In a dilemma… Help.

[Savethemanuals]

Long time lurker. Been wanting a CT5V BW since it debuted and now I’m in a position to pull the trigger. With ‘25’s being imminent on dealer lots, there are good deals to be found on new ‘24’s. My dilemma is, do I pull the trigger on a relatively high msrp ‘24, or on a more modestly equipped ‘25 at msrp at a similar price?

 

[668LT4]

I would start by asking if there is one you prefer aesthetically, inside and out. For me, I prefer the 24 in both regards, so it is an easy answer. 25 will give you extra tech and an enhanced PDR if you prefer those things.

Something so special about these cars is whether you just get a stripper, no options car, or a loaded one with all amenities, they still drive the same for the most part. I plan to keep mine indefinitely and like the extra options, another reason I would say take the better deal on the optioned 24.

 

[eddyjoe]

I'd say sit in the 2024 and play with the interior tech. Then, sit inside a 2025 (non-V) CT5 and decide what you want. In the end, that's the significant difference from the standpoint of interacting with the car. I chose the 2025 given that frame of mind. I did not order a ton of options.

 

[jbawden]

Agree, not much more to it than deciding on the value of the options and the aesthetic differences. Still the exact bones and driving experience either way.

As a side note, your screen name is awfully close to a long time member so I was confused at first, but I see you have more ambition to save all of them. Plus, he sold his BW and drives a Miata now, so you know how those people are...

 

[ngoni]

Do the 2025 models still have Android Auto and Apple Carplay or did they get rid of those in favor of "Google built-in?" I ask because the latter is tied to only a singular Google account which is a problem if you routinely have different drivers and it seems to require the car's data connection which is a $30/month service from OnStar.

If you get a 2024, the screen may not be as wonderful, but you won't need to keep paying a subscription to fully use it.

 

[Exia]

I'd take a 2024 over a 2025 if I could get a deal. IMO the '24 looks better inside and out (better front end and no giant stuck on screen). The only thing the '25 offers that improves the car is the Precision Package but I think thats still on constraint.

Therefore I would rather have a 2024 at a discount unless the 2025 has Precision Package. Obviously it still depends on what you want (colour, options, transmission).

 

[leres]

I'd say sit in the 2024 and play with the interior tech. Then, sit inside a 2025 (non-V) CT5 and decide what you want. In the end, that's the significant difference from the standpoint of interacting with the car. I chose the 2025 given that frame of mind. I did not order a ton of options.

Something I figured out recently about the 2025 is that the google maps integration requires a valid onstar subscription. I'm sure google maps via apple carplay should still work though.

I'm still going for a 2025.

 

[wschomburg]

Long time lurker. Been wanting a CT5V BW since it debuted and now I’m in a position to pull the trigger. With ‘25’s being imminent on dealer lots, there are good deals to be found on new ‘24’s. My dilemma is, do I pull the trigger on a relatively high msrp ‘24, or on a more modestly equipped ‘25 at msrp at a similar price?

So IMahao it.would come down to the interior as that would be the key differentiator from the drivers perspective. Asumming your talking carbon fiber on the 24 and not on the 25, so Which interior do you prefer? I have the 23 BW and seeing as your asking, I would take the 25 for the big screen.

 

[CB34]

Do the 2025 models still have Android Auto and Apple Carplay or did they get rid of those in favor of "Google built-in?" I ask because the latter is tied to only a singular Google account which is a problem if you routinely have different drivers and it seems to require the car's data connection which is a $30/month service from OnStar.

If you get a 2024, the screen may not be as wonderful, but you won't need to keep paying a subscription to fully use it.

2025's still support Android Auto and Carplay without a subscription.

 

[Neveready]

Looks vs tech. I think color plays the biggest factor, following the screen and if you can stand that front end. Do the new paint colors interest you more?

I had to make the decision to stay with order which I knew would be a 25 or wait to see how much more I'd want a 25. That front end, is a sore spot.

This is completely personal, honestly we can't help you much. Your family, your friends, no one but you.

What do you plan to use the car for, do you plan to track it often? If so, the 25 with precision pack is worth it.

 

[wschomburg]

Funny cause I think the pre-25 CT5 BW front is the sore spot in that it's the only Caddy that has broken water fall lights but yeah personal opinions is what it comes down too unless you need the precision pack.

 

[Savethemanuals]

Thank you for all the responses! This car will not see the track (had many track focused cars but current stage in life requiring time spent on other priorities) but will see occasional twisty roads up in Northwest NC mountains as we spend decent amount of time up there, especially May - October. Even though the family suv does most of these duties, I’ll use it to haul the kids around once in a while as well.

Ideal build would be Typhoon with the bronze wheels and calipers, CCB’s, tan or grey semi-aniline interior, CF1 & 2 but can’t justify $130K… Dealers are discounting ‘24’s ~$10K so I could get a similar build as above minus CCB’s and ideal color for around the same price as a ‘25 in the color I want, bronze wheels and calipers and either CF1 and middle option interior or no CF1 and do a semi-aniline interior… My local dealer is expecting to receive their first shipment of ‘25s any day so I’ll certainly run over there to see the front end in person as well as tech differences. I like the pre-facelift front end but reserving judgement whether I prefer it to the facelift or not until I see the ‘25 in person.

 

[beamon]

For me, the options that you described add to the overall experience of driving and owning the blackwing...it makes it special even in a slow commuting drive. I do happen to prefer the pre-facelift front end and ordered a ‘24 knowing about the facelift but I definitely wouldn’t sacrifice options to get a ‘25.

 

[seattlecubes]

As a someone that works in software, I suspect the computing power and utility of the 2025 will outlast the earlier cars. As an example, I’m thinking of all the vehicles that have chipsets and modules were rendered useless when we moved from analog to digital and then those that relied on 3g but that network was retired ultimately for 5g. It may be a while down the road (and obsolescence will come for everything at some point) but if you plan to keep the car for a while, buy the newest one you can so that you can enjoy software features and enhancements that may be released down the road. If we could get these without tech at all I’d say buy that one, but we can’t so…

 

[DCV]

Well 6G is being planned out. My 2025 4BW only has 4G, not 5G. I work in telecomm and I’ll estimate 4G will be around about 4 to 5 more years then the networks will be migrated fully to 5G and start rollout of 6G. Then 4G will be dead. If they put SFD radios in cars, rather than hard coded chipsets and modems they could easily do the upgrade.

 

[668LT4]

I'll be fine if my Blackwing has 0 connectivity. Leave me and my car alone. The Google system in the new trucks is very aggravating. Constantly harassing w messages and sign up options. Hope Caddy has it implemented better.

 

[rubberduck]

Well 6G is being planned out. My 2025 4BW only has 4G, not 5G. I work in telecomm and I’ll estimate 4G will be around about 4 to 5 more years then the networks will be migrated fully to 5G and start rollout of 6G. Then 4G will be dead. If they put SFD radios in cars, rather than hard coded chipsets and modems they could easily do the upgrade.

The CT5 cannot be upgraded to 5G. It is possible to get a standalone 5G setup. Sunset announcements are expected to began in 2030+. Meaning we probably have another few years past that before 4G is really gone. I’m going to enjoy by beautiful car and not worry about it.

 

[CB34]

The CT5 cannot be upgraded to 5G. It is possible to get a standalone 5G setup. Sunset announcements are expected to began in 2030+. Meaning we probably have another few years past that before 4G is really gone. I’m going to enjoy by beautiful car and not worry about it.

The 2025 CT5's have 5G - at least, that's what my window sticker says.

 

[rubberduck]

The 2025 CT5's have 5G - at least, that's what my window sticker says.

I was referring to the 24 and earlier cars with 4G. For people trying to decide if they should get a 24 or 25.

I personally don’t like the wraparound display on the 25 5BW. It doesn’t really fit the aesthetic of car well. I had one in my Mercedes, but they did a much better job with the dash then I’m seeing with the CT5.

 

[DCV]

No, so called 5G is actually 4G+, on your phone unless it says 5G+….its enhanced 4G. In all actuality its the same signal structure but with less error control coding, so you don’t waste bits and packets on redundant retransmission of packets that might have failed. Pretty sure it’s still OFDM with 8 subcarriers in 10 MHz channels using QAM signaling.