Should i buy this Caddy? All input is appreciated...

vegascaddy · #1 (**permalink**) 08-06-09, 12:52 AM

Hello All...1st post!...I work at a dealer where we took in a 1997 Cadillac ElDorado ETC. It has a black top, is pearl white, vogue tires and chrome caddy wheels, 12 disc, cold air and is very very clean thruout, 80k miles. One of my techs is very biased against cadillacs w N* but is a respected tech (mechanic) and says not to buy it cause of the N* blown gasket reputation and says is overall shitty mechanically. I realize some of what he says as i used to sell at a caddy dealer for a few years. That being said, its super clean, all fluids are fresh and was a 1 owner car owned by a guy in his 60's and was previous military so was very meticulous. I called the caddy dealer where he had it serviced and one of the service writers went over all what was done. All regular services performed on time including many oil changes, all recalls done, the lower crankcase was resealed (replaced) in 2001 as was the water pump and radiator in near the same timeframe. In 2005-08, the fuel injectors were flushed, and fuel regulator replaced and gas filter replaced. iI can pick it up for around 2 G's and was looking online for a warranty that covers the gasket potential issue and those seem to run around 1700$ish. I love the body style and have been waiting for one to come in that is clean. I hav transpo already but have an suv so this would be a nice hopefully inexpensive car to add. Any reason i shouldnt get it? All comments appreciated....

Aron9000 · #2 (**permalink**) 08-06-09, 01:25 AM

For $2,000 that is an absolute steal, especially since its clean and you have all the service records. Although I would test drive it first, give it hell on the highway(I'm talking 10 romps from 50 to 100+mph), see if the coolant temp increases. If it does, you have a bad headgasket.

If you don't want to get a ticket, just go to napa and ask the guy for a coolant test kit, tell him its the one that checks for exhaust gases in the coolant. I forgot the exact name of the product, but the guy will know what you are talking about. Its a kit that tells you if exhaust gases are present in the coolant. If they are, then you have a definetly bad headgasket.

vegascaddy · #3 (**permalink**) 08-06-09, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aron9000

For $2,000 that is an absolute steal, especially since its clean and you have all the service records. Although I would test drive it first, give it hell on the highway(I'm talking 10 romps from 50 to 100+mph), see if the coolant temp increases. If it does, you have a bad headgasket.

If you don't want to get a ticket, just go to napa and ask the guy for a coolant test kit, tell him its the one that checks for exhaust gases in the coolant. I forgot the exact name of the product, but the guy will know what you are talking about. Its a kit that tells you if exhaust gases are present in the coolant. If they are, then you have a definetly bad headgasket.

Thanks Aron9000! I will do exactly that. That definitely helps my decision making process. I read the area on this site about N* engines and it scared the crap outta me so im doin alotta research!

**Ranger** · #4 (**permalink**) 08-06-09, 11:26 AM

No need to do 100 MPH. Just go WOT in 2nd gear and get out of the throttle by about 70. If it has a bad HG and is going to over heat, that should do it. Of coarse, there is no guarantee that it won't go in the future. Buy your ticket and take your chances.

vegascaddy · #5 (**permalink**) 08-06-09, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ranger

No need to do 100 MPH. Just go WOT in 2nd gear and get out of the throttle by about 70. If it has a bad HG and is going to over heat, that should do it. Of coarse, there is no guarantee that it won't go in the future. Buy your ticket and take your chances.

Wow...66 views and 2 responses!

...Thank Ranger for your reply. Sorry, but what is WOT?? And yes there are no guarantees, thats y i was thinking of the warranty to cover the engine. I figure its more than worth it for what it could potentially cost. Thanks again Sir....

**The Tony Show** · #6 (**permalink**) 08-06-09, 12:04 PM

WOT is Wide Open Throttle- foot to the floor. Make sure there's no cops around, no kids in sight and that you can control the car safely, then give it the boot.

**Playdrv4me** · #7 (**permalink**) 08-06-09, 02:24 PM

For 2000.00 with that kind of condition and history who the hell cares if the headgaskets go? The case-half has already been resealed and that's the only other problem you have to worry about with a N*. There are now mechanics out there who will do the headgasket job for as little as 13-1500.00 if you look around. You have a pristine low mileage WELL maintained car that is easily worth 3-5000 as it sits so just buy the stupid thing already.

They must have given the poor sap 1500 bucks for it.

osu411yamaha · #8 (**permalink**) 08-06-09, 02:36 PM

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.....

SPreston2001 · #9 (**permalink**) 08-06-09, 02:55 PM

For $2000 you cant go wrong. Considering you already have a vechicle if the headgaskets do go, atleast you wont be stranded without a ride. Once the headgasket are fixed (timserts or studs) its fixed for good. I say go for it and enjoy a fine automobile!

ted tcb · #10 (**permalink**) 08-06-09, 02:59 PM

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.

**Playdrv4me** · #11 (**permalink**) 08-06-09, 03:10 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.....

Funny you should mention Cancer, for which the odds are about 1 in 3. My unscientific consensus is that the odds of N* H/G failure are roughly close to that, particularly '97 to '99. So I certainly wouldn't go too far in the other direction either and say it doesn't happen often because it does, more and more as these cars get older.

MY take on the situation is that it is so cheap (relatively speaking) to get fixed now as Ted stated, that the old days of it spelling the end for the car are close to being over. It should be a concern, but not a deal-breaker anymore.

kckranz · #12 (**permalink**) 08-06-09, 03:55 PM

Be careful about 3rd party warranty companies - they go in and out of business like discount furniture stores. About the only 2 reliable warranties you should consider would be through GM or your insurance company. Personally I'd skip the warranty on this vehicle. If the vehicle is in the condition you've stated you could feasibly get $800 - $1000 for it if the gaskets go in the next year.

vegascaddy · #13 (**permalink**) 08-06-09, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Tony Show

WOT is Wide Open Throttle- foot to the floor. Make sure there's no cops around, no kids in sight and that you can control the car safely, then give it the boot.

i will do just that Tony...thank you!

vegascaddy · #14 (**permalink**) 08-06-09, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Playdrv4me

For 2000.00 with that kind of condition and history who the hell cares if the headgaskets go? The case-half has already been resealed and that's the only other problem you have to worry about with a N*. There are now mechanics out there who will do the headgasket job for as little as 13-1500.00 if you look around. You have a pristine low mileage WELL maintained car that is easily worth 3-5000 as it sits so just buy the stupid thing already.

They must have given the poor sap 1500 bucks for it.

i have looked around the vegas area but couldnt get much info from local mechs that work on caddys but i will find one just in case. thank you Play

vegascaddy · #15 (**permalink**) 08-06-09, 06:50 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.....

thanks for the input 411...in regards to the waranty it is basically full coverage close to manufacturers warranty so it does the ac electric engine pwr windows and is transferable and cancelable, etc etc so im still thinkin that one over....