Thinking of Getting an 03 STS/SLS.. am I Nuts?

[malatu]

An earlier post got me thinking and I started looking at the earlier model STS. I'm currently not a Caddy Owner but have been looking at the newer models, particularly an 05 sts waiting for the used values to come down to what I'm willing/wanting to pay. It's not that I can't afford a new or a used, I'm just pretty cheap and spend my money on other frivolous stuff and or invest it. Here is my situation. I've been reading and admiring the new STS's since 2005 and new my next vehicle would be an 05 STS. I'm a patient person and can forgo purchasing something I want for a long time. For better or worse, my decisions often can be price driven but without sacrificing quality (Quality + Price + Convenience = Value).

With that said, because of the prices on 02 - 03 sts and sls's out there, I'm seriously considering forgoing an 05 STS and purchasing an 03 sls or sts. Understand, I'm now driving a 92 plane-jane Bonneville with a lot of miles on it. So driving an older model car doesn't bother me. I know I'm probably trying to compare apples to oranges but hearing perspectives of others helps. Base on the quality of these two cars (particularly the older model), am I nuts?

[c5 rv]

If you can live with FWD, the last generation STS / SLS is a fine car. However, cost of repairs can be very high. A co-worker had an 00? STS and he said he had two $600 repairs per year. When buying used luxury cars, I would recommend buying a certified pre-owned unit that is 2-3 years old and then sell / trade it for another CPO unit before the 6 yr. / 100K warranty expires.

[malatu]

Originally Posted by c5 rv

If you can live with FWD, the last generation STS / SLS is a fine car. However, cost of repairs can be very high. A co-worker had an 00? STS and he said he had two $600 repairs per year. When buying used luxury cars, I would recommend buying a certified pre-owned unit that is 2-3 years old and then sell / trade it for another CPO unit before the 6 yr. / 100K warranty expires.

I prefer the front wheel drive when the weather gets bad. I wouldn't call myself a spirited driver and and haven't driven a rear-wheel drive for over 20 years so I can live with front wheel drive. I typically pay cash for a vehicle so any repairs I make to my cars I compare to a car payment (at least this is how I rationalize the method of my madness). I would look at a couple of $600 repairs as car payments. Now, a $3200 repair is another story!

I assume you are not suggesting the older version aren't reliable but simply the repairs are expensive when something fails.

[Caroutisine]

I would recommend the 2005+ STS over the previous generation. If you already had an older Seville, then I would think twice. I have owned both and they both both are good cars. But when it comes down to it, if you're going to buy a new (pre-owned) car anyway, get the newest one you can afford.

[Jesda]

Reliabilitywise, the 05+ is a huge step up.

[malatu]

Thanks for the replies .... very helpful. I think buying an 03 was a cheaper way to "scratch the itch" to own a caddy. ... may have to rethink this one ...

[corvette00]

I agree with the comments about purchasing certified used Cadillacs, it is the only way to buy used. The out of warranty Cadiilac repair costs are too high. If you are looking for fwd perhaps a v8 Lucerne or DTS is a better choice than the rwd STS.

[Jesda]

If you just have a want for a modern Cadillac, consider a certified CTS 3.6. Interior aside, they're reliable, quick, and fun. If you get an 05 STS, see the sticky in this forum for some corrections to a few first-year glitches.

[malatu]

Originally Posted by Jesda

If you just have a want for a modern Cadillac, consider a certified CTS 3.6. Interior aside, they're reliable, quick, and fun. If you get an 05 STS, see the sticky in this forum for some corrections to a few first-year glitches.

If I were going to get a CTS, it would be an 08. Unfortunately, I ain't spending that much "ching". That leaves the 05 which is in a price range I'm willing to spend. But like I say, I was looking at some of the early models and discovered I could get into an early sts/sls for much less. Sometimes I get too driven by price. Thats why I thought you guys could straighten me out with some logical perspective. Thanks for all the input. I really don't know what I'll do at this point in time. Other than the itch, I'm in no hurry (I suspect car dealers hate my type). When I make a decision, I'll share it with you.

With that said, my 92 Bonneville is in the shop today getting new gaskets for the valve cover and transmission pan and new transmission lines. I plan on keeping it for my daily driver (which it's been for the past 13 years). The eventual new caddy will replace the 02 Bonneville SSEI (supercharged) that my wife drives (although I drive it quite a bit). That's a bit of a story unto itself. Damn thing flies when you step on it. As much as I like the car, I just can't get comfortable in the seat.

[c5 rv]

Another couple worthy alternatives:

- Late 90s Buick Riviera with the supercharged 3.8

- Buick Park Avenue or PA Ultra through 2005.

[dhemrick]

Originally Posted by c5 rv

Another couple worthy alternatives:

- Late 90s Buick Riviera with the supercharged 3.8

- Buick Park Avenue or PA Ultra through 2005.

I second that recommendation. All of these Buicks are really fantastic cars. The 3.8L V6 (even when supercharged) is very reliable.

They're not Cadillacs, but close.

[loman]

Make sure you test drive the older ( less than 05 ) sts`s on the hwy at about 65 mph. Some of them ( i had one)
would shake quite a bit , i think it was due to the fwd . i also had a 97 park ave that shook at the same speed.
I now drive a 06 awd V6 , and i enjoy this one quite a bit more than my 00 sts. This one is so smooth on the hwy
and seems more controlled .
i still like the looks of the older body style , very distinctive , the 05`s and up look like a stretched cts .

[malatu]

Thanks for all the great posts. I've read through them again and appreciate the different perspectives. I've decided "no" to the older version sts/sls. My reasoning was I'd eventually regret not getting the newer model STS. Actually, I might even wait on the used 08 cts market come around. I briefly considered a used cts but after driving one, didn't care at all for them. Too small. The newer models are actually very nice. Again, thanks. In the mean time, I'll continue to live vicariously through you all!

[ryannel2003]

Yeah i'm kinda in the same boat as you... I really like the Seville STS/SLS but after reading some information about them and my boss telling me they are extremely unreliable, I think I will wait for a really nice '05 STS or CTS to come along. My friend's mother has a Infared '05 STS V6 and she has had few issues with it. As for price, I have seen a couple in my area selling for $23k, which I find reasonable for a car that cost $50k 3 years ago.

[pjbizjak]

I would have to agree with the other posts about buying a 'certified' vehicle. My first Caddy was a 93 STS, and it was a good thing that it was 'certified', it was at the dealer all the time for repairs which didn't cost 1 cent because of the 'bumper to bumper' coverage. My second caddy was a 2000 STS which I also bought as a 'certified' unit and I only had it in for repairs a few times, then just as the 6yr warranty was up the r/rear power window went bad and I had to shell out about $500 to get it fixed. Now I have an 07 STS RWD V8 1SG and it was a GM 'program' car with only 2300 mi on it and you guessed it, it's certified! Basically being 'certified' means you pay between $1000 & $1500 for an 'extension' of the origional warranty for a full 6 yrs or 100,000 mi. This is the only way I would buy a Cadillac because if it need repairs its very expensive and when my current STS nears the end of the warranty I'll look for another 'certified' Caddy. So in response to your 'post' go for the 05!!!!