Cars & Bids Bargain of the Week: 2009 Cadillac CTS-V

• The 2009 Cadillac CTS-V made the American luxury sports sedan a supercharged reality
• A modified example is up for grabs on Cars & Bids right now
• Will this modified 2009 Cadillac CTS-V be a reliable sports sedan bargain?

Modified 2009 Cadillac CTS-V Sedan on Cars & Bids article highlights:

• The successor to the original Cadillac CTS-V, the 2009 model introduced the supercharged V8 recipe that continues to today’s CT5-V Blackwing
• There’s a modified 2009 CTS-V Sedan on Cars & Bids that puts out more than the stock 556 hp
• It’s currently listed at $18K, roughly half of what the cheapest similar example on Autotrader costs

Both ode and dirge to the high-power RWD stick-shift sports sedan, the 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing is also a sequel. Before the Blackwing ever smoked its rear tires, the Cadillac CTS-V was hitting back against M and AMG. And while the second-gen station wagon model is in high demand, its contemporary sedan and coupe siblings are often surprisingly affordable. Case in point, the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V Sedan listed this week on Cars & Bids.

The 2009 Cadillac CTS-V made the American luxury sports sedan a supercharged reality

2009 Cadillac CTS-V Sedan | Jeffrey Sauger for General Motors via Getty Images

When Cadillac introduced the first-gen CTS-V in 2004, the idea of a sporty Cadillac was a bit oxymoronic to some. It quickly proved doubters wrong, though, thanks in no small part to its C5 Z06-derived V8 and manual-only status. But it’s the second-gen model, launched in 2009, that truly showed Cadillac wasn’t kidding around. It’s also the one that cemented the formula the CT5-V Blackwing proudly uses.

Like the first-gen model, the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V has a Corvette engine. Only in this case, it’s the supercharged 6.2-liter V8 from the C6 Corvette ZR1 and 2012-2015 Camaro ZL1, albeit slightly de-tuned. But 556 hp is nothing to sneeze at, even today. And it was enough for the CTS-V to briefly be the fastest production sedan around the Nürburgring—on stock tires, Car Bibles says.

The second-gen Cadillac CTS-V also made that performance more accessible with an optional automatic transmission. Despite being heavier than the manual model, it’s quicker to 60 mph. Also, the automatic 2009 CTS-V accelerates quicker than the contemporary BMW M5, too, including through the ¼-mile. Oh, and that Nürburgring record? An automatic sedan recorded it.

But the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V isn’t just a straight-line stormer. Like the first-gen car, it has ventilated and slotted Brembo brakes, a limited-slip differential, and numerous suspension and chassis upgrades over the standard CTS. Furthermore, Cadillac beefed up the differential, rear subframe, and driveshafts to remove the first-gen car’s axle hop tendencies. Plus, it has second-gen versions of GM’s trick magnetorheological shocks.

As a result, a 2009 CTS-V is a genuine blast to drive on curvy roads. Admittedly, its steering is a touch numb, but it’s precise and well-weighted. Plus, that supercharged bomb of an engine is surprisingly refined and linear, CB notes. Yet thanks to the magnetic shocks and comfortable interior, you could easily drive this car every day. In short, it’s a true luxury sports sedan.

A modified example is up for grabs on Cars & Bids right now

Modified 2009 Cadillac CTS-V Sedan | Cars & Bids

In addition to the standard performance and luxury features, Cadillac offered the 2009 CTS-V with a few optional ones. The sedan currently listed on Cars & Bids has some of those options as well as quite a few modifications.

From the factory, this 2009 Cadillac CTS-V Sedan has power-adjustable ventilated front Recaro seats and performance metal pedals. It also has GPS navigation, HID headlights, a Bose audio system, rear parking sensors, and a dual-pane sunroof. And besides the previously-mentioned Brembos and magnetic shocks, the CTS-V has oil and transmission coolers as well as a supercharger intercooler.

As for the mods, this car rides on 19” Forgestar F14 Bronze Burst wheels and has aftermarket grille inserts. The performance-related mod list, though, is rather more extensive:

• Texas Speed 2” headers
• 3” exhaust with X-pipe
• GM Flex-Fuel kit
• DSX Tuning auxiliary fuel tank
• Mighty Mouse oil catch can
• AN supercharger fittings and billet manifold
• C&R Racing heat exchanger
• Varimax intercooler pump
• GripTec 2.45 upper supercharger pulley
• ID 1300cc fuel injectors
• Airaid cold-air intake with Green performance filter
• Accel ceramic-boot spark plug wires
• Goodridge stainless steel brake lines

Modified 2009 Cadillac CTS-V Sedan front interior | Cars & Bids

The seller claims the mods push this 2009 CTS-V to 600 wheel horsepower on a “conservative tune” using E70. But you can run this car on 93-octane gasoline just fine. In addition, despite the mods, this car does pass Texas emissions.

Visually, this 2009 Cadillac CTS-V Sedan has some flaws. Its front bumper has some cracked paint, there are some rock chips and scattered scratches, and the front seat bolsters show some wear. Also, the Carfax report indicates some minor accident damage, which is likely cosmetic.

But on the plus side, this car has just over 65,500 miles on the clock. The seller also performed paint corrections and seals every year and changed the oil roughly every 1500-2000 miles. The oil was analyzed, too. And in addition to receipts from Dedicated Motorsports, the seller is including the original grilles with the sale.

Will this modified 2009 Cadillac CTS-V be a reliable sports sedan bargain?

As of this writing, this 2009 Cadillac CTS-V Sedan is listed at $18,000 with three days left in the auction. In comparison, the cheapest stock example with similar mileage on Autotrader is roughly twice as expensive. So, this is a certified used bargain.

Since this is a used, modified luxury sports sedan, a pre-purchase inspection is recommended. However, while the standard 2009 CTS had a few notable issues, the second-gen CTS-V is a fairly durable car. And it takes surprisingly well to mods, Car Bibles claims. As far as faults, the Recaro rattles are normal, while supercharger failure is rare and easy to catch. Some early second-gen CTS-Vs have whiny differentials, but that’s curable through an updated fluid swap.

So, if you want a Blackwing but can’t afford it, this sedan might be the next best thing.

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Keyword: Cars & Bids Bargain of the Week: 2009 Cadillac CTS-V