CT4V BW ordered - what to expect at dealer?

[hoopla22]

I ordered a 2025 CT4V Blackwing in January and it is about to go into production. I'm in my 40s and have never purchased a brand new car before. What can I expect once I arrive at the dealership to pick it up? Specifically:

• Can I request the dealer to not place their dealership logo on the car?
• Should I contact them beforehand to ensure no market adjustment or financial shenanigans? Or better yet, can I ask to do the paperwork online so I don't have to deal with the financials in-person?
• Anything else I should know before I go pick it up?

 

[ngoni]

Absolutely tell them no marketing on your car.

Things to check or ask your salesperson to do for you (updated with everyone else's additions):

• Please leave all interior protective wrapping (seats, steering wheel, etc) intact, especially when handling the interior.
• Do not consent to the "Smart Driver" program or whatever it is called now. It could be hidden in several of the 'new accounts' you need to create to get the car connected and online. Read the T&C. Don't agree to monitoring if they sneak it in.
• Check backup camera picture quality. Some have reported blurry unfocused cameras.
• Check that both fobs work with the car. Some have reported that scammers are swapping one of your fobs with a blank and then stealing the car after delivery.
• Bring a flashlight to inspect paint and carbon. Ask for paint correction detailing for anything egregious.
• Check that you have the tow hook, air pump, and fuel funnel in the trunk compartment.
• Check that the trunk release isn't making spots on the trunk lip (https://www.cadillacvnet.comforums/threads/4bw-trunk-rubbing.5535/)
• Please ensure nobody is permitted to test drive the vehicle in any way. Please ensure the car is not driven off the dealer lot except for fuel.
• Either hand wash (no brushes) by detailer or don't wash
• Do not install the track brake ducts put them/leave them in the trunk
• Make sure both front and rear rock guards are installed or in the trunk
• Remove and save the shipping spring spacers so you can be sure they are not still installed. This is very commonly missed by dealers. Either you see all four in the trunk or you visually inspect each corner for the spacers.
• No dealer stickers, plaques, badges, marketing at all.
• Do not install front license plate holder; please put a note in the car when it arrives so no one does it.
• No pinstripes, undercoating, etc
• Fill tank with highest octane available or not at all. The car will probably knock excessively on anything less than 91/93.
• Keep build sheet, window sticker.
• Check the inside of all four wheels. The transport companies have commonly marred the inside of the wheels.
• If you have any dealer installed options, make sure you have the original part (mirror caps, lug nuts, floor mats) in the trunk.

Not sure how much of the financials they'll do in advance. If you want the extended GM warranty, there are some other dealers in PA and elsewhere that competitively price their GM extended warranties. It's the same warranty no matter what dealer sells it to you. Do a forum search some have recommended dealers and salesmen that generally offer the best prices.

 

[brewski]

I ordered a 2025 CT4V Blackwing in January and it is about to go into production. I'm in my 40s and have never purchased a brand new car before. What can I expect once I arrive at the dealership to pick it up? Specifically:

• Can I request the dealer to not place their dealership logo on the car?
• Should I contact them beforehand to ensure no market adjustment or financial shenanigans? Or better yet, can I ask to do the paperwork online so I don't have to deal with the financials in-person?
• Anything else I should know before I go pick it up?

Check out CarEdge. They have a lot of youtube videos and have some stuff on their website that you don't have to pay for. Lots of good info on car buying. I personally find their shtick annoying, but there is very good info to be learned from them.

In general you should agree about an OTD (Out The Door) price before ordering. But know with buying a car there are 3 negotiations: OTD, financing and trade in. Have everything in writing. Sales guy can tell you stuff, but if the sales manager doesn't agree to it I don't think it will hold.

But the above info by ngoni is good stuff for yourself to check and request.

It also really helps to do some research on the market before buying. Right now is a good time to buy and there should be no reason to pay MSRP with the current market. A year or two ago you were doing good if you only had to pay MSRP.

 

[ernsteeng]

You should also check all 4 wheels, inside and outside. Every one of my wheels was damaged on the inside by the car carrier and the Cadillac dealer had them all fixed.

 

[Berserker]

They will absolutely hard sell you on dealer add-ons at closing. Window replacement insurance, all kinds of stuff.

Just stay firm with saying "No". Do not waver. Don't get upset. Just power through it.

 

[jimijuma]

Lots of good info here.

I would add: Please do not allow the vehicle to be test driven by anyone. Please ensure the vehicle does not get driven off the lot (aside from perhaps getting fuel).

 

[Dirkbg]

If you have any dealer installed options (black mirror caps, premium floormats, so on) make sure they also give you the original parts (painted mirror caps, standard floor mats). My car also had the black lug nuts and I didn't get the chrome ones, but others have said they got the original silver ones. My standard mats and mirror caps were in the trunk. I also didn't notice the plastic rocker aero was cracked (likely from the car hauler) until my ppf installer showed me when I took it in for an estimate a week past delivery. Mine was an off-the-lot car, but no one had driven it except for me since they called me as soon as it arrived to them.