Consumer Report: What's YOUR opinion? We'd like to know...

[96SedanDerVille]

I bought a preowned 96 deville a couple of years ago-it had about 100k on it when we purchased it. The 32,000 miles that we have put on it in the last 2 years have been expensive to say the least! Had to replace the engine last spring, then the starter, and O2 sensor went. The heater fan went shortly after that! Brakes had to be replaced too. I don't mind replacing the "wear and tear" items, but to replace a Northstar engine at 126K is just ridiculous. The ride doesn't cut it on the roads here in Maine either-the suspension is just too soft for frost heaves and potholes-the thing bottoms out all too easily.

Gas mileage is impressive for such a large car-22.5 around town and nearly 25 on the I. Very comfortable if the road is smooth. Looks are impressive with the carriage top!

Although there are some that I like, I will probably never purchase another one!

[JimHare]

Curious as to why you had to replace the engine? Complete self-destruct? And didn't the new engine include a starter?

Your post doesn't quite make sense - Discounting the engine, you've replaced 1 starter, 1 sensor and heater fan in 132,000 miles...That doesn't sound too damn bad to me.

Give us details about the 'replaced' engine...

The only reason I ask is that I had a '99 D for about 4 years, from 33K to 100K and it cost me two alternators and a radiator overflow tank that whole time. And my '02, with 138,000 on it has gone through 1 A/C compressor, 1 window regulator and a headlight bulb..

[31415926]

I like my 98 Deville.
Had some small problems but the engine is still running strong at 230K miles with 30 highway MPG in the summer time.

[carmaster]

My 96 deville bottoms out real easy too.

[jcw122]

I have a 2000 Deville, I'm 17 and needless to say I love it.

[77CDV]

I had an 89 Sixty Special, triple dark blue, bought at 80K miles, slapped on another 80K miles over 5 years (including one cross-country trip) and never had a problem. Only sold it cause I had finally finished school and wanted something new for once.

Also had a 2003 DHS, bronzemist over shale. Also a wonderful car with not a peep in the 3 years I had it. I love my Caddys!!!!!!

Craig

[MachX]

I have to recant on my former post regarding the appearance of the 2000-05 deVilles as I now like the look. I now find it to be very elegant and those quad exhaust outlets look badass. My 1990 deVille has now sort of been relegated to parts car status with the purchase of my 1991 SDV. The 1991 is dark blue on dark blue leather SO much nicer and easier to keep clean looking. My 1990 white leather always looked dirty (especially the stitching) no matter how much I scrubbed. And while the 4.5L was quick, the 4.9 has downright aggressive torque making the car feel much more authoritative. Even though the 91 has over 200 000 miles on it, it idles perfectly with only a slight lope at idle, enough to let you know there is a burly V8 under the hood. Under acceleration there is no cabin vibration, only the slightest vibration in the steering wheel. My 90 feels rougher, and its engine has a bit of an oil leak. The ride in the 91 is sublime, feeling much like my dad's Town Car although it has way more sway and bounce over the road than my 90. The 90 has a much more rigid ride (though still supple and absorbant) and zero nosedive under hard braking, onramps are a treat. Anybody know if the suspension was changed THAT MUCH between 90 and 91? The 4.9 sounds way better and cleaner when you rev it, and it doesn't have that nasty bearing knock when you fire it up cold like my 90's 4.5 has, despite having 30000 more miles. Overall, the 91 feels way smoother and more refined than the 90. I like how the steering in the 91 doesn't bog down the engine when you turn the wheel while stopped, the 90 groans and vibrates. When you turn the key in my 91, you don't feel the starter crank the engine at all, whereas in my 1990 you can slightly feel it. The electric locks on the 91 have a much smoother sound than the loud THUNK the locks make in my 90. Either Cadillac made major revisions to the car when the 1990 Town Car came out or my 91 was better taken care of than my 90. Oh and you shouldn't be worried about mileage when buying a Caddy, they will run to 300k miles and beyond if they are taken care of. I bought a 1990 Fleetwood ($450) for parts for my 1990 and it had 280 000 miles miles on it and it ran and drove perfectly! The only reason I didn't keep it was because I needed a front fender and hood and my 90 had less miles on it. I wish I had kept the Fleetwood now that I know how long these cars will last! Note: I still hate the styling of the 94-96 deVilles. And 85-88 deVilles still suck.

[gergreg]

I have a CTS-V and I'm dismayed that I didn't get a 335i. GM's interior build quality sucks. Sick of rattles.

[cadillac_pimpz]

Originally Posted by TLeTourneau

Hello all,

I picked up a Crimson Pearl 03 DeVille about a month ago with 75K on the clock, what a Gorgeous color. This is my third Caddy and I have loved them all (yep, even the old diesel Fleetwood). It's a great car everything I have come to expact from GM's luxury division (SAAB doesn't count ).

Tom

Mine is crimson pearl too. it's definately the best stock color.

[jspeaect]

I purchased my first cad in 9th grade. Not knowing a whole lot the time, I quickly learned how bad the 4100V8 could be. It was a beautiful 82 Seville with 80K on it but sold it quickly with a bad taste in my mouth for Cadillacs. Fast forward six years to 98 when a 91 SDV caught my eye...much better experience this time. Put 50k on it and sold it to a cousin with 170K...it is still going strong with only new fuel injectors and over 200k. I then purchased a 93 SDV in Dk Slate Gray/Red leather with 43k on it. I am still driving it and currently have 57k on it. Then purchased a 91 SDV in light antelope that was just like new...had 70k on it, but you'd have never known. Should have kept it, but had an offer for it that I couldn't refuse. My latest purchase is a 91 Fleetwood in the same color as my 93 with 60k on it...not sure what to do from here??? Keep both...sell one? Either way...I will always be a fan! Hope to graduate to 93 Ultra at some point, but will continue enjoying what I have!!!