Purchaser Paradoxes

[dryadsdad]

I am seriously considering buying a CT4-V Blackwing. While I now sometimes drive an auto, I think I may revert to a manual. I have a few general questions I’m hoping to get some clarification on. Thanks in advance for replies.

I’m finding very few for sale here in the US. Is this due to very few sold new or they don’t exist long on the market or what? Somewhat contrary to that above, many of those I do find have had multiple owners over a relatively short period of time. For example I see 2022s having had three owners or ownership or only a bit over a year per owner.

This is discouraging because it implies to me dissatisfaction with the car. That is countered by so few on the market implying owners hang on to their CT-V Blackwings for a long time. So far two paradoxes. Any suggestions how to resolve these?

While I’d prefer to test drive the car I buy, that may be burdensome given the car I want may be far away from my Texas home. I’m concerned, since I have a prosthetic left knee, about the effort that’s needed to operate the clutch. Some powerful cars I’ve driven take enormous clutch effort. That alone would chase me from the car in general or perhaps into an auto.

To add to the scarcity part of that paradox, these don’t seem to depreciate much. The ones that look good to me vary in asking from the mid 50s to the low 60s. For a car that is new out the door mid to high 70s, that seems like little depreciation. My budget is strained at $50k so buying new is out of the question. I’ve yet to see a CPO at any of the dealer sites I’ve visited.

I’m open and would welcome any comments about the car, purchasing one, owner experience, reliability and so forth.

 

[1Evil55]

If you're in Texas there is no excuse for not being able to find one. Search for the Blackwing King and tell him what you want.

 

[piranha971]

They do depreciate heavily.
The reason you see low mileage cars for sale is because cars like this are more of an impulse buy for the demographic that buys them. Similar to any performance car like this. People get into them and when the dopamine hit wears off, they realize they would rather not have a very expensive payment. A lot of ct4bw buyers are lustng for the 5bw and move on to that. I fall into the later category, but will never justify spending that kind of money on a car. So I am with my 4 for the long term.

 

[1Evil55]

On the topic of depreciation. I just serviced my '22 BW5 with just over 4,000 miles. It's got all options minus PDR and CCB's. Sticker was ~114. They just offered me 89 to trade in for a '25. I think that is a pretty good offer considering its about to be a 4 year old model.

 

[piranha971]

Ct5bw are in a different world when it comes to depreciation, compared to the ct4bw. The ct5bw depreciation is low. That alone could be a good enough reason for someone who is interested to stretch from the 4 to a 5. You know that you would loose less % wise with a 5 when its time to sell.

 

[dryadsdad]

OK, thanks for all the replies. If I do decide to pull the trigger I'll check out the king.

I seem to be in a big boat. My initial interest in the BWs stemmed from the 5 but none I saw even came close to my budget. I'd rather have none than a fright pig. Again, I've prefer the 5 like it seems so many others so if I do manage to pump myself up to try for my first Caddy, I'll ask the King what's out there in either model.

Another question based on these replies. Since to me, the depreciation seems high but here people say I'm wrong - that it's low - maybe I'm not correct on the out the door paid value for a 4. Is it the high 70s as I figured?

Edit:

@piranha971 - what is the demographic you alluded to?

I also didn't see any opinions on the clutch difficulty. Is it a stiff press?

​

 

[piranha971]

OK, thanks for all the replies. If I do decide to pull the trigger I'll check out the king.

I seem to be in a big boat. My initial interest in the BWs stemmed from the 5 but none I saw even came close to my budget. I'd rather have none than a fright pig. Again, I've prefer the 5 like it seems so many others so if I do manage to pump myself up to try for my first Caddy, I'll ask the King what's out there in either model.

Another question based on these replies. Since to me, the depreciation seems high but here people say I'm wrong - that it's low - maybe I'm not correct on the out the door paid value for a 4. Is it the high 70s as I figured?

Edit:

@piranha971 - what is the demographic you alluded to?

I also didn't see any opinions on the clutch difficulty. Is it a stiff press?

​

30-40 something car enthusiasts is more like it. Honestly the only thing that really draws me to the 5 is the noise. I dont like big cars and that engine issue on the 5 just not worth the price for that risk. A tuned 4 is plenty go for me and the handing is magical. It is more nimble than the 5 and no worries about grenading that engine.

 

[Bald Guy]

I wouldn't overthink it too much especially if you're planning to enjoy it and keep it for a little while. Try to find something with low options and the essentials and go from there. GM makes good cars, and both the 4 and 5 black wings are awesome.

 

[dryadsdad]

OK, a bit more. My plan is to use the BW, assuming I get the 4, as a DD. My current DD is now 21 years old and has gotten to the point where it seems to where fixing it pointless. I’m not planning on using the BW as plaything. I already have one of those. Right now the great advantage of my current DD is being a model 2005 it lacks all the annoying malarkey of current production cars that turns them into machines which are as disposable as toilet paper.

As to the clutch effort, I suppose I’ll need to find an example and try it.

Again, thanks for the replies.

 

[dryadsdad]

30-40 something car enthusiasts is more like it. Honestly the only thing that really draws me to the 5 is the noise. I dont like big cars and that engine issue on the 5 just not worth the price for that risk. A tuned 4 is plenty go for me and the handing is magical. It is more nimble than the 5 and no worries about grenading that engine.

What noise? I too prefer a smaller car but my reason for not considering the 5 is cost. Any I'd like to have is clearly beyond my budget.

 

[piranha971]

What noise? I too prefer a smaller car but my reason for not considering the 5 is cost. Any I'd like to have is clearly beyond my budget.

The noise that the CT5BW makes with an aftermarket exhaust (maybe even stock). I love it. The only thing of value to me that I am missing out with my 4BW.

 

[rubberduck]

As to the clutch effort, I suppose I’ll need to find an example and try it.

Again, thanks for the replies.

I don’t know about the 4BW, but on my 5BW the clutch is like a pushing on a down pillow. If you can’t handle this clutch you need to get more exercise.

 

[blackeneth]

Reading and watching reviews of the 5BW, the occasional reviewer would mention the “stiff clutch” due to the “big clutch spring” (cut to picture), and a few would complain of “my sore left leg” after a day of driving.

Now owning a 5BW, I can ask: what were they talking about? It’s just like every other clutch I’ve used. I couldn’t image it being softer. Do some cars have a featherweight hair-trigger clutch or something? Those few reviewers who mention it describe it like they’re operating and old farm tractor or something. The 5BW has a regular, perfectly normal clutch.

 

[rubberduck]

Reading and watching reviews of the 5BW, the occasional reviewer would mention the “stiff clutch” due to the “big clutch spring” (cut to picture), and a few would complain of “my sore left leg” after a day of driving.

Now owing a 5BW, I can ask: what were they talking about? It’s just like every other clutch I’ve used. I couldn’t image it being softer. Do some cars have a featherweight hair-trigger clutch or something? Those few reviewers who mention it describe it like they’re operating and old farm tractor or something. The 5BW has a regular, perfectly normal clutch.

I have no idea why a reviewer would say that. Maybe they have never driven a vehicle with a heavy clutch, like my 69 Corvette, and old pickup, or my Jeep. The first day I drove my 5BW the clutch was so light and very little take up, I kept stalling it out.