"As far as the Guzzler tax, there’s been quite a bit of speculation. The final verdict is Level 3 ($1,300). For comparison, the M5 is a level 7 ($3,700). For anyone curious how the EPA decides this, here’s the table:
"I know that M5 offers some things that the CTS-V doesn’t (like HD radio and sunshades), but almost all the things I mentioned are options on the M5. For a base price of $85,925, here are a list of things you have to pay extra for that are standard on the CTS-V:
So for comparison’s sake, getting the M5 to the same standard equipment level as the CTS-V requires another $1,995 in options, which brings the total to $87,920- that’s approximately $28,000 more than the Cadillac, which is a lot of spare change. If I had 90 grand to blow on cars, I’d rather buy a 2009 CTS-V and either a Cooper S or Cobalt SS than one M5. I know there are people that disagree, but if two cars are $28,000 apart in price, the more expensive one ought to be a much more impressive piece- the M5 is not.
I know that each one has certain features the other doesn’t, but I still find the fact that they make common features like Satellite radio and keyless start optional on an $86,000 car to be ridiculous."
I would agree with that statement.
It is on par in performance stats, but I am sure there are other things that the BMW might do better.
I can’t wait to drive both.
John F. Howell, product director, says the plant could make as many as 8,000 CTS-Vs if demand develops.
That would equate to about 10% of CTS production, which has been averaging about 6,000 units per month. Howell expects annual CTS volume to be 70,000-80,000 units.
A first-year sales target of 8,000 units is “a little optimistic,” Howell admits. But there has been a lot of interest in the car at dealerships and on the Internet, he adds.
BMW of North America LLC says M5 sales totaled 988 units in the U.S. through July 31, about 60% of worldwide sales.
You can buy 06 M5’s for $50k from $90K so that isn’t holding it’s value like a government back security either.
Here is the volume numbers for the V1:
MY 2004 CTS-V total = 2,461
MY 2005 CTS-V total = 3,508
MY 2006 CTS-V total = 1,162 (8 month production then they switched to 2007)
I can’t find 2007 data
In 2007, employee price was 11.2% off of MSRP for the CTS-V
bigron - if you compare the speed at which they drop in value, I think the % of MSRP will fall a lot faster on the CTS-V. I think this is due to more people wanting a used M5 compared to a used CTS-V.