potential '93-'96 Eldorado buyer: reliability?

[Cenobyte]

Hi!

I'm new here and I am new to Cadillac! I live in The Netherlands (Europe) and I'm crazy about American cars. Currently I own a 1993 Corvette ZR-1 and I love the power of it's V8. Since the Cadillac also has this kind of exotic V8 (32 valve) I was always interested in the Northstar Cadillacs.

At this moment, I am looking for a nice 4-seater, preferrably American. I was considering buying an Eldorado or a Seville from the '93 - '98 era, since I love the design (especially the Eldorado) and these cars are very affordable around here. However, there aren't many to choose from. There's also little info about these cars.

What I want to know is: are the cars from the '93 - '98 era still a little bit reliable? I mean: with all the 10 to 15 year old high tech stuff in it? Is the Nortstar engine a solid engine? I would love to hear from people with experience with these cars!

Thanks in advance!

[misfit6794]

The biggest problem with northstars is headgasket failure. Gm used crappy aluminum for the block, and too short headbolts, so the headbolts will actually pull out of the block. The best prevention of this is regular coolant changes. When/If the headgaskets blow, it is a $2500-$3500 dollar repair, most people consider the northstar a throw away engine and end up replacing it. NOTHING is cheap to repair on a caddy and parts are pretty pricey. Make sure the suspension is solid as the road sensing shocks are 1000 dollars A PIECE for new ones. Powerful,reliable, large american luxury coupe, thats cheap to fix? Buick Riviera

[orconn]

I have owned a '93 and a '95 Seville STS for the past five and four years respectively. The '93 was purchased with 48,000 miles on the clock and now has 94,000 miles. The '95 had 55,000 miles and now has 74,000. The engines and transmissions have required no repairs other thn maintenace (both cars get oil changes every 90 days and coolant changed every two years and the transmission oil changed right after I purchased the cars. Both cars have had their 100.000 mile tune ups, based on age not mileage. Both cars are used as daily transportation and I would say have been as reliable as the "new" cars we have normally owned (Catera, Buick, Mercedes C class, way better than the Audi) and averaged about $1500 per year for repairs and maintenace. Those non maintenance items have been things like air conditioner compressor, radiator, brake rotors and pads.

I have no idea what the cost of owning a Cadillac would be in contemporary Europe. I would think any American can would fall into the "luxury" category with corresponding expenses........that being said, I think either a Seville or an Eldorado would be the best choice to enjoy V8 power and American style luxury and comfort. Because of the Cadillac's cost for parts and labor it behooves the "out of warranty" buyer to buy the very best used example he can find.