[MookdocOE]

I would consider a 2LT Grand Sport. You get the wide body look but without the extra hp. Ediff, dry sump, mag ride, and some other cool stuff comes standard on the GS. If you want the extra HP, get the Z06.

Even in Tour mode, the ride is going to be nothing like the 4BW. It's more like Sport in the Caddy. Visibility is nothing like the 4BW but you get used to it. Storage space is virtually non-existent. You are constantly reminded you're driving a sports car, not a sedan.

In any event I would stay away from 3LT or 3LZs with the full leather interior. Many C7s are having issues with the dash. The glue fails and the leather gets unsightly bulges and peels away at the edges. It can be repaired but it's costly.

The only issue I had with my GS was the a/c fan motor went out. It was $200 for the genuine GM part and I installed it myself. Otherwise it was just routine maintenance. Be prepared for sticker shock when you replace your tires though.

C7s are holding their value pretty well. I bought my GS in 2016 when pretty much everyone who wanted a C7 already had one and dealerships were offering 10% off. I got mine from Kerbeck in Atlantic City (now Ciocca) for 13% off. I sold it 8 years later for 11K less than I paid for it. For a lot of guys, the C7 is the last 'true' Corvette because of the front engine and availability of a manual.

View attachment 28812

Oh, snap right there give me that one!

 

[MookdocOE]

i know what it is, im just not interested in it. if i'm gonna spend above a 2lt z51 stingray then i'd swing for a 2lz z06. im torn on z07 as the suspension sounds too stiff for my shitty roads here

Suspension is one of my serious gripes! I can honestly say my CT5 BW will never leave my garage because of that suspension!! Man it's that good to go from super comfy to madman and then back to super comfy!

 

[LF4472]

i know what it is, im just not interested in it. if i'm gonna spend above a 2lt z51 stingray then i'd swing for a 2lz z06. im torn on z07 as the suspension sounds too stiff for my shitty roads here

My perception from reading Corvette forums aligns with your comment.

 

[dinkman]

My perception from reading Corvette forums aligns with your comment.

yea sucks because i really want z07 for resale and ccb but then ill prob hate it for the suspension lol

 

[LF4472]

yea sucks because i really want z07 for resale and ccb but then ill prob hate it for the suspension lol

IIRC, you could option CCB separately, though it wasn't common to do so because of pricing.

 

[professor]

If you have the throttle settings cranked up in V mode, it get very lively! (with the revs up anyhow)

 

[Chuck99]

I'm getting ready to order a CT4-V Blackwing with Automatic. I did test drive one but didn't beat on it because it was new, but thought the acceleration was comparable to the BMW M440i xDrive coupe I test drove.

However after reading these postings it makes me want to reconsider the BMW. I don't plan on tracking the car. A lot of my younger days were spent at the drag strip & I favor acceleration vs cornering.

Is the Blackwing really lacking that much in low end torque?

 

[piranha971]

The BMW M440i xDrive has the same straight line acceleration as the ct4bw.

 

[DCV]

If you drive the 4Bw in touring mode. It’s a pretty sedate sedan. Go to my mode and use the slider control to give better throttle response. Or go to V mode, max out all the settings for throttle, brakes, suspension, steering, PTM and exhaust, and you’ll go, whoaa. The sales guy won’t do it for you. In fact they really are not trained on the car and all its modes of settings.

 

[DonD]

Something doesn't seem right. I own a 5BW 6sp and have driven a 4BW 6sp and the 4BW blew me away with how precise and sharp it was and had plenty of power. Yes, I enjoy spinning the tires on my 5BW at 90 in 3rd but the 4BW felt superb and like a pointier, sharper version of the 5. For reference, I own a 2020 GT350R and 2017 Evora 400 and drive them like there is no tomorrow and was fastest in my 2 day class at Spring Mountain so am not a total slowpoke. I have contemplated getting rid of the Evora for a 4BW that's how great it was.

I don't understand the OPs remarks either.

My 2023 CTV-4 Blackwing automatic has enough low end that I haven't stepped on it at low speed. With half throttle it starts spinning the wheels. Love the car, even gets 32mpg on a 20 mile run. Some downhill but not significant. Don

 

[Dirkbg]

I can't say that I feel my 4BW is lacking in low end torque. I think it's potentially a gearing issue for the manual compared to the automatic. There has been information out there on the gearing ratios between the two. But since the poster was using the auto, he'd probably really hate the manual.

 

[Yalferd]

I had the M440i Xdrive and traded it for the CT4 Blackwing. The BMW had great tech, essentially hands free traffic handling, xdrive, and was willing to run. I hated the start stop, so got used to turning that off. That said, it was just kinda ehhh. The Blackwing in VMode seems pretty ready to run. Of course, I got an automatic, so it's not that "exciting" like running through the gears of a manual

 

[DonD]

Of course, I got an automatic, so it's not that "exciting" like running through the gears of a manual

I had only manuals for decades. Being stuck in stop and go traffic with a manual is a major PITA.

Modern autos often out perform manuals in every respect. Don

 

[Chuck99]

I don't understand the OPs remarks either.

My 2023 CTV-4 Blackwing automatic has enough low end that I haven't stepped on it at low speed. With half throttle it starts spinning the wheels. Love the car, even gets 32mpg on a 20 mile run. Some downhill but not significant. Don

The CT4-V Blackwing didn't seem slow to me but then came across this this thread. The the first posting says "...the weakest feeling 470 horsepower of all time" and "The low end torque is really lacking."

While that may not be the dominant topic throughout the thread, others have also commented the car lacks power.

It made me think my "butt dyno" was not working properly when I test drove the car.

 

[668LT4]

Modern autos often out perform manuals in every respect.

Not every respect, Don. Driver enjoyment / engagement is a massive win for the manual that trumps all the wins for the automatic put together. At least for most of us who had to have a Blackwing.

 

[DonD]

Not every respect, Don. Driver enjoyment / engagement is a massive win for the manual that trumps all the wins for the automatic put together. At least for most of us who had to have a Blackwing.

I drove sticks and enjoyed them for many years. But rowing through the gears in heavy traffic isn't fun. Not an issue with an auto.

 

[Roadhawk]

The CT4-V Blackwing didn't seem slow to me but then came across this this thread. The the first posting says "...the weakest feeling 470 horsepower of all time" and "The low end torque is really lacking."

While that may not be the dominant topic throughout the thread, others have also commented the car lacks power.

It made me think my "butt dyno" was not working properly when I test drove the car.

I think its mostly due to the linearity of the power delivery from the (already robust) 3.8L V6 and the magic GM has done to practically eliminate turbo lag in shortening charged airflow path etc. One also has to realize its a relatively heavy car. 470 hp in a Miata would be and feel a lot faster (depending on traction)...

I fully get what folks are saying....seems slow(er) than it should be....but I don't think so. For a while I thought my 400hp/400lb ft torque GTI was quicker....because of the way the larger turbo kicked in and pushed you back into the seat. I think its very close to the stock CT 4 BW but I think the Caddy has a slight edge. I'm now running with Tapout's larger MAF and its pretty clear my Caddy accelerates quicker even if, perhaps the GTI gives the illusion of being quicker....

Regardless....the CT 4 BW is not a slow car.

 

[Super Saloon]

I drove sticks and enjoyed them for many years. But rowing through the gears in heavy traffic isn't fun. Not an issue with an auto.

I get a lot of people don’t want to drive a manual in stop and go traffic. To offer a different perspective, I briefly had an automatic (current gen CLA45 AMG) and I found the auto to be the most annoying in traffic, specifically varying speeds from 5-35mph ish. My commute to work takes me right by O’Hare airport every day so I’m constantly in heavy traffic. The auto was never in the gear I wanted it to be in. If I left it in “comfort” it wouldn’t downshift quickly enough and if I left it in “sport” it was fine for quick downshifts but once we got up to cruising speed would not shift to the next high gear. In “manual” mode was fine for traffic on the highway but driving around town and trying to turn while shifting with super short gearing sucked. After driving manuals for the first 17 years of my life then briefly going back to an auto a few years ago, I will never go back again. It’s nice to have both the manual and auto option so we can choose what we enjoy most.