15k: Brute Force: 2006 Cadillac STS-V
The STS was the big brother to the CTS and offered higher levels of
luxury for about 1 new Kia more in MSRP. The V version of the STS was more
expensive and used a Cadillac engineered Northstar V8 instead of the
Corvette-sourced LS series V8 that powered the CTS-V. Find this 2006 Cadillac STS-V offered for $15,000 in Detroit, MI via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.
From the seller: Only trades would be for property with a pole barn with electric, or a house with garage, with electric and basement. This STS-V is equipped with a few aftermarket parts from a company called TimmyC.
The 4.4 liter Northstar LC3 V8 originally made 469 horsepower and 439 ft-lbs of torque with the aid of a Roots type supercharger and water-air intercooling (maybe a few more with the aftermarket parts). From the factory the V8 was covered with all sorts of plastic shrouds and resembled a dishwasher, but this one has been de-plastic’d and some parts painted red for emphasis(?).
See another fast sedan for less? tips@dailyturismo.com
I used to have one of these with a pile of D3 upgrades. It roasted tires faster than I can say my name and was more wild than Tara Reid on a few shots of Mezcal. But like Tara Reid, the STS-V isn't relevant any longer.
Imagine the number of "mature women" you could pick up in the 55+ community! Granny panties be droppin'!
Until Wilford Brimley pulls up in a XLR-V and steals your girl.
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A quick edit…
The problem with the STS-V was that it was the anti-CTS-V. The CTS-V was the quickie cheap thing thrown to market with the Chevy motor because it was easy, the STS-V was supposed to be 'the real thing'. But the CTS-V was tweaked and tuned by people who knew how to make a car go fast, the STS-V seemed like it was was set up by guys trying to build a Cadillac. Nothing about it was really very interesting, it was quick enough but didn't feel fast, the CTS-V chassis made you smile while the STS-V was only competent.
But, worst of all, the first-gen CTS-V had crappy seats and the guys building the car didn't have the money to come up with decent ones so they specced nice Velcro cloth upholstery that'd hold you in the crappy shapeless seat anyway. And it actually worked pretty well. The crowd who pushed the STS-V to market apparently thought those nasty old CTS-V seats Just Weren't Cadillac so the STS-V got Real Cadillac Seats – flat and leather.
Which meant that attempting to apply any of the grip the STS-V did in fact have left you in full Wile E Coyote mode, clawing at the steering wheel for dear life as you bounced off the door or the console.