Thoughts on purchasing a used blackwing that was a V academy car. Try to get at bargain price or avoid at all costs??

[rynodesk]

Hey all, Im seeking advice as I look to purchase my first CT4 Blackwing (preferably used with low mileage).

I’ve stumbled across one that checks all my boxes in terms of price and desired options (6-speed manual, < 20k miles, < 60k list price, also strong preference for the electric blue exterior…finding this color is so rare). Link below:

https://www.impexautosales.com/inventory/used-2022-cadillac-ct4-v-series-rwd-4d-sedan-1g6dl5rpxn0260003/

I’m not great at interpreting title issue/sale reports, but from what can tell…car was used in the V academy (the dealer was upfront about this) for roughly 7k miles during 2022, then 2.5 years later is issued a title in MI and shows up at this dealer with 12k miles.

Would it be worth trying to strike a deal on this or completely avoid given the 7k harsh use at the V-academy?

Thanks all,
Hopeful future blackwing owner

 

[Mircrowaved_Bananas]

Having been to the V academy twice, I can say for certain that they keep their cars very well mechanically maintained. From a mechanical reliability standpoint, the car is likely totally fine. These things were designed to be able to be driven on track reliably. I've got a couple thousand track miles on my car and it still drives like it did off the show room floor. However what I noticed from both times I was there was that the interiors of the cars take a beating. They looked and felt much more worn than what you want/expect from a car with the mileage on it. The second time I was there I was in a 5BW with I think 20k miles on it. The car ran great but there was some damage to the carbon piece on the center console and all of the leather pieces, including driver seat, steering wheel, and shifter, were well worn. Not something I would want to see on a privately owned vehicle with 20k. For this car, you can see in the one image that the side bolster on the drivers seat is starting to wear away. The window sticker for this car also originally says it came with the suede accents (steering wheel and shifter) but it looks like those were both replaced with leather since the suede was probably completely worn away. Unclear if they were changed before selling from V academy or if the previous owner swapped them. If the look and feel of the interior is something you don't really care all that much about, then it would be worth trying to strike a deal. If you do care about interior, it's probably best to keep searching.

 

[Ty88]

Good question and you’re doing the right thing by asking this group. I’ve been to Spring Mountain twice now and the last time I went I made an effort to speak to the mechanics about how they maintain the cars, and if they’d ever had any major failures. First, they mentioned they’ve never had any major failures, including transmissions, driveshafts, axles, engines and so forth. Second, they of course, replace the consumables frequently. That, would be tires and brakes. Third, they do claim to replace the engine oil every thousand miles, but surprisingly, they typically do not replace transmission fluid during their use of the car. Also, they do do a proper break-in on these cars when they get them new and replace the rear differential fluid at 1500 miles. In your case, the only thing I would worry about mechanically is the clutch. That is a big unknown.

 

[LF4472]

The cars are well-maintained by Spring Mountain. However, if they are like the Spring Mountain Corvettes, they have warranty blocks on the drivetrain so you'd want to confirm with GM the warranty status on the car and factor in the response in the pricing.

 

[NewCaddy]

Interesting the VIN # is not indicative of the standard “46” denoting a manual transmission. Am I missing something?

 

[FLYARMY]

When I was there a few years ago, they told me that they have a deal with a California dealership to buy all the old Blackwings. I for one, would only buy it at bargain basement prices, knowing in my mind that the car has had the snot beaten out of them. Don't buy a pitbull that was abused and expect it to love you back.

 

[Bald Guy]

If you can get an absolute bargain, then go for it. Otherwise order an entry level trim for only 5 or 10,000 more. I don't like buying pre-owned and I always buy new but I'm also a spoiled brat to a certain extent. And this is taking into consideration that the academy takes brilliant care of their performance vehicles.

 

[piranha971]

What I have seen regarding these cars is that the dealers price them just slightly under the normal car price and then wait for a sucker that doesn't understand what they are getting. And they seem to always find one.

 

[DCV]

When Ford got rid of their 350 Shelby’s after the classes ended people got great deals on them and they seemed to be fine mechanically.

 

[LF4472]

When I was there a few years ago, they told me that they have a deal with a California dealership to buy all the old Blackwings. I for one, would only buy it at bargain basement prices, knowing in my mind that the car has had the snot beaten out of them. Don't buy a pitbull that was abused and expect it to love you back.

They sell their Corvettes to DC Motors in Anaheim.

 

[AtrociKitty]

Interesting the VIN # is not indicative of the standard “46” denoting a manual transmission. Am I missing something?

It's a pre-production car. Mine is too, but it was with the CTF. Here's the one OP is looking at in the registry: 2022 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing - Serial Number N0260003

 

[BimmerFan]

Me personally, no, never would I buy a car that was used at any of these type of places, including BMW, Porsche, Cadillac and Chevy.

I've been to several. These cars take a beating. Sure, they are maintained, but it's a really tough life.

 

[TexasHawkeye]

Me personally, no, never would I buy a car that was used at any of these type of places, including BMW, Porsche, Cadillac and Chevy.

I've been to several. These cars take a beating. Sure, they are maintained, but it's a really tough life.

Ditto on this response. Absolutely no way.

 

[CT5BWenthusiast]

I bought a 2009 CTS-V (MT) that came from Spring Mountain track in 2011 and 40K miles of (I assume) hard mileage on it at the time. I drove it for 200K more miles and never had to do any (even moderate) repairs. I never had to replace the clutch. The engine never leaked or burned oil. Ironically I sold it to purchase a CT5VBW which promptly had engine failure in the first year.

 

[jbawden]

Not to mention it appears it was a press car before its time at SM. I agree with the sentiment that the car will probably be fine, but you have to get a great deal on it because SM cars are the proverbial scarlet letter in the retail market (for most).

 

[AdamUCF]

Not to mention it appears it was a press car before its time at SM. I agree with the sentiment that the car will probably be fine, but you have to get a great deal on it because SM cars are the proverbial scarlet letter in the retail market (for most).

Being a press car would be as much if not a bigger red flag to me than SM. Press absolutely does not observe the breakin period.