"It whines like a newborn baby getting punted 40 yards" - Zack Pradel, 2022

Some of modern Cadillac's iconic styling. The sharp design looks elegant and purposeful. GM can build a good car when they want to, they just always cheap out at the last minute. Whenever they finally get something right they immediately kill it. The CT4, CT5, and CT6 are finally good enough to compete with the Germans. The V brand is stronger than ever. What does GM do? Kill all the sedans in favor of generic crossovers. If GM had committed to the V and put some real development work we could have had an American M3 for the last 10 or 15 years instead of the on-again off-again V sedans. It could coexist just like the 325 exists beside the M3.

I just like the STS-V just for how unique it is. It's a rear wheel drive DOHC 4 valve all aluminum supercharged V8. That's just awesome

I'm a 2006 owner. Many will recognize my SN from the Caddy forum. Theses cars are great until they start breaking. Then you're faced with "parts unobtanium" due to the 2,503 production count. My list of issues (some are common); -Heated steering wheel failed. A common issue and GM didn't have enough left over by the time mine failed. It's ok though, I don't drive mine in the Chicago winters, so... - Driveshaft center carrier bearing failed. Only option... Find a used one (hard due to 2,503 out there) or forking out a boatload for a custom 1-piece. I was lucky to find a low mileage used one at a GM specialty auto recycler in Sacramento, CA. - Exhaust Manifolds. This is a one-piece manifold/Catalytic converter design. Both of mine split at that joint between the two. OEM's, if you can even find them anymore, are extremely expensive. Magnaflow makes a cheaper alternative, but the drivers side version wasn't well thought out accommodating for the oil dipstick. So I went through a couple dipstick assemblies modifying it to work. - Body parts unique to the STS-V. I hit a dog with mine. There were no STS-V front bumper covers available through the GM NA SPO. We even had GM corporate trying to source one. We went through 9 covers from GM before insurance said enough was enough and waived my deductible. The difference is the headlight washers you see in the video. None of the covers would work with my OEM headlight washer equipment. So I had to forego them. The box of parts is sitting in the garage... - Magnetic shocks. Another feature I enjoy, err, enjoyed on the car. Putting it in to "competitive driving mode" and handling some curves. Well, when they go out, the OEM's are next to impossible to find, so if you replace them, you replace them with passive units and lose another feature of the car. Then there are the common things like thermostat issues, cam cover oil leaks, shifter/shifter issues, clock issues if you disconnect/replace the battery (mine finally came back) and a myriad of other things. Overall I've thoroughly have enjoyed the car (had it 13+ years now), but my patience is wearing thin as the car has spent the later part of the last two years waiting on parts/installing parts and sitting in a body shop. -

I had a gorgeous 2008 Gold STS with a V6 that unfortunately got totaled in an accident about a year ago. Such an underrated car the V6 wasn't bad at all, although it did burn quite a bit of oil, it was a joy to drive and surprisingly quick for a V6 while being extremely comfortable. Missed that car so much I bought another one just last week. Silver 2007 STS with the 4.6 Northstar and man despite the reputation on the Northstar engines it is such a wonderful experience to be behind the wheel of such a beast. I almost went with a beautiful STS-V that I saw for sale, but unfortunately I didn't have the funds to do so. I am more than happy with the 4.6, but hearing the whine on that thing really makes me wish I had saved up for the V!

The early Northstars were the L37 and LD8, which were a front wheel drive application for the Deville, Seville, Eldorado. There were other Northstar engines that didn't carry the flaws of the early N*L37(4.6) and LD8(4.6). The N* L47(4.0) and V6 short star which were in the Aurora was different. The LH2(4.6) in the STS, XLR and SRX is a rear wheel application didn't have problems like the early L37 and LD8 The N* LC3(4.4) STS-V and XLR-V is a solid engine.

I own a 2008 STS-V to which it looks exactly like the car shown in the video (color and the painted wheels), I recognize the TC-Fab intake and the pully. I also own a 2005 CTS-V as well, so I'm constantly comparing the two. What it boils down to is what are you looking for, the CTS feels more sport oriented and honestly kinda lack luster of the two, it's more of a sports car and not really a Cadillac. Dont get me wrong its still nice but when I get into the STS, it feels like I'm stepping into a true luxury car. A couple other features I would add to the video is the fact the STS-V came with blind spot mirrors (arguably the first of it's time), rain sensitive wiper blades (automatically comes on and adjust speed based on intensity), and one of the first adaptive cruise control. The main competitor was the 2008+ Chrysler 300C SRT that came with a lot of similar features. In short, the STS-V is a nice weekend car to take out to the backroads and just enjoy the drive.

I own another of the 14 gray 2009 STS-V’s. Thunder Gray ChromaFlair to be exact. Mine has gray interior. I’ve owned it for about 10 years and it’s been one of the most reliable cars I’ve ever owned. Bought it with 38k miles and it currently has 71k miles.

My dad had a black ⚫️ one..(R.I.P.) it had carbon fiber kit on it..he was always had to replace the front splitter 2 or 3 times a year..he was goin to trade it in for the v2 CTS-V..but unfortunately he passed away 😢 😔..it was a sleeper car no doubt..very fast at the time..but it ended and elevated the CTS-V to the CT5-V Blackwing and the future of electrification..Semper Fi Pops..rest easy🫡

I knew about the STS but never knew they made V version. This might be a good alternative and more estately

Great review! Totally a rare special car. I wanted the sts-v and couldn't find it so I got the 2009 sts v8 model in AWD. Probably for MI the AWD was a life saver in the winter as that car is a tank and never got stuck. I still own my 09 sts along with my xts-v. Still love my 09 sts and its runs brand new with 270k miles on it.

Had a 07 Sts-v with headers,borla exhaust,ported blower,timmyc intake, throttle body,heat exchanger and lower pulley and it made 470 to the tires

Highly underrated Cadillac and of course I knew they made it! The sts in general was an underrated caddy

I found out about this car when Patrick Swayze drove it in The Beast. It is so cool and also simple and elegant. It was a proper E55 AMG competitor back in the day.

I've never pressed the trunk button on my STS-V fob, since new. Like most cars, there is a pad above the rear license plate if the fob is in your pocket or hands. The fob can only be opened for battery replacement so many times (not many) before the fob falls apart. Likewise the doors - walk up and just pull on the handle to open. Walk away and it locks, as you can personalize this deep in the many menus. The Only time I use the fob buttons is to start the engine from afar on a cold or hot day, to cool or warm the interior.

I have one. I have a CAI and tuned it myself as well. Just modified MAF tables and IAT vs timing. It's great. Ppl always mistake it for cts-v

People who know the V-Series models know the STS-V existed.

I have an 06 STS-V and love it so underrated great video

I may be the only one but I love northstars

Great review! Never been much of a car guy, but have always really liked Cadillac and enjoyed this deep dive on such a rare model.

The sts was such an odd car. Starting out as the funkily styled fwd seville in the 80's to a handsome but still fwd sts seville in the nineties, it was a bold move to change it to a rwd euro style car in the 00's. I'm assuming the dts sort of filled in the hole that was left when this model went more upscale.

Always loved these cars. I see a red one on my way to work everyday in the summer. If you thought the center console buttons were big wait till you see the DTS buttons as they were designed for old people with bad vision 🤣

I'd say the ct6 might be a successor to the sts since the ct5 is a cts

I respect your channel and efforts but your knowledge of the vehicle and research is lacking. The STS-V was better in almost every aspect than the Generation 1 CTS-V that was produced during its run from 06-09. It was a large executive sport sedan for chewing up highway miles without being a stuffy Deville/DTS. The second Generation CTS-V from 09-14/15 check a lot of the same boxes and the STS-V was discontinued. Only approximately 2500 STS-V’s were produced. They are very rare with only 92 in 09. My 2008 has 300k on the odometer! Fabulous cars and engines. 💯💯

I have owned an 05 STS, an 05 CTS-V, and an 04 E55 (among other cars) so I am qualified to comment on some things. On the STS platform itself, yes it was supposed to be larger than the CTS but it was barely larger. My STS was a top trim (non-V) and was pretty athletic. I had my STS from 2017 to early 2022. The top feature I miss about it: the audio system. It had that 15 speaker Bose Studio 15 system and it was one of the best systems of the time (there is an old Edmunds article that validates this). It just sounded so good. Perhaps the second feature I miss was the steering. It had an upgraded ZF rack (still hydraulic) and the steering feel was just sublime. I think the STS-V may have an early ZF electric rack so probably more numb than my STS was. Fun fact: my STS had the GM MR shocks and they did work (on the firm side) but the STS-V has regular Sachs shocks similar to my CTS-V. The STS-V was also not available with the radar adaptive cruise (mine didn't have it, either). Funny enough I bought my CTS-V from a guy who traded it for an STS-V. That said, when it was time to move on from my V (2010-2021 or so), I had considered the STS-V very carefully, and even test drove one. It seemed like it might be perfect - keep the good audio, keep the good chassis, add power, add brakes. What's not to like? That was when I discovered the E55. My E55 offered a better overall experience than the STS-V for less money, so I moved in that direction and have further embraced Mercedes as a result. Bonus comment: I have owned two LH2 Northstars (08 SRX and that 05 STS) and I ran them both to around 158-160k with no engine issues at all. They are known for leaks more than anything. My STS was leaky but the SRX wasn't too bad actually.

I own a 2009 STSV. I love it and it is also in thunder gray. The only thing I’ve had a problem with is the drivers door doesn’t want to open all the time I will have to look at that I did put a set a of power stop slotted and drilled rotors and pads and a cold air kit Love this car.

Nice! Thought I recognized the car. Hope that these very unique cars are getting loved and appreciated oneday. I know there are some people in the US who really like to mod the STS-V and make them great but they are still getting looked over. Here in Germany it is even worse, we have too many RS/AMG and Ms...

Back in the day I considered an STS - not a V, but the 8 with AWD (they did make a V6). It just didn't do it for me - might have been the specific car, the dealer, whatever - but it didn't give me the feeling that I was a part of the car. The CTS however, did. Maybe the STS was just too big. At the end of the day, I stuck with German (big reason was that I could and did get a 6 speed manual)

I almost bought one of these, but the dealership sold it the day before I got there!

I knew about these since knew. I still want one. They can be somewhat cheap. Luckily they fixed the head bolts etc

I couldn’t imagine a supercharged Northstar. My dad had a 2002 Eldorado and that thing would chirp the tires from 70 mph.

I didn't know the STS-V existed either. I own a 2011 CTS-V with a CAI and Cosa exhaust. It wines like a baby getting punted from the 20 yard line. Haha! Very fun cars. I would like to get a newer CTS-V (2016 or newer) or even a CT5-V Blackwing Do you have a Blackwing video? Thanks!

Just pulled my 05's driveshaft... all I needed to do is the center support bearing but all the metal sleeves in the rubber doughnuts were seized to the dif.

Fun fact: I almost bought one of these, but ended up getting the Celsior instead lol

You lucky devil. Definitely a dream car of mine. 🤩

i didn't even realize this was a thing they made until a few minutes ago. i thought the SC Northstar was only in the xlr-v. that said, the N* engine got a lot of flack but the one in my family has been running solid since my grandma got the 98 deville back in '01. 160k+ miles on it later and i'm daily driving it now. sure it has issues but it had't left any of us stranded til the alternator went out (which hardly counts as a engine issue). I wish there were less of a bad rep for them, cuz anytime i need some professional help, they see the engine and nope right out of it.

You seem like a great guy and I love the BFB test. Subscribed

This is for sure the best color for any vehicle I have ever seen

One of my dream cars right there

I have a 2005 v6 sts.And I love my car.I want to ls swap it in the future with a corvette engine

GM had been cancelling sedans in favor of crossovers/SUVs

Thanks for showing the backseats

I swear I think about a car then I see you reviewed it

Remember that the target buyer purchases S55’s and 750’s and S8’s so there are buyers for 400+ hp Uber sedans. The problem that Cadillac had was a legacy of poor quality from the late 70’s until the mid 2010’s and cheap (read parts bin) switch gear. Bob Lutz said it best: “we spend a lot of money on our interiors, it just doesn’t look like it!”

Been waiting on you to do this car, not that many people know about it

If you want to know more about how this car came about check out the 2005 Cadillac STS SAE 100. There are several advancements that were on that car that came out much later. The Supercharged LS motor is what should have gone into the STS-V but Cadillac wanted the SC Northstar motor to make it an "ALL Cadillac" vehicle. P.S. I'm PGA2B on all the Cadillac Forums.

I love the Cadillac CTS-V blackwing

What’s crazy is it’s such a low production number car. Only around 2500 made and you can pick them up for pretty cheap compared to other v models.

I absolutely love Cadillac’s sports cars ❤

3:14 joker laugh lmao

The only whine I love!

My friend owns a 2011 STS V. Such a cool and underrated car.

I plan on getting the 06 StsV supercharged does anyone know if they are reliable and worth fixing just needs a tensioner and valve cover leak fix

Super clean

Had one the color i had was the rarest too

I know about this car. I owned a 2008 until I was stupid enough to sell it and buy a 2011 Cadillac DTS.

I loved these things and after reading somethings about it found that this engine actually is nothing like the regular Northstar this V series Northstar is hand built and is made better

I loved mine I'm looking for another one

Great info

😂😂😂reminds me of the camaro lsa with the supercharger🤨😂👌

I want to know is where I can get the front & rear bumper covers for the V model.

What’s his Instagram of Facebook ? I have a few questions like where did he get those power folding Mirrors??

I will watch later just because i had a custom painted 06 STS V

This is such a cool car!

If it wasn't for the negative press the Northstar got I'd trade my cts-v for an xlr-v but naw I'll save it for that Maybach 57s coupe

I miss mine. I had a 2008.

I want one but they are hard to find

This is my dream car

What an amazing car

Please drive a CT6V blackwing

i just found out about this car today, i am going to buy one, and then make it a drift car 💪

My dream car 😫

Anybody that knows anything about Cadillacs knew about this car...Trust me...this car is no joke

The whine is great, the cackle not so much.

Fun fact, this was General Motors very first supercharged V8 from the factory.

Oh we know

not the cut out valves

Are these reliable?

I have a 2006 is not the v but mine has more options then this one. I also got the cooled seats and rca hookups to like a ps2 to it ha

And you do in fact, get in a lot of trouble in these vehicles. Love mine, 128,xxx and doesn't use a drop of oil.

Great vid... but dude... Zack... let me buy you a new mic. Or processor. Whatever it takes to stop the crackling!

I got an 06 sts v6 in white diamond and after 18 days of owning the car the engine seized

This guy is really making money from videos of your guys cars 🤦🏻‍♂️ y’all could do that and get your own shit

When Cadillac still wasn’t trying to be Mercedes or bmw

I have a 09 stsv I’m wanting to sell here

a differential cooler ? wtf never heard of that sounds like muffler fluid.

Yes we do...smh

I love my sts v I have a little clip on my channel if anyone wants to hear a little more of that whine 🍷

the engine that goes boom

Too bad it just had to come stock with that N* engine :I

Would have been better with a LS engine. Good looking vehicle. I get a CTS V instead for sure.

Exterior nice interior absolutely trash. My DTS had a far nicer interior with WAY more tech. Navigation rear sunshade heated/cooked seats massage seats wood on the wheel knob rear digital controls etc

Northstar engines were the worse, imagine having to remove the entire engine for a simple fix

So nice! i have a 2011 sts and I love it.