I have previously posted about the oil consumption problems in my wife's 1996 Caddy STS. The engine got progressively worse and finally I decided to put a rebuilt engine in the vehicle. Proformance Powertrain has sent me two bad engines and are not wanting to do anything but give me another core and only pay $450 in installation.To say the least, it is a major problem.
I decided to get another vehicle and I will probably have to get the Alabama Attorney General office involved or at worst hire an attorney to get part of my $6,000 back. (engine plus installation costs) I like the MSN Auto & Edmunds website and go to the Customer Reviews. It was depressing to see the number of customer complaints with Deville & Seville owners who have oil consumption problems. I called about a 2001 SLS and asked the owner how he liked the car...loved the car but it burns a quart every 5,000 miles (I guess he may be underestimating to sell the car). I have talked to mechanics and dealers and they also cited oil consumption problems. After much thought I decided to buy my wife a 1999 Lexus LS 400. It will cost $19,500 with mileage of 71,000. Actually I could buy a 2002 STS with 60,000 for almost the same price or less. But you talk to mechanics and they all say, buy the Lexus...you will get 300,000 plus trouble free miles. I have client who has a 1995 with 450,000 miles and still running strong.

I just gave my son my 1999 STS with no oil consumption problems and I bought a 2005 STS in November. I have 1999 GMC Truck with the 350 engine and it does not burn a drop of oil. The 3.8 motor that GM makes is a great engine. I know the Northstar engine is a good engine...but can we say it is world class with the number of problems. In addition, the Deville & Sevilles have had more than their share of electrical problems. It may be that 80% of the cars that were made prior to 2005 were OK...but that 20% leave a lot of customers who had a poor experience with Cadillac.

Has GM corrected the Oil Consumption problems of the Northstar and is their quality actually going to improve to levels of the Lexus? It looks to me like GM has a big hill to climb.

Electrical problems are NOT a very big issue with these cars. You want electrical problem you look at Benz. Oil consumption isn't usually a big deal either, do the WOTs and it's very rarely still a problem (1 qt in 5k is NOT a problem, hell 1qt per 2k isn't really a problem either.)

But I forgot, foreign cars are a gift from God.

But I forgot, foreign cars are a gift from God.

obviously! everyone knows that! :bigroll:

Rontide,
I see you and I went to the same school, "old school". You must remember, back when we were younger, oil consumption meant worn rings, valve guides or seals. It meant the engine was worn and near the end of it's life. It WAS a problem. That is not so with the Northstar. I thought oil consumption was a "problem" til I came hear and got educated from a fellow who used to post here frequently and, shall we say, was intimately knowledgable about the Northstar. Judging from your join date you may not be familiar with him. Here is some of what he had to say on the matter. Once you understand it, oil consumption does not seem to be such a "problem". In fact, my '02 uses less than my '97 did and I kind of feel bad about not adding a fresh qt. now and then to replenish the addatives between changes.
http://www.cadillacforums.com/cadillac-tech.html#noil