Hello everyone,
I have only been on this site for a couple of weeks and I love it!
I am the wife of a auto repair shop owner and I have some things to get off of my chest!
Not all Cadillacs are sold by Cadillac dealers and sometimes, they aren't the best cars that are available. My point is, when you purchase a Cadillac from a non-Cadillac dealer, have it checked out, please. This may fall true for some of the Cadillac dealerships as well.
I have just watched my husband go through and install bolts from the cover underneath the hood (the one that says North Star Engine) to the oil pan and transmission pan. He has had to install at least 10 bolts that he could see on the surface, there is no telling what's missing inside the engine. This is on a 2002 Deville DHS and the motor mount was broken.
I see this time and time again, and it can be costly for you eventually.
I have seen them come in with bent frames, non-working air bags, oil leaks and me not being a mechanic, I can't say all that I have seen, but I have seen people be totally disappointed once they have ALREADY purchased the car, with no warranty on most components, if any warranty at all.
I understand being eager to have a Cadillac, I love mine and don't want to drive anything else unless I JUST HAVE TO! But before you purchase, not after, have the vehicle checked out by a certified technician.
You will be happier with your vehicle in the long run.
Take care,
J.

Well I bought my Deville from a "non-Cadillac" dealer, and I had it checked out before finalizing the purchase. My mechanic found that it needed a motor mount, so the dealer had to go ahead and do that for me to make the purchase, which they did. However, what my mechanic was unable to detect (and understandably so) was even worse. A month later, the transmission went. Incidentally, I found the keychain the dealer had given me and it said "blown transmission" on it. Apparently he had replaced a blown transmission with what was presumably a very cheap, high-miles transmission. The powertrain warranty I got from C.A.R.S. only covered 800 of the 2200 it cost total, as they claimed I could get a transmission for like 400 and labor for 400 and thus did not seem to care whether the transmission had ten million miles on it or not. After going through the dealer's commission, I found that I was screwed because of some fine print that I had irresponsibly neglected to read when i signed a paper approving the installation of a new CD player in my car (which said that I would never hold them liable for anything ever again). That part was my fault, but the dishonesty through the whole process was absolutely incredible. Of course I know the stereotype about "used-car salesmen," but they really took it to the extreme. They sent the dealer's commission fully false information and I just sat in amazement reading how willing they were to just prey upon an innocent (poor at the time) college student. Why do I say all this? I don't know...maybe I just hope this shows up on google whenever anyone types in C&L Auto in Warwick, RI.

This should all go without saying when buying any car. If you're not buying certified or at least with a warranty the get the car looked at. You wouldn't buy a house without having it inspected, would you?

............and as King Steve discovered, many (most) "extended warranties" are practically worthless. Better to front yourself the $$$ and put it in your own accounts rather than pay someone else for nothing. Been there, done that. Both ways.

Well I don't want to talk down warranties because several people have been saved by them but I do agree that IF you have the financial meant to take that cash and put it into a savings, you're definitely better off.

That way if nothing goes wrong, you still have the cash. If something does go wrong, you have the cash to fix it.

............and as King Steve discovered, many (most) "extended warranties" are practically worthless. Better to front yourself the $$$ and put it in your own accounts rather than pay someone else for nothing. Been there, done that. Both ways.

Having been in car sales for many years, and also a car buyer (new) myself, I have seen both sides.

THE PROBLEM: Dealers are very driven to make the sale. There are always contests going on for big bucks. Move the metal move the metal move the metal order more cars, order more cars, order more cars, the pressure is always on!!! So, just like many a consumer fail to have a used car checked out, SO DO THE DEALERS ! So pressured to make the sale, they'll over look - checking out the car THEY are buying thru the trade-in. The used car manager takes her for a quickie ride down the street & back and if it looks pretty, has no dents and all, he reaches to made the deal. It's almost the same thing.

But, yes, have a car checked out. In many many many was "we" have the same problems. The biggest liars are the custoers who know a car has a problem, have doped it up with tape 'n tacks and look to UNload it on an unspecting dealer, super duper eager to "make the deal" ~

It is THE ONLY business in the world where the consumer trades in his old one to the retail merchant from whom he is buying the new one.

The best thing to do is pull a history on the car that you're checking out to make sure everything looked to be taken care of. If the history raises red flags, I wouldn't even bother getting it checked out. Just move on...

It's also good when you have a dealer that is willing to take care of your problems without so much as a wink. When I bought my '00 STS last June it unknowingly had a leaky windshield that I didn't discover for quite some time. Even though the car wasn't certified and had no warranty whatsoever, my dealer paid to get a new windshield installed and gave me an '08 CTS loaner. They also paid for my valet switch when they broke it. Patched a tire for me last week at no cost.

Yes I do work at the dealer, but I've seen customers in similar situations get treated the exact same way. Find a good dealer, and you should be happy for many years to come.

............and as King Steve discovered, many (most) "extended warranties" are practically worthless. Better to front yourself the $$$ and put it in your own accounts rather than pay someone else for nothing. Been there, done that. Both ways.

I disagree with you on the extended warranties.. Over the last thirty years, have used the warranties to replace engines, transmissions, AC units, FOBS, alternators, starters, brake component and all for a minimal cost. If you can, always get some form of warranty from a reputable source..

I disagree with you on the extended warranties.. Over the last thirty years, have used the warranties to replace engines, transmissions, AC units, FOBS, alternators, starters, brake component and all for a minimal cost. If you can, always get some form of warranty from a reputable source..

Well I didn't pay extra for the warranty; I told them it was a condition for me to buy the car. It was a shitty warranty, relatively speaking, because it covered about 1/3 of the cost of the tranny/labor. However, looking at it another way, it did save me 800 additional dollars. I think the emphasis advice-wise should be to get warranties of this (relatively low) caliber at low cost (or free). It's better to have one than nothing, but when paying for it, you must consider that it's going to save you a smaller percentage on repairs than a good warranty. Companies like C.A.R.S. will claim they cover everything because they suggest you buy the absolute oldest/lowest quality of everything, and they assume you will get it worked on at 40 bucks an hour, i.e. have your brother fix it.

OP this is sound advice. So often people buy a Cadillac at one of these "mom-and-pop'' used car lots and they don't bother to look past the shiny paint and leather seats. All the while underneath the paint there's a used up and broken down junker. Those people show up here posting pics with lots of smilies, ask questions about mods and 22 vs 24 inch wheels, and < 6 months later they're back bashing GM and Cadillac for the "poor quality" vehicles they produce. :bigroll:

For the average user, a vehicle is the second largest financial decision you will make. I never understand why people enter into something so important with a casual attitude and don't bother to educate themselves before looking.

ALWAYS caveat emptor.