06 and up DTS Northstar Questions?

[hoppysport]

Having just picked up a black on black 2006 DTS Luxury ll with 35,000 miles, with Nav and Moonroof...I really love it! I see many threads about the Northstar head gasket problems on this wonderful site, but I haven't seen any on 2006 & up engines.

Did they do anything to improve the Northstar after a certain year, or is the HG problem something that I have to worry about on my 2006?

Also, what is the best oil to run in my 06 DTS? Thank you!

[Superjim]

Welcome to the site.
I hope you enjoy your new DTS as much as I have enjoyed mine.

There are a lot of people here with knowledge...I am not one of them.
I just have a lot of opinions.

There was a major re-design of the headgaskets in 2000.
I have heard very little about newer cars having the problem.
That don't mean you can ignore the cooling system. Based on past problems with the older models, I will be servicing mine a little more often than the book says to...just to be on the safe side.

As for the best oil...Everyone has an opinion on THAT...
Starting in 2007, I think Cadillac switched to Synthetic oil in the N*.
A lot of the people on this forum, are running Synthetic oil.

The DTS has a built in OIL LIFE MONITOR, that will tell you when to change the oil. It monitors your driving habits...speed...rpm..etc ..etc and calculates when the oil needs changing.

That being said...I am still running regular oil in mine, changing about every 5000 miles. That is usually around 50 percent on the oil life monitor.

Texas Jim

[hoppysport]

Thank you Jim...much appreciate the welcome. This is a terrific, intelligent forum.

I originally was supposed to buy an 06 Luxury l DTS, but it doesn't come with Nav. My friend ended up purchasing the car, because I wanted Nav and a Moonroof. I wanted to put a Nav into that car, but after posting on this site, you gave me a great answer and pushed me to move to another vehicle.

This 06 Luxury ll is just great. It was a one-owner DTS, just returned from lease. Before I bought the car I called the dealership that serviced it, that I found on the Carfax. They were just terrific...faxing me all of the complete service records.

Now I am looking for an extended warranty...since I didn't buy it certified from a Cadillac dealer. The 06 was so clean, and so well-equipped that I had to buy it instead of the better powertrain warranty on the 07's.

Now I just hope that I don't have to deal with the normal problems...xenon bulbs, HG, tranny bugs, stuff like that.

BTW, what brand number of oil do you use. Good to know! Thanks again!

[Superjim]

Originally Posted by hoppysport

Now I am looking for an extended warranty...since I didn't buy it certified from a Cadillac dealer. The 06 was so clean, and so well-equipped that I had to buy it instead of the better powertrain warranty on the 07's.

Now I just hope that I don't have to deal with the normal problems...xenon bulbs, HG, tranny bugs, stuff like that.

BTW, what brand number of oil do you use. Good to know! Thanks again!

I will try to answer your questions one at a time.
First, I am glad you got the car you wanted. The black DTS is a striking automobile. Nav and sunroof are not too common in Lux11 models. Those options are a lot more common on the Lux lll and Performance Sedans.

Does your car have MASSAGING LUMBAR for the front seats?

I think you said it had 32,000 on it. It is covered under the factory warranty for 4 years from the original in service date or 50,000 miles...which ever comes first.

I am not recommending for you to get an extended warranty...but...if you do decide to get one...As far as extended warrantys go..I (personally) would not get anything but the GMPP by General Motors. I have heard that if you buy the warranty before 36,000 miles, it is somewhat cheaper, but I don't know that for sure as I bought mine at 49,000 miles.

I did buy the GMPP for 3 more years, and taking the mileage out to 104,000 miles. It was not cheap...but if I have even one major repair, it will pay for itself. Otherwise, I just bought another insurance policy I didn't need.

As to the "NORMAL" problems you mention, like xenon bulbs, HG, tranny bugs... I have had none of those problems..YET. And hope I don't.
I doubt that you will have any headgasket problems on it.
That was mostly corrected in 2000 with a new headbolt design.
A few people on this forum are starting to have headlight bulb problems, but (so far) I have had none.
I don't think I have heard of anyone having transmission problems on the DTS.

For oil, I use 5W-30 Pennzoil, and have used it for ovwe 30 years.
I have had very good service from it. Some of my vehicles have ran well over 200,000 miles on it without any oil related problems.

Any more questions...just ask.
I always have opinions and will share...but remember...they are worth what you pay for them,

Texas jim

[hoppysport]

Thanks so much Super Jim! Absolutely terrific information! My car does not have the massaging lumbar. Have always been curious how good that is, and how well it works.

I had wanted to get a 2007 because of the 100,000 mile powertrain warranty, but this 06 Luxury ll was just to clean to pass up. I was looking for quite some time, and honestly, it was very hard to find a black on black Luxury ll with Nav and a Moonroof.

I did find a few Certified 2006 DTS's that fit that description, but they were $4,000 to $7,000 more than the immaculate, one-owner Luxury ll that I picked up. I figured that I could invest some of the money that I saved into an extended warranty.

I love the Performance DTS, however, I will be doing a lot of winter driving over the next two years in NY and New England, and the 17" wheels are much better suited for that sort of driving.

My car needs changed, and I needed a car to carry clients comfortably...and also have a big trunk. I also wanted a car that was somewhat reliable. I've always loved the Deville and DTS, and have rented many. The DTS just seemed to make the perfect choice.

I actually looked at many cars, from a Honda Accord EX-L to used 2006 BMW 750Li. My friend has access to BMW Financial auctions, and I could have recently bought a 2006 BMW 750Li with 35,000 miles at auction for $31,000. Frankly, I wouldn't take that car for $20,000 if it was out of warranty. Those European cars are very scary out of warranty. I have a friend with a 2006 Mercedes S500, and his repair bills are jaw-dropping. The car is in the shop all the time...and these are not $100, $200, or even $500 repairs...these are $2500 to $5000.

A used Lexus LS460 was way out of my price range. I picked up my 06 DTS for much less than half what I could have bought an 07 LS460...$18,400 vs. $43,000. Granted the LS460 is an incredible piece of machinery, and extremely reliable...but I could not justify almost $25,000 difference.

On top of that, I really love the styling of the DTS. To me, it's a thrilling design.

[Superjim]

hoppysport,

Glad you are liking your new DTS.
I love mine also.
I understand REAL WELL...looking for JUST THE RIGHT CAR.
I did the same thing.

When I wanted to buy a new 06 DTS..when they first came out in the fall of 2005, I didn't feel that I could justify the price of the Cadillac.

I spent a couple of months renting various cars for short weekend road trips.
I have bad hips and it is really hard for me to find a car that is comfortable for an extended driving session.

After renting a pretty upscale Lux ll for a week...I knew what car I wanted.
The Chevy Impala was the only other car in contention. It was also comfortable for me to drive, but even fully loaded, did not have all the bells and whistles that I wanted.

I was having trouble justifying the TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLAR price difference between the loaded Impala and the Cadillac Performance Sedan.
Loaded Impale...around $33,000
Loaded DTS... around $55,000

I had told everyone I know, that I was looking for a Cadillac.
FINALLY...thru a friend of a friend of a friend of a friend..., I heard about one.

This lawyer in Dallas had bought the EXACT car I wanted...had only had it a couple of months, and his new (much younger girlfriend) didn't like it.
She called it the "OLD LAWYERS CAR" and so he bought her a new XLR.

I gave $39,500 for it. Two months old and sticker was $55,000.
That was just a little more bit more than an Impala .. so it was a no brainer.

I haven't regretted it for a minute.
I recently had it TUNED...tweaks on the ECM TCM.
Better performance and a tiny bit better fuel mileage.
I like it even BETTER now...if that is possible.

Texas Jim

[hoppysport]

Super Jim, I too rented a few DTS's. The first thing that really impressed me what what a mountain goat the DTS is in the snow. That's very important in the Northeast.

I have never owned a FWD car before, and was a RWD snob. Yes, I believe that I prefer RWD in a perfect world, but FWD is definitely great in questionable weather.

I put a set of Bridgestone Blizzaks on the DTS, and I can get through almost anything...plus the stopping power on ice is something that cannot be adequately described.

My main car for many years was a 1991 Toyota Cressida...a real cult car. People just love it! What a comfortable, well-handling RWD car. But I have to say that the DTS just wowed me.

I am a big Lexus LS and GS fan. Don't car for the rest of their line...just a bunch of FWD and AWD cars built on Camry frames. But the LS is very special. But not for that kind of money.

I tend to keep cars a long time, and really maintain them. I just hope that the DTS will be reasonably inexpensive to maintain and fix. That's why I had questions about the Northstar problems and the transmission.

When I had to rebuild the Cressida transmission after 110,000 miles, it cost $2,000. I just hope that if that day ever comes with the DTS, that it won't be $5,000.

My friend has been a longtime Monte Carlo buyer, with his current one being a 2006. It's a very nice car, and reliable.

I love everything about the DTS...and especially its looks and stance. Plus, ergonomically it's just about perfect. And the seats are as comfortable as any automobile seat that I've ever sat in. The Nav seems fine to me...and better than the units in the Lexus, BMW, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz. However, I think that Ford makes the best OEM Nav units.

Sounds like you got a great deal on your DTS Performance. Nice that somebody else took that hit. Mine has many more miles (36,000), but these days, that's not so bad. And it was a one-owner car. I look at what's out there for the $18,400 that I paid, and there really isn't much.

I could have bought an 04 Lexus LS430, but that's an older bodystyle...and at that price, would have had to get one out of warranty. I never would have touched a European car. I might be dumb, but I'm not stupid.

Going back to FWD, I always worry about hitting potholes, because my drive wheels are also my steering wheels. That was my main concern about FWD, especially here in NYC, where they abound.

[Superjim]

The roads here around Fort Worth and Dallas are pretty bad in some areas.
I have not had any alignment or suspension problems yet...almost 53,000 miles. I replaced two tires recently that were mostly on the front and they had even wear all the way across, so that tells me that the alignment is OK. At least at this time.

You are very right... there ain't much out there for $18,400.
Sounds like you got a heck of a deal.
I also looked at the LS430. Too much money plus I wanted to buy American.

As for maintenance costs, I don't think, based on what I have read, that you will have any trouble from the engine or transmission for a long time. Assuming regular and proper maintenance.

I constantly read about them going over 200,000 miles with no major trouble.
But I have also read, that after a few years...and usually over 100,000 miles, (at least on the older ones)... they were prone to leaking oil here and there. Sometimes around the case half seal which is expensive to replace. (you have to pull the engine)

Personally...if it was a good car...and wasn't just pouring oil out...I would just add a quart every now and then instead of pulling the engine.

I would not want any high dollar car without some kind of warranty.
There is too much expensive stuff that can go wrong.
And with a nice car...I want to KEEP it nice.

An old beater...no problem...I am a pretty good shade tree mechanic and I can keep it running with some baling wire and a pair of pliers. Something electrical goes out... 1 switch for a buck and a roll of good heavy gauge wire from Autozone..and I will have it working in very short order.

But I am not going to do my GOOD car that way. It will be fixed RIGHT and most likely with the OEM parts that came on it so that it will STAY fixed.

I too like the nav system. Some people don't, but everyone to their own opinion.

Have you ever walked to the garage and looked in at it and thought.....
"Yep...and it's all mine."

Texas Jim

[hoppysport]

Nice to hear about the durability of the transmission. I am very careful about watching out for potholes and road debris, so hopefully no problems.

I really do love approaching the car. It's a beautifully sculpted vehicle. There's such a prejudice towards American cars, and especially this DTS, because it's perceived as a car for older folks.

Yet you can't believe the compliments I get when people approach the car and get inside.

The $18,400 that I paid was not a giant bargain. It was however a bargain for what I was looking for. I see many 2007's going on Ebay for less than that, but they didn't have the exterior and interior colors that I wanted.

Plus I wanted at least a Luxury ll package. I would have loved an Luxury lll package, but never seemed to find an 06 or 07 in Black Raven and the Ebony interior. The one's I found were about $10,000 higher.

I would have liked the real wood inside. The fake would does look decent though. I'm not sure how the laser cruise works either, but it does sound like a terrific feature.

I also would love to have the power tilt and telescoping steering column and the IntelliBeam automatic headlamps. I really don't care for any car with the wood accents on steering wheel...feels to hard.

If I see a bit of wear on the wheel, I will be picking up one of the really nice Wheelskins leather steering wheel covers. They look OEM, and protect the leather wheel from wear.

And the look of the car is thrilling. It harkens back to the GM days of Bill Mitchell. I also like the exterior of the Audi A8L, but don't really want to spend tens of thousands on repairs, and get to know the haughty Audi "technician" in his white lab coat and aluminum clipboard.

[Superjim]

I am probably mistaken, but I was under the impression that ALL DTS's had Intellibeam.

Are you sure that it is just not TURNED OFF?
It is the button on the left, lower side of the inside rearview mirror.
It says..."AUTO"...on it.

Texas Jim

[cooncat]

Happysport,

The wood on the dash, center console and doors is real walnut. Unless the original owner added the additional wood kit, that would be fake, but the areas I have mentioned is real. I don't think Cadillac does the fake anymore. I have the 2006 STS, which I love and it has the real wood.

Enjoy the DTS. They are great cars and very comfortable. The seats are great. I wish I had them in my STS.

[Tomko]

I could be wrong, but I believe that only the Lux III and Performance models received real wood. It's my understanding that all other DTSs get by on synth wood.

[Southern]

That is true Tomko.
Real wood was/is standard on the Lux 3/perf

But i am pretty sure it was an option on the Lux II in 2008 at least.

[z06bigbird]

Oil pan gaskets give problems on some 2001+ Northstars. Must remove much of the suspension to replace this gasket. Design defect, basically. I have heard a price of approx $1800 to replace with a new gasket; heard that from a mechanic at a Caddy dealer. Problem happens after 50k miles.