Hi all,

This Caddy thing is a sickness i tell ya' :)

I am going to look and seriously consider a 98 concours, silver with blue interior and all the consours stuff.

The only problem i can see from carfax (and the owner), it took a pretty good shot to the rear, and was issued a salvage title.

The damage is now 100% repaired, had 63k on a N* and is in relatively mint condition, both inside and out, and under the hood. I can get it for $4800.00

If it was a severe enough accident to the front, I probably wouldn;t even consider it because of the front wheel drive, alignement, etc. But the rear?? Anything I should look for?? It looks literally brand new...

So, what would you do?? TY in advance!

The update:

Just got back from a test drive. The car is sweet, both inside and out. No smoke or odors, no door dings, a few scuffs, but not many.

I was a little dissapointed on the ride. It felt sloppy compaired to my 94 Deville, I expected it to be tight. There was also a pretty significant noise coming from the right rear wheel, that sounded like something was rubbing and got louder as speed increased. I noticed it more when I sat in the passenger seat and somebody else drove. Could sorta hear it from the drivers seat. Since it got hit in the rear, any ideas on what it could be and how much to fix?

Also, will a new set of passive struts bring the ride quality right back up to excellent? Is that what they are supposed do? Any other part of the suspension I should consider? Things like expansion joints in bridges and small potholes felt larger then they actually were. And, it was a couple of quick thump thump thumps as I would ride over them.

All in all, a nice car, damn nice. I didn't get a chance to see if it was throwing any codes, I forgot it wouldn't have the same heat/off button I have in mine, so I drew a blank on getting the codes. The SES light was on, and the DIC displayed "Check Gas Cap" and "Change Engine Oil" would that fire up the SES?

Thanks again, I'd really like not to get hosed, so any help would be appreciated, especially on what them noises are and the ride control.

I would at least have an alignment check done first. THey will be able to tell you if something is seriously wrong in the rear still. It's only about $20 and some places even run free alignment checks.

The "check gas cap" will throw a SES. It is a common problem with these cars and usually just requires a new gas cap.

The Concours model Devilles have always been one of my favorites. My son-in-law has a 1998 Concours he bought from me with 105K and it still runs like new.

Rear wheel thumpity...

was told (by the seller) that the rear tires, GoodYear, are "feathered" and that's what we were hearing yesterday in the test drive. make sense???

I'd probably put a new set of tires on anyway.

My mechanic is going to give it a once over tomorrow or Friday, and I'll wait to see what he says for repairs needed. You guys have any final words / suggestions (especially about the suspension) I would appreciate it.

From reading through the various posts, I would venture to say bushings and maybe a set of struts all around? Am I missing anything to smooth out and tighten up the ride?

I also noticed a microphone sticking out of the console on the headliner and the phone rig in the pic below. it had a 2 line phone jack box in the armrest. Does that mean it has OnStar or just an add on/integrated phone? No buttons on the mirror for Onstar, just compass and I think temp

Some pics.

I believe you have the optional cell phone built in...

Anyways, I really like the 97-99 Concours. Great looking body, nice wheels, console shifter, 5 person seating, full guages, its a really cool car. Probably my favorite Northstar powered FWD Cadillac sedan.

Honestly, if the car's been hit, I would shy away from it, even though it's nice. Especially since you mentioned it has a remaining rear wheel alignment issue the body shop didn't fix the first time around. I'd be very afraid that there are other problems lurking in that back end in the future. You mentioned the ride felt "loose" which could be suspension bushings and struts, but there may still be a bent suspension arm in the back end as well. Not to mention possible dislodged fuel tank baffles which would cause difficult-to-explain stalling when you're near the end of a tank of fuel.

I've bought previously bent vehicles in the past (sometimes without my knowledge). They're NEVER 100% right afterwards. There's always SOMEthing wrong with them.

Save the $1000-2000 you would spend on tires, struts and bushings on this one, and use that to spend $6800-7000 on an unmolested example instead! :)

Honestly, if the car's been hit, I would shy away from it, even though it's nice. Especially since you mentioned it has a remaining rear wheel alignment issue the body shop didn't fix the first time around. I'd be very afraid that there are other problems lurking in that back end in the future. You mentioned the ride felt "loose" which could be suspension bushings and struts, but there may still be a bent suspension arm in the back end as well. Not to mention possible dislodged fuel tank baffles which would cause difficult-to-explain stalling when you're near the end of a tank of fuel.

I've bought previously bent vehicles in the past (sometimes without my knowledge). They're NEVER 100% right afterwards. There's always SOMEthing wrong with them.

Save the $1000-2000 you would spend on tires, struts and bushings on this one, and use that to spend $6800-7000 on an unmolested example instead! :)

I have to agree with SkarTisu

A slam in the rear can cause unexplained leaks, rattles, and thumps. A salvage title is near useless should you decide to sell the car. That is why dealerhips don't want them. Save your money and spend it wisely.

It is pretty tempting...you gotta admit. 65K and mint otherwise.

I am still on the fence, weather today jusy sucks and we didn't connect with the mechanic. It'll probably be tomorrow.

What I am hoping to do is get it on the lift and get a real good look at the rear suspension components. Most of it could probably be replaced or repaired, if it was damaged at all. The question is, at what expense?

As far as spending the $1000.00 or so for struts, I thought that was every 1993+ Cadillac owners' initiation into the "club".:)

As far as spending the $1000.00 or so for struts, I thought that was every 1993+ Cadillac owners' initiation into the "club".:)

If you're careful and choose wisely, it doesn't have to be that way. ;)