Hey everyone,
For quite a while now, I’ve been eyeballing 1990s and early 2000 Cadillacs, more specifically, Northstar powered Cadillacs. I think I've read all of the technical archives, but if I've missed something, feel free to point me in the correct direction. At the end of October, I was involved in a bad motorcycle crash, where a crew cab Dodge diesel broadsided me and threw me 15’ into a ditch. I came very close to losing my leg, but long story short, after 10 surgeries and a 3 months stay in the hospital on bed rest, I’m home and mobile on crutches. Plus, I get to keep my leg!
Not that I could ride if I wanted to at this point (I don‘t), but the bike is totaled, so, I’m looking to invest in another newer, good running car. I’ve found that the only “new” cars I’m really interested in (new meaning cars built within the last 20 years) are the Northstar era Cadillacs. I’ve always been a Cadillac nut.
Currently, I’ve found a few in my price range : Two are 1997 SLS’s with roughly 60K miles on them, a 1998 Eldorado with 64K miles (no carfax or auto check records :suspect:, but easy to get in and out of with a leg brace), a 2001 SLS with 112K miles, and a 2001 SLS with 123,000 miles (this one is local).
I’ve done lots of research, and so far I’ve found that the general consensus is that even though not all Northstar engines have head gasket failures, the 1997-1999s are the most likely candidates, while the 2000-2004 cars are better, and the 2005+ cars are no more susceptible than any other aluminum engine car on the road. Sound about correct? So, that being said, would you guys suggest one of the late 90’s cars with low miles, or a 2000+ with over 100K?
I would purchase the local one asap, apart from when I started it on the lot, it kind of knocked at first and ran very rough. The trouble codes gave me a P0300 multiple-cylinder missfire code, multiple abs codes, and it had a faulty fuel gage sending unit. They said they would fix all of this if I was interested.
Also, I’ve found that upon test drive/inspection of the car, I should read all if any codes, check for oil leaks, check the trunk for water leaks, and purchase or rent a block test kit and test for a bad head gasket. Does that about sum it up, or am I missing something? If the car is local, I wouldn’t have any issues with a shop doing an inspection and a leak down test on each cylinder, but almost every car I find around here is two hours away, so that can be a little difficult to pull off. How accurate is the block test kit, assuming I give the car a nice hard run and test it while it’s still nice and hot?
It’s a lot of questions, but I’ve never had a vehicle that didn’t need a plethora of repairs right from the start, and I’d like one this time around (at least until I can stand without crutches lol). I know that many Cadillacs need plenty of attention as the miles add up.
Thanks for all the help,
Dan
For quite a while now, I’ve been eyeballing 1990s and early 2000 Cadillacs, more specifically, Northstar powered Cadillacs. I think I've read all of the technical archives, but if I've missed something, feel free to point me in the correct direction. At the end of October, I was involved in a bad motorcycle crash, where a crew cab Dodge diesel broadsided me and threw me 15’ into a ditch. I came very close to losing my leg, but long story short, after 10 surgeries and a 3 months stay in the hospital on bed rest, I’m home and mobile on crutches. Plus, I get to keep my leg!
Not that I could ride if I wanted to at this point (I don‘t), but the bike is totaled, so, I’m looking to invest in another newer, good running car. I’ve found that the only “new” cars I’m really interested in (new meaning cars built within the last 20 years) are the Northstar era Cadillacs. I’ve always been a Cadillac nut.
Currently, I’ve found a few in my price range : Two are 1997 SLS’s with roughly 60K miles on them, a 1998 Eldorado with 64K miles (no carfax or auto check records :suspect:, but easy to get in and out of with a leg brace), a 2001 SLS with 112K miles, and a 2001 SLS with 123,000 miles (this one is local).
I’ve done lots of research, and so far I’ve found that the general consensus is that even though not all Northstar engines have head gasket failures, the 1997-1999s are the most likely candidates, while the 2000-2004 cars are better, and the 2005+ cars are no more susceptible than any other aluminum engine car on the road. Sound about correct? So, that being said, would you guys suggest one of the late 90’s cars with low miles, or a 2000+ with over 100K?
I would purchase the local one asap, apart from when I started it on the lot, it kind of knocked at first and ran very rough. The trouble codes gave me a P0300 multiple-cylinder missfire code, multiple abs codes, and it had a faulty fuel gage sending unit. They said they would fix all of this if I was interested.
Also, I’ve found that upon test drive/inspection of the car, I should read all if any codes, check for oil leaks, check the trunk for water leaks, and purchase or rent a block test kit and test for a bad head gasket. Does that about sum it up, or am I missing something? If the car is local, I wouldn’t have any issues with a shop doing an inspection and a leak down test on each cylinder, but almost every car I find around here is two hours away, so that can be a little difficult to pull off. How accurate is the block test kit, assuming I give the car a nice hard run and test it while it’s still nice and hot?
It’s a lot of questions, but I’ve never had a vehicle that didn’t need a plethora of repairs right from the start, and I’d like one this time around (at least until I can stand without crutches lol). I know that many Cadillacs need plenty of attention as the miles add up.
Thanks for all the help,
Dan