Thanks for having me! Torn between the Air GT or keeping my current car (CT5-V Blackwing)

AbsurdBuffalo

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Joined
Mar 31, 2022
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9
Hey!

First, thanks to the folks that keep the lights on around here. I've been browsing for a little while now, watching various discussions and topics unfold. Also, whoever put this site together and included a dark mode, I owe you a beer.

I'm intrigued by the Air. For the past handful of years now, I've been wanting to move into an EV to see what it's all about, but for the most part, I've not come across anything that I was too wild about for one reason or another. I've been liking what I'm seeing from the Air so far though. The design specifically, it's both modern, but does well to retain some aspects of current vehicle design that I don't feel need to be reinvented (Hi Tesla!), The range is also, great!

The issue I'm having though is that I currently have a 2022 CT5-V Blackwing, which is special in it's own right in that many are calling it the 'last of the breed' as currently, there are very few options for RWD, V8 powered sedans, and, GM are saying it'll be the last one they do as they move everything over to EVs moving forward.

I'm having a difficult time deciding if the Air is the right direction to go. On one hand, I've never owned an EV before, and I want to learn and see what it's all about, but on the other hand, am I making a mistake by leaving the Blackwing? I have to pick one, unfortunately can't do both for a plethora of reasons. Does one hang on to the 'old' supercharged V8, manual transmission, RWD sedan in an age of increasing fuel prices? Or does one abandon the old ways and become an early adopter of EVs, and the Air specifically?

Anyone else here that consider themselves a car enthusiast and have had to battle with similar decisions and emotions? While I do very much believe EVs are the future, I also believe there is value in keeping a part of where we've come from.

At a minimum I do plan to reserve a spot in line for an Air...
 
I think Tesla is the only one doing this, you may want do a long-term EV test drive, which I did in Tampa for about three days with a Model X.
 
That is a very hard question to answer. I currently drive a BMW M5 and it is a beast of an ICE car, very fun to drive. I also have two Classic Mustangs, a 1968 California Special (mostly original) and a 1973 Convertible (mostly updated, more a restomod). All three are very different cars. I am in a similar place, this will be my first EV and I will not be keeping my M5. I may even sell the '68, we'll see.

The best thing you can do is schedule a test drive. The Lucid is just a different feel and experience. That being said, the software might drive you a bit bonkers, at least for a period of time.
 
I drive a BMW 530e and I am planning on a BEV for my next vehicle (and I have reserved a Pure). Having said that, I would keep the Caddy for a few more years, enjoy driving it, especially the sweet handling, In a few years the Caddy will start to age (and all luxury cars get expensive to repair) and by then there will be many choices.

It appears you are a performance enthusiast. Currently, the only BEVs (IMHO) that are performance oriented are the Porsche Taycan, the Audi GT, the LucidAir, the Jaguar IPace, and the BMW I4 and IX. In a few years there will be many more. In the case of the Lucid, it will have had time to resolve it software issues.
 
The best thing you can do is schedule a test drive. The Lucid is just a different feel and experience. That being said, the software might drive you a bit bonkers, at least for a period of time.
Yeah, I have no doubt that the software will be a thing to get used to. I'm okay with that though. I think i've generally managed my expectations in that I expect there to be some issues that are resolved over time through software updates.

Ultimately my plan right now is to reserve, and once the confirmation window opens, schedule a test drive and see. My nearest studio/repair center is about 700 miles, so i'll have to fly somewhere to test drive, but I think it's an important step to undertake.
 
Waiting somewhat patiently for my Grand Touring. At some point in the future, I definitely plan on replacing my Yukon Denali 6.2L with an EV SUV. That leaves my BMW '11 M3 6sp V8. I may just hang on to that for nostalgia's sake.
 
I drive a BMW 530e and I am planning on a BEV for my next vehicle (and I have reserved a Pure). Having said that, I would keep the Caddy for a few more years, enjoy driving it, especially the sweet handling, In a few years the Caddy will start to age (and all luxury cars get expensive to repair) and by then there will be many choices.

It appears you are a performance enthusiast. Currently, the only BEVs (IMHO) that are performance oriented are the Porsche Taycan, the Audi GT, the LucidAir, the Jaguar IPace, and the BMW I4 and IX. In a few years there will be many more. In the case of the Lucid, it will have had time to resolve it software issues.
Yeah I have spent some time in the Taycan. It's a beast. I just can't get over the fairly small range on it though. Ideally, whatever EV I end up with, I want to be able to road trip it. That would be difficult to manage with the Audi and Porsche.

Keeping the Caddy for a few years and just enjoying it might be a good compromise, although one of the factors playing in to moving to an Air is that the value of the Blackwing has gone WAY up since I bought it. They are very difficult to get ahold of right now, so it's a take the cash and run? decision.
 
Hey!

First, thanks to the folks that keep the lights on around here. I've been browsing for a little while now, watching various discussions and topics unfold. Also, whoever put this site together and included a dark mode, I owe you a beer.

I'm intrigued by the Air. For the past handful of years now, I've been wanting to move into an EV to see what it's all about, but for the most part, I've not come across anything that I was too wild about for one reason or another. I've been liking what I'm seeing from the Air so far though. The design specifically, it's both modern, but does well to retain some aspects of current vehicle design that I don't feel need to be reinvented (Hi Tesla!), The range is also, great!

The issue I'm having though is that I currently have a 2022 CT5-V Blackwing, which is special in it's own right in that many are calling it the 'last of the breed' as currently, there are very few options for RWD, V8 powered sedans, and, GM are saying it'll be the last one they do as they move everything over to EVs moving forward.

I'm having a difficult time deciding if the Air is the right direction to go. On one hand, I've never owned an EV before, and I want to learn and see what it's all about, but on the other hand, am I making a mistake by leaving the Blackwing? I have to pick one, unfortunately can't do both for a plethora of reasons. Does one hang on to the 'old' supercharged V8, manual transmission, RWD sedan in an age of increasing fuel prices? Or does one abandon the old ways and become an early adopter of EVs, and the Air specifically?

Anyone else here that consider themselves a car enthusiast and have had to battle with similar decisions and emotions? While I do very much believe EVs are the future, I also believe there is value in keeping a part of where we've come from.

At a minimum I do plan to reserve a spot in line for an Air...

I know this is the obvious question, but can you figure out a way to do both? I think high horsepower gasoline cars with manual transmissions will ultimately hold their values very well. Get the Lucid and keep the Caddy as a weekend/toy car? I currently drive a 2016 Shelby GT 350 (6speed manual) as my daily driver but will make it my weekend toy when my Air GT arrives. Then plan to replace the Shelby with a new Z06 Corvette in 2023 or 2024.

As awesome as the Air is, I think you’ll really miss having a high performance manual transmission gasoline car. I know it’s easy for other people to say, “do both!”, but I suspect you’ll regret selling that Caddy in the long run.
 
Yeah I have spent some time in the Taycan. It's a beast. I just can't get over the fairly small range on it though. Ideally, whatever EV I end up with, I want to be able to road trip it. That would be difficult to manage with the Audi and Porsche.

Keeping the Caddy for a few years and just enjoying it might be a good compromise, although one of the factors playing in to moving to an Air is that the value of the Blackwing has gone WAY up since I bought it. They are very difficult to get ahold of right now, so it's a take the cash and run? decision.
Make a list of what you love, and can't live without, about the Caddy. I did this recently, trying to decide which car I should keep. Given how well the Caddy holds it's value, you may want to own both for a while and decide later down the road.
 
Yeah I have spent some time in the Taycan. It's a beast. I just can't get over the fairly small range on it though. Ideally, whatever EV I end up with, I want to be able to road trip it. That would be difficult to manage with the Audi and Porsche.

Keeping the Caddy for a few years and just enjoying it might be a good compromise, although one of the factors playing in to moving to an Air is that the value of the Blackwing has gone WAY up since I bought it. They are very difficult to get ahold of right now, so it's a take the cash and run? decision.

One of the reasons I have reserved a Lucid Air Pure is that I don't think it will be available until sometime next year or 2024 which is fine with me. I want the long range (400 miles on the Pure), battery efficiency, and performance. I drive a car hard so I don't expect to get anywhere near the USDOT range estimates and I want the high speed battery charger infrastructure to be better built out before I make the move.

You are right about the range on the Taycan. The new BMWs do better if one can get over the unnecessary bugs bunny snout.
 
One of the reasons I have reserved a Lucid Air Pure is that I don't think it will be available until sometime next year or 2024 which is fine with me. I want the long range (400 miles on the Pure), battery efficiency, and performance. I drive a car hard so I don't expect to get anywhere near the USDOT range estimates and I want the high speed battery charger infrastructure to be better built out before I make the move.

You are right about the range on the Taycan. The new BMWs do better if one can get over the unnecessary bugs bunny snout.
Our 4S uses 320 W/Mile (3.13Miles/kWh) at 70+ MPH. Not that much different than we manage with the DEP. Obviously the battery size gives the Lucid an easy 100+ miles on a full charge which is a huge advantage on a long drive.
 
I bought, restored, drove high performance manual transmission gasoline cars for 40+ years, from a 7-liter V8 to 4-liter V12. Been driving electric for the last 11. In that time I've completely lost any desire or nostalgia for a piston engine vehicle. They now seem cute but a little pathetic at the same time, all thrash and drum.
 
I bought, restored, drove high performance manual transmission gasoline cars for 40+ years, from a 7-liter V8 to 4-liter V12. Been driving electric for the last 11. In that time I've completely lost any desire or nostalgia for a piston engine vehicle. They now seem cute but a little pathetic at the same time, all thrash and drum.
Ah yes, I learned to drive on a Buick Electra 225 with a 7+ liter V8. Of course it was pushing a lot of metal around...

But yeah, after driving my Roadster for 13 years I have the same reaction to ICE cars. They have had a practical advantage for easier fueling but they no longer represent the ideal of a performance car to me.
 
I like the nostalgia and grew up in a car family. My grandfather had a museum's worth of older cars. My '73 Mustang convertible is a throwback to my first car, a '71 Mustang that my grandfather gave me.

I like all cars and appreciate each for what it is.
 
Make a list of what you love, and can't live without, about the Caddy. I did this recently, trying to decide which car I should keep. Given how well the Caddy holds it's value, you may want to own both for a while and decide later down the road.
What was your outcome?

I have thought about owning both, but logistically it would become difficult as I unfortunately don't have the space for both between the Caddy, my truck, small offroad camper thing, wife's car, and my buddy's car. I need a bigger garage!
 
I like the nostalgia and grew up in a car family. My grandfather had a museum's worth of older cars. My '73 Mustang convertible is a throwback to my first car, a '71 Mustang that my grandfather gave me.

I like all cars and appreciate each for what it is.
Ah dang, I can't imagine the stories that go along with them all!

I share the same sentiment. I've always thought it's neat what EVs bring to the table, which is why I jump in, but I think there is connection between the driver and the vehicle that becomes lost with EVs. For many folks, this doesn't matter, which is fine. I wish this was me though, would make my decision much easier!
 
There is nothing quite like trying to get the most performance-wise out of an older car with no traction control, no modern steering, a manual transmission, old style suspension and less than 200hp in a <3000lb car.

My grandfather had old Jags, old Lincolns, old Packards, several older Mustangs, a Karman Ghia, an Opel GT, an old Torino and several others. I remember as a small kid playing around and acting as a chauffeur in one of those 20's/30's cars with the open area up front and the enclosed area behind. I also remember riding around in a rumble seat at some point, Ford Model A I think.
 
I think there is connection between the driver and the vehicle that becomes lost with EVs.

Is that because you lose the connection with the automotive history? For me when I'm driving (and I realize everyone is different), I feel more connected to EVs because of the instantaneous accelerator response; the car feels more a part of me than it does if I'm waiting the half-second or so for an ICE to catch up to my foot. My performance ICEs have all been turbos but I think this minor lag is still there with other gas engines.
 
Get the GT. Just did a test drive. It is a beast of a car! You will not be disappointed with this one. Still waiting for my VIN, but now I actually know what I am missing.
 
Yeah I have spent some time in the Taycan. It's a beast. I just can't get over the fairly small range on it though. Ideally, whatever EV I end up with, I want to be able to road trip it. That would be difficult to manage with the Audi and Porsche.

Keeping the Caddy for a few years and just enjoying it might be a good compromise, although one of the factors playing in to moving to an Air is that the value of the Blackwing has gone WAY up since I bought it. They are very difficult to get ahold of right now, so it's a take the cash and run? decision.

Jason Cammisa felt the Air was up / better than the taycan - @hmp10 had the exact quote… but he heaped praise on the air - as a drivers car even compared with the Taycan

 
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