Honestly, is a Northstar Cadillac a wise purchase for a ~20 year old?

[I~LUV~Caddys8792]

It doesn't matter right now anyways, whatever I'd get next would have the L67 Supercharged 3800. I couldn't even get an LT1 Brougham.

[TripleblackETC]

Originally Posted by I~LUV~Caddys8792

It doesn't matter right now anyways, whatever I'd get next would have the L67 Supercharged 3800. I couldn't even get an LT1 Brougham.

Well happy hunting man. Hope everything works out for you. Definitely lets us know what you end up getting and post pics of her right away.

[CadillacSTS2003]

Chad ive taken my time to think this through and this is my 1st post in this thread
at 15 i owned a 1969 Camaro, had it for about 5 mths trying to restore it when i made a mistake went cheap and tried to have a vocational school rewire it, it never worked right so i sold it and make a cool 2k off it
then at 17 on the day i took my SAT, i came home to learn my dad went to the auction bid the amount of money i asked him to bid on my behalf, and won my 1983 Trans Am Daytona 500...
Worked on that car was fun and then came winter... i will never own a rwd car in the winter again.. so come the next fall being worried about having to slide everywhere i went hunting and bought my current 1997 ETC in august
At 8990, with 71K she had every option from Bariel Cadillac. On the test drive the car had some issues, needed the rotors cut, and the car actually overheated in that the a.c shut off due to engine temp lit up. I told the salesmen with me i know northstars and this is either just a water pump or something worse, they called me the next day waterpump replaced and rotors replaced, they also told me if i decided to purchase the car theyd offer me a 3 mth 3k mile warranty instead of the 1 mth 1k advertised, so i took her, 1500 down and a 4 year loan, my mom actually cried when i brought it home, she was happy i had a "nice" car instead of the unreliable junk i had.
First day i had the car the CEL came on, went to the dealer and they found the air box sensor became unpluged probably when they detailed the engine.
Second day all was well no issues
Third day i drove all over showin it off to friends etc etc, on the way home the oil pressure lamp came on on rt 28, about 15 mins from my house. As soon as i got off 28 i added the 2 qrts i keep in the trunk into her and the light went out, for about 3 mins, then it came back flashing every so often, i was about 4 miles from home so i figured id baby it, i didnt want to be stuck on back roads at 2 am.
I turned on to my street and then it came on SHUT OFF ENGINE LOW OIL PRESSURE. I pulled into the driveway and there it was from when i parked there earlier an oil puddle, the car had been leaking oil pretty steadily for about 250 miles...
In the morning i called the dealer they said bring it in, i asked if i should tow it or drive it under the conditions, they said thats up to me. So i loaded up and drove it, got there an oil coolant line came lose they tightened it i was on my way, got about half way home hit 4K and BAM a loud nock, turned around back to the dealer, and they said it threw a rod. They gave me a loaner and had the car tied up for about a mth and installed a 96 STS engine with 20K on it with brand new gaskets all around. Invoice stated 6K in total, they didnt charge me a DIME.
Week later the blower motor goes, i was still within warranty, however it didnt cover it, i asked to speak with the manager, told him my story, they put in a rebuilt one for free.
Since then and now its long out of warranty and heres what ive replaced
alternator
a.c compressior with suction line
drivers side window switch
radiator
She now has 92K doesnt leak a drop, runs at the top of her game and i love her, only thing id trade her for is a 2002 ECS ETC.

Would i do it all again? Considering all the nightmares i went through with the Trans AM and Camaro, yes, these things i considered to be pretty much routine maintence, and me fixing them myself ive learned so much and can work on an engine (the N*) that most mechainics wont touch....

If i were you get a northstar, and enjoy her man, but id play it safe and get one with at least a 3 mth warranty to give you time to work the bugs out and make sure all is well

sorry for the long ramble hahaha

[misfit6794]

I'm 22 I got a one owner Florida Car 1996 Deville with 82,000 miles. I paid 1800 for it after some argueing with the owner. So far I am into it for $4000, and its back in the shop as we speak. Car blew a head gasket, hence the price, fixed the head gasket and the engine runs perfectly. Now its a matter of replacing the suspension. The car looks perfect and the interior is perfect. I think the car was a good investment. Whatever you get the newer the better, maintained. Any car that hasn't had proper maintainence is going to have problems. especially a car as complicated as a cadillac. BTW my first car was a 98 Olds Intrigue with the 3800 series engine. Car had 192,000 miles on it when i totaled it, and it never had a major problem, ever.

[GreenMachine]

^whats it in the shop for at the moment?

[internetauto]

I'm going to add my .02
ANY car will have issues.
at least with the caddy you can pick up the parts easily in Delco without necessarily having to go to the dealer.
By comparison my current car uses a 3 year only motor that share almost nothing with any other motor or car! But it is fun to drive.
the northstar has it's reputation, but even when something like the active suspension breaks you can pick up the parts to fix at most mom and pop part stores.

I'm likely picking up a 93 sts for $500 with 175k on it from a guy I know. He bought almost everything for the car from me. he put in a tranny within the last year. He's just waiting on me to come look and buy.

I'd just like to sell my current car first (not really, but moey has to come from somewhere)

[misfit6794]

The a/c compressor clutch went, not sure if i will have to replace the whole unit ($1200) quote or just the clutch, either way the labor is a bitch. I am starting to feel like i am restoring an 11 year old car. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world tho, except mabye another intrigue. Also have to replace coolant tank. If I were you I would be more worried about gas mileage, mine sucks.

[Haleykeek]

well one thing's for sure,you got style.when i was in college all i could afford was a 1979 Oldsmobile Cutlass.so you got a good start on getting a NorthStar powered Seville.I have a 94 STS,and will eventually buy an 01 or 02 STS in the near future.they are good cars,and if you keep the oil changed often,and other minor servicing on them,they'll last a long time.changing spark plugs are not the easiest on these cars,but it certainly can be done.