Should i buy this Caddy? All input is appreciated... - Page 2

vegascaddy · #16 (**permalink**) 08-06-09, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by osu411yamaha

You would be an idiot not to buy it for 2 stacks. Dont pay 1700 for that warranty. You can get it fixed for 2 grand by Jake if the head gaskets go. You would be taking a 1700 gamble with the warranty to only save 300 if the gaskets go. The risk/reward ratio isnt there on the warranty. Dont believe everything you hear about the head gaskets either. I know tons of people that have northstars with 150k with no problems. Its sort of like cancer. You only hear the people who have it saying they have it. You dont hear those of us that dont have cancer walking around saying "I dont have cancer". The people without the blown head gaskets are the overwhelming majority. You just dont hear them complaining.....

btw, isnt jake in the upper midwest? that wouldnt make sense to take it all the way there when im in vegas, no??

vegascaddy · #17 (**permalink**) 08-06-09, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ted tcb

I'm in agreement with the other guys here ... buy it, pronto!!

The HG issue was only an issue when your only alternative was to ditch the car or let the
dealer fix them for around $3-4 k.
Now, there are very proficient specialists out there who will stud the block for around $1500,
and your ETC will go for another 100k, with a guarantee.

You likely wouldn't find another ETC with that service history, let alone for only $2k.

If you don't buy it, let us know on the forum, and one of us will grab it as a cheap toy.

thanks preston, thanks ted....anyone know of someone in the West who does timeserts, etc or similar to fix the HG issue if it were to arise???

Spencer's HIDs · #18 (**permalink**) 08-06-09, 07:15 PM

DONT DO THE WARRANTY. they are a waste of money and the companies go out of business A LOT. 1700 warranty for a 2,000 car? that just doesnt make any sense. Your mechanics there should be able to check the headgaskets for you. it just checks for hydrocarbons, called a block tester. I think i paid like $15 for mine off the snap on truck. keep in mind that 2001 was a long time ago, and the case halves and water pump could shit out again.

**Ranger** · #19 (**permalink**) 08-06-09, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vegascaddy

btw, isnt jake in the upper midwest? that wouldnt make sense to take it all the way there when im in vegas, no??

Jake is in London Ontario.

vegascaddy · #20 (**permalink**) 08-06-09, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spencer's HIDs

DONT DO THE WARRANTY. they are a waste of money and the companies go out of business A LOT. 1700 warranty for a 2,000 car? that just doesnt make any sense. Your mechanics there should be able to check the headgaskets for you. it just checks for hydrocarbons, called a block tester. I think i paid like $15 for mine off the snap on truck. keep in mind that 2001 was a long time ago, and the case halves and water pump could shit out again.

thank you spencer...ya im in the biz n see these companies come n go. there are 1 or two that have been around for some time like warranties direct etc i fugure it could be worthwile since im gettin the car cheap on account if it does happen it will pay for itself and any ac or pwr window motors etc...i do appreciate you input and might just buy n sell to make some quick $ as all tha gasket talk has me trippin!!...i will have it checked first as you indicated.

vegascaddy · #21 (**permalink**) 08-06-09, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ranger

Jake is in London Ontario.

thanks...so that option doesnt make sense onbviously unless someone locally does similar work

MrEldo97 · #22 (**permalink**) 08-06-09, 07:35 PM

Even if the head gaskets/bolts go in the future (probably will) and you put a reman motor in it you still have one helluvanice car for 10 large or less.

**Ranger** · #23 (**permalink**) 08-06-09, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vegascaddy

thanks...so that option doesnt make sense onbviously unless someone locally does similar work

Mike Lawson also does the repair, but I don't know if he uses Jakes studs or not. I forget where he is. Probably closer to you.

**Playdrv4me** · #24 (**permalink**) 08-06-09, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrEldo97

Even if the head gaskets/bolts go in the future (probably will) and you put a reman motor in it you still have one helluvanice car for 10 large or less.

Why would he have to put a reman motor in it? Outside of the headbolt and case half issue the Northstar block is an incredibly durable piece of machinery. There should be no reason to junk it over some pulled headbolts.

Even with a full price H/G repair at the dealer, assuming around 4k, he should be well under 7000.00 on this car. I know there are plenty of dealers who would still try to sell a cherry '97 like that for over 7k if they could find someone to pay it.

As far as the case-half repair, I have never seen one of those fail again after being repaired properly. I believe Jake also offers that as an optional service when doing the heads.

Rob_M · #25 (**permalink**) 08-06-09, 08:34 PM

Wow. Why so cheap? Can you take it and do one of those full-blown diagnostics on it? If everything turns out ok, then go for it!

vegascaddy · #26 (**permalink**) 08-06-09, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ranger

Mike Lawson also does the repair, but I don't know if he uses Jakes studs or not. I forget where he is. Probably closer to you.

i will google and hold onto theifno if o can find and just hope i never need it....

vegascaddy · #27 (**permalink**) 08-06-09, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob_M

Wow. Why so cheap? Can you take it and do one of those full-blown diagnostics on it? If everything turns out ok, then go for it!

all the dealers are scared shitless of caddys out here cause of repairs costs/risk etc thats y they appraise for such lo $ amt...my good fortune i guess, eh?

N*Caddy · #28 (**permalink**) 08-06-09, 10:02 PM

I read a lot of “head gasket” in this thread, fact: I know 5 ’96-‘97 Cadillacs in my area (STS/ETC) and only ONE had the head gasket issue. Mine just passed 120K mark, my friends is not far behind, the other one I know is over 130K, the 4-th one is around 90K, the one with the HG job done is now ~140K and was done few years ago (@<100K).
Talk about struts, EBTCM, A/C you know stuff that really breaks and is expensive! Well EBTCM can be bought used for ~$100 but new is $1700 Pump/Manifold and $500 for the module.
$2000 Cadillac and you have hesitations? I paid an average of $1100 a month last year in the car (not including gas/insurance/oil) that’s how much I love the car. True, this year I spent less than $2000 overall (so far - mostly changing the tires), because I did everything last year. Engine is untouched and with Jake’s help my case half issue turned out to be just an embarrassing loose oil level sensor.
Insurance, you're from Vegas so take a low risk gamble…put your $1700 in a savings account called “CADDY” and enjoy the $43 per year interest!

vegascaddy · #29 (**permalink**) 08-06-09, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N*Caddy

I read a lot of “head gasket” in this thread, fact: I know 5 ’96-‘97 Cadillacs in my area (STS/ETC) and only ONE had the head gasket issue. Mine just passed 120K mark, my friends is not far behind, the other one I know is over 130K, the 4-th one is around 90K, the one with the HG job done is now ~140K and was done few years ago (@<100K).
Talk about struts, EBTCM, A/C you know stuff that really breaks and is expensive! Well EBTCM can be bought used for ~$100 but new is $1700 Pump/Manifold and $500 for the module.
$2000 Cadillac and you have hesitations? I paid an average of $1100 a month last year in the car (not including gas/insurance/oil) that’s how much I love the car. True, this year I spent less than $2000 overall (so far - mostly changing the tires), because I did everything last year. Engine is untouched and with Jake’s help my case half issue turned out to be just an embarrassing loose oil level sensor.
Insurance, your from Vegas so take a low risk gamble…put your $1700 in a savings account called “CADDY” and enjoy the $43 per year interest!

Ouch! 1100mo?! what made it come out to that?? im def gonna get the riden prolly leanin towatds no warranty. my only thought is that if 1 (1!) thibg happens it s prolly paid for n its for 5yrs or 100k miles additional so that would be 2014 or 180000 miles. that being said there are repair limits on it...3500 for engine and 2500 tranny and/or a TOTAL of 6000 in max repairs of any kind for the life of the warranty. or i could get a 2year warranty for 1300 for the same limitations....

N*Caddy · #30 (**permalink**) 08-06-09, 10:48 PM

4 x Struts, A/C, full paint job (including underbody), Rack and Pinion, most of the rubber body seals and lots of plastic trims, HID, Battery, OEM Chrome rims, CD Changer, EBTCM, BOSE sound system (installed this year but bought last year), Denso NAV unit + attachments (not installed yet), Windshield (stone chip), dog bones, gold plated emblems, woodgrain steering wheel, couple hundred white LEDs (LED interior), sway bar bushings, sway bar rods, upper struts mounts (might be 2 years ago), FL Wheel Hub, rear brakes (rotors and pads – also possible 2 years ago), some $30 sticker…ok I give up, lost count already.