LazerBlueP5
Member
- :
- 2012 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe // 6spd
Hello everyone. As you can see from my info I've long been a member now and have kept up with this community regardless of currently owning a Mazda or not. My track record for owning cars usually doesn't exceed 2 years. So needless to say I've cycled through a lot of cars since my original Mazda- the Protege5.
Since then I've owned many cars- notable ones including an STi, S2000, Mazdaspeed3, and most recently an SRT6. Well my wife and I are in the process of saving money to sell our house and begin construction on a new one (closer to her family). Part of trying to save would be to get down to 2 car payments. Previously we had two Crossfires (black convertible- hers, blue SRT6 mine) and a Hummer H3. We got someone to take over the lease on the Hummer and traded the vert in for a Ford Flex. At that point my SRT6 became my sole daily driver.
I absolutely love the SRT6 and has been, by far, the most bang for the buck I've ever invested in. With just a few mods I'm 2/10th away from the 11's in the 1/4! However it's drivability in the cold/snow makes it difficult- not to mention it's lack of cargo room. There have been several times where I had shoots (I'm a videographer) and have my wife drive the 6 to work and me take the Flex- which, honestly, I was never 100% comfortable with.
So...needless to say and on to the point (finally) (bowdown) I made a sacrifice and traded the 6 in for a 4- the Dodge Caliber SRT4. I was certainly looking for a wagon/hatchback but with a turbo engine. I considered the WRX but really wanted the STi which was way over the budget I wanted to spend. I also, naturally, considered the MS3 which I previously enjoyed too but found the depreciation on them to be a bit too good (ie they were too expensive used for the most part). I've always liked the look of the Caliber as polarizing as the styling is. I decided to start looking into this model exclusively.
It had everything I wanted- hatchback/wagon, turbo, bad depreciation, and overall fun to drive. Well....I come to find out while the CSRT4 has depreciated worse than the Mazda- no dealers want to let go of them for less than 20k USED! I even visited a local Car Sense and test drove one with 10,000 miles. It had stained upholstery, scratches on the front bumper, and a separating side-skirt on the driver's side. I thought these could be bargaining tools to negotiat the price- NO- Car Sense is a "no haggle" dealer. lol However they supposetly only offer "pristine" cars (their OWN words). After I realied they wouldn't budge from their 19.9k price I walked.
The VERY next day I decided to look for new left-overs on Cars.com and in a 150 mile radius I found 1. It was a left-over 08 model, never been titled w/ 54 miles on it. Price?...the SAME as the used, scratched, 10,000 mile, stained up, body panel hanging model they were trying to hock to me for 19.9k! Needless to say I pulled the trigger.
My impressions specifically vs. the MS3:
- It's much larger inside and out (which, for me, is a good thing)
- It doesn't feel as explosive from a launch or down low (maybe due to less torque than the MS3)
- While the overall interior quality is marginal with generous use of hard plastics throughout the seats make up for it. The absolute best I've sat in, in ANY car! Truly amazing. I also dig the stock Autometer Boost gauge that glow iridescently along with the rest of the gauges.
- I prefer the gearing of the CSRT4. It pulls hard to redline in every gear (doesn't have to be short shifted- which never felt natural to me) and doesn't have an awkward drop in RPMs going into 2nd. Clutch engagement seems smoother and more linear than the MS3.
- While it does have in-dash nav with the head unity it doesn't have as many gizmos and tech as the MS3 GT. Standard headlights/tails, no rain sensing wipers, etc.
- On the highway it pulls amazingly hard for stock, feels faster up top than the MS3. Though this seems to go right along with the SRT4 culture and "roll races". lol
- Seems to have a pretty healthy aftermarket, more available than the MS3 and certainly more than the SRT6. I've already ordered my first set of mods. It has a sleough of Mopar parts available which is cool- until, of course, you look at the prices. The only Mopar part I'm ordering is the Mopar Stage 1 ecu. I think it's cool that I'm ordering an ECU upgrade from the manufacturer. (cool)
- Apparently the SRT4 engine doesn't as difficult to make reliable power with. I think even Cobb explained how the direct injection and tricky computer make it difficult to show large gains through their AP. There are CSRT4s putting down over 400whp and running mid 11's with 128mph traps. So what that means to me (considering I probably won't take it that far) at least the sky is the limit, or much 'higher'.
- While I personally love the styling- I'm sure some absolutely hate it. Regardless it's quite polarizing and very NOTICABLE. I've owned the car less than a week and was already challenged by a late model Mustang. Ironically enough I was rarely if EVER, challenged in the SRT6. So my point is- while I like the styling (as garish as it is) it draws attention. In that respect the relatively conservative MS3 offers more sleeper appeal.
Speaking of looks here are a few pics of her (doing suspension first with her to eliminate that tall stance *eibach pro kit, solid engine mounts, and ...get this- traction bars!*:
Since then I've owned many cars- notable ones including an STi, S2000, Mazdaspeed3, and most recently an SRT6. Well my wife and I are in the process of saving money to sell our house and begin construction on a new one (closer to her family). Part of trying to save would be to get down to 2 car payments. Previously we had two Crossfires (black convertible- hers, blue SRT6 mine) and a Hummer H3. We got someone to take over the lease on the Hummer and traded the vert in for a Ford Flex. At that point my SRT6 became my sole daily driver.
I absolutely love the SRT6 and has been, by far, the most bang for the buck I've ever invested in. With just a few mods I'm 2/10th away from the 11's in the 1/4! However it's drivability in the cold/snow makes it difficult- not to mention it's lack of cargo room. There have been several times where I had shoots (I'm a videographer) and have my wife drive the 6 to work and me take the Flex- which, honestly, I was never 100% comfortable with.
So...needless to say and on to the point (finally) (bowdown) I made a sacrifice and traded the 6 in for a 4- the Dodge Caliber SRT4. I was certainly looking for a wagon/hatchback but with a turbo engine. I considered the WRX but really wanted the STi which was way over the budget I wanted to spend. I also, naturally, considered the MS3 which I previously enjoyed too but found the depreciation on them to be a bit too good (ie they were too expensive used for the most part). I've always liked the look of the Caliber as polarizing as the styling is. I decided to start looking into this model exclusively.
It had everything I wanted- hatchback/wagon, turbo, bad depreciation, and overall fun to drive. Well....I come to find out while the CSRT4 has depreciated worse than the Mazda- no dealers want to let go of them for less than 20k USED! I even visited a local Car Sense and test drove one with 10,000 miles. It had stained upholstery, scratches on the front bumper, and a separating side-skirt on the driver's side. I thought these could be bargaining tools to negotiat the price- NO- Car Sense is a "no haggle" dealer. lol However they supposetly only offer "pristine" cars (their OWN words). After I realied they wouldn't budge from their 19.9k price I walked.
The VERY next day I decided to look for new left-overs on Cars.com and in a 150 mile radius I found 1. It was a left-over 08 model, never been titled w/ 54 miles on it. Price?...the SAME as the used, scratched, 10,000 mile, stained up, body panel hanging model they were trying to hock to me for 19.9k! Needless to say I pulled the trigger.
My impressions specifically vs. the MS3:
- It's much larger inside and out (which, for me, is a good thing)
- It doesn't feel as explosive from a launch or down low (maybe due to less torque than the MS3)
- While the overall interior quality is marginal with generous use of hard plastics throughout the seats make up for it. The absolute best I've sat in, in ANY car! Truly amazing. I also dig the stock Autometer Boost gauge that glow iridescently along with the rest of the gauges.
- I prefer the gearing of the CSRT4. It pulls hard to redline in every gear (doesn't have to be short shifted- which never felt natural to me) and doesn't have an awkward drop in RPMs going into 2nd. Clutch engagement seems smoother and more linear than the MS3.
- While it does have in-dash nav with the head unity it doesn't have as many gizmos and tech as the MS3 GT. Standard headlights/tails, no rain sensing wipers, etc.
- On the highway it pulls amazingly hard for stock, feels faster up top than the MS3. Though this seems to go right along with the SRT4 culture and "roll races". lol
- Seems to have a pretty healthy aftermarket, more available than the MS3 and certainly more than the SRT6. I've already ordered my first set of mods. It has a sleough of Mopar parts available which is cool- until, of course, you look at the prices. The only Mopar part I'm ordering is the Mopar Stage 1 ecu. I think it's cool that I'm ordering an ECU upgrade from the manufacturer. (cool)
- Apparently the SRT4 engine doesn't as difficult to make reliable power with. I think even Cobb explained how the direct injection and tricky computer make it difficult to show large gains through their AP. There are CSRT4s putting down over 400whp and running mid 11's with 128mph traps. So what that means to me (considering I probably won't take it that far) at least the sky is the limit, or much 'higher'.
- While I personally love the styling- I'm sure some absolutely hate it. Regardless it's quite polarizing and very NOTICABLE. I've owned the car less than a week and was already challenged by a late model Mustang. Ironically enough I was rarely if EVER, challenged in the SRT6. So my point is- while I like the styling (as garish as it is) it draws attention. In that respect the relatively conservative MS3 offers more sleeper appeal.
Speaking of looks here are a few pics of her (doing suspension first with her to eliminate that tall stance *eibach pro kit, solid engine mounts, and ...get this- traction bars!*:
). PM me if your interested in any parts. BC coilovers, intake and Various other parts. Ill get you a list parts if theres any interest or you can contact him directly(phone number in pic). He selling his car for 20k with all the mods t3/t4 upgrade, custom exhaust and lots more. It is way faster than my MS3 up top. We ran to 170 and he ran away after 100.
