CTS-V or ISF about to buy?
07-27-10, 02:56 PM
#1
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
CTS-V or ISF about to buy?
I got an offer to buy a CTS-V 09 with 14k miles for 43, Dark Gray with black interior. I can get a low mile ISF for about the same. I much prefer the Caddy in the looks department performance is very close. Is there any compelling reason to look harder at the Lexus? I am keeping our LS & SC this next car will be my daily driver.
07-27-10, 03:19 PM
#7
Well, performance-wise, the CTS-V is, on average, faster than a stock IS-F, but as you said, it's fairly close.
Here are the 5 fastest bone stock IS-F 1/4 mile times on dragtimes:
12.385
12.441
12.466
12.506
12.540
Here are the 5 fastest bone stock new generation CTS-V 1/4 mile times:
12.310
12.310
12.310
12.324
12.360
As you can see, all 5 times for the CTS-V are quicker than even the fastest time achieved for the IS-F, stock.
From 0 to 60, the difference is generally stated to be even greater. The CTS-V clocks in 0 to 60 at 3.9 seconds, whereas the IS-F makes the run in low 4s, according to most independent magazines (~4.3)
Generally speaking, people who are looking to purchase an IS-F don't necessarily cross shop with the CTS-V.
The IS-F is typically cross shopped with the MB C63 AMG, BMW M3, and Audi RS4.
The CTS-V is certainly the fastest sedan in its class in a straight line.
If you prefer the looks of the CTS-V, then that alone coupled with the fact that the CTS-V is faster than an IS-F should point you towards the CTS-V, especially considering the fact that both vehicles are going to cost you roughly the same.
However, I cannot comment on the CTS-V's reliability. There may be hidden maintenance costs down the line with the Cadillac.
Given the fact that both the IS-F and CTS-V have base MSRPs hovering right around $60,000, both vehicles are of comparable prestige.
I would personally make a thread specifically in the IS-F forums if you want to know more about what the IS-F has to offer and what some of its downfalls are, particularly when compared to the CTS-V. The second generation IS forum is used by IS250 and IS350 owners, not IS-F owners.
Here are the 5 fastest bone stock IS-F 1/4 mile times on dragtimes:
12.385
12.441
12.466
12.506
12.540
Here are the 5 fastest bone stock new generation CTS-V 1/4 mile times:
12.310
12.310
12.310
12.324
12.360
As you can see, all 5 times for the CTS-V are quicker than even the fastest time achieved for the IS-F, stock.
From 0 to 60, the difference is generally stated to be even greater. The CTS-V clocks in 0 to 60 at 3.9 seconds, whereas the IS-F makes the run in low 4s, according to most independent magazines (~4.3)
Generally speaking, people who are looking to purchase an IS-F don't necessarily cross shop with the CTS-V.
The IS-F is typically cross shopped with the MB C63 AMG, BMW M3, and Audi RS4.
The CTS-V is certainly the fastest sedan in its class in a straight line.
If you prefer the looks of the CTS-V, then that alone coupled with the fact that the CTS-V is faster than an IS-F should point you towards the CTS-V, especially considering the fact that both vehicles are going to cost you roughly the same.
However, I cannot comment on the CTS-V's reliability. There may be hidden maintenance costs down the line with the Cadillac.
Given the fact that both the IS-F and CTS-V have base MSRPs hovering right around $60,000, both vehicles are of comparable prestige.
I would personally make a thread specifically in the IS-F forums if you want to know more about what the IS-F has to offer and what some of its downfalls are, particularly when compared to the CTS-V. The second generation IS forum is used by IS250 and IS350 owners, not IS-F owners.
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07-27-10, 03:20 PM
#8
I got an offer to buy a CTS-V 09 with 14k miles for 43, Dark Gray with black interior. I can get a low mile ISF for about the same. I much prefer the Caddy in the looks department performance is very close. Is there any compelling reason to look harder at the Lexus? I am keeping our LS & SC this next car will be my daily driver.
Performance, Looks, Proper 6spd. Not to mention it's one hell of a sleeper. V's specs trump the F's in nearly every regard.
07-27-10, 03:21 PM
#9
Lexus Champion
I looked hard at the CTS V, in addition to the F, before the wife made me get another SUV. 
I'm not sure that the performance is really that close between the two. The V is the first sedan to go sub-8 min at the Ring and it does 0-60 in 3.9 s, both considerably faster than the F.
Looks are subjective, but there's a bit too much chrome on the V for my taste. There is much more room in the V and the Recaros would be a must have option, imo. The stock sound is a wash between the two. There is the matter of a manual being available in the V, which certainly can sway some drivers (though I love the 8 speed in my F). The mod potential is also huge on the V, with the F just starting to develop products. Drive them both and you'll know which one is right for you as they're both great cars.
I'm not sure that the performance is really that close between the two. The V is the first sedan to go sub-8 min at the Ring and it does 0-60 in 3.9 s, both considerably faster than the F.Looks are subjective, but there's a bit too much chrome on the V for my taste. There is much more room in the V and the Recaros would be a must have option, imo. The stock sound is a wash between the two. There is the matter of a manual being available in the V, which certainly can sway some drivers (though I love the 8 speed in my F). The mod potential is also huge on the V, with the F just starting to develop products. Drive them both and you'll know which one is right for you as they're both great cars.
07-27-10, 03:29 PM
#10
Lexus Test Driver
my buddy has the 05 cts-v and its pretty sweet. He's had quite a few problems with the diff and the radiator/pump though. Hes got an x-pipe with magnaflow and it sounds MEAN.
The 09's have how much horsepower? It would have to be significantly more than a little over 400(like he's got) to get those 12.xx times I saw.
The 09's have how much horsepower? It would have to be significantly more than a little over 400(like he's got) to get those 12.xx times I saw.
07-27-10, 03:34 PM
#12
my buddy has the 05 cts-v and its pretty sweet. He's had quite a few problems with the diff and the radiator/pump though. Hes got an x-pipe with magnaflow and it sounds MEAN.
The 09's have how much horsepower? It would have to be significantly more than a little over 400(like he's got) to get those 12.xx times I saw.
The 09's have how much horsepower? It would have to be significantly more than a little over 400(like he's got) to get those 12.xx times I saw.
07-27-10, 03:40 PM
#14
Lexus Champion
my buddy has the 05 cts-v and its pretty sweet. He's had quite a few problems with the diff and the radiator/pump though. Hes got an x-pipe with magnaflow and it sounds MEAN.
The 09's have how much horsepower? It would have to be significantly more than a little over 400(like he's got) to get those 12.xx times I saw.
The 09's have how much horsepower? It would have to be significantly more than a little over 400(like he's got) to get those 12.xx times I saw.
07-27-10, 03:50 PM
#15
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Well, performance-wise, the CTS-V is, on average, faster than a stock IS-F, but as you said, it's fairly close.
Here are the 5 fastest bone stock IS-F 1/4 mile times on dragtimes:
12.385
12.441
12.466
12.506
12.540
Here are the 5 fastest bone stock new generation CTS-V 1/4 mile times:
12.310
12.310
12.310
12.324
12.360
Here are the 5 fastest bone stock IS-F 1/4 mile times on dragtimes:
12.385
12.441
12.466
12.506
12.540
Here are the 5 fastest bone stock new generation CTS-V 1/4 mile times:
12.310
12.310
12.310
12.324
12.360
I looked at those too because they seemed suspiciously low. The fastest time as well as a few of the other low 12sec runs are run by an owner named Cole who actually lists drag radials as the tires he was running when he achieved those times. I would say that tires make a bigger difference than any other mods available for these cars and so for the owner to label the car as stock is somewhat misleading.
The 2nd fastest time seems to have some eyebrows raised as well, in particular from the owner of the car with the fastest time. So I don't really know what to make of those times.
I would say that the Caddilac should be considerably faster given its power to weight ratio is 7.18 lbs/hp wheras the Lexus is only 8.92 lbs/hp.