Being a car enthusiast is expensive. The cars we dream about aren’t cheap, and of all the hobbies out there, the expenses don’t stop once you’ve already purchased the item. Thankfully, you don’t always have to own your dream cars when they’re new. The beauty of some vehicles is that, when properly cared for, they will definitely last a long time.
The same is the case with today’s high-performance sports sedans. With 668 horsepower and a price that, when you look right, can cost less than a brand new, fully loaded 2026 Toyota RAV4. Want healthy consumer advice? Get this high-performance sports sedan as a used purchase instead of dealing with the many problems caused by the RAV4’s dealer markups. Of course, we’re kidding. But anyway, this sports sedan has become more affordable due to the power of depreciation. Now the question is, will owning this old 668-horsepower sedan be fun, or excruciating?
2026 will be favorable for enthusiasts
If you’re in the market for a used enthusiast-focused sports sedan, there’s strong evidence that 2026 will be a great year for you. here’s why.
Lease expires in 2023
Did you know that a high percentage of buyers in this area, especially if they are from luxury brands, prefer leasing? These people, who also have high disposable income, will always want to be connected to the latest and greatest models. Well, leasing European luxury sedans becomes popular, especially since, As the maintenance and repair data showsTheir maintenance costs become increasingly higher as they age compared to Asian luxury brands.
And guess what, in 2023, CarEdge determined that 2023 was a year that three-year vehicle leases increased. Sedans generally also have higher average depreciation, making dealer auction prices cheaper and, in turn, lowering sticker prices when they need to be sold to customers. CarEdge closed the analysis by saying that the sedan segment is going to be a hotspot in 2026.
Luxury sedans depreciate faster
With the exception of models from some Asian luxury brands, the value of luxury sedans depreciates really fast – especially if they are a pure electric vehicle (EV). We’ve put together a list of the fastest-depreciating luxury sedans, and you’ll notice that they’re mostly European, and half of the list is made up of electric vehicles (EVs). Imagine a luxury sedan whose resale value has rapidly declined by more than half in just three years. It’s not an investment—it’s a liability. Again, this is why, especially in these areas, leasing is quite popular.
But of course, there is a primary reason why the value of these luxury sedans is depreciating rapidly. For internal combustion engine (ICE) European models, as we mentioned earlier, their maintenance costs become exponentially more expensive as they age, and this data is supported by RepairPal. That’s why, according to CarEdge, brands like Lexus and Acura are on the other side of the spectrum as some of the slowest depreciating luxury brands.
Fully-Loaded RAV4 668-HP Sedan for the Money
With all this information and market trends, would you still consider a fully loaded 2026 Toyota RAV4, which is almost hitting the $70,000 mark, or a used Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing?
Leased models are flooding in
When new, the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing cost $98,900. On the used market, the lowest average price by far on a CT5-V Blackwing is in the low $70,000 range, especially if it’s a high-mileage unit. On average, a CT5-V Blackwing will sell in the $75,000-$80,000 range. However, with some buyers opting to lease with this vehicle, especially during the three-year lease increase in 2023, you can expect more supply for the CT5-V Blackwing in the coming years. More supply means lower prices, and thus, the CT5-V Blackwing could easily cost less than a fully loaded 2026 toyota rav4.
Now, if you like manuals, this is great if you like the thrill of three pedals. Unfortunately, CT5-V Blackwings with manuals are very resistant to depreciation. When the CT5-V Blackwing with the manual is introduced in 2022, it sells for $84,900. Today, their used prices are almost the same as their brand new prices. On average, manuals retain their value 10 percent better Compared to those with automatic transmission.
Lots of excitement, no matter what the broadcast
But whatever transmission you choose, the used Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing represents the pinnacle of driving thrills in the luxury sports sedan segment. In recent years, the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing has gained a reputation for being more fun and tactile than even the best things Germany produces. Heck, at the price point of a used CT5-V Blackwing, you’re in line with the prices of a fully loaded 2026 Toyota RAV4, and there’s no way the RAV4 can match even half the performance and thrills of this supercharged sports sedan.
And of course, the main attraction here is the driving experience. With 668 horsepower and 659 pound-feet of torque from a 6.2-liter supercharged V-8, the engine alone is already a selling point. Combine this with a pretty accurate chassis that makes this sports sedan perform well in corners, and you get a value-packed used buy that, to be honest, can still seat the same number of passengers as the RAV4. Yet, despite the extreme precision and efficiency of its operation, the electromechanical features of the CT5-V Blackwing still make it docile and comfortable on a daily basis.
|
cadillac ct5-v blackwing |
|
|---|---|
|
engine |
6.2-liter supercharged V-8 |
|
layout |
Front Engine, RWD |
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horse power |
668 hp |
|
Torque: |
659 pound-feet |
|
transfer |
6-speed M/T 10-speed A/T |
|
0-60 mph |
3.5 sec. (6-speed M/T) 3.4 sec. (10-speed A/T) |
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top speed |
200 mph |
|
Base MSRP |
$98,900 |
The forgotten American sedan that still holds its own against luxury rivals
This American sedan may not get the attention it deserves, but it’s still an attractive combination of power, luxury, and performance-focused features.
What’s it like to own a Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
a three year old child 2023 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing This means looking for a pre-facelifted model. With that in mind, here’s what you can expect from this vehicle in terms of its looks, features, and its ownership cost.
Sporty look, but not that spectacular
From the outside, the 2023 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing looks menacing. The long, vertical LED daytime running lights and aggressive front end, as well as the sloping roofline, help give this sports sedan a sporty design. I’m personally not a big fan of the window kink on the C-pillar, but that’s probably just a preference thing. However, from the rear the CT5-V Blackwing looks sleek and shapely. A black ducktail spoiler adds just the right aggression to a sporty and dangerous mid-size luxury sports sedan.
Step inside the CT5-V Blackwing, and you’ll see an interior that looks relatively modern, but is somewhat short on the luxury quotient. Sure, there’s nice leather materials on the dash, doors and seats, and even a generous serving of carbon fiber, but a luxury car is also all about the details. There are still some cheap plastics and switchgear from the GM parts bin that would otherwise be non-existent in its German luxury rivals. On the upside, the CT5-V Blackwing’s rear seats have great legroom, but the sloping roofline reduces rear headroom somewhat. However, it’s still good enough for the average American, and it would be perfect for bringing your kids to school.
You’ll be glad it doesn’t have ownership obligations
Most (not all) luxury sedans depreciate rapidly in value, and the one thing they don’t have in common is reliability. Unfortunately, the CT5-V Blackwing is not produced in large numbers, but the entire CT5 lineup is. If the entire CT5 lineup is taken into account, RepairPal is happy to report that with a 3 out of 5 reliability rating as well as an average annual repair or maintenance cost of $783, the CT5 lineup is about average for the overall industry. Less than European luxury cars, sure, but better to repair or own than Asian brands.
Realistically speaking, the CT5-V Blackwing is also said to be reliable. MotorReviewer says the LT4 V-8 engine is naturally very strong, as it is an LS-based V-8 engine. The problems the engine may face in the long run are not out of the ordinary for such an engine. Equipped with direct fuel injection, carbon build-up is one thing, while 2017-2018 models with this engine may experience oil pump failures at the 40,000-mile mark. The CT5-V Blackwing has come a long way since that year, so you don’t have to worry about the oil pump anymore. Overall, the CT5-V Blackwing is a high-performance car, and therefore requires high-performance care. Do that, and you’ll be assured that the CT5-V Blackwing will not let you down.
Sources: Cadillac, CarAge, RepairPal, MotorReviewer
