Has anyone owned both 4vBW and 5vBW?

[Sergio]

We test drove both ct4 & 5 manuals, that my old boss owns. When my wife drove the 4 first, she said that’s what I’m talking about! Then the 5 and she about pissed herself. We got a used 23 4 BW auto, 8k miles, because we have 2 manual cars already. Then the higher price for the 5 with more miles was another consideration. We didn’t want to pay more $60k.

Yes the 5 is badass, like a Katana sword. The 4 is more like a Jim Bowie knife. The longer wheelbase of the 5 and extra weight over the front wheels makes it feel not as sporty as the 4. The 4 rear seat room is tight, but 99% of the time it’s just the 2 of us. We are getting 24mpg on road trips, doing 80-100. The midrange is so torquey there’s not much need to go wot to pass.

We looked at a few 4 door cars. IS500, didn’t feel sporty, great V8 sound. CLA 45 AMG, 13 gallon fuel tank and cramped back seat, as small as the 4. And 4 cylinder turbo. TLX Type S drove good but not enough power. Alfa? Didn’t even drive one for reliability concerns. Even considered some 2 door cars. GT500, expensive, gas hog, high insurance(?). Jaguar F type supercharged 5.0, nice sound, drove good, probably a gas hog too, but reliable? LC500 was a beautiful car but uninspiring to drive, sure the 5.0 makes great sound but no thanks. RCF 5.0 was kinda the same, great sound, but not real sporty.

 

[Roadhawk]

The few times we've taken our 4 BW out with adults in the back seat I've always apologized for the lack of room in the back and feel self conscious about it. In every case our passengers have said it was fine even after the drives...though on occasion they have requested we move our front seats up a bit as they were getting in and we've always been able to comfortably accommodate. Sure its tight....and probably wouldn't be great for long hauls....but for shorter runs its doable.

 

[piranha971]

I have ridden in the back seat of my 4 multiple times with a 70lb dog in the center seat next to me. It's fine. If you are not expecting a vast space in front of you (and why would you in a car?), you will be fine there. There is nothing to apologize for.

 

[blackeneth]

Better is largely a matter of subjectivity...though I could agree there are measurable values that could be compared (and to some gas mileage would be quite a negative for the 5). Anyway I get why the 5 is more special. But I feel very strongly that the 4 is the "better" overall car for me based on what I value most in a car and as a driver. Its performance is plenty joyful and in many ways I don't think it loses much to the 5 in most real performance driving situations.

I think Jason Cammisa got it right in his Haggerty Icons video on the 5BW. The 4BW is a better car, but it has wrong engine. If the 4BW had a naturally aspirated V8, we’d all be singing its praises as the sweet spot of performance & handling & price & fun. But it doesn’t, so we don’t.

 

[Roadhawk]

I think Jason Cammisa got it right in his Haggerty Icons video on the 5BW. The 4BW is a better car, but it has wrong engine. If the 4BW had a naturally aspirated V8, we’d all be singing its praises as the sweet spot of performance & handling & price & fun. But it doesn’t, so we don’t.

I get it. Sure a V8 with all that goes with that would be great. But at the same time there were a variety of reasons they chose the TT V6 and they make sense.

Not sure how much - if any - weight difference....but the 6 sits back of the front axle and this makes a tremendous handling difference that has value IMO. The V6 is also a Cadillac specific engine....making it somewhat special/unique IMO. It seems to be a very solid engine that performs well....not as high RPM but revs willingly and provides great power and really sounds nice for a V6. The V8 wouldn't provide appreciably more power unless they added forced induction....but then it would tread on the CT 5 BW and I imagine hurt sales of the more $ car.

Also turbos at least theoretically are easier to mod and add power. In addition to some great V8s - GM has made some fantastic 6 cylinders that have been very respectable. For all these reasons I;m pretty happy with the choice (but wouldn't be unhappy with the V8). I think a V8 special edition would be a cool option...

 

[so 650]

I think a V8 special edition would be a cool option.

That will never happen of course, due to engineering challenges etc. But that would be an amazing special edition. And I am speaking as someone who spent the money for a sticker package.