Daily Drive, Track, Burn: America vs Germany vs Japan

"PRBot II" (prbot2)
12/23/2013 at 06:56 • Filed to: dd track burn, cadillac, mercedes, lexus

Brand perception only matters up to a point, so never say "never". What would you daily drive, track, and burn? It's an automotive World War III with the Cadillac CTS-V, Mercedes C63 AMG, and Lexus IS-F. Fight!

Full disclosure: The standard for comparison was based mostly on price, so for the sake of this round we'll ignore the fact that a Mercedes E63 AMG serves up enough horsepower to hang with the V... not to mention Lexus doesn't even sell a sedan with more power.

2014 Cadillac CTS-V Sedan

MSRP: From $64,900

Engine: 6.2 liter supercharged V-8, 556 hp

0 - 60: 3.9 seconds

Top speed: 198 mph

Manual transmission: Yes

2014 Mercedes C63 AMG Sedan

MSRP: From $60,250

Engine: 6.3 liter AMG V-8, 451 hp

0 - 60: 4.4 seconds

Top speed: 174 mph

Manual transmission: No

2014 Lexus IS-F

MSRP: From $63,350

Engine: 5.0 liter V-8, 416 hp

0 - 60: 4.6 seconds

Top speed: 170 mph

Manual transmission: No

As always, choose wisely!

Stats and figures are not guaranteed to be correct. Images courtesy of "the internet".

DISCUSSION (74)

Where have all the lightweights gone? > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 11:58

DD Caddy, Track Lexus, Burn Merc.

Tom McParland > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 11:58

DD- Benz

Track- Caddy

Burn- Lexus

PanchoVilleneuve ST > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 11:59

DD: Lexus

Track: Caddy

Burn: Benz

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 12:00

DD: Lexus

Track: Caddy

Burn: Benz - out of god damn principle.

Nibbles > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 12:00

DD the Benz because DAT EXHAUST

Track the Caddy because fuck Lexus

Burn the Lexus because fuck Lexus

Victorious Secret > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 12:01

DD CTS
Track C63
Burn ISF
Burn ISF
Burn ISF

RidgeFish > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 12:03

DD: Merc

Track: CTS-V (Because tranny)

Burn: Lexus

EL_ULY > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 12:05

DD: Lexus

Track: Caddy

Burn: Benz

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 12:06

DD Cadillac. I want to enjoy the manual.

Track Benz. That auto might help with track times.

Burn the Lexus.

duurtlang > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 12:14

Because of the transmission:

DD: Cadillac
Track: Mercedes
Burn: Lexus

GhostZ > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 12:16

DD CTS-V

Kinja'd!!!

Track CTS-V

Kinja'd!!!

Burn(out) CTS-V

Kinja'd!!!

CAR_IS_MI > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 12:20

DD: AMG

Track: CTS-V (because manual)

Burn: The Toyota

xx45xx > GhostZ
12/23/2013 at 12:21

dat middle pic is sexy

BKRM3 > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 12:22

No bombshell here:

DD: Merc

Track: V

Burn: Toyota

IMissTheOldInternet > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 12:22

DD the AMG because what else are autotragics good for.

Track the Caddy because it's awesome and it's got the only stick in the bunch.

Burn the Lexus because it's the last one left, it's ugly and it's slow.

GhostZ > xx45xx
12/23/2013 at 12:23

Gangsta lean

Dean Beyer > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 12:23

I'm gonna daily drive and track the CTS and burn the other two. What? That's breaking the rules? Well I'm a rule breaker!

G8GT364 > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 12:25

DD V(But i'd have to replace the intake so I could listen to that Eaton sing)

Track AMG

Burn Lexus.

If I had the means, even though im a big LS V8 leg humper, id have a really hard time deciding on a CTS-V or C63(the 507 edition of course). I think the Manual would probably push the CTS over the top.

feather-throttle-not-hair > Victorious Secret
12/23/2013 at 12:27

This is correct.

Dd the car with stupid horsepower and a mt, because it clearly places fun over all out track worthiness on its priority list.

Track the merc, because my money says it's the fastest and likely the most rewarding on the racetrack.

Burn the Lexus because nice car though it is, it's totally outclassed by the other two.

tsmit > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 12:27

poor lexus,

DD: CTS-v

track: merc

Burn: lexus

willkinton247 > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 12:28

So easy.

DD the Cadillac.

Burn the Lexus.

and burn the Merc's tires on the track.

Ratchet when he's all hopped up on synthetic energon > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 12:30

DD the CTS-V (manual, wagon)
Track the Merc (just bring mad tire budget, lol)
Burn the Lexus (though I do really like the IS...)

Autophile412 - what's the world got in store? > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 12:31

DD CTSV - fun daily with manny tranny
Track Merc - only place to get all the feels from that car.
Burn Lexus - burn burn burn

mcseanerson > duurtlang
12/23/2013 at 12:31

Did I miss something?

Victorious Secret > feather-throttle-not-hair
12/23/2013 at 12:33

That and even the old CTS has a better interior than any C63. Its sad come to think of it. The seats are great and the surfaces are nice. The C63 gets typical C Class bullshit from Mercedes.

mcseanerson > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 12:33

DD CTS-V

Track CTS-V

Burn Create epic action film with Merc and Lexus colliding into each other creating an epic inferno.

Dolby108 > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 12:41

I am surprised so many people would rather track the C63.
I haven't actually driven a new CTS-V but given that the ZL1 Camaro hands the germans their ass at the track I would think the CTS-V would be similarly capable.

So for me CTS-V 6-speed all the way.

HammerheadFistpunch > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 12:46

That's a tough one.

DD CTS - because magnaride

Track IS-F - because track focused

Burn Merc - it will be cheaper that way.

stevethecurse > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 12:46

DD C63 - because no manual and because it is an obnoxious, tire roasting machine

Track CTS - because manual

burn ISF - because Lexus.

HammerheadFistpunch > GhostZ
12/23/2013 at 12:46

Thats what I was going so say. CTS is all the wins.

KEMO > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 12:50

DD : BENZ

Track : CTS-V

Burn : toyota

PRBot II > GhostZ
12/23/2013 at 12:58

I see what you did there, and I approve.

Stradale > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 12:59

DD: ISF

Track: C63

Burn: The Chevy

PRBot II > duurtlang
12/23/2013 at 13:00

Nice.

Party-vi > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 13:14

DD: IS-F, because Lexus reliability and under-radar appearance

Track: CTS-V, because Mulsanne Straight

Burn: C63, because it's just a big engine away from being a C Class.

Gamecat235 > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 13:20

DD IS-F

Track the CTS-V

Burn the poor Benz.

"But Gamecat, you've lost your mind" you say. To which I respond yes, but I'll probably die tracking the V, so I may as well burn the Benz so no one gets it and leave you all left the sight of my undriven IS-F in all of it's glory.

TheCraigy > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 13:21

Daily C63

Track? Ugh. I guess ISF? Only if I have to.

Burn: CTSV, and ISF if not forced to track.

Desu-San-Desu > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 13:25

D.D. CTS, because clutch pedal and 'Murica.

Track Lexus, just because I hate Mercs.

Burn Merc. Because it's a Merc. >.>

SpeedSix > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 13:30

DD - IS-F

Track - CTS-V

Burn - C63 AMG

PRBot II > Stradale
12/23/2013 at 13:33

It took some time, but we have our first CTS-V burn here.

Wilmobo > Victorious Secret
12/23/2013 at 13:36

This is the only logical answer

AlwaRightAllTheTime > Stradale
12/23/2013 at 13:52

Where, exactly, is this 'Chevy' you speak of?

dogisbadob > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 13:53

DD ISF
Track CTS-V
Burn Benz

(if the CTS in question was a wagon, I'd DD that one)

fintail > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 13:54

DD C63, so I can listen to it more

Track CTS, as it has the right 'box

No thanks to IS-F. I am sure it is a nice car, but it doesn't give me the same feeling, and the bland invisible design has to be one of the oldest on the market. Suddenly it's 2006!

Stradale > AlwaRightAllTheTime
12/23/2013 at 14:00

Next to all the people saying burn "Burn the Toyota."

duurtlang > mcseanerson
12/23/2013 at 14:02

Check the last line of the description of each car.

mcseanerson > duurtlang
12/23/2013 at 14:03

You want a slushbox on a racetrack?

Slave2anMG > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 14:05

DD: Benz

Track: Caddy

Burn: Lexus...because glorified Toyota and I've been cursing at FUCKWITS in Toyotas lately. Imbeciles.

duurtlang > mcseanerson
12/23/2013 at 14:12

I want a manual as a DD.

Patrick Frawley > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 14:13

Daily: Mercedes.

Burn: Lexus.

Track: Cadillac with the manual...and appropriate mods.

Kinja'd!!!

m2m, apex detective > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 14:22

> DD the Lexus
> Track C63 with some mods
> Burn CTS-V

comeatme.jpg

gasjob > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 14:23

Excellent trio to do this. My answer could change with time. I haven't driven the hotrod C...yet. The others I have

DD IS-F, Track the caddy, burn (with some angst and a tear) the AMG

mcseanerson > duurtlang
12/23/2013 at 14:30

I understand that but I would hate an automatic more on a track than I would on the street. Then again mine was DD: CTS Track: CTS Burn: Collide the merc and the lexus to create a raging inferno.

flat6 > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 14:38

i'm just gonna go with "burn".

porschephile463 > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 14:39

DD Mercedes because slushbox
Track CTS-V because 6spd
Burn IS-F because slow.

Lets Just Drive > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 14:39

In Sportwagon trim, I'd DD the CTS-V like I'd been living on the edge so long, where the winds of limbo roar because I'm young enough to look at, but far too old to see and all the scars are on the inside.

Neither of the others appeal to me as a Track car, and I couldn't imagine spending around $60k on a track-use only car which isn't even all that great on the track (heavy, assisted etc).

So, in summary....

DD the CTS-V (Sportwagon)

Take the CTS-V (Sportwagon) to the track - there's room for tires, tools and helmets.

Burn whatever else. Because else.

boxjohn > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 15:10

I'd track the CTS because by all accounts it's just a better track car plus manual.

I'd DD the Lexus because it's actually going to be reliable and something I can repair myself and won't cost such a crazy amount in parts, and is still a fairly sharp driver.

I'd burn the C63 because with an exhaust the others would sound almost as good and it's going to be more expensive, more ridiculous, and less entertaining in the long run

DRobin78 > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 15:13

DD C63

Track CTS-v

Burn IS-F

Axial > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 15:17

DD : Cadillac CTS-V; because manual

Track : Mercedes C63 AMG; because fastest

Burn : Lexus IS-F; because terrible styling

F50F60 > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 15:23

CTS-V. No more Germans or Japaneses for me, next car will be Ford or Chevy.

steevmitch > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 16:11

the answer is always CTS-V. except the burn part, natch.

Audistein > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 16:17

DD IS-F

Track C63 AMG

Burn CTS-V

I will definitely reconsider when the new CTS-V comes out.

TwoFortified > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 18:41

DD the G37x?

Guys?

stigshift > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 18:45

I just spent 4 days with a CTS-V coupe manual trans. I'm sorry what were the other cars again?....

ReclamationProject > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 18:51

ALL THREE AT ONCE!!!

Kinja'd!!!

But seriously, the Cadillac is in another league.

Kylemaro > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 18:54

if its a world war then you can be sure americas going to win. ctsv alll day errday

Omnislash79 > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 19:53

Drop 'bows on em!

Omnislash79 > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 20:00

Track , as in race track and not drag strip right? Most 'Murikans think track as in drag strip.

SquirrelyWrath > PRBot II
12/23/2013 at 22:45

DD the C63 (manual is exhausting in traffic)

Track the CTS (0-60 time is insane for a car that big and higher top speed)

Donate the ISF ( gentlemen do not burn functional vehicles they re gift them)

zyodei > PRBot II
12/24/2013 at 02:26

I find it remarkable how far off my radar the IS-F was.

I follow car news fairly closely, and had no idea that Lexus was even making a V8 in non-luxo barge format...

toyotaisf > PRBot II
12/24/2013 at 14:29

who here has driven all three cars to make such outright hilarious generalizations? probably 0.0005% of the people who have read this article have. I have driven one of these cars, and I am astonished by its performance (it came out of nowhere). Yes, I am talking about the "glorified Toyota" that was developed on Fuji speedway, hence the F.

Track: CTSV or ISF

DD: ISF

Burn: C63

Good luck tracking an overweight, keen-on-understeer C63 or DDing it. Problems/maintenance galore.

I do not know much about the CTSV, but I think it'd be awesome to track: 6spd and a bunch of power (although it is overweight). DD the CTSV? no thanks.

ISF: all-around performer. DDs easily, and is great on the track. It likes oversteer, and is rewarding to take on twisties despite it's fat engine in the front bonnet.

Come to think of it, I wouldn't burn the C63 because it'll probably break down and ignite on its own.

(I know I have upset some die-hard hate-toyota fans, but sorry to inform you, the ISF has nothing to do with Toyota, nor is the 2IS known as a Toyota anywhere in the world).

Packardbaker > PRBot II
12/24/2013 at 18:23

DD: Cadillac
Track: Cadillac
Burn: Lexus
Sell: Mercedes

NickyT > PRBot II
12/26/2013 at 10:33

1st choice: Cadillac CTS-V
2nd choice: Mercedes C63 AMG
And... I could definitely live well without ever driving a Lexus IS-F from the current generation

Eisberg4k1 > PRBot II
12/30/2013 at 16:02

DD: CTS

Track: AMG

Burn to the goddamn ground: ISF

Really a toss up for me between daily driving the AMG or CTS. I would probably switch it up. The idiots who put ISF as DD because reliability are Camry and Accord drivers who have no soul. They are also the ones who said burn the AMG because again, no soul and idiot.