Went to a Cadillac dealership and picked up this clunker

[mwpistell]

2016 Cadillac ATS-V, in vector blue:

I had a 2002 Ford Focus ZX5 that I've been driving around for the last 11 years. This year I decided I might as well get a new car that's somewhat modern and doesn't have 100k+ miles on it.

Very impressed that Cadillac offered this in a manual, the alcantera shift knob and steering wheel feel great:

Some thoughts

• It's an odd feeling going from a car whose most advanced feature is a 6 CD changer to one that has a Heads Up Display.
• Hill starts make me uncomfortable, thankfully I have Hill Assist.
• Active Rev Matching makes me look like a better driver.
• The CUE system is fine, not sure where all the hate comes from. Then again, I never experienced anything else.

My dad owned a car customization business in the 90's and had a highly customized 1989 Ford Thunderbird. He was ~30 when he got that car, and I just turned 30 this year. It's kinda neat how we both had a manual, RWD, coupe in metallic blue at the same age:

Profile looks great too:

 

[Jeff Kershner]

Michael, congratulations on the jump up. That's one hell of an upgrade and a beautiful Caddy. Though I'm not sure about that "Hill Assist" feature. Takes some of the fun out of driving a manual.

How much research did you do before pulling the trigger?

 

[craigh]

Though I'm not sure about that "Hill Assist" feature. Takes some of the fun out of driving a manual.

You might be surprised how many cars have that built in now.
Almost the entire Subaru line up has had it for years and years, but you don't know it until it fails and the light comes on.
I pulled that fuse right away

 

[Tony Do]

Michael congrats on the purchase! A manual transmission in a limited run V is definitely a unicorn! Enjoy it for as long as you can.

I'm still on the prowl for my CTS-V Wagon manual, but one day.

 

[mwpistell]

How much research did you do before pulling the trigger?

I was in the research phase for over a year. I would have made the decision sooner but I was starting up another side business and supporting my brother at the same time - which made planning future income flow harder.

 

[jeffwallen]

If I was that dealer, his post would be plastered to my website...