hi guys, I'm new to this. so I'm in the market for a new ride, and looking towards a 2007 STS V6, AWD if possible. Even a 2006 would be good. I'm looking at around 50,000 km's up to 75,000 km's. right now, I have a BMW 745i and that thing has a massive maintenance/repair/gas bill. I want a good ride, that I can drive 80-100 kms a day or so and will not give me problems. So, just need some feedback from you guys. Is the STS a reliable car? I don't care so much about the gas, just about any issues it has. So far I'm hearing mixed reviews from my research. I was also looking at a Lexus ES/GS but the Cadillac is the one I was more attracted to. I hope to really become a part of this forum one day! Please give me some guidance, on things to look out for, because right now there are a lot of great STS's on the market for around $21k.
How come they are cheap and resale value isn't all that great?
Is it good in the snow? I'm from Canada.
Is the NAV system good? I usually travel a lot within the day.
Just a couple of questions that I've been wondering about. thank you guys!!
I have a 2005 STS4 1SG (which I believe is fully optioned) and bought it 16 months ago with 14995 miles on it or about 24k km to you haha for $24995. anyway I now have 60000 miles without any issues whatsoever! I love the power and the nav is something to get used to but I like it now that I know how to use it... I especially like the adaptive cruise and frontal accident avoidence system, needless to say it saved me once while texting and now I DO NOT text while driving! The head up display is something to show off and I especially like the nav directions in the HUD! Helps when you're trying to surprise someone and you don't know how to get there!! hm what else... oh one thing I do not like is having to use extreme force to honk the horn! Well it isn't that bad, but it is hard to honk... One other thing I don't like but I beliece is a performance option is the staggered tire sizes from front to back. My fronts are getting warn. I love everything else about it!! Permium fuel gives me additional MPG's so if the price is right, it's worth it! Good luck!!!
My 2007 STS awd has been stellar. Absolutely no problems. Some minor annoyances like a tire pressure monitor that hates the cold winter weather and a mirror that does not always reset itself. It seems to do most everything extremely well. I have averaged 24 mpg over the past 6 months. The awd works well in the snow. The nav system is adaquate.
They are selling "cheap" because a used luxury car is not always someone's first choice. Repairs can be expensive and the monthly payment can be within a $100 - $200 a month on a new lease.
P.S. my '07 with 39,600 miles is currently for sale $24,700 usd. (shameless plug).
Cadillacs(imho) are still the KING OF THE AMERICIAN ROAD But my 05 1SG AWD has been less than stellar. I purchased it 2.5 years ago and it's been back to the dealer about 10 times since then for new left and right side headlight composites, a new steering rack a new start button a new ashtray a new wood panel surround for the navi/radio and recently a new alternator and a new coil kit.....BUT i STILL LOVE IT. Just purchase some sort of extended warranty to help defray some or all of the cost.
hey guys thanks for the great input. how are the maintenance charges? can regular oil changes/serviced be done at normal independent shops... unlike my BMW which I had to go to a special certified BMW mechanic. :banghead: thank you!
You can go anywhere for an oil change just put Mobil 1 syn. motor oil back in. It costs me about $80 for the oil change but in the long run you will save money because you won't have to get them as often and if you don't want to go to the dealer then find yourself a good Cadillac specialist to work on your car. I know here in Tampa there is one very near to my house that only works on Caddies but I don't use them because I have an extended warranty with a $100 deductable so mines goes to the Caddy dealer.
Thank You caddyfat, 80$ sounds awesome, as I pay around $300 for an oil change on my Bimmer. I plan on having the car for about 8 months to a year before buying an extended warranty, which I def. will. I want to go look at some STS's this weekend or next week perhaps if I like the feel and drive/handling i will look onto seriously purchasing one!! cheers
IMHO, the V6 was underpowered until it was upgraded with Direct Injection in 2008. My wife rejected one during her first test drive. If you're set on 2007 or earlier because of the attractive price point, the optional goodies were rarely available on V6's. Unfortunately, a loaded V8 AWD has a thirst for gas.
If you shop around, you might be surprised at the deal you can find on a 2008 V6 AWD. These cars should start showing up (expired 3-year leases.) Get all the goodies, they are fun! I'd recommend a warranty but if you are handy or know a good mechanic, you can 'self-insure' instead of a warranty by putting away $50 a month for eventual repairs. But if you don't do either, maintenance costs will hurt.
Don't set your expectation to high. The STS, like all other cars built now has issues and the will appear. Hope for the best but prepare for the worst.
My 05 STS with 16000 miles have been in for repairs. Battery replace, push button start replace, windsheld replace, both headlight assy replace, right shock replace. All under warranty. Be sure to get an extended warranty.
I didn't think GM has a CPO program in Canada. I agree it's the best deal. Except for unusually high miles, a 2008 would have a year of the original warranty remaining.
I do think $150 for a 'self-insurance monthly payment' is excessive. If $50 is too low, $75 would yield a bit more than $900 after one year (including that bit of interest). Figure that even warranties won't cover tires & brakes. If money's tight and you're handy (or know a good independant mechcanic) there are less expensive parts available. All cars run on used parts.
I would get one with the CPO warranty too. My STS-V's fuel sensing unit failed at 52K out of the standard warranty. The CPO took care of the problem. BTW my dealer charged me $90 for an oil and filter change. That included 9 quarts of Mobil 1.
hey guys, thanks for the GREAT information. sorry, couldn't reply in time because I was in a reported accident and had to get things cleared up with insurance and what not. anyways...you guys have cleared a lot of questions that i've been wondering for the past months. I just have one last thought...are parts for this car HARD to find and EXPENSIVE? it would be good if they are just a little above your normal car (toyota, lexus, ford). I wouldn't mind that. I just hope its not a mission finding parts and having to order them from germany for a price of 1000$ like BMW does...thank you guys this forum is great!!
It's a premium car so parts will run more than Ford's. Depending on the foreign make, Lexota & Infinisan are similar. Not as bad as the black forest handiwork.
You do need AWD. Esp in Canada. mines an 05 that I have put 30K on in 3 years now at 62K miles. Not one problem.
As I always say.......assuming you have one in Canada...... go to NAPA and ask them to recommend a good local independent shop. I did that years ago and found a guy who left the local Olds Cadi dealer and went out on his own. He use to ask all his customers not to bad rap his old employer when he repaired their mistakes for less money then they charged to screw it up.
No, parts SNB an issue.
All american cars depreciate more rapidly then many foreign cars....... various reasons but none that would prohibit taking advantage of a great deal.
Where are you located.
I've just put my 2007 STS AWD V8 (1SG) package Black on Black fully loaded, up for sale. 54000kms.
Reason?
I drive my Avalanche all the time and the caddy just sits in the garage. I love it, but the Truck is just more practical for me at this point in my life.
I live in Ontario and bought my 2008 in NY State. I would not rule out a trip out of province to buy a car, especially a high end car like the STS. Do a VIN check on used STS's in Ontario dealerships and you will mostly find US cars. GG
My STS is a 2005 and I kick myself everytime I think about the CPO warranty I upgraded when I bought it 2.5 years ago. I have had ZERO issues and its never been to the shop except for oil changes. I thought for sure I would get my money's worth with the warranty but I guess I have been lucky and its been flawless. Its a 2005 AWD V8, Might not want to rule out 2005's since you can get really good deals on them.
No Prob. Thought i'd throw that out there. I hope you find one. Speaking from a winter perspective, the AWD is awesome. Grips excellent and handles beautifully.
Hello, I am in the same boat and looking for an STS. I am looking at a 2006 V8 AWD w/ 69K miles (asking price is $22K). Another 2006 RWD V8 with 45K miles (asking price $19K). What would be a fair/great deal for something like these?
Thanks guys..but I think I will win this epic repair battle.
I paid more than $12,000 in the past year for my BMW repairs. The worst part is that I don't even have warranty. Yeah, sucks, outta my pocket.
and to 1_A_STS I would go with the lower miles, a V6 and an AWD. You could change the V6 to a V8 if you like the extra power, and AWD to RWD if you dont experience snow. Lower miles are always the best though. I think 69 mi is a bit much
For that amount you had to have had major engine work and or trans work
I used a own a 2000 BMW until 2009...same engine basically as the 745
The biggest thing I had was a set of gaskets replaced that was about $1800...and 90% of that was labor...all to stop a few drops a day from hitting my garage floor
What did you spend $12K..on?
I think a crate rebuilt engine is less than 10K and a rebuilt trans is about 4K..these are dealer prices
Did they have to replace the whole electrical system in the car?
The 100K major service on the car is $1000...plugs..o2 sensors...filters..etc
I am trying to figure where you get to 12K?
What year( and how many miles) is the car?..if it an early model..02-03 its likely not worth more than the $12K
As for the comment about the BMW certified mechanic to do an oil change
Not true..the car can be taken anywhere as long as they used Synthetic
As I recall the BMW branded oil is Mobil 1...FYI
I agree with the statement that $22k for an 06 AWD 1SG is too high...at least $3K too high by my calculations
See if you can find mine , i am in Toronto , just traded it on a 2010 Maxima.
Look for a Silver V6 AWD 2006 70 k . The Nissan Dealer turned it over to a wholesaler . Only thing wrong with mine was the engine. Ready my post titled Caddy no more. If the engine was repaired it would make a fine ride for about 18k.
The AWD is great in the snow. Car is really nice to look at , but i didnt like the oil consumption. Hope the Max doesnt do me wrong. Think i will go drive it right now, it has 100 kilometers on it .
Cheers
We Canadians don't have it quite that bad. Oil Change (3.6) is $80 for Castrol Synthetic or $95 CDN for Mobile One at the local Cadillac dealer.
Also I had a Tire Pressure Sensor replaced, $45 CDN for sensor and $45 for labour, they charge $99 CDN an hour for labour and they wash the car for free. Right now our dollar is
at 97 cents so that puts it at about $95 US per hour. We do have a pretty stiff sales tax here at 13% in Ontario and that is on parts and labour.
We also have NAPA & Car Quest & UAP & Crappy Tire and of course WalMart and they are all pretty close to the US prices.
I am not offended
Quite the opposite actually...I think its rather humorous
Hopefully no one here actually believes those prices....a $300 oil change....LOL
Unless that is in pesos..I think not
I noticed he has yet to mention the year and mileage of the car and I have asked twice now
Just for anyone that doesn't know...as for the battery deal...its been in the trunk of the 7 series for at least a decade
When I owned my BMW 740 I bought a battery at Pep Boys for $100 and replaced the battery in about 20 mins...frankly about the same time it took me to change the battery in my STS a couple of weeks ago
I noticed there was a another Canadian that said the prices there are about the same as the US in regard to batteries......
Must be that $300 an hour labor?
Warren
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