Ok, just saw this recently, and I wanted some opinions in case I'm not thinking straight. For 2012, Caddy is offering a nifty edition of the CTS-V that looks awesome to me. I'd go with the automatic trans, since the manual sports car I have now is awesome, but it's harder than sin to eat a burger while driving. Couple questions -

1) Anyone have experience with newer Cadillac tech? How's the GPS compared to Command / Sync?

2) Is it sacrilege to get an automatic in a car with +550 hp?

3) Any other comments?

TIA.

 

Been there, done that. Stick with an AMG. Trust me on this one.

 

I think it boils down to the look of the CTS-V vs the price. I personally think the price of an AMG is worth paying a little extra for the nicer looks of an MB AMG. Just my personal opinion but I can't stand the look of the CTS.

 

after having a amg and driving a cts-v I have to say I would go for a cts-v next time. I really enjoyed the AMG and will go back someday but I feel the cts-v is just a great car. Its not about price but of course it has a factor in my decision.

Plus I like the styling of the Cts-v- I would go auto if I got one. The car has some crazy power

 

It was a complete opposite for me. I test drove the cts and w212 AMG and decided to go for an AMG. No regrets. I like the styling of both cars, but the overall feel of the W212 was more superior to the CTS (just my opinion). But both are great.
BTW, with some simple mods you can make W212 go as fast if not faster then the stock cts-v. ECU tune+cat delete should do the job.

 

Good post until the "btw" bit. It only makes sense to compare factory to factory and modified to modified. It's fairly obvious the CTSV is easier to get extra power from.

 

Agreed. But then again there so many shades of "modified".

 

Tough choice to make.
After owning several different AMG's including an E55, E63 and S63, I made a change to a '11 CTS-V Coupe and am enjoying it.
It is a beast but I will undoubtedly be back in another AMG as I change daily drivers often.
Either car is a great choice.

 

Both are great cars. You can easly mod the CTS-V to get huge power out of it. I would personally go with the AMG, you cant beat the craftsmanship and engineering that goes into those cars.

 

In the same boat...next car probably will start with the letter P and end in orsche....Until then I Love my Coupe

 

Lot's o' power in the CTS-V, but at the end of the day, it's still a Cadillac. But, if you don't care about brand cache, this is a moot point.

 

I recently picked up my new 2011 CTS-V coupe, and also own a 2009 E63s as well as 2011 ML63, etc, etc.

I really like the CTS-V, the chassis dynamics make it hard to believe the car is a GM product. It really drives and handles 'as advertised' - probably the best real world handling American car I've ever owned. Amazing power, great shifting transmission, great brakes, in general just a great driving car. These are really the reasons I bought it, plus the $65k price out the door as I wanted it optioned ordered from the factory is really a great deal.

The bad, is really the little stuff. Silly Corvette door handles, Recaro seats that are absolutely great (almost AMG great in fact) but seem to be poorly mounted as you can feel them 'rocking' lightly even in a brand new 2011 car, Cluttered control segments with loads of 'cheap feeling' buttons, even the gas cap is ridiculously light weight plastic, carpets aren't near the thickness of a BMW or Benz. A NAV/control system that leaves much to be desired - even compared to Command which isn't amazing in the first place. Overall I'd rank NAV/control system as being behind the times - even compared to lower line cars from Ford in particular. Nit picky stuff - really.

Exhaust is another point. The car is ridiculously quiet. It has 556hp, but you wouldn't know it from the exhaust note. It also seems to oscillate slightly. This point really irritates me, as the car should have a sporting-sound that at least matches what the Europeans do with similarly positioned vehicles.

All in all - if you are buying a car for real world handling, power, good overall refinement - not great, good, and you like the looks of the V - you should buy one. You can almost get two Vs for the price of one E63.

If you like the overall quality & refinement that comes with a Mercedes, and you have the cash to burn - get the E63. Hell, get both.

I intend to modify my CTS-V later on, and in general.. Just thought it was a damn cool car. I like it, a ton, love to drive it - and will probably keep it for several years. It is a tremendous value.

My 09 E63s is hands down the BEST car I've ever owned and I absolutely love it. The only thing that will pry it away is a new E63 Wagon with the TT engine in it - so perhaps, I will get a new one ... in 2012 - if they bring the wagon back. Otherwise, I'll keep it indefinitely.

Hope this helps in making your choice.

 

The Ctsv is more in the category of the C63-HP aside and the killer rumble of the C63.

 

Completely disagree with the last post. I just sold my C63 and picked up a new CTS V. It is nicer than my E55 was, which so far has been my favorite. Always felt like my 63 was cheap. Yeah, I know it's a C class but really started to get irritated with it.