So, I have a 1997 Deville. It's been nothing but problems for me. It keeps burning antifreeze. I've spent around $5000 in different shops trying to get the problem fixed. I've had enough of it.

Anyway, I'm buying another car. I have around $15,000 to work with. Any suggestions? I want another Cadillac for sure. Despite all the problems, I've become attached to the car. This is the first Cadillac I've owned, so I had no idea what great cars they really are. I just can't deal with the problems of this particular one.

So, what do you guys think I should do? Are there any known issues with Deville's around 2001 or 2002? Any known issues with Northstar enigines at a certain milage?

What should I be trying to avoid around the $15000 mark? Would you suggest I get a different model of Cadillac or get another Deville?

"It keeps burning antifreeze. I've spent around $5000 in different shops trying to get the problem fixed. I've had enough of it."

Are you saying that the water/antifreeze mixture in your radiator is leaking or otherwise just disappearing?

I cannot imagine that you could spend $5000 looking for a water leak. Unless you have a cracked block/head the correction for a water leak is not that expensive.

G

Are you saying that the water/antifreeze mixture in your radiator is leaking or otherwise just disappearing?

I cannot imagine that you could spend $5000 looking for a water leak. Unless you have a cracked block/head the correction for a water leak is not that expensive.

G

No, it's not a hose or anything. It's burning antifreeze. White smoke comes out of the tailpipe.

They said the problem was the bolts that hold the head down are stripped and it won't hold it tight. They said it was common on these northstar engines. And this is what the cadillac dealer told me. So they wanted like 4500 to fix it. I didn't pay it. I took it somewhere else and they "fixed" it for around 2800. Needless to say, the problem keeps coming back. So I'm ready for a new(er) one.

Basically, I just want to avoid buying another one and then finding out there are known "issues" with it like this last one.

They said the problem was the bolts that hold the head down are stripped and it won't hold it tight. They said it was common on these northstar engines. And this is what the cadillac dealer told me.

Odd. That the dealer would explain away a problem with "these Northstar Engines", while probably trying to sell you a new DTS..

I would imagine that the only way the bolts could have loosened is if the head gasket(s) were replaced and the bolt holes not timeserted.

Do you know if the H/Gs were ever done?

On to your other question, I'd bet 15K could get you in to a 2000-2002 base Deville if you tried hard enough to find one. Or a 99-02 Eldo, perhaps. Depends on the mileage of the model.

There was a fairly major upgrade to the N* beginning with the 2000 M/Y, allowing for the use of regular gas, changing some of the internals, and going to a coil-on-plug design, eliminating spark plug wires. AFAIK, these engines are quite reliable, for the most part. I have a total of just over 200K on my two 2000+ Caddys and have had no engine problems whatsoever. In fact, the Deville, with 130K on it, has had this done to it in it's entire life:

1 A/C compressor and related fittings
1 R/F wheel bearing
1 Low-beam headlight bulb

I'll have had the Eldo a year on Thur 04/27 and am tickled pink with it. New battery, oil and gas is it. She's getting her semi-annual detail at the moment, by the time I'm done she'll shine so much, you'll need sunglasses to look at her.. :) LOL

shit man, got my 00 DTS for 10,600 bills. Very good Car, revised northstar for 2000. Runs smoother and mroe efficiently. Many issues resolved in '00 model year. I owned a 95 eldo with the vin y northstar. I didnt encounter any problems with either one but the 00' seems alot better. Ive put 20K on my car and all i had was an idle control motor replaced. The car now has 96K. Has a full 306HP (6 over stock which is wierd). Id recommend you buy a DTS. The ride is still very supple, and the performance is staggering compared to your 97. Youll be surprised how well you can corner in one of these. I got mine for cheap because i bought it privately, sitll covered udner warranty.

Tombo, sounds like you got a heck of a deal. Congrats!

We paid $15,500 for our base '02 in Oct of 2004, it had 81K miles on it, and I thought WE did fairly well, but it pales next to your deal! :thumbsup:

So, I've been looking at a few Deville's and I have a few questions...

On a 2002 Deville DTS, if the night vision lens is cracked, how much does it cost to get fixed?

On a 2001 Deville base, how much would it cost to add Navigation?

How much does it cost to use Onstar (assuming the car already has the hardware)?

How hard is it to add a couple amps and some subs to a 2001 Deville (base) with a Bose stereo? I already have a 4 channell amp with a built in crossover that I would want to use for the cabin speakers 9highs and mids) and the 4 channel amp also has an RCA output for connecting another amp (that I would connect a sub amp to). So how would I connect the 4 channel amp to the cabin speakers? Would I need to replace the speakers? I already have 2 line converters too (for converting speaker outputs to RCA outputs).

How do you get a car Cadillac Certified? What benefits do you get from getting it Cadillac Certified?

Cadillac Certified is another way of saying "used car bought from a dealer". Usually, these cars will come with some sort of limited warranty (6 total years/100000 total miles, I think). They're usually no more than 2-3 years old.

I hear what Tombo is saying about the DTS, but I personally prefer the DHS. It's such a choice ride and it can have most everything a DTS has and some things a DTS doesn't! OnStar costs depend on the service pakage you get, but figure about $50/month. Phone time (if you want to use the in-car phone) is extra. If you're thinking about using OnStar, be aware that there are some changes coming which will make the systems made before, I think, 2002 obsolete. Anyway, skip the base Deville, whatever you decide.

Craig

We have the "Directions and Erections" package or whatever it's called from Onstar (I think it's the middle of three levels of service) and it includes something like 30 minutes a month of phone time (Verizon). It runs $37 bucks a month.

Is Onstar only for GM cars? Is there a similar service you can get on Jeep Grand Cherokees?

I'm going to be looking for a Jeep Grand Cherokee for my wife and I would like it to have some sort of Onstar type service if at all possible...

I know this isn't the place to ask, but I just figured maybe someone here would know...

basically if you are debatiing DHS or DTS, it boils down to if your leaning toward Sport tuned luxury, or luxury tuned luxury. Its a matter of preferece, I was thinking about buying a DHS as my next car. It rides softer, but dont let yourself think that meansthe DTS rides hard. The DHS floats. Its great for a nice long cruise. The DTS Floats as well, when its on a steady flat surface...which emans pretty much whenever your driving straight. Also, I dont know but im assuming the DHS has a more loose steering setting than the sportier DTS. However the DTS wheel is NEVER hard to turn...77 CDV is right about DHS having soem exlusing options also..like the sunshade i believe...and cooled seats..


DTS Advantages
Sport tuned CVRSSII, Vin 9 motor (300HP) 17inch Blade wheels

DHS Advantages
Supple Ride, Softer Seats, Few more Exclusive options, Higher low end Torque (good for acceleration)

Both Base MSRP are the same. So valuewise, you get the same deal.


I think its a really tough call. Id suggest driving both before you decide.

Also, theres nothing wrong with a bsse model if you ask me.. but im someone who is over the top. This does not eman i wont stare at a base model every time it passes. Keep in mind the Base model is a Cadillac, so nothing is sacrificed stylewise and performance is also uncompromised. You can fit your base DeVille with amny options offerred on othe rmodels.