When America Tried to Take on Europe: The CTS-V Wagon

[@ThatDudeinBlue]

For the love of god please make a Blackwing Wagon GM.

[@geoffkeller5337]

Very cool wagon. Now, will you do something with the Magnum that you built, please?

[@1320video]

yessssssssss

[@905cavillac2]

I'll 2nd that! #GM

[@rl-ub9hx]

That would be my ultimate Dad mobile

[@asmcinn]

Americans don't buy wagons. Merc and Audi are bringing them back in small quantities after almost a decade of drought. CAFE also makes it easier to build SUVs over wagons or sedans.

[@1320video]

I have obsessed over owning one of these for 8+ years (every since I knew they were a thing), I had no idea how rare the white manual wagon was until I started hunting one down. I paid significantly over sticker for this car 10 years later and don't regret it at all. The thing I DO regret is never driving one of these BEFORE I bought my Blackwing CT5-V, it totally ruined it for me, but the wagon is still just as amazing as I'd hoped, but technology has advanced so much in 10 years and it's wild to see the comparison. Thank you for the fun review on our car! Whoever win's this is going to be in heaven!!!

[@azure3182]

Boomer numbers

[@AutomotiveAdventuresWithAustin]

You just gotta not get tied up in the "old school vs new school" thing like most of us hot rod folks are finally realizing. Quit trying to build a 455 Pontiac to compete with an LS/LT, just enjoy it for what it is, how epic it was at the time, and the memories you made in it along the way. And enjoy all of us people drooling over your CTS-V wagon wishing we ourselves had bought one ;)

[@1320video]

@@AutomotiveAdventuresWithAustin Totally fair point, and I can respect it for what it is/was, I just wish I had owned it during that era to really appreciate it!

[@1320video]

@@azure3182 hehehehe lots of boomer numbers with this car, but I only own white cars and there were only 59 in white with the manual I wanted, so it was hard to find!

[@azure3182]

@ I laughed when I heard boomer numbers, it reminds me of every single person in every rx8 forum im in. Or like when you goto a meet and find there’s 4 ZR1s but not one is identical 😭

[@savonshegog99]

Sucks that dodge stopped making Magnums before they could get hellcat treatment from the factory

[@DaInfamous0ne]

That's how I felt about the 300C wagons they shipped overseas. That with a Hellcat drivetrain would've been nuts!

[@1320video]

...they were almost cool :P

[@JamesSheridan-td4ci]

I ordered my manual V Wagon in July 2012 and took delivery on Black Friday 2012. I still have it 12 years and 39,000 miles later-it has exceeded my expectations in every way and it remains my favorite.

[@juanbond85]

Really wish they'd bring these back. The XLR-V too.

[@Im_just_super_sayin]

Came to say the same thing!

[@ChemAndAdrenaline]

With the Corvette gone mid-engined, the XLR now makes a lot of sense.

[@sconartist]

The XLR-V should’ve ditched the Northstar platform

[@CyberTerrorism]

Used to work for Cadillac and drove a few of these wagons. Definitely they’re own style and loved how they had power. Miss working at Cadillac.

[@gucass]

Perfectly timed review now that GM / Cadillac is going to be the 11th team in F1 in 2026!

[@RandomlnternetGuy]

The SUV and crossover market took over NA. The amount of times i've heard a person say, "i like to sit high up".

[@joseacuna3239]

Also, the fear of crashing against a brodozzer truck with a 500” lift in a sedan like height. You Americans have built the car scene we have today.

[@Inferno45]

@@joseacuna3239Cru harder in Europe with ur little vans and tiny streets.

[@RandomlnternetGuy]

@@joseacuna3239 I'm not American.

[@connorjones1485]

I am one of the rare Americans who has always loved wagons. One of my first cars was a 99 A4 2.8 v6 manual sedan. I lusted after the S4 avant, the V70R, and 850R. I currently drive a dual range manual swapped H6 Subaru outback so my wagon love is satisfied. So I’m obviously very biased, but the CTS-V wagon was awesome and shocking when new, and it’s held up very well. It’s a shame it’s so rare that they’re destined to just be collector cars.

[@chino581991]

I dunno how wagons aren't more popular! They look great, unique, practical, and can be sporty. My girlfriend likes to point out how I always get excited when I see a nice wagon on the road

[@macattack1392]

What is a dual range manual?

[@connorjones1485]

@@macattack1392 5speed manual with high and low range. Unlike a truck or standard 4wd, the low range is off the transmission input shaft instead of having a transfer case after the transmission.

[@macattack1392]

@connorjones1485 woah thats crazy. Didnt know that existed. What did u get that out of to put in ur outback?

[@connorjones1485]

@@macattack1392 Subaru sold them in pretty much every market except the North American market. Mine came out of a 2004 Australian market forester with the naturally aspirated 4 cylinder. It’s in my 3.0 flat 6 outback. Car is lifted about 3.5 inches in the front, between 5 and 6 in the back. Tacoma front struts in the rear, Subaru Baja struts in the front. It’s about as capable of road as you can make a Subaru with factory Subaru parts. Eventually will do limited slip/locking diffs. Pretty fun car.

[@pontiacmaniac7772]

I saw a dark blue CTS-V wagon with a widebody kit at the Ocean City Cruisin. One of the coolest cars I’ve ever seen

[@TheMightiestBungholio]

My favorite car. It's my phones wallpaper at this very moment.

[@Elements153]

i was in an auto tech school in NYC and we trained at the GM shop on 59th st. I remember 2 silver CTS V Wagons sitting in the shop before they were even announced to the public. It looked amazing then and it still is now !

[@downhilldaddy5282]

I always thought it was cool to have a low 10 second wagon and it still do wagon things lol

[@JasonMcCord-qk3yb]

You need to do a video on the Chevy SS. Part of the problem was the NAME! “SS” is supposed to be a ‘performance package”, not a name, by itself…. I didn’t even know these cars existed, until I walked past it at QT and the owner started it up…. The exhaust note caught my attention immediately. LS engines have their own sound. It blew my mind. I thought it was a Malibu, or some other boring front-drive car…. Awesome! The CTS-V is my ultimate daily-driver, btw…

[@mcfupa4234]

Wagons will always have a place in american history no matter what, the classic Woody wagon, Chevy Caprice wagon, Chevy Malibu wagon, Dodge Magnum, and the CTSV Wagon. Will always prefer a wagon over a suv or suv crossover

[@revelare_xvii6269]

A CT5-V Blackwing wagon would be peak modern day GM.

[@dawidpartyka6973]

It was this car, krispy media, and two of my friends who had wagons that made me fall in love with them. In 2020 i was able to buy one of the few last vw golf alltracks on the new market and loved it, had it for 3 years till someone blew a stop sign and got in front of me, t boning them into a tree. Everyone was fine but the wagon was no more. Got a new 24 gti but it doesn’t give me the same enjoyment as the wagon did, maybe cause it was the first car i bought with my own money and modified it through those 3 years. Maybe will try buying another one in the near future, only time will tell

[@dirkfromhein]

I had no idea these were that rare! I looked at a used one with no miles on it in '12/13? It was fun as heck and went like a bat out of hell, but the shifter felt super clunky (my daily was a Porsche 993TT at that time - lots of BMWs/Mercedes before that). Turning hard it felt "clunky" and the steering felt "loose" and just disconnected. Everything felt "rattly" even after just 2yrs- But it was sooo much fun mashing the throttle I almost bought it. Ended up with an AMG instead.

[@matts4498]

Loved the one in “Hit and Run!” Great movie also Dax and Bradley Cooper are in it!

[@WadeMaster789]

One of my favorite cars ever... Just needs a higher end audio system and some aftermarket wheels like a set of Haaman Edition Race, and we're good to go. It's so well put together from the factory, it doesn't need to be tinkered on much. Love that. I've seen an electric blue one in the wild before, and I'll never forget it. SO beautiful to see in person.

[@blt2drive492]

In "competive track mode" you have now lift shifting, just like the ZL1 in the ECM... Best track day feature, magnet shocks that "flex" like your bicep leaning into a corner.

[@Raymo2u]

Its one of my favorite cars, along side the M3 Clown Shoe, Audi RS6 Avant, Ferrari GTC4 Lusso + FF, E63 S Wagon, Dodge Magnum SRT8, Forrester STI, Focus RS, and the Golf R. Unfortunately, I can't afford any of them and half dont even come with a manual trans.

[@nikky8000]

This has been a dream whip of mine for years, I'm so glad you did a video for it. Be sure to tell the owner how blessed he is lol.

[@ALD72C1BU2]

This is my dream car!! I've owned several lacs throughout the yrs!! The 07 XLR was great...but when I heard about the wagon I was astonished!! To know that they were thinking of bringing back the car that only 300 were made and that only (2) Americans are known to own!! Sammy Davis,Jr & Jay Leno!!

[@midrangetorque]

I know they call it a "wagon," but to me, it's more like a large 4-door hatchback. I'd still rock one for sure regardless.

[@pennycopperhatch9315]

I've "always" been a Lover of Wagons & Hatchbacks!!!!!....This CTS-V Wagon one of my favorites!

[@melvinburwell8202]

My favorite car of all time. And of course wagon. Gorgeous. Sigh. Just a dream. 550 hp. All you need in life. ❤❤😁😎

[@AutomotiveAdventuresWithAustin]

The short version? American's and our obsessions with trucks and SUVs killed the wagons, even though wagons are cooler, better, and more useful in almost every way. As a multi wagon owner myself (940 Volvo Wagon, Vibe GT, 1.8t 5 Speed Passat Wagon) I am not in the LEAST bit biased about this! ;) Unfortunately you would have to start with fixing the buying public first, THEN make a super cool Blackwing Wagon.

[@Freddy_Confetti]

How is a wagon more useful than a truck?? lol

[@AutomotiveAdventuresWithAustin]

@@Freddy_Confetti For 99% of people 95% of the time it's 100% more useful than a truck ;)

[@MS-mr4zm]

Yeah….but would we have 700+HP 4x4 trucks riding on 37”s that could jump sand dunes w/ a factory warranty if we didn’t kill wagons?🤔

[@Dagasm]

I drive a BMW wagon and am a big wagon fan in general so I loved this video. I drove by a mint 80's Buick Regal wagon in town the other day and nearly broke my neck. Just checked pricing on the CTS-V wagon and yup, people know they're rare.

[@Mu4dD1b15]

I've been wanting one of these since the first time I heard about it. I've loved wagons for years, my second caprice was a wagon and it was awesome. Got my entry in for this car a few weeks ago and I'd be absolutely over the moon if I won it.

[@zootedgamecube]

This and the SRT-8 Magnum are so beyond cool. They’re absolutely peak American family machine. I desperately wish that wagons can come back and become a popular and competitive market again in the States. I’m so sick of every new car pretending to be an SUV. It’s such a fake and stupid marketing trend that has completely decimated wagons and sedans. Even real 4x4 SUVs are rare nowadays.

[@rommelestrada-t4f]

The CTSV-Waggy *IS* the American version of a Mitsubishi *Legnum* Super Vr4 TwinTurbo V6 a somewhat(design wise)P12 Primera aka *the Egg* wagon WHICH incidentally Ppl in Japan and the Caribbean call *The Cadillac Primera* of course discontinued due to Emission standards 😭 I've seen other Car KZbinr's test it out for the 1st time an were TOTALLY shook with how it BLEW *EVERYTHING* out of the Water performance wise also the Clutch that makes you NEVER wanna leave the Driver's seat so the Caddy is a DEFINITELY no Grocery Getter MILF picking up the Litter ride. That sound and Shifting gears *YEAH BABY* Austin Powers voice

[@TheSwedishCarGuy]

LOVE the CTS-V wagon :D To bad we didn't get it here in Sweden. it's sooo damn cool :)

[@powertothesheeple5422]

But you did get the NG 9-5 Aero estates. I'd rather have one of those personally, though I don't think there was a manual option.

[@TheSwedishCarGuy]

@powertothesheeple5422 we have those in manual here 💪👍🙂

[@peterx213]

I love wagons, and this one has always been on my favorites list, along with RS4 and 6 Avants and the E39 M5 estate.

[@brandonwhorley674]

That wagon is a slick top also..... perfection.

[@RESPECTxORANGES]

A lot of people say they like wagons but don’t get one. Everyone loved that the RS6 was coming to the US but they didn’t sell.

[@Lessenjr]

It's just like this thread. Most people that like them can't afford them. The folks that.can afford them mostly don't want a wagon.

[@Freddy_Confetti]

Audi sold around 1600 RS6 avants in the US the first year which is pretty good. Sales fell off after parts shortages bc of the war in Ukraine

[@JDubST]

I've always loved these wagons. The CTS V Wagon, RS6 Avant, and the E63 AMG wagon. I couldn't afford them back then and I still can't afford them now 😂

[@IvyRose95]

i thought the rs6 couldn't go to North America because of not meeting safety standards

[@ScottDreyfus]

$$$ is why rs6 doesn’t sell

[@cramdangle]

I bought one of these for 42k back in 2015. Sweet car. Pretty reliable other than the coolant hose T fittings breaking.

[@mastermorphine]

The CTS-V is an Executive vehicle made for any President 🇺🇸⚡️🏁🥇

[@jacksonkendrick943]

i've always loved this car. Would love to daily one when i finish up at Uni

[@tomdillan]

I like Wagons/Vans and wished they made more of them. It might have something to do with spending several years in Europe and Asia.

[@DaInfamous0ne]

They never stopped making vans. That's where half of the 4.8/5.3/6.0 LS swaps came from 😂

[@BargoTheBandit]

If anybody has the time look up the launch trailer. It explodes into view using the sedan, coupe, the wagon via Mach airplane style acceleration. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed wagons since childhood. I wasn’t established enough to buy one of these when it came out. It’s such an awesome vehicle!

[@Slowwagonftl]

I absolutely adore my Golf Alltrack (tuned, springs, rear sway bar) it’s fun and decently quick and good fuel economy But every wagon lover secretly wants a manual supercharged V8 CTS-V WAGON It is THE BEST wagon of them all. Bar none

[@RtBoat]

My dream car since I graduated in 2013 to this day and will own one💯 I love the V wagon

[@Elementaliti]

This is my favorite GM vehicle ever made. It also has the best supercharger whine I've ever heard.

[@HouseLightweight]

Make Wagons Great Again!

[@I_love_bread_and_Hungry_Jacks]

Meanwhile down under: multiple spinning donuts on the burnout track in a Holden Commodore Wagon I guess the current US car marketing team hates fun

[@fredericoespinoza]

bro stop giving money to youtubers.

[@dbCarbon]

My wife, who also drives a race car, wanted one of these a few years ago. We drove one and it was too slow. I'm sure it was awesome back when it was released, but now there's other options at the same price point that are easier to find. Minus the manual. She went with a focus RS which I agree was a better choice, but a ct5v blackwing wagon would be an easy sell of the RS to get one. I doubt it will happen though 😢

[@Kamo-king]

Literally my dream car, lowered with minimal aero and it’s perfect

[@realjason7]

One of my favorite cars of all time! Still dream of owning one.

[@carlosarroyo5262]

I get to see a silver with chrome package every Monday and Friday on my way to work and on my way home ( truck driver) I’ve stopped and checked it out and the guys the original owner, it’s all black on black with a carbon package inside. Never knew they sold stage packages for these when you ordered them🤯

[@MichaelSPalmer]

Dream car of mine. Making do with an LS3 swapped 92 Buick Roadmaster Wagon, so can't complain even though it's not nearly has fast or refined.

[@DJEvillincoln]

I remember when this car first dropped. I was sincerely looking to purchase one. My uncle worked for GM for 30 years and said he had a plug and could get me pretty much this exact spec. But when I found out the price I just couldn't afford it at the time. I've always loved this car though. Maybe one day. 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@kingermanfool]

Would love to have one here in Germany. Absolute awesome car! Coolest modern wagon.

[@dhesh0066]

My dad has a 2009 CTS-V Sedan and it is probably one of the most comfertable fast cars ive ever been in

[@davect01]

People who cam afford an expensive wagon like this don't generally buy wagons It’s a great looking ride ☺️

[@khuramsayeed8429]

Absolute legend of a car awesome video!

[@gregoryh9442]

Indeed. With a full Kooks exhaust😎

[@SoftSoulBro]

I always enjoy seeing those and types like it in the wild

[@subie25i30]

This car is the chef’s kiss. Fun and smooth to drive.

[@hlbee224]

I like the wagon! I advocate the hot V twin turbo be used in the Buick Regal Sport back to make the new GNX!!!

[@ShineWorxAD]

Very similar to the Holden VE (G8) and VF wagons we got here in Australia, those were insanely popular and Ford didn’t offer a wagon in their FG / FGX falcon line. The Holden wagons also had models with V8’s and superchargers, brembo brakes and factory manuals. Would be cool to see you feature one here in Aus one day. 🇦🇺🦘

[@simonwatling2203]

I thought wood panel wagons and volvo wagons were super popular in the USA at one point.... I saw soo many families with them on TV growing up.... I guess the 90's came around and minivans and SUV's took over haha.

[@silversled123]

Miss my Black Diamond Series 6MT!! Was a great daily!

[@R3AL-AIM]

The CTS-V was engineered on the Autobahn with the help of German's.... So lol

[@waynejordan7473]

Cite your sources

[@313soldier313]

Engineered on the autobahn isn’t the flex that it used to be. Economy brand “sports” car have German DNA too.

[@user-eh5cr4or6k]

Is that the story that Porsche wants to try and flex because the CTS-V absolutely kick their ass at Nuremberg? The response was a almost $300,000 SUV that dollar-for-dollar still wasn't a street legal direct competitor to the CTS-V?

[@user-eh5cr4or6k]

​@@waynejordan7473there are none, the Cadillac was solely engineered in America by GM and the CTS-V absolutely obliterated everything at Nuremberg reset all records for production vehicles that could only be taken back by a 300 thousand-dollar non-street legal SUV.

[@macattack57]

I love wagons, but the CTTS-V just never did it for me when it came out. Now, however, I think it has aged very well and I like it.

[@YacolJ]

What a car! My buddy had a twin turbo CTS-V. Sheesh that car was fast af.

[@FredWhiteAndBlue]

MORE AMERICAN PERFORMANCE WAGONS PLEASE 🙏🏻

[@agrippa1234]

Knew a guy who ran a Corvette repair shop in Auburn, WA (Dan's Corvettes) who traded in a gorgeous CTS V Wagon with the manual for a ..........Maserati. Came in some months later and the Italian Stallion was long gone and his regret was palpable.

[@imSchwaggy]

Wagons are ACTUALLY practical. I never understood why people said "i got the sedan because it's more practical". How? Trunk space isn't bigger, and if it is, it's BARELY any bigger than the coupe. A wagon can actually hold stuff.

[@yellow73914]

I don't know if it speaks more to the "wagon" community or the fact that it's more scarce than the coupe or sedan versions, but one look at BaT and Cars and Bids history shows these wagons command a _significant_ premium and especially so if they're a manual (save the manuals!) and don't have a sunroof. For comparison, a good condition say ~70k mile coupe manual would be like, $35k now. A similar wagon, easily $60k.

[@mildtowildrc7343]

Always loved these and would drive it proudly ❤

[@392Cherokee]

This will make the best X-mas gift this year !!

[@spunkywithjaydawg]

The 1992 honda accord wagon ex made me fall in love with wagons. I hope one day u can review a 1992 honda accord wagon

[@KTYKLR-V]

The V wagon was a huge dream. I’ve owned my V sedan for about 5 years now. And have owned my manual wagon for about 2 years now.. I haven’t driven my sedan since I got my wagon. CTS V WAGONS ARE THE BEST!! SAVE THE MANUAL WAGONS!!!😭 go check mine out

[@shaun9156]

Speaking for myself, I can spot a Chevy SS, G8 GT, etc multiple cars away immediately. Their profile is like a majestic, yet dangerous presence.

[@TheGevShow]

what a coincidence, i was looking at affordable 2nd gen cts-v's today. i love how much the prices have dropped recently.

[@Rey-fu4ki]

Saw one when I went to NYC and omg I freaked out seeing my first one.

[@moparrdudee87]

That’s crazy I came here to watch a wagon video to learn more about the giveaway at 3120 video not realizing it’s the one from 1320 video giveaway till You said kyles name 😂 Lol

[@pchitti241]

Chevy caprice ss wagon is what my mind goes to. I love these, and expect to either win it or get invited to the 1320 Christmas party. Lol

[@CruelYeti]

This is one of my favorite forever cars. The other 2 are F40 and Duesenburg SJ... GM is saying no to easy sales by not having a wagon now. Build it dammit!!

[@stkiswr]

I love wagons. I always have. I wanted a magnum srt8 soooo bad but didn’t have the money then. Every time I see a ctsv wagon it’s still a neck breaker knowing what it is Also iirc the wagon put down the best 1/4 out of the 2 door, 4 door and the wagon

[@ThatsDT]

I see about only two ctsv wagon where I live in the Bay Area . I believe one is bagged and another one was wrapped in red matte but I haven’t seen it since

[@jlaw430]

8:27 slight flex 😂

[@playstationRLZ]

Between this ctsv wagon and the nova that vice grip garage is giving away, all my family and friends are gonna be rocking youtuber merch after Christmas because I don't have room in my closet for all of it.

[@kylewetzel1030]

I was going to say idk if it's a fail though they are worth a good bit now. Slow market back then would kill if they did it during the hellcat start I bet

[@RedrumCvmlcs]

You should do more story telling content, maybe some like vin wiki esk. I really loved hearing a story and some history on this special vehicle

[@GrandPitoVic]

Yes it does!!!! I always wanted one!!!! Great car!!!

[@ryanr482]

Unusual to have such a nice example for a giveaway car🎉

[@SneakyMuskrat]

Wagons are cool, that ones pretty sweet, my favorite is the Nissan Stagea.

[@greengabe5]

Dodge needs to bring back the Magnum. For anyone who’s interested in seeing a really cool Magnum, look up Junk Yard Dave. He’s got a really cool AWD Hellcat Magnum he’s almost finished with.

[@ImVerckz]

They made a select amount of the wagons with the leingenfelter kit which gave it 750hp was a factory add on I have a buddy who daily’s one since new older guy who loves the hell out of it

[@ramounwoods]

Can we please get a trend going where David reviews every 1320 giveaway car from this point on? If so the CTS-V wagon would be the perfect car to kickstart a series 👀

[@ramounwoods]

*sidenote* David I spammed you about a movie called hit & run in the comment section of a livestream you had recently… this car is one of the reasons why. That’s one of my favorite movies of all time and the movie is why the wagon is one of my favorite cars of all time 😂 I truly feel like you should watch that movie and do a reaction/review video as it’s an extremely underrated movie for car enthusiasts for many reasons.

[@molives7]

Just a perfect cult car to add to the books

[@doco187]

David, my buddy has one in Loganville.

[@Abdullah-yc7cy]

If anyone has one of these V's .. please make some videos about it, let us have some fun watching this Astonishing car again and again AND AGAIN. 🙏

[@theunicornmustang2178]

Me personally I love them I loved them wen the first came out and I still do

[@TheAndostro]

as european fast wagons lover i'm big fan of this car

[@shiloh5199]

Love wagons and hatchbacks

[@Marioefern]

The wagon is dope!

[@EricPeterson-e5n]

Giddy up in that wagon!

[@Gorilla_Jones]

Wagons and Estates are awesome!