[GCEE]

Greetings Everyone. I am thinking about joining the Cadillac world . I am 29 years old and have owned only classic cars since the age of 16. This has included Impalas, Malibus, Novas etc etc. I am seriously contiplating purchasing a 1997 Cadillac Deville sedan. I have been looking for a black on black model for some time and and the search has not been easy. The model I am currently thinking abot purchasing has a Northstar w/275 hp. The engine has 120,000 miles on it. What is a general ballpark figure life expectancy on a Northstar? The car would be purchased from a independant used auto dealer. He is offering a "Wynn's Auto Warranty" for an additional $750 a year. The asking price is $7000. The interior and exterior are in mint condition. I would aprecciate any suggestions, ideas, stories etc. With any old Chevy car a rebuit engine and tranny are a dime a dozen. Well what about Northstars? Thanks in advance. Gil

 

[alliance]

I turned 270,000 miles on my 1994 Eldorado today. No serious Northstar problems. I did replace the transmission a while back and had oil seals and pan gasket replaced at the time, and I replaced the intake gasket because of a leak, but other than that no problems.

If you like the car GO FOR IT!! The Northstar is a great engine.

 

[GCEE]

I turned 270,000 miles on my 1994 Eldorado today. No serious Northstar problems. I did replace the transmission a while back and had oil seals and pan gasket replaced at the time, and I replaced the intake gasket because of a leak, but other than that no problems.

If you like the car GO FOR IT!! The Northstar is a great engine.

Hey are you the guy trying to sell the car ? Is 270,000 miles normal for the life expectancy of a Northstar? I definatley like the car, but dont want to end up with a clunker in a few months. If only delt with older Chevys before and worse case scenerio for a whole drivetrain you out $1200. Does anyone have any other opinions, thought, questions etc? Can anyone run a Carfax check for me? What do you guys think of the price? Thanks in advance. Gil

 

[RLLOVETT]

If it's already been 120, isn't throwing up codes and seems like it's been maintained, go for it. See the other thread on this forum about N* life expectancy. I recently paid 6k for a 94 Eldo with 120k on the clock...wish I'd paid about a grand less, but it did come with a stereo upgrade that cost a grand...it's a GREAT car!

 

[BeelzeBob]

Hi Gil,

I sold my '95 ETC with 110,000 and it ran like brand new. Honestly. The engine was perfectly smooth. Sure, things are going to wrong here and there, but if the Northstar is maintained properly, it'll last a long time. Just make sure that if you buy the car, get anything that it needs taken care of as soon as possible. Also, see if a local Cadillac dealer will pull up records on it so you can see how well it's been maintained..

The price sounds about right. Maybe a little high but all dealers will charge about that.. If this car is in good condition, and it runs great - then its probably been maintained properly...

 

[GCEE]

Thanks guys. I really appreciate the feedback. I am planning to have a certified mechanic run test on the car this Friday before I purchase it. Well see what, if anything, he finds. I am very content with the price considering its coming from a used dealer. I am very particular with what I want( I'm a virgo) and its taken quite some time to find a 97-99 Black/Black Deville. I was about to start looking at the 94-96 or the possibillity of a 2000, if I could find one for a descent price, which hasnt happened yet. My daily driver is 1962 Impala. I just recently sold my 1950 Chevy 3100 Pickup and 1954 210 Belair. The Impala will be next to go, and its off to the world of "luxury" cars and the purchasing of a home. Thanks once again guys. Does anyone have the ability to run a Carfax/VIN history on the car? If so, the VIN is 1g6ke54y2vu288386 . Thanks in adavnce. Gil

 

[zonie77]

While I'm not a Cadillac expert I would warn you of the head gasket/stripped thread problem. I'm helping my brother repair his 94 STS with 135K and a blown head gasket. It is much more complicated than the same problem on a Chevy but not beyond what a fairly good mechanic could handle at home. This isn't to scare you away but to warn you. This seems to be the only significant problem the N* has.
My brother started looking at used cars, the usual, Camry's etc. He decided the next car ( He's going to keep this one about another year) is still gonna be a Caddy!!

 

[jonrodman]

While I'm not a Cadillac expert I would warn you of the head gasket/stripped thread problem. I'm helping my brother repair his 94 STS with 135K and a blown head gasket. It is much more complicated than the same problem on a Chevy but not beyond what a fairly good mechanic could handle at home. This isn't to scare you away but to warn you. This seems to be the only significant problem the N* has.
My brother started looking at used cars, the usual, Camry's etc. He decided the next car ( He's going to keep this one about another year) is still gonna be a Caddy!!

Once someone owns a Caddy, it is difficult to go back to anything else!

 

[zonie77]

In my continuing research on the stripped thread problem I've run across info that around 1996 the blocks were inserted at the factory. I don't have proof of this though. That would minimize any concern about head gasket problems.

GCEE, did you buy the DeVille?

 

[GCEE]

In my continuing research on the stripped thread problem I've run across info that around 1996 the blocks were inserted at the factory. I don't have proof of this though. That would minimize any concern about head gasket problems.

GCEE, did you buy the DeVille?

Hey evryone. I am happy to say that I am the happy new owner of a 1997 Cadillac Devill D'Elegance. I had the car checked out by a local mechanic before i purchased it. He tested everthing and found : Oil leak from oil pan gasket;Missing front timing cover;transpan gasket leak;needs alignment;nees new rotor in front; needs major tune-up; compression on engine is good 140-150 psi; tranny good... So I went ahead and purchased it and so far I am happy as hell. The dealer agreed to supply freee labor for the tune up, rotors etc. I really apreciate all the feedback from you guys. Im sure I will be asking many questions along this road. For starters hear is one. I am having trouble getting the CD changer to work. I seems like the tray of cds does not want to "lock" in place, as if its not set right. I beleive it is a factory original AC Delco. Any ideas thoughts etc? Thanks again