Ex-Corvette junkie

[Mockingbird]

Hi, everyone, I confess to being a serial Corvette guy, having owned six in my lifetime and five since 2009 - all manual trannys. My wife and I love long road trips, and we discovered that you can travel indefinitely in a C7 if you’re willing to spend a half-day out of every eight or nine at a laundromat. Unfortunately our 2019 Stingray came to an early demise (not my fault) and needed to be replaced. I looked at the C8 long enough (about 4 seconds) to learn there would be no manual available. I’m old, but not too old yet to give up shifting for myself, and that was a deal-killer. Enter the CT4 V Blackwing -- a Cadillac with a stick! Have loved the styling since the CT4 first appeared, and when Car & Driver declared the 4 and 5 Blackwings the best sports sedans ever, it got my attention. Took delivery of my ’24 4BW on October 12 and we left for an almost 3-week road trip the next day, mostly in Kentucky and West Virginia. Put 3,700 miles on it in 18 days. It performed flawlessly right out of the box, and we love it! Almost as quick as a Stingray, every bit as much fun in the mountain twisties, and way easier to pack in. I can’t wait to get to Spring Mountain for a little track time.

 

[Rob]

Welcome!

 

[FLYARMY]

I've had my 2022 5BW for over 18 months and it is only about to hit 4000 miles . Next week she goes into storage for the winter, until next April.

 

[ArgentWing]

Hi, everyone, I confess to being a serial Corvette guy, having owned six in my lifetime and five since 2009 - all manual trannys. My wife and I love long road trips, and we discovered that you can travel indefinitely in a C7 if you’re willing to spend a half-day out of every eight or nine at a laundromat. Unfortunately our 2019 Stingray came to an early demise (not my fault) and needed to be replaced. I looked at the C8 long enough (about 4 seconds) to learn there would be no manual available. I’m old, but not too old yet to give up shifting for myself, and that was a deal-killer. Enter the CT4 V Blackwing -- a Cadillac with a stick! Have loved the styling since the CT4 first appeared, and when Car & Driver declared the 4 and 5 Blackwings the best sports sedans ever, it got my attention. Took delivery of my ’24 4BW on October 12 and we left for an almost 3-week road trip the next day, mostly in Kentucky and West Virginia. Put 3,700 miles on it in 18 days. It performed flawlessly right out of the box, and we love it! Almost as quick as a Stingray, every bit as much fun in the mountain twisties, and way easier to pack in. I can’t wait to get to Spring Mountain for a little track time.

You're definitely an atypical Corvette owner. In C4 to current most have opted for automatic transmission. So much so that GM decided not to bother with the C8. I own a C2 (28 years) and I was thrilled that Corvette was finally going forward with a mid engine design in the C8. That is until I realized there was no manual transmission offered. That was a deal breaker for me as it was for you. Congrats on your CT4 Blackwing 6MT. You're off to a great start and you're gonna love it!

 

[Roadhawk]

Congrats on the purchase and I'm very impressed with your break in "procedure" - my kind of outing (and then some).

 

[Mockingbird]

Congrats on the purchase and I'm very impressed with your break in "procedure" - my kind of outing (and then some).

A very belated thank you, Roadhawk. I notice you've owned at least one "Ultimate Driving Machine." I realize it isn't fair to compare cars 20 years apart, but just curious how you rank the 4BW with the 3-series and the S4 Avant? (BTW, I had a 2000 S4 sedan, bought new, and at the time it was the best car I had ever owned.)

 

[Roadhawk]

A very belated thank you, Roadhawk. I notice you've owned at least one "Ultimate Driving Machine." I realize it isn't fair to compare cars 20 years apart, but just curious how you rank the 4BW with the 3-series and the S4 Avant? (BTW, I had a 2000 S4 sedan, bought new, and at the time it was the best car I had ever owned.)

The CT 4 V BW aside from being a "modern" car - for what its worth ....mostly good...but not all (the weight being one issue) is certainly the superior car in an objective sense. Its chassis and driving dynamics are on another level...brakes too....and nearly everything if one compares stock to stock. The Caddy is quite impressive.

My 2001 Audi S4 was modified in about every way. Stoptech brakes were incredible, Stage 3+ power (immense immediate torque)....was faster off the line then the Caddy and perhaps just out and out quicker/faster - certainly felt so. It also handled on par - just as responsive and capable...with the exception of understeer/plowing at the (very high) limit - though again Caddy's chassis and shocks etc are at another level. I ran a lightweight racing clutch that took skill to properly engage (unlike the Caddy which is so damn easy and natural). I would also often beat the synchros in the (aftermarket short shifter which was otherwise good - but not nearlyas nice - smooth and precise - as the Caddys. All wheel drive...what can I say...unstoppable in all conditions - supreme confidence. I was very used to driving it at very high speeds and had a lot of confidence doing so - it was made for it. I'm still developing the feel in the caddy - but ulltimatly I think it will be even better.

Our E46 ZHP was (and still is IMO) the perfect car. Perfect size, weight handling dynamics, comfort etc etc etc...not as capable as the 4 V BW in probably any area (though probably a better autocrosser). And even if not nearly as fast/quick as the Caddy its still easier and more fun to drive. The S4 was even more fun (its power was just so awesome and so much quicker then most cars in the day). The only area where the Caddy is certainly better then any car I've ever drive is as a (high speed) highway cruiser.

But the car thats the most fun we own now (for spirited driving) is the heavily modded in all ways GTI. I curse FWD constantly (though often enjoy spinning through 5 gears with little to no wheel hop or torque steer maddeningly accelerating with a very nice mechanical LSD). and with all the bracing, lowering. and proper adjustments its very tight, light and handles incredibly well (no undwersteer)....and its a bit quicker/faster then the Caddy. Aftermarket short shifter and clutch (modified from some high torque VW diesel truck) is close to the Tremec - not in feel - but in quality and ease of use.

Still the Caddy is the best car from most objective standpoints and is clearly the superior automobile to all in almost every way. Its a little large and heavy for me...for my preference - but handles it well. I do enjoy driving it quite a bit. One day I expect to come to love it as much as i do our other cars...