It's been a year now

[dinkman]

I agree with what you are saying, and it is helpful to hear it from somebody else other than the voice in the back of my head. I bought a gorgeous Audi R8 2 years ago and planned to keep it forever because I love the sound of a V10. Once I sat in it and drove it for a little bit, I found that my head brushed against the ceiling just a little bit. No matter how much I set the seat I couldn't get it so that I was in a reasonable position and not touching the ceiling. I was so mad, but there's nothing near me to test drive. After that, I did start flying places to test drive cars to see if I fit in them and was comfortable. I think I will try to see about test driving the Lexus, but I'm also a bit frustrated with Cadillac for not having a new configurator and press pictures of the new blackwing in all of the updated colors.

When I did have the 5VBW, I loved the transmission, the sound was pretty good, the torque was awesome, and it was comfortable. I didn't love the touch screen setup that seemed a little dated even when new, and the stereo was a little on the disappointing side. The new model obviously has the refreshed touch screen setup, and other than the slight changes to the exterior, it's mostly the same car. I think I would be pretty happy with it, but I think I will at least go test drive a couple cars before I place my order.

didnt know there were other r8 owners in here too! one way to solve the head rubbing issue

 

[BimmerFan]

OP, have you ever owned the 2020+ GT500?
this is what i currently drive ( not as much as id like ) , so i am always curious about the 5BW as a better daily and as a comparison. I have recently driven and z06 and it blew my mind but i fear i wouldnt drive that as much as well.

If you have comparisons between these vehicles id love to hear your opinions on it

Sorry, no. Correct me if I am wrong, but the GT500 is only available with an automatic, and that's a deal breaker for me. That's also why I've never considered the C8 Corvette, although it is a fabulous car in every other regard.

I've owned two S550 GT Mustangs with a manual, of course, and it's a really good car let down by the Hertz quality interior bits. No comparison between that and the CT5V-BW although it's not really fair since the BW is more than twice the price.

 

[dinkman]

Sorry, no. Correct me if I am wrong, but the GT500 is only available with an automatic, and that's a deal breaker for me. That's also why I've never considered the C8 Corvette, although it is a fabulous car in every other regard.

I've owned two S550 GT Mustangs with a manual, of course, and it's a really good car let down by the Hertz quality interior bits. No comparison between that and the CT5V-BW although it's not really fair since the BW is more than twice the price.

i dont get the gt500 tbh. follow up to an amazing track car that could outlap most 911's short of a gt3 but for half the price that had a unique fpc engine and great manual gearbox. then you make an automatic only supercharger version that cant put any of its power down

 

[Roadhawk]

i dont get the gt500 tbh. follow up to an amazing track car that could outlap most 911's short of a gt3 but for half the price that had a unique fpc engine and great manual gearbox. then you make an automatic only supercharger version that cant put any of its power down

Not nearly the same thing but I own an old Mustang - 64 1/2 4 barrel V8 convertible that has been in the family since new and I've owned it since 1984 (57K miles on it now...). Its great fun for what it is and as a Mustang owner I've followed the cars through the years and have a soft spot in my heart for them. I strongly encourage anyone with interest to visit the Shelby Museum in Orange County south of LA.

The GT 350 is the sweet spot IMO...but the GT 500 is certainly a beast....even the recent Mach 1s and the new Dark Horse are very respectable (for what they are) and the 20+ year old Supercharged (once they fixed the HP issues) are legendary. All that being said I couldn't ever see myself owning any of them.

 

[5VBW Nick]

Tried GT350R for 6 months, too track-focused for the street. Cup2R tires are always too cold, or too sticky and throwing stones constantly. Also, 54mph in 1st gear...

 

[Champale]

Have driven my 2020 GT350R on a 3k mile road trip with 2 days of over 700 miles and zero issues (and it doesn't even have the upgraded stereo). Love that car like no other. I am running PS4S on it, though. The Cup2s are awesome until they arent!

 

[dinkman]

Have driven my 2020 GT350R on a 3k mile road trip with 2 days of over 700 miles and zero issues (and it doesn't even have the upgraded stereo). Love that car like no other. I am running PS4S on it, though. The Cup2s are awesome until they arent!

i miss mine quite often. license plate used to draw a lot of attention

 

[Exia]

I think I've gone through 13 cars in the last 3 years. I've slowed down now because nobody makes the car I want anymore brand new and I'm not willing to pay the current used car prices for anything I do like. Its also finanically irresponsible so If I kept the pace up I'd probably be stuck looking at Camry's in another 3 years. I prefer manual V8 2 seater sports cars as my ideal vehicle of choice.

I liked my Blackwing but I had zero need for the extra doors and I prefered driving my Corvette because I like sitting low. If I needed the 4 doors it would have stayed.

These days since nobody makes what I want brand new I've debated getting back into a manual regardless because I love them but the Blackwing is probably the only new manual car I would consider and the drawbacks would still be there as I have zero need for a car that big.

I also have to deal with winter and in the past I've always kept two cars for that purpose (or 3) but I just never drive the other vehicles much that it makes little sense to pay insurance, maintenance on additional vehicles I hardly drive. A Blackwing would make a poor winter car and I really don't want to buy a second vehicle again.

For now I enjoy my C8 since I put a Borla on it, the only thing its missing is a manual to be perfect. Most of the time the only cars I look at now that interest me are used ones, now much new stuff tickles my fancy anymore.

 

[5VBW Nick]

I think I've gone through 13 cars in the last 3 years. I've slowed down now because nobody makes the car I want anymore brand new and I'm not willing to pay the current used car prices for anything I do like. Its also finanically irresponsible so If I kept the pace up I'd probably be stuck looking at Camry's in another 3 years. I prefer manual V8 2 seater sports cars as my ideal vehicle of choice.

I liked my Blackwing but I had zero need for the extra doors and I prefered driving my Corvette because I like sitting low. If I needed the 4 doors it would have stayed.

These days since nobody makes what I want brand new I've debated getting back into a manual regardless because I love them but the Blackwing is probably the only new manual car I would consider and the drawbacks would still be there as I have zero need for a car that big.

I also have to deal with winter and in the past I've always kept two cars for that purpose (or 3) but I just never drive the other vehicles much that it makes little sense to pay insurance, maintenance on additional vehicles I hardly drive. A Blackwing would make a poor winter car and I really don't want to buy a second vehicle again.

For now I enjoy my C8 since I put a Borla on it, the only thing its missing is a manual to be perfect. Most of the time the only cars I look at now that interest me are used ones, now much new stuff tickles my fancy anymore.

Okay, you piqued my interest, but never said what it was. What car do they not make brand new that you would like to buy?

 

[quikag]

I've also been through a lot of vehicles the past several years (COVID FOMO, etc.). Two that will remain in my 'permanent' collection are my C6 ZR1 and '22 CT5VBW six-speed #26. The breadth of capability between comfort, performance, fun, and overall drivability are unmatched in the automotive landscape right now IMHO. It can drive grandma and the kids to church in tour mode comfortably and then go out and power slide through a HPDE afternoon or back-road blast after church lets out. It hasn't gotten old 3 years and a month in so far...

 

[shbox]

I've also been through a lot of vehicles the past several years (COVID FOMO, etc.). Two that will remain in my 'permanent' collection are my C6 ZR1 and '22 CT5VBW six-speed #26. The breadth of capability between comfort, performance, fun, and overall drivability are unmatched in the automotive landscape right now IMHO. It can drive grandma and the kids to church in tour mode comfortably and then go out and power slide through a HPDE afternoon or back-road blast after church lets out. It hasn't gotten old 3 years and a month in so far...

Church can do that to people.

 

[Sully]

Church can do that to people.

Leaving church was always a jailbreak… Peace be with you, now get F out of my way!

 

[stephen k]

This car is so good. This is the first time in a very long time that I get excited to get back into the driver seat of a car. my 991.2 gt3 was kind of like that but after 30 minutes in it I got sick of the ride and the overall loudness of the car. I love that I can drive this car all day while having all the creature comforts (massage, heated cool seats & steering wheel, carplay, rear seats AND trunk space) and I can demolish 90% of the cars on the road and give the last 5% a serious run for their money.

I am also wondering if I should spec out a ct5 bw exactly the way I would want it..

 

[dinkman]

man you guys are really making me firm up my decision to upgrade to the 5. hoping to close a deal on one in mass

 

[dinkman]

man you guys are really making me firm up my decision to upgrade to the 5. hoping to close a deal on one in mass

sigh. foiled by a shady dealer in MA. the search continues

 

[Champale]

It's funny, dinkman - I have been scheming how to buy a 4BW 6sp to sit alongside my 5BW 6sp! If you can get the 5BW, go for it. But the 4BW is absolutely incredible to drive so you are not really missing too much (other than badass V8 noises).

 

[dinkman]

It's funny, dinkman - I have been scheming how to buy a 4BW 6sp to sit alongside my 5BW 6sp! If you can get the 5BW, go for it. But the 4BW is absolutely incredible to drive so you are not really missing too much (other than badass V8 noises).

i totally agree. its beyond lived up to all my expectations and i've been so pleasantly surprised having never owned a cadillac before but i really do want that v8!

 

[rubberduck]

But the 4BW is absolutely incredible to drive so you are not really missing too much (other than badass V8 noises).

Nothing against 6s, but I was getting tired of them from my previous cars. Of course the V8 sounds great, but the real kicker is the torque, can’t get enough of that experience.

 

[668LT4]

Nothing against 6s, but I was getting tired of them from my previous cars. Of course the V8 sounds great, but the real kicker is the torque, can’t get enough of that experience.

I can only agree. Both cars are great, but very different to drive, much more so than just the sound of the V8 (I happen to think the 4BW TT sounds damn good). It is instant acceleration and torque vs. higher revving. I prefer the former, and will never understand those who say the 5 is too much. I guess if revving over 5k RPM on every gear shift is your thing, then yah, you can really only do that in 1st on the 5 Blackwing before jail time can come into play. But you can also be sitting at 2k RPM in 6th gear and immediately go without the need to downshift. That is why I love the LT4 and 5 Blackwing. The torque is intoxicating.

 

[Roadhawk]

Nothing against 6s, but I was getting tired of them from my previous cars. Of course the V8 sounds great, but the real kicker is the torque, can’t get enough of that experience.

I get it...the rumble of V8s sound great....even better when they can rev out like crazy...but really now...what matters most (IMO) is performance (and of course many V8s have that too).

I pretty much grew up on 4 cylinder cars....many with turbos or superchargers and some sounded great. Our GTI is so loud my wife wears ear plugs when she's in it (and still complains). I say its the sound of performance. My shop guys always point out other cars there that are louder than it...making a point how loud mine is.

Sure I've driven v8s...sometimes as rentals or loaners...but the only V8 I've ever owned is our old Mustang...and its the quietest car we own.

The best sounding car I've ever heard in person was a modded twin turbo Audi S4 (not mine...but it sounded pretty bad ass as well).

Another car I've heard that really impressed me was some old Dodge 4 cylinder modded SRT something or other that really surprised me WRT how good it sounded. And of course those 5 cylinder Audis of various ilk past and present. But OK - in general - I agree V8s just sound better and are very satisfying.

Our 4 V BW sounds pretty good...but I do wish it was more raucous. Performance wise though its on mark and I love it. Would it be great with a Chevy V8 - yup....sure...but not necessary IMO.