I'm making the move to buy the STS, but I need some insight on the engines. I have a 03' Cadillac Deville with the 275 HP Northstar V8 and love the power, but lookin for somethin equal without loosing too much power. Any advice on rather I should go with the 320 HP Northstar V8 or the Plain Jane V6?


Thanks

I'm making the move to buy the STS, but I need some insight on the engines. I have a 03' Cadillac Deville with the 275 HP Northstar V8 and love the power, but lookin for somethin equal without loosing too much power. Any advice on rather I should go with the 320 HP Northstar V8 or the Plain Jane V6?

Are you buying a 2008 or a used earlier year? The V6 in the 2008 has considerably more HP.

I'm getting the 2006 or 2007 Model

I'm like you: owned a 2003 DHS and changed to a 2007 STS. The basic V6 makes a ripping sound while moving the car a lot faster, the V8 did it quiter in my DHS but probably a slight bit slower. This thing moves!

The new V6, by all accounts, has the same "power" as the N* if not more, but is only available on the '08s. But be prepared on the '07 STS for a significant increase in fuel consumption: I went from routinely 24 - 28 mpg on my DHS to 16 - 19 mpg in the STS.

So which do you have and are you recommending it?

I'm making the move to buy the STS, but I need some insight on the engines. I have a 03' Cadillac Deville with the 275 HP Northstar V8 and love the power, but lookin for somethin equal without loosing too much power. Any advice on rather I should go with the 320 HP Northstar V8 or the Plain Jane V6?


Thanks

I have owned an 02 STS, 05 V6 STS, 06 V8 STS, and now back to an 05 V8 STS. I will tell you that you definately feel the power of the V8 versus the V6. Your 0-60 times probably aren't that different between the V6 and the N* you have in the Deville, so in that regard you will be the same. The power to put you back in your seat at open throttle will definately not be there with the V6. I prefer the V8 over the V6 because of the power, and again it is noticable between the two. Gas mileage is on the average 2-3 MPG difference between the 6 and the 8, if that is a concern to you. I am averaging 17.5mpg with a mix of stop and go and freeway. If I were you I would stay with the N*

Phil

I have the V6 and do mostly urban / suburban driving, the V8 wouldn't do much for me in the traffic light grand prix. Out of town, it'l probably make quite a difference, but in my driving the V6 is plenty powerful enough.

I drove a V6 loaner for a couple of days when my DTS was having some work done. It was OK... but....

If I was in your position... having already had N* V8's... I don't think I would be satisfied long term with the V6.

I would always wonder if I would have liked the V8 a lot more. I know that if I had the V8 I WOULDN'T wonder if I should have got the V6.

If I got the V6 I would be like the guy on the commercial...

I Could Of Had A V8. :cloud9:

Texas Jim

It will also make a difference if you plan on getting RWD or AWD. I think if you are getting an 06 or 07 AWD unit, get the N*. 06 or 07 RWD, probably N* but consider the 3.6 V6. For 08, drive the upgraded V6 and you will likely be satisfied - except for the lack of the N* sound.

Used get the V8... When new there was a huge price ticket between these 2 engines... Used its not much of a difference... A V8 is in more demand so when you eventually want to get rid of it selling it would be easier.

I have a V8 AWD and I love getting stuck first place at a red light... With AWD it launches very nicely no matter what the road conditions are.

Get the V8...for the power difference you don't really lose much in terms of MPG. I drove both before I purchased mine and the V6 seemed to be pretty peppy and I was fine with it till I drove the N* and it blew the V6 out of the water....smoother, and a lot better sounding.

If you have to ask the question...you should know what to do already.

V8

in some ways the current generation sts is similiar to the fwd sls/sts but not in the way you might think. the sls was more of a cruiser and the fwd sts was the performance model. with the c/g sts it's the reverse: the base model with the better weight distribution is the handler out of the two...very well balanced and quite neutral in it's handling. even the base suspension on the 6is much tighter than the fwd models. the down side to the 6; it doesn't have the punch of a v8 when you're looking for that extra kick around 35-45 mph...the 6 has decent acceleration but it's not a v8.

another point with the 06/07 sts6; the tranny being a 5 speed definitely is working harder on the turnpike than the 8...the 6 turns over 2k rpm at 60 and you notice it with higher noise levels and so-so fuel economy at turnpike speeds.

the v8 is the cruiser out of the two...and when i use that word, it's not in a derogatory way: the extra weight of the v8 and the design layout of the engines in the bay give the 6 better weight distribution (no surprise, actually).

i am still amazed at how much power the 6 has around town, i can easily break the rear end loose if i so choose...it's a great around town motor and very sweet in the twisties, for such a large car.


jackg
06 sts6

I have an '06 STS w/ V8 N*. I love it. I had a transmission problem and the dealer had my car for about 3 weeks. I didn't care much because they gave me an '08 CTS (without the direct injection) loaner and I was doing some in-state traveling and didn't mind putting the miles on their car instead of mine.

However, the power in the V6 and the engine strain was significant. The response time in the V6 was disappointing to say the least. There was always a good deley before response after hitting the gas. The brakes kind of sucked too. What I disliked most, besides the actual power, was the strain and high RPMs that the V6 created with when doing any significant accelleration. I felt like I was in just any other sedan, not a luxery vehicle (though the interior was pretty nice).

Obviously I recommend you go with the V8. After driving that car for 3 weeks and getting my car back yesterday and feeling it again, I can tell you the difference is night and day.

Alan

I have a 05 with v-6 rwd. I think the handling of this car is great. You can zip around corners like your in a sports car, the car is balanced very well. I had a 94 sts before and I loved the n* power but not the n* repairs. And I own my own auto repair shop. For most folks the v-6 is more than enough. Of copurse if you want more power get the n*. You really have to drive both cars then chose. The better handling and gas mileage of the v-6 or more power in the n*

you are right. it's an individual decision. personal preference is all that matters.

Get a certified STS and definately the V8.

Just got an '06 3.6L RWD. It is a Certified vehicle and has all the balance and power I require. Just back from a 1500 round trip and averaged about 26 MPG. The V-6 has enough power for me at 255 HP; smooth accelleration and effortless highway cruising.

I test drove both the V6 and the V8 before buying my 05 STS V8. This is a completely different car with the V8 and that is why I opted to pay the extra for the V8. Glad I did.

I drove an 08 with DI as a loaner. My usual car is an 07 SRX AWD V8. I would be satisfied with the DI V6 in the STS RWD. AWD, at least in my experience, sucks up some power, so if AWD were a must, I'd get the V8. My previous car was a Trailblazer SS, so I think saying the DI satisfied me says something. It also seemed to have pretty impressive around town fuel economy compared to the SRX and TBSS :)

Just bought an '06 certified STS, getting about 20/gallon, NorthStar V8. The dealer lied, or at the very least mis-led. Even with this, I'm very happy with the car.

I drive an 06' STS4 with the 6. Just for kicks, I decided to give a N* a try the other day while I had mine in for service. The car I test drove was an 05' STS4 N* and I honestly could not feel that much of a difference. My test drive route was the same route I take home when leaving the dealer and apart from the lower RPMs at cruising speed (about 2 vs. 2.5) there was nothing that blew me away. Maybe it's the gear ratio or possibly the AWD but I was amazed at how close the two actually were. Anybody know the difference in 0-60 time for both engines?

Thanks for all your help in my deciding. I went yesterday and picked up an 07' Cadillac STS V8 2WD Tan on Black and I'm loving this thing. Loading with sunroof, leather, air/heat seats, navigation loaded with everything except the Heads up and AWD. I'll post pics soon and I plan to get window tints, 20's, grille, and roofline spoiler.