Autoweek: STS-V Review
12-07-2005, 03:56 AM
#21
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Originally Posted by Big_Al,Dec 6 2005, 12:46 PM
BMW and Cadillac are not in the same class. Why would grandpa need 107 hp/liter in his deville
STS-V is nice, I'd rather have an M5.
12-07-2005, 04:03 AM
#22
Registered User
Originally Posted by F1DNA,Dec 6 2005, 12:11 PM
I think GM has a winner on its hands (especially if Honda is right about the M5 motor having to be rebuilt after 60,000 miles 
12-07-2005, 05:52 AM
#24
Thread Starter
You know something that really seems to set my thinking apart from many others on here is the facet of reliability and durability. I just flat do NOT trust BMW and their incredibly complicated 7-speed SMG and V10 motor as a DAILY DRIVER.
I think the STS-V with it's blown Northstar and relatively unsophisticated six-speed automatic will be much more reliable and liveable on a day to day basis than a V10 7-speed SMG wundermachine.
Not to mention, since when did handling really matter THAT MUCH in a 4 door family sedan?
I'll take the STS-V and put that extra $15k minimum towards a C6 Z06 that I would have otherwise blown on an M5 that would be INCREDIBLE when it's not in the shop for any # of electronic problems it will surely encounter.
I think the STS-V with it's blown Northstar and relatively unsophisticated six-speed automatic will be much more reliable and liveable on a day to day basis than a V10 7-speed SMG wundermachine.
Not to mention, since when did handling really matter THAT MUCH in a 4 door family sedan?
I'll take the STS-V and put that extra $15k minimum towards a C6 Z06 that I would have otherwise blown on an M5 that would be INCREDIBLE when it's not in the shop for any # of electronic problems it will surely encounter.
12-07-2005, 06:23 AM
#25
You must think about the intended market.. 99% of STS owners are not going to be drag racing and don't really care about a 1 second difference in the quarter.
I know the owner of a standard STS and both he and I think it is a very nice car. I have not driven it but riding in it at a hurried pace makes it seem well suited to the owner and his peers (an active mid sixties well off white guy). He likes buying American and plans on buying a STS-V. He thinks cars in his circles are all about status, and chooses a daily driver for other reasons.. his wife drives a Maserati Quattroporte and he feels it was a lot of dollars for a 'look', but I guess he can afford it.
I know the owner of a standard STS and both he and I think it is a very nice car. I have not driven it but riding in it at a hurried pace makes it seem well suited to the owner and his peers (an active mid sixties well off white guy). He likes buying American and plans on buying a STS-V. He thinks cars in his circles are all about status, and chooses a daily driver for other reasons.. his wife drives a Maserati Quattroporte and he feels it was a lot of dollars for a 'look', but I guess he can afford it.
12-07-2005, 07:27 AM
#26
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Originally Posted by b0mbrman,Dec 6 2005, 02:05 PM
Wasn't Cadilac aiming the CTS-V at the M5?
i commend cadillac for this car and all the *-V cars in entering the performance luxury market... i think they will have a good # of buyers wanting an american luxury sport sedan... its also roomier than an M5...
having said that... performance wise, its got nothing on the M5... straight line or road course... the M5's SMG tranny has 6 positive ratio gears (meaning greater than 1.0:1) it will pull up top like noone's business... in addition the SMG is a manual tranny underneath so it will shift a lot faster than an automatic, and the M5 has more HP and weighs less...
now, i personally wont get the SMG (too many problems waiting to happen).. i would wait a year for the M5 to come out in a traditional H-pattern 6-speed...
12-07-2005, 08:18 AM
#27
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Originally Posted by JonBoy,Dec 6 2005, 12:30 PM
Did Honda say the BMW motor has to be rebuilt every 60K miles? Where'd you hear/read that?
F1DNA
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12-08-2005, 06:49 AM
#28
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I think the STS-V will do very well especially since the ride will be a lot more plush than the M5 even in its softest setting. The SMG is not very smooth and gets tiring after a while especially for somebody in the market for a 4 door sedan.
12-08-2005, 02:32 PM
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The SMG is not very smooth and gets tiring after a while especially for somebody in the market for a 4 door sedan