With the automotive landscape changing so drastically at the moment, the number of potential future classics emerging has gone through the roof. Brands are systematically ditching less efficient engineering approaches for those that make driving easier, as well as more efficient and less expensive for consumers. This means that gearhead-friendly technology, such as the good old six-speed manual gearbox and naturally aspirated V8 engines, is being put out to pasture.
Even rear-wheel drive is getting rarer, since most manufacturers have developed intelligent all-wheel drive setups that can share their power between the front and rear wheels where needed. This is why the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing is such a tantalizing collector’s prospect, since it is the last old-school V8 sports sedan with a manual and RWD on sale today. Even that won’t last much longer, since Cadillac will end production of its Blackwing models at the end of 2026. Buying one with an eye to making profit is a sound idea, as long as you get the right one.
The CT5-V Blackwing Has The Hallmarks Of A Future Profit Turner
2023 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing Orange Front AngleCarBuzz/Cadillac
The primary reasons the CT5-V Blackwing could earn some decent money for owners in the future are the same as why the likes of the recently departed Dodge Challenger and Charger machines should be: it’s pretty much as analog as you can get in terms of a pure driving experience these days. All the extra tech bundled into vehicles now is great at making them easier and cheaper to live with, but it also has the effect of taking some of the drama out of proceedings.
2022-2026 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
Engine
6.2L supercharged V8
Transmission
10-Speed Auto, 6-Speed Manual
Power
668 hp
Torque
659 lb-ft
0-60 mph
3.4 seconds
Average Used Value
$100,113
Rather than use turbocharging or electrification, the CT5-V Blackwing relies on a rabid supercharged 6.2-liter V8 to get it down the road. And boy, is it effective. With 668 horsepower and 659 lb-ft of torque being thrown at the rear wheels, this practical and rather luxurious sedan will eclipse the 60 mph mark in a shade under 3.5 seconds. With no turbo muffling the noise or impeding smooth power delivery, the CT5-V Blackwing feels more alive and eager than the vast majority of sports sedans on the market. This format is a dying breed, and that is why the CT5-V Blackwing will be remembered so fondly in the years to come. The fact that it is the last car of its kind to sport a proper manual transmission only further feeds into this sentiment.
The CT5-V Blackwing Is Also Rare
2023 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing Interior DashboardCarBuzz/Cadillac
While the outright performance and historical significance of the Blackwing are key elements regarding its future collectibility, its rarity is another important building block. Cadillac only produced between 1,000 and 2,000 units per year for the most part, though 2023 was a strong year with 2,800 units produced. As a result, since the CT5-V Blackwing first turned up for the 2022 model year, it’s thought that only around 9,000 examples will ever be produced.
Within that number, several special editions have also been turned out, which have celebrated various Cadillac hallmarks.
Some CT5-V Blackwings Can Be Had For A Tempting Amount Of Money
Rear 3/4 view of the 2024 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing.Cadillac
Due to the CT5-V Blackwing’s standing as a rare and collectable performance weapon, used examples haven’t depreciated at the same level as other sports sedans have. For example, unless you opt for one with ultra-high mileage for its age, you’re unlikely to find an earlier 2022 one for less than $70,000. This is pretty steep versus its original MSRP, which was a shade under $84k. Budget between $70,000 and $75,000, and you’ll have a decent chance of sourcing a low-mileage earlier car. This applies to both manual and automatic-equipped specimens.
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The CT5-V Blackwing Used Market Is Pretty Conventional
Given that the 2023 model year Blackwings are more plentiful, you’d expect to find more of them further down the value ladder. Interestingly, it seems the market hasn’t yet priced in the fact that they’re the least exclusive examples, as in terms of price they sit nicely between the 2022 and 2024 model year vehicles. In terms of value, this places them between $80k and $90k, with later cars demanding well north of $100,000 with low mileage. Unsurprisingly, limited edition examples tend to go for more due to their rarity, with a good example being the 20th Anniversary Edition.
Just 120 of these 2023 Blackwings were ever built, making them one of the rarer models out there. Changes were few and far between though, with the only real alterations being the addition of special commemorative plates on the B-pillar and sills. They’re not attracting insanely high prices yet though, as illustrated by a black car that was sold via Cars and Bids in May 2026. The 8,800-mile machine went under the hammer for $95,000, which is similar to the amount of money an equivalent standard 2023 car demands.
The 20th Anniversary Edition, however, is another story. Just 21 of these cars were built to celebrate the 20th birthday of Cadillac’s performance-focused V-Series department, and each received exclusive exterior colors and custom cabin designs. Examples of these are attracting eye-opening outlays due to their rarity and uniqueness, as shown by a black version sold by Marshall Goldman. It’s up for just under $170k, which isn’t far off double the base MSRP of a normal 2024 CT5-V Blackwing.
Special Editions Will Be The Best Way Of Earning Future Profit
If you’re looking to earn a meaningful return from a CT5-V Blackwing, the best approach is to find as rare an example as possible. The clearest way of achieving this is by buying a lower-priced example of the 20th Anniversary Edition when they come up, or perhaps the 2026 F1 Collector Series version. Unveiled at Formula 1’s 2026 Miami Grand Prix, 26 examples will be produced to celebrate Cadillac’s entry into the series for the 2026 season.
Aside from being rare, the F1 Collector Series stands out for also delivering more performance than the standard CT5-V Blackwing. Its engine has been tuned to produce 685 hp and 673 lb-ft of torque, while further changes include lightweight carbon fiber wheels and brakes, an exclusive Midnight Stone Frost finish, as well as F1 branding throughout the cabin. It may be expensive at $260,000 apiece, but the added performance and ultra-exclusivity will likely ensure it’s worth considerably more in the years to come.
There Are Some Examples To Avoid If You Want To Preserve Profit
While the extremely limited-run CT5-V Blackwings represent the clearest path to significant returns, standard specimens in the right spec also have a good chance of delivering strong future value. Take the 2022 model year machine as an example, given that these have reached the lowest prices thus far and provide the best entry point for a future profit. You’ll want the most exclusive spec possible, since those will be the most sought-after and collectible when new examples are no longer available from dealers.
2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing Spec Production Numbers
Manual/Automatic Split
770/993
Black Raven
578 (32.8%)
Summit White
231 (13.1%)
Rift Metallic
157 (8.9%)
Electric Blue
154 (8.7%)
Shadow Metallic
127 (7.2%)
Infrared Tintcoat
122 (6.9%)
Wave Metallic
108 (6.1%)
Satin Steel Metallic
108 (6.1%)
Dark Emerald Metallic
104 (5.9%)
Blaze Orange Metallic
74 (4.2%)
If you find an automatic specimen finished in Black Raven, steer clear if you’re looking to earn a profit. The color was easily the most popular with the 2022 MY CT5-V Blackwing, with 32.8% of all cars sold that year being finished in it. Plus, the auto transmission was more widespread, with 56.3% of cars being optioned with it. The manual is not only rarer, but will be more highly sought after due to the driver-focused experience associated with it, which will only grow once manual transmissions are largely extinct.
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If you can secure a good deal, opting for a manual car finished in Blaze Orange Metallic could be an excellent way to position yourself for meaningful future profit. Just 74 examples, or 4.2% of the total run, were specced with the color, ensuring you’ll have one of the rarest standard CT5-V Blackwings on the road. Another strong option is Satin Steel Metallic, which is a subdued and versatile color, but also rare, with only 108 cars sold in it. This translates to a total of just 6.1% of the entire production series.
The CT4-V Blackwing Also Provides Opportunities
The CT5-V Blackwing’s smaller sibling, the CT4-V Blackwing, also presents an interesting opportunity when it comes to securing a collectible sports sedan. There’s reason to enter with more caution here though, since the CT4 only comes with a twin-turbo 3.6-liter V6 under the hood, which makes it less appealing from a pure performance and engagement standpoint. There’s less to set it apart from the various modern six-cylinder high-performance cars out there today, so there’s less scope for it to become a collector’s darling anytime soon. They’re also relatively affordable right now, with earlier 2022 examples selling for comfortably under $50,000 with fewer than 1,000 miles on the odometer.
One thing it does have in its favor is rarity. While exact production numbers are hard to pin down, it’s thought that no more than 7,500 examples have been constructed. This makes it rarer than the CT5-V Blackwing, which could provide a tantalizing avenue for profit going forward. If we once again shine the light on the 2022 MY specimens, the sought-after manual option is even rarer again. Just 664 examples featured a manual transmission, which translates to 37.1% of that year’s total production run.
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Then there are the special editions. Three different versions of the Mondrian Edition were produced, with each run consisting of 66 examples, and the main difference versus a standard car was Cadillac’s V-Series crest applied to the side of the vehicle. There were also three different track edition models of the 2023 MY version released, with each reflecting a different famous American racetrack. Covering Road Atlanta, Sebring, and Watkins Glen, 99 of each were constructed. There are no performance enhancements to see on any of them, with the only changes being purely cosmetic.
Despite this, used examples are attracting between $70,000 and $80,000, showing that the rarity card is helping right now. Given they’re arguably less special than the CT5-V Blackwing, though, they’re the riskier play right now. The CT5-V Blackwing is already being discussed as a future classic, even though it hasn’t exited production yet. If you get a good opportunity to buy one in a rarer spec, you’d do well to seriously consider it before values climb significantly.
Sources: Cadillac.
