Repair-It

The SS is like the one car on the list that you'd be least likely to need an extended powertrain. You might argue for the Lexus but I'd put an LS3 and 6L80 up against it with no issue.

Yeah, I have pretty much zero powertrain concerns with the SS. Maybe that's why the CPO cars aren't selling at a big premium.

Bob wrote:One CPO SS in Kansas appears to be a good deal. 2014 with 36k for $30k. It doesn't seem to be priced any higher than a non-CPO car with the same mileage so that's something.

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale ... de1=CHEVSS

So is this a candidate (in the SS market)? I don't know how negotiable the price is and it is at the upper end of your listed budget.

The budget really depends on what I can agree to with my wife. I also want to make a smart financial decision (recognizing that almost all car purchases are inherently bad financial decisions). I am hoping to see some decent SSs and maybe even Vsports in the mid-$20k range by summer.

From a financial standpoint, I would like to push out the purchase as long as I can to allow for more depreciation in the cars I want to buy. This will get interesting if the Rondo is sold in August. Will there be $25k SSs and Vsports by then? It's hard to say. I might actually put my money on the Vsport being more available in that price range by then due to a few factors:

- Glut of Vsports coming off 3 year leases (I am willing to bet that there was a much higher lease rate on the Vsport.
- Discontinuation of the SS will keep supply low and may sustain values.
- Vsport not the best performing in line with V3 and ATS-Vs out now. Limits desirability.

I agree with your analysis. I am also somewhat bullish on the SS long term based on what the GXP has done and sustained for years. There are some similarities in the conditions (limited run, and the only vehicle of its kind in GM's lineup - even if the latter is artificially created by GM themselves).

That, combined with its rarity (though only the ATS is "common" and even then you'll see far more 3-series than ATSs on the road), the fact that it has the right performance envelope, sounds awesome, has the luxury crap and is the largest inside, gives it an on paper advantage over the others. You just need to drive one and see.

I like the plan of getting an SS, driving for 2-3 years, selling for little loss, and upgrading to something else that has continued to depreciate the whole time. I don't know about that kind of speculation but on the other hand, the worst thing that could happen is it depreciates the same as the other cars (i.e. like a normal car) and you are in the same boat anyway (i.e. keep it, or whatever you wish to do).

kevm14 wrote:I like the plan of getting an SS, driving for 2-3 years, selling for little loss, and upgrading to something else that has continued to depreciate the whole time. I don't know about that kind of speculation but on the other hand, the worst thing that could happen is it depreciates the same as the other cars (i.e. like a normal car) and you are in the same boat anyway (i.e. keep it, or whatever you wish to do).

I like this plan as well. Using the GXP as a predictor, I see very little depreciation coming for the SS. GXPs with over 100k are still selling in the low to mid 20s.

I thought of another car. The STS-V. It is big, zero to 60 in 4.6 seconds - no slouch, and started at 77K, is now like 17K. I really like these... Granted it is a little older. It is also rare, and may have seen most of it's depreciation although it probably isn't as good of a bet as the SS, but practically half the price.

Autotrader nationwide search finds 23...

$18,600 - 51,000 miles.
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale ... lCode1=STS


15,500 - 89,000 miles Silver
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale ... lCode1=STS


People are still asking 14K with 144K miles...
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale ... lCode1=STS

Bob wrote:This may be worth a look for a test drive. The CarMax test drive is usually not long, but it's something and they don't care if you just show up to joyride.

https://www.carmax.com/car/13208432

There are a few reviews on there for this car. Here's the only negative one:

The has been to the chevy dealer more times then I have driven it. 415 horsepower chevy come on for big money.

Sounds bad until you look at the title:

To many recalls stay away from THE SS

Oh...recalls. Like all cars. Nothing to see here.

Project Test Drive an SS is going to be difficult as I understand this car has since been sold (the used market is definitely stacking up to be hotter than the new market for this).

billgiacheri wrote:I thought of another car. The STS-V. It is big, zero to 60 in 4.6 seconds - no slouch, and started at 77K, is now like 17K. I really like these... Granted it is a little older. It is also rare, and may have seen most of it's depreciation although it probably isn't as good of a bet as the SS, but practically half the price.

I like these, too. The only real attraction here is the price though. The performance I think will be good though I bet it is going to be lacking in chassis performance - the platform is good, but from memory, it wasn't tuned like Bob would want. I could go find a quote I guess. Other issues are that despite the full size foot print and weight, it is not huge inside. Bigger than my CTS-V, yes. Worth digging into the numbers to see how it actually stacks up. But it's not as big as you'd think it would be.

The remaining problem is just...I don't know how Bob will feel about an STS from 2007. These are going to have the same kind of annoying problems and glitches as my SRX, though I don't think it's been bad by any stretch - and it's likely better than average compared to its peers. I don't expect any powertrain issues - nothing that breaks the bank or is unmanageable, but if you don't want to deal with that stuff, it may really sour the experience. On the other hand, if it were me, I'd do it for the cost savings if I actually liked the car. But that's my prerogative.

Quote from the Cadillac forum from an inquiry in the 2011 time frame on these cars:

Yeah really the motor is the least of your concern with this car. It's all the complicated expensive gadgets that are the problem.

I would absolutely do a Carmax test drive should one be available. In fact, I bet one is available.

Fun facts: they did not make a lot of these. From 2006 to 2009, total production was 2,500, of which about 150 were exports. Also, these were $77-80k cars.

Bonus article on the engine:
http://www.hotrod.com/articles/hrdp-200 ... thstar-v8/

First drive:
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/cad ... ive-review

Comparo (placed 2nd behind M5 and ahead of CLS55):
http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons ... s-v-page-3

From the C/D review...

13.2 @ 107 when the M5 of the time was doing 12.5 @ 118 and the CLS55 was doing 12.6 @ 114. Way behind. Worst lap time, worst skidpad, worst lane change, worst braking. I don't think this makes the cut.

This brings us to dynamics, which is where the Cadillac drew reviews that were essentially average for this exalted group. For example, the STS- V's 4.6-second 0-to-60-mph run was slowest in this group, but how many luxo sedans are capable of 60 mph in less than five seconds? Similarly, stopping to a standstill from 70 mph in 170 feet was third-best here, but still exemplary for this weight class.

Where the Caddy fared worst was in Grattan's twists and turns. Although the steering was quick and nicely weighted, excessive up-and-down motion in the suspension inhibited transient responses, and observers noted substantial brake dive compared with the German cars.

On the other hand, the STS- V's price nets you a no-apologies supersedan with big money left over — almost 16 large versus the CLS55. That's a huge advantage — especially since the STS- V has this group's most comprehensive allocation of features and amenities. It's enough, in fact, for the Caddy to edge the Mercedes for runner-up honors.

Not that it doesn't have redeeming qualities. But, the CTS-V2 was the car that this one was not. Or, frankly, the CTS Vsport - which has better numbers in every possible way (and probably way better to drive), is probably at least as good in terms of space, and is nicer, too. It will be more reliable, too. You do pay for that of course.