2018 CTS-V: too fast for me!

[414bhp]

Hi guys and gals,

I got a full day in a third-gen 2018 CTS-V over Angeles Crest, and the car was so ridiculously hooked up and flipping fast that I came away astonished...but also cold. I also own a second-gen 2014 CTS-V wagon, and the third-gen was an improvement in almost every imaginable way -- except for trunk space ;-) -- but I no longer felt like the newer car's capabilities matched my own on a mountain road. Essentially, there was so much grip and power that the limits were well beyond my risk taking tolerances. I'd have to take the new V to the track to comfortably find its edges.

(I did a full writeup with photos of my day, too.)

Anyone else holding out on an "upgrade" to the new M3, M5, CTS-V, or whatever, because the new cars are too damn fast for your favorite roads? I'm really excited bout the newly released CT5-V Blackwing, but since third-gen CTS-V is already too fast for me in the canyons, I'm having doubts! From reading the reviews on the new M3, I get the sense it would be the same story...

[Longboarder]

Sounds like you are enjoying the 2018 but from today's standards, it's pretty heavy and slow. Maybe some of the sensation was coming from attempting to wrangle that 2+ ton beast through the narrow turns, which takes a lot of attention and focus to get right. Be safe out there.

[414bhp]

Originally Posted by Longboarder

Sounds like you are enjoying the 2018 but from today's standards, it's pretty heavy and slow. Maybe some of the sensation was coming from attempting to wrangle that 2+ ton beast through the narrow turns, which takes a lot of attention and focus to get right. Be safe out there.

Yeah, that's the thing. There is a whole new crop of crazy sedans and sports cars that out gun the 2018 V. I kind of get why you'd want that extra power on a track or runway, but on the street, I'm finding it less and less fun.

[W///]

Originally Posted by 414bhp

Yeah, that's the thing. There is a whole new crop of crazy sedans and sports cars that out gun the 2018 V. I kind of get why you'd want that extra power on a track or runway, but on the street, I'm finding it less and less fun.

This is precisely one of the reasons I require a manual to have fun, because that at least adds a layer on top of just pure speed. Otherwise, the car is borderline unusable most of the time.

[14_deltaM3]

I struggle with the same questions. I also thought about the gen 3 CTSV, but the lack of a manual kills it for me, as does the sky-high limits. The Giulia QV apparently offers much of the driving involvement but it’s auto is the only thing that stopped me from trading in the e92.

[414bhp]

Originally Posted by 14_deltaM3

I struggle with the same questions. I also thought about the gen 3 CTSV, but the lack of a manual kills it for me, as does the sky-high limits. The Giulia QV apparently offers much of the driving involvement but it’s auto is the only thing that stopped me from trading in the e92.

When I drove the E90 and Giulia QV back-to-back, I didn't find the Giulia a knockout over the M3. The Giulia was a bit faster, a bit more comfortable thanks to the mag ride shocks, and a bit prettier. But the E90 had much better steering feel and pace (not too fast!), better engine sound and response, and was still quite comfortable. (I put a lot of value on great steering feel, engine sound and response.)

The other thing about the Giulia is that it uses _very_ sticky tires. As such, there's more traction than engine torque in most situations. Just like the 3 CTS-V, you'll be going ridiculously hard to find the Giulia's edges!

[Longboarder]

Originally Posted by 414bhp

Yeah, that's the thing. There is a whole new crop of crazy sedans and sports cars that out gun the 2018 V. I kind of get why you'd want that extra power on a track or runway, but on the street, I'm finding it less and less fun.

Totally agree. For the street, I can drive the e92 M3 at full tilt 10/10ths and pretty much be comfortable enough that if I get caught, I'll be avoiding jail. It's such an amazing and connected car that does everything well and puts a huge smile clicking the paddle shift at 8,400rpm.

Cannot say the same thing about the Porsche. It is not possible to floor it even for a few moments without reaching jail speeds. So as a consequence I just cruise and drive slow and just be happy to be in a Turbo S. Same thing can be said for a lot of really fast newer cars out now including the electric cars.

[94jedi]

Interestingly, my 2015 F10 M5 w/ Dinan tune taught me that HP isn't everything so I can relate, for sure. 600+ WHP is just too much *to enjoy* on the street. 400 HP is pushing that limit. my e92 M3 is right there. my old e46 M3 always left me wanting a bit more so I feel like the e9x is the sweet spot for me.

[imserious]

Maybe odd but I think driving high powered cars with no manual feel less safe to me. I feel a bit disconnected, don't know what gear I'm in and feel like I can go into corners a lot hotter than I intended to. When driving a manual I'm always making conscious decisions of what gear to be In and you intuitively know the torque band and MPH limit of that gear. I strongly prefer to feel more in control regardless of power level.

Side note, drove the guila QV and it was wicked fast. Way faster than my e92. Got a ton of power and I was surprised how quickly it revved for a turbo car. It was a beast. I still prefer the e92 look and feel, but speed wise I don't think it's a contest.

[94jedi]

Originally Posted by imserious

Maybe odd but I think driving high powered cars with no manual feel less safe to me. I feel a bit disconnected, don't know what gear I'm in and feel like I can go into corners a lot hotter than I intended to. When driving a manual I'm always making conscious decisions of what gear to be In and you intuitively know the torque band and MPH limit of that gear. I strongly prefer to feel more in control regardless of power level.

Side note, drove the guila QV and it was wicked fast. Way faster than my e92. Got a ton of power and I was surprised how quickly it revved for a turbo car. It was a beast. I still prefer the e92 look and feel, but speed wise I don't think it's a contest.

I tend to agree w/ your point about control and driver engagement. Maybe that's why my F10 M5 felt way too powerful all the time.

On the QV, yea, from a speed/power perspective, it's no contest for sure.