While his collection includes some of the oldest automobiles ever made, Jay Leno still considers this 2012 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe to be a classic. And even though it’s only a decade old, there’s no counter-argument to be made.
In the old days, Cadillac was known for delivering personal luxury transportation to average Americas. GM’s top-end brand was known for “land yachts” which were big and lazy, fitted with ashtrays and soft bench seats.
The CTS-V was the car that shook things up by offering a Corvette-powered alternative to German performance vehicles like the BMW M5/M6 or the Mercedes E55 AMG.
Why the CTS-V is a car Leno just had to own
If you’re not into modern American classics, you’ve probably been sleeping on the CTS-V. However, the famous American television host and comedian felt that this was worth adding to his impressive collection for one very simple reason.
That reason is having a manual gearbox. The CTS-V was the first Cadillac with a manual gearbox in decades, since 1948 if Leno is to be believed (and he is). While the CTS-V isn’t in production today, it has a descendent in the CT5-V Blackwing, which is also a bastion on the manual performance sedan.
“It’s a good-looking car. Nice size. Nice shape. And you’re saving probably $15000 to $20,000 over the European equivalent.”
Speaking of the Germans, they’ve largely given up on the manual, and collectors usually pay big money for the few 3-pedal exotics that are left. The Ferrari 360 is only going up in value, and manual conversions for those V10 BMW M6 Coupes are so popular, not to mention expensive.
Why a CTS-V Coupe and not a wagon
Jay Leno has had this coupe since it was new 10 years ago. He admits that the wagons are very popular but says he’s always preferred a 2-door car. And while sitting behind the wheel, he has nothing but praise for its suspension, comfort, and handling.
This 2012 CTS-V Coupe belongs to the second generation family, made from 2009 to 2015. It’s the one to have simply because of the performance upgrades. Gone is the naturally aspirated V8 of the first-gen, replaced by the 6.2-liter supercharged LSA.
Essentially, this was a hot Corvette ZR1 motor, rated at 556 horsepower and capable of pushing you to speeds of up to 200 miles per hour on the track. And yet the CTS-V also came with comfortable heated and ventilated 20-way adjustable seats.
What is a CTS-V worth
There’s no telling how many miles Jay Leno put on his 2012 Cadillac CTS-V. But you’d be surprised by how much a car like this is worth. These supercharged monsters have shot up since 2018, and I’ve just seen one go for over $100,000 at auction.
The 2nd-gen CTS-V value depends on many factors. Production of the manual CTS-V Coupe ended in 2015 with 1,239 examples built, so they rarely come up for sale. Over the past year, the market average is $36,500, but Leno’s is worth more because of his association and probable low mileage.
The CTS-V Wagon with the same Tremec 6-speed is even more valuable. 514 were made until 2014 (for 2nd gen), and they average $67,600. The record belongs to a Hennessey-tuned wagon that went for $121,000 at the Scottsdale auction.
