I am looking to purchase a used car in May. I really like the look of the '98 and up Seville STS but after reading the Northstar Thread and some of the other threads I am not so sure. Should I stick with the 'lac or look into getting a late model 3-series beemer. I have about 20 grand to play with. What else has the style and power of the Seville STS? and If I do stick with the 'lac what type of mileage should I be shooting for? Under 60K? Under 50K? All educated responses are welcomed !!!

You need to ask yourself what kind of car you want. These two aren't even comparable. Neither are bad choices, but they exist in different classes. Which one you take depends a lot on who you are.

Go drive an STS and a 3 series and you will see that they are 2 completely different cars.

So, what are you looking for in a car specifically?

You need to ask yourself what kind of car you want.

Go drive an STS and a 3 series and you will see that they are 2 completely different cars.
I am going on saturday.

BMW's are not really any better off than a Caddy in the reliability department. Just pick up a consumer reports! Both cars are advised to stay away from! How bout an Acura? That will last forever and are relatively cheap for the amount of equipment you get.


Later,
Dave

The 3 series is a tight, nice performing car (as long as it's a 330. The 325's feel a bit underpowered). The interior is nice enough, but I found it uncomfortable for anything more than a short drive. The back seat is almost unusable due to a lack of legroom. If you like this type of car, see if you can test drive a used CTS. This is Cadillac's vehicle that compares closest with the 3 Series.

The STS is a luxury cruiser with performance. It won't run with a 3 series on the track, but will be easier to live with if you need a back seat and like to go on long drives. It's styling is very classy and the interior is well-appointed. If you like this style of car and are willing to spend a bit more money than the STS, look at BMW's 5 series.

BMW's are not really any better off than a Caddy in the reliability department. Just pick up a consumer reports! Both cars are advised to stay away from! How bout an Acura? That will last forever and are relatively cheap for the amount of equipment you get.
Later,
Dave

Of course, that's assuming you believe the trash that Consumer Reports writes. JD Power ranks Cadillac well in dependability and number two among all makes in initial quality.

I agree that the Acura is relatively cheap for the amount of equipment that you get, but they are hardly comparable to a Caddy or Bimmer.

BMW's are not really any better off than a Caddy in the reliability department. Just pick up a consumer reports! Both cars are advised to stay away from! How bout an Acura? That will last forever and are relatively cheap for the amount of equipment you get.


Later,
Dave
Some one else mentioned Acura. But I am not sure if it is a "Man's Car", if you know what I mean. Men say cadillac, benz, beemer, jag, chevy, lexus. I know I need to stop being so closed minded, but I know someone else might agree with me out there.

I know this is a cadillac forum but are there any fans of the lincoln ls. How does lincoln compare to cadillac? I am not that fond of fords personally but the LS consistently gets good reviews

Don't buy an LS Lincoln. They are very small inside & cramped, too. Check out a Town Car. I have a new 2003, and it's the smoothest riding and driving car I have ever had. I just love it. They last for 300,000 miles with good care, with a tranny rebuilt between 85,000 & 110,000. The newer ones corner great (for their size) and are super comfortable. Gas mileage is 18 around town & 26 on the highway. I have had mine for 11 months and have not even had to return for a minor adjustment, let alone anything going wrong. There *IS* a reason that all the livery/limo companies use them ! :)

Don't buy an LS Lincoln. They are very small inside & cramped, too. Check out a Town Car. I have a new 2003, and it's the smoothest riding and driving car I have ever had. I just love it. They last for 300,000 miles with good care, with a tranny rebuilt between 85,000 & 110,000. The newer ones corner great (for their size) and are super comfortable. Gas mileage is 18 around town & 26 on the highway. I have had mine for 11 months and have not even had to return for a minor adjustment, let alone anything going wrong. There *IS* a reason that all the livery/limo companies use them ! :)
Even compared to a Deville or DTS?

Ill give it to you straight from someone who has owned both cars. I currently own a 330i and I used to own the STS. They are both EXCELLENT vehicles, I got a bad STS but it was sort of my own fault because I purchased it knowing that there was a possibility something was wrong with it which turned out to be the case. As Leigh mentioned earlier... these are two COMPLETELY different cars. The STS will give you power, luxury, room (unless you have the sunroof then the roof is a little low) and lots of toys to play with (stick with a 2001 or newer Premium Luxury package, it has xenon lights and bigger wheels among other things). The 330 will give you relatively equal performance being that its a smaller car, is a little more peppy, LOTS OF FUN to drive, BUT it SERIOUSLY lacks in the space department, and the engine is a little boomy for my taste.

If you want something to compare with the STS then look at a Lincoln Town Car 2003 or newer, if you want something to compare with the bimmer then look at a CTS or Lincoln LS (2001 or newer). With 20 grand, your right in the ballpark of a 99-2000 323 or 325, 2000-01 LS Sport V8 (dont even touch the six) or MAYBE a 2001 STS Premium so money will be a consideration here (I got a relative deal on my 330i with 30k miles and it was still 27 grand). You DEFINITELY need to stay under 50k, no question with luxury cars.

Consumer Reports is worthless when it comes to cars... both of these cars can be reliable if properly maintained, the Bimmer has been pretty much flawless and CTS owners here have had minimal issues. There ARE some GM products I wouldnt touch with a 10 foot pole (outside of Cadillac) but I wont go there...

thanks playdrv4me

I drove a deVille DHS before I decided. They are 95% equal with 2 exceptions. The seat in the Town Car offer better support, and go forward further and reach under the knee area, for under knee support. The deVille DHS seat ended under my thighs. The Lincoln's trunk is larger. and the Dash is nicer with (almost) no plastic. The Caddy had ALOT of plastic.
The Caddy had better visibility from the driver's seat looking towards the passenger's side rear. The Lincoln was $10,000 less $$ too. Both dealers gave me $1,500 off of sticker. However, there was $500.00 rebate on the DeVille and $4,500 on the T.C.

Ill give it to you straight from someone who has owned both cars. I currently own a 330i and I used to own the STS. They are both EXCELLENT vehicles, I got a bad STS but it was sort of my own fault because I purchased it knowing that there was a possibility something was wrong with it which turned out to be the case. As Leigh mentioned earlier... these are two COMPLETELY different cars. The STS will give you power, luxury, room (unless you have the sunroof then the roof is a little low) and lots of toys to play with (stick with a 2001 or newer Premium Luxury package, it has xenon lights and bigger wheels among other things). The 330 will give you relatively equal performance being that its a smaller car, is a little more peppy, LOTS OF FUN to drive, BUT it SERIOUSLY lacks in the space department, and the engine is a little boomy for my taste.

If you want something to compare with the STS then look at a Lincoln Town Car 2003 or newer, if you want something to compare with the bimmer then look at a CTS or Lincoln LS (2001 or newer). With 20 grand, your right in the ballpark of a 99-2000 323 or 325, 2000-01 LS Sport V8 (dont even touch the six) or MAYBE a 2001 STS Premium so money will be a consideration here (I got a relative deal on my 330i with 30k miles and it was still 27 grand). You DEFINITELY need to stay under 50k, no question with luxury cars.

Consumer Reports is worthless when it comes to cars... both of these cars can be reliable if properly maintained, the Bimmer has been pretty much flawless and CTS owners here have had minimal issues. There ARE some GM products I wouldnt touch with a 10 foot pole (outside of Cadillac) but I wont go there...
the bimmer dosnt compare with a LS, nor does an STS compare with teh Towncar. The Deville compares with towncar (big luxury cars), sts with the LS (midszie sports sedans) and the bimmer with a CTS (entry level). A bmw 3 series and an LS are in two totally differnt catoegories. btw, i kno the old LS's lacked in some ways, but they have redisnged the newer ones and they look great!

if u buy an old 3series instead of a sts you need a cat scan. my friend has a 325 and it SUCKS big time, the interior looks something like a set of a nightmare on elm street movie (it's not that it's in bad condition, it's just depressing), same with all the oler bimmers. and u cant compare the performance and comfort of the two cars, 3series is slow and bumpy while the sts is fast and has one of the softest suspensions u can buy in a late 90's car. unless u want a "drivers car" (still dont know what makes a bumpy, slow and small car one of those) u should get the sts. the v8 ls is also a great midsize sports sedan.

It's always nice to have the extra room to stretch out in, and for luggage in the Caddy. The Caddies ride is also a lot smoother than ANY BMW's. There is a 7 series in my family, and it is like riding on a horse carriage!

Regarding quality, I would be confident in any newer Cadillac, as long as the owner could show some maintenance records, and hopefully it was not abused. Take it to your mechanic if unsure. If the owner says NO, then walk away! I would also test EVERY button, option, heated seat BEFORE I bought it so that I knew what I was getting.

Come on, you know you want the torque and smoothness of a V8!

I hear about too many reliability issues with the Lincoln LS. So I wouldn't go that route.. If you want a car that handles really well and don't mind getting rattled around, go for the BMW330.. If you want a car that's very comfortable and handles decently, go for the STS. They're both about the same in the reliability category.. The BMW 3 series isn't very luxurious...

Oh but look what I found !!!!

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=159447135&dealer_id=68168&car_year=1997&make=CAD&distance=200&max_price=12000&model=ELDO&end_year=2005&advcd_on=n&min_price=0&address=20010&search_type=used&advanced=n&start_year=1996&color=&cardist=30

Isnt she beautiful with decent mileage too!!! Now its between STS, eldog, or 3-series. Can't wait till saturday

Gotta love the money green with the mustard and mayo vogues !!!

Oh but look what I found !!!!

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=159447135&dealer_id=68168&car_year=1997&make=CAD&distance=200&max_price=12000&model=ELDO&end_year=2005&advcd_on=n&min_price=0&address=20010&search_type=used&advanced=n&start_year=1996&color=&cardist=30

Isnt she beautiful with decent mileage too!!! Now its between STS, eldog, or 3-series. Can't wait till saturday

Gotta love the money green with the mustard and mayo vogues !!!
That's beautiful, good price too. i have an eldo myself and love it :worship:. do yourself a favor and dont get a 3series bimmer, it's not worh it for the price, the car reminds me of my old ford taurus just more bumpy and smaller. as far as handling the bimmer does have a better road feel but the eldo doesnt have any over, under or torque steer (i tried it) while the bimmer would kick it's tail out if you press the gas too hard in a turn (tried that on my friends 325 too) thanks to the rwd system. the caddy is also alot faster, you'll need to mod the 3series like crazy if you want it to go fast. the bimmer feels alot cheaper too.

A base Deville rides better and has more get up and go a DTS is about the same but way better handling and power than the Lincoln. Overall not a bad car. How do I know I rented one for 3 or 4 days to feel out the competition and when I pulled up to my brothers house he said he didn't know if I wanted him to get in the front or the back! And Acura is not a true premium brand. When your talking to people who can afford whatever they want they talk of Jag/Bmw/Mercedes/Caddy alot of people don't even consider Audi as a premium brand. My wife had a 330 CI very nice car but you feel like your running Lemans all the time. Very high attention needed car. If you want a highway car something that can do 80 in complete comfort buy the Caddy. If you are into racing around corners and like the young spoiled kid image more get the BMW.

Wow, youre comparing Apples to Kiwis.

The 3-series is a boyracer sport sedan. The STS is a mature luxury cruiser. That sums up their personalities in the briefest way possible.

I agree that CR is a junk rag, and JD Powers is more accurate, more detailed, and more realistic. CR hasnt seemed accurate or reflected reality for the last 5 years of publication. Its as if they got lazy and just continued publishing the same data to be safe.