Ask the Best and Brightest: New Cadillac CTS-V or Used BMW M5?

A few counter points-- It's flawed logic to argue that a modern American car will become a classic in the same manner as older generations. Not to mention, we’re talking a 15-20 year window on the small chance that logic might be true. Who keeps cars that long? Just because a car is used, don't automatically assume that it was abused.....and if it was abused don't assume that it caused irreparable harm to the car. Finally, how about buying a used CTS-V. You can get them in the low $30K range with less than 15,000 miles if you really want one. That way at least you’ll be insulated from the depreciation hit your going to take. I just saw one with 20K miles for $26K. How much did they sell for new? For what it's worth, my grandfather really enjoys his Cadillac too. Overall it's up to you, you have to drive it every day.

Interesting that "the company that makes it is going out of business" isn't among the cons. As to the cars themselves, after owning five BMW's dating from the eighties to the naughties, I'd leave off the "German leather" factor; the interiors on my cars haven't held up particularly well at all. They've all had some form of characterful deterioration ranging from cracked dashboards to shredded seat pockets to various plastic thingies liberating themselves from their German masters' efforts at domination. If the M5 you're thinking of is equipped with the SMG transmission, then I cannot countenance your purchase. I know it has its fans, but sadly, their opinions are in error. It renders the car undriveable. Next, sound systems. Yes the M5 contains many wonderous marvels of science, but it absolutely will not rock. No BMW ever has or will. Forget the upgrade. It won't sound any better. I haven't driven the CTS, but based on the many domestics I have rented over the years, they always sound better than what I'm driving at home. Lastly, there's sex appeal. Here in the Bay Area at least, BMW's have none whatsoever. M5's are as common as tweets. Maybe that's a good thing, maybe it isn't. But the Caddy will be noticed, the Beemer won't. All things being equal, I'd prefer a car that has interior bits that stay put, makes music musical, and has looks that get looks. But all things are never equal. Each of my BMW's was purchased after an exhaustive examination of the competition. The Beemer always drove best. If Cadillac has produced a car that drives better than an M5 (properly equipped of course with the correct transmission), then by all means buy it, either now or next month at the liquidation sale. But somehow I doubt it.