M3 vs CTS-V Coupe (Personal experience)

[Golgothar]

True story i thought i would share with you guys.

A funny thing happened to me this past weekend at the Cadillac dealership as i went to test drive the all new and much heralded 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe. After calling around to a few dealerships here in town i managed to find one that had a CTS-V Coupe on site that i could test drive.

As i pulled into the Caddy dealership the saleman i spoke with came out to greet me and the first words out of his mouth were "Thats the new M3 right?" (All i had told him over the phone was my name and that i'd be pulling up in a dark gray BMW).

I told him yes it was and he asked me what all i had done to it because it didnt sound or look stock so after a quick walk through on my mods (including me opening it up so he could see the interior) i politely reminded him i was there to check out and test drive the CTS-V Coupe. He explained to me that they only had 1 on the lot and his Sales Manager was driving it.

We walked inside to speak with his sales manager explained what was going on and the Sales Manager asked if i would be trading in my M3 and i told him I would. He then asked if he could see it, i agreed thinking he was doing a pre-inspection/appraisal. After looking my car up and down he said something that totally shocked me he asked me "Why would you trade this in?" after recovering from the shock of the question i told him the truth that i simply could not afford a purchase note on two $70k cars...

He then shocked me again by asking me to come into his office where he proceeded to show me the video comparing the Audi RS5, CTS-V Coupe and the M3 Comp package in Germany LOL! I stopped him and explained that i had indeed seen this video at which point he asked me again then why would you want to trade in your M3 on the CTS-V?
He then said if i was really set on it we could go test drive the one he had but he told me he didnt think i would like it as it was a much heavier car and felt more like the M6 he used to have especially in corners.

It was at this point that i shook both mens hands and thanked them for thier time and thier honesty and left the dealership feeling a bit perplexed (I have NEVER been un-sold a car by a dealer before LOL) but at the same time feeling great in that although my car is now 2 years old I was still driving one of the best damn driving machine on the road today, PERIOD.

Pretty crazy story i know but 100% TRUE.

-Mike

[brava09]

they are soooo right!!!

[Brosef]

is this Russia?

[Kyoshi71]

Based on the story, GM's stock quote shouldn't surprise anyone.

[Tak555]

maybe they thought that you just wanted to take it out for a spin, and that there's no way that you'd actually consider trading your m3 for a cts-v coupe. basically, they didn't think you were serious about buying the car, just seeing what it was like to drive it... just a thought

[stevehifi]

Originally Posted by Tak555

maybe they thought that you just wanted to take it out for a spin, and that there's no way that you'd actually consider trading your m3 for a cts-v coupe. basically, they didn't think you were serious about buying the car, just seeing what it was like to drive it... just a thought

That's exactly what happened, the sales guys sized you up in 5 seconds and knew based on your car and mods that you were just a tire kicker.

If I was the sales guy I would of probably asked you a couple more questions and politely sent you on your way.

[Golgothar]

Originally Posted by stevehifi

That's exactly what happened, the sales guys sized you up in 5 seconds and knew based on your car and mods that you were just a tire kicker.

If I was the sales guy I would of probably asked you a couple more questions and politely sent you on your way.

Sorry but that's a TERRIBLE answer.

All you'd have to do is look at my posts in the SW section or ask any of the Houston M3 guys and they'd tell you that i have been seriously considering trading in my M3 on something different (I get bored easily what can i say) and that i am/was seriously interested in the CTS-V coupe this wasnt just me going to "kick the tires" after all i could mod the CTS-V to go faster/handle better as well right???

Maybe, just maybe i actually encountered the rarest of rares...a truthful salesperson!

P.S. - I didnt post this thread as a "Bash Caddy" thread I was simply sharing my experience and the car i was going to test drive just so happened to be the 2011CTS-V Coupe. I love my M3 but i dont think it's the end all be all of cars I am open to new vehicles.

[shchow]

Originally Posted by stingray23

unbelievable! If those clowns were working for me, they'd be fired yesterday. What morons.

On the contrary, they made the OP feel great about his car after sizing him up as someone with no true interest in purchase, and got him to leave without wasting everyones time...

[kaykay]

Wow @ this story.

GM is a failed, pathetic excuse for an automotive company and it's embarrassing that the idiot we have in office bailed them out when they should have just gone under.

Companies fail for a reason - when they make garbage products, have failed leadership and don't listen to customers' needs and wants. If you make shit, you'll go bankrupt, that's business.

If every company got bailed out and continued to make garbage products where would be... Oops, we're there already, how could I forget...

GM used to make great cars, now they make pure shit like the Chevy Volt for $45k. Good luck with that one, guys.

It's still such a pleasure to see a company like Ford succeed in tough economic times, continue to make great American cars, listen to their customers, have sound leadership and bring in good profit.

Cheers to Ford, GM is pure waste.

As is their CTS line.

[Kyoshi71]

Originally Posted by kaykay

Wow @ this story.

GM is a failed, pathetic excuse for an automotive company and it's embarrassing that the idiot we have in office bailed them out when they should have just gone under.

Companies fail for a reason - when they make garbage products, have failed leadership and don't listen to customers' needs and wants. If you make shit, you'll go bankrupt, that's business.

If every company got bailed out and continued to make garbage products where would be... Oops, we're there already, how could I forget...

GM used to make great cars, now they make pure shit like the Chevy Volt for $45k. Good luck with that one, guys.

It's still such a pleasure to see a company like Ford succeed in tough economic times, continue to make great American cars, listen to their customers, have sound leadership and bring in good profit.

Cheers to Ford, GM is pure waste.

As is their CTS line.

Holy crap, this post is SPOT ON and could not be stated any better

Let 'em fail. In a free market, inferior products and management lead to closed doors.

I'd like to think that one day some eccentric entrepreneur would create an auto company in the US from scratch and make it really work. No government money, no UAW, no bloated pensions. Americans can do it and now might be the best time considering the Big Three are still getting the standing 8 count.

[M3Fool]

Continuation of the story.........

The sales manager and saleman both walked out on the job and immediately sought employment at the local BMW dealership instead.

[sakimano]

Originally Posted by Golgothar

After looking my car up and down he said something that totally shocked me he asked me "Why would you trade this in?" after recovering from the shock of the question i told him the truth that i simply could not afford a purchase note on two $70k cars...

He then said if i was really set on it we could go test drive the one he had but he told me he didnt think i would like it as it was a much heavier car and felt more like the M6 he used to have especially in corners.

Interesting. I'd ask you the same question!(why trade)

Personally, I think the second part was their way of saying 'please don't waste our time...we know you're here to kick tires and rack joyride miles on our V'

While I'm sure they do indeed love your car, they're also not stupid...they sized you up the second you pulled up. I've had that happen before too...I think your energy as a non-customer is immediately apparent to a seasoned salesperson.

[SUB-ZERO]

Honestly, I think the sales people were just being honest. Otherwise, how would they know about the video of the M3 spanking the CTS-V and RS5. Besides, we all know how sales people are and they take advantage of every opportunity to trash talk a competitors car.

Test driving a CTS-V is not like test driving a Gt3 or a Ferrari. Any loser can walk up to a Caddy dealer and test drive one; I've seen it first hand.

The Caddy is however, a great value. But having test driven one last year with my father, I can say that it is no M3. However, when you add the Recaro seat option, it does step it up a bit. I also love the brakes. But it is no M3 and I will never trade my M3 for a Caddy (at least not until they get a new designer...LOL).

The OP mentioned that he wanted to trade because he didn't want the payment for a $70k+ car every month. However, when you consider trading in such a new M3, the negative equity that will be tacked to the CTS-V will only minimally drop the payments at best. When you consider the resale value of a Cadillac, even a CTS-V, I would say that such a decision will probably not make too much financial sense.

The CTS-V was built to compete against the M3. It is a substitute product which while more economical in terms of price, it is also more economical in overall quality and other tangible/intangible attributes.

Yes, the CTS-V hauls ass and handles great. So does an Ariel Atom and I won't trade my M3 in for one.

The only reason why I could see a person who is cross-shopping an M3 and an CTS-V actually getting the CTS-V would be because of the price difference. If it wasn't, why not just get the real thing instead of a substitute product, which, the CTS-V obviously is.

A Frolex can keep time just as good as a Rolex and so can a Timex and a Casio. However, for those who love watches, a Rolex would be the obvious choice....apply the same principle to the M3 vs CTS-V vs Mustang vs every other manufacturer (RS5, IS-F, etc...) trying to develop a product aimed at dethroning the M3.

The great thing is that becuase of companies like Caddy and Audi developing great cars that threaten the BMW customer base, BMW's butt has been lit on fire, therefore, pushing them to make amazing cars even more amazing.


-SZ

[a burrito]

Originally Posted by sakimano

Interesting. I'd ask you the same question!(why trade)

Personally, I think the second part was their way of saying 'please don't waste our time...we know you're here to kick tires and rack joyride miles on our V'

While I'm sure they do indeed love your car, they're also not stupid...they sized you up the second you pulled up. I've had that happen before too...I think your energy as a non-customer is immediately apparent to a seasoned salesperson.

+1

[xsilvor]

Originally Posted by Golgothar

Sorry but that's a TERRIBLE answer.

All you'd have to do is look at my posts in the SW section or ask any of the Houston M3 guys and they'd tell you that i have been seriously considering trading in my M3 on something different (I get bored easily what can i say) and that i am/was seriously interested in the CTS-V coupe this wasnt just me going to "kick the tires" after all i could mod the CTS-V to go faster/handle better as well right???

Maybe, just maybe i actually encountered the rarest of rares...a truthful salesperson!

P.S. - I didnt post this thread as a "Bash Caddy" thread I was simply sharing my experience and the car i was going to test drive just so happened to be the 2011CTS-V Coupe. I love my M3 but i dont think it's the end all be all of cars I am open to new vehicles.

Its true. He wants one.

[DomsZ06]

Originally Posted by Golgothar

Sorry but that's a TERRIBLE answer.

All you'd have to do is look at my posts in the SW section or ask any of the Houston M3 guys and they'd tell you that i have been seriously considering trading in my M3 on something different (I get bored easily what can i say) and that i am/was seriously interested in the CTS-V coupe this wasnt just me going to "kick the tires" after all i could mod the CTS-V to go faster/handle better as well right???

Maybe, just maybe i actually encountered the rarest of rares...a truthful salesperson!

P.S. - I didnt post this thread as a "Bash Caddy" thread I was simply sharing my experience and the car i was going to test drive just so happened to be the 2011CTS-V Coupe. I love my M3 but i dont think it's the end all be all of cars I am open to new vehicles.

I can vouch for that, he loved my sedan and informed me he was thinking of upgrading.

[Golgothar]

Originally Posted by sakimano

Interesting. I'd ask you the same question!(why trade)

Personally, I think the second part was their way of saying 'please don't waste our time...we know you're here to kick tires and rack joyride miles on our V'

While I'm sure they do indeed love your car, they're also not stupid...they sized you up the second you pulled up. I've had that happen before too...I think your energy as a non-customer is immediately apparent to a seasoned salesperson.

I understand your point but I honestly couldnt disagree more.
As I have stated numerous times I am/was truly interested in the CTS-V Coupe since i saw one in person Months ago at the Austin Car Show. Ever since then I have been following the car, reading the articles about it bugging the M club guys here about it (They all screamed dont do it btw lol) and really wanting to test drive one to see if it could be the American car that makes me give up my beemer.
It took several LONG months of waiting (numbers produced were not that high and most were pre-ordered) I FINALLY located one i could test drive and the story I related is what happened.

Sorry but they wasted my time as I was a qualified (Credit Score & Income) potential buying customer. Call me crazy but i am NOT going to jump out of my M3 right into a CTS-V without test driving it first! And as far as racking up miles on it joy riding thier sales manager was driving it and i dont know about you guys but i dont basicaly stalk a car for months to kick it's tires...

Why then if I was so interested did I not push the test drive???
Simple, I personally found it rather telling that the sales people were not too big on thier car/product. I figured if these guys didnt believe in thier product why should I?

You can say what you want/draw you own conclusions I was simply relaying my personal experience. That being said when I go to test drive the other car I'm seriously interested in (2009 911tt) this weekend I HIGHLY doubt they are going to try to talk me out of test driving thier car.

[DomsZ06]

Originally Posted by kaykay

Wow @ this story.

GM is a failed, pathetic excuse for an automotive company and it's embarrassing that the idiot we have in office bailed them out when they should have just gone under.

Companies fail for a reason - when they make garbage products, have failed leadership and don't listen to customers' needs and wants. If you make shit, you'll go bankrupt, that's business.

If every company got bailed out and continued to make garbage products where would be... Oops, we're there already, how could I forget...

GM used to make great cars, now they make pure shit like the Chevy Volt for $45k. Good luck with that one, guys.

It's still such a pleasure to see a company like Ford succeed in tough economic times, continue to make great American cars, listen to their customers, have sound leadership and bring in good profit.

Cheers to Ford, GM is pure waste.

As is their CTS line.

It's idiots like you that give BMW people the "Douch Bag" stereotype.

Cars are cars and companies are companies. You should like a car for the beauty of the car, not some stereotype you come up with. The M3 is a beautiful car,I like the 3 that I know and have seen and I love seeing them on the road. But that being said I didn't buy one because I want hp, the m3 doesnt' have it. The fit and finish of the cts-v is top notch, and I would venture to say it's as good as the m3. But I want hp, and that's why I bought the v. For what you guys pay for midpipes I can get 150hp more to the rear wheels. and then there is more where that came from.

We all love our cars for certain reasons, Mike's is a beautiful M3, and if I wanted a car I couldn't mod and play with I would have bought an m3. Love the cars for the cars, not all the other crap.

Yeah those sales men were idiots.

I have had the same though at audi and bmw dealerships as well as misti. I was looking for a evo, rolled up in toyota and no one would talk to me, I pull up in my z06 and they were all on me like flies on chit. Same happened when I went to the local bmw dealership. I show up with my beater and they wouldn't even talk to me, show up with my s5 and they wouldn't leave me alone.

It's all about stereotypes. xsilver has a story maybe he can chime in about porsche dealers.

[DefBringer]

Originally Posted by Tak555

maybe they thought that you just wanted to take it out for a spin, and that there's no way that you'd actually consider trading your m3 for a cts-v coupe. basically, they didn't think you were serious about buying the car, just seeing what it was like to drive it... just a thought

agreed 100%

I wouldn't have let you test drive either, and I very briefly sold cars to pay my way through college.

[DomsZ06]

Originally Posted by DefBringer

agreed 100%

I wouldn't have let you test drive either, and I very briefly sold cars to pay my way through college.

even when he pulls up in a m3?

When I pulled up in my beater no one let me drive, but when I pulled up dressed nice in a z, i could drive anything, including an R8....

[xsilvor]

Originally Posted by DefBringer

agreed 100%

I wouldn't have let you test drive either, and I very briefly sold cars to pay my way through college.

Then you wouldn't have made a sale on a $70M vehicle. Sucks.

[xsilvor]

Mike,

Did did you pressure them much to let you drive the car before you left? Which dealer was it? I basically got forced in to a CTS-V sedan last time I was at a caddy dealer And I was driving my old IS300!