[onelove6366]

My 98 Concours is experiencing a multitude of problems and we have decided it cannot be fixed while using it as a daily driver. So, I'm looking for another car to buy. I love the Caddy! So, I am looking at getting another one. I've come across a 2005 Deville with 51,000 miles on it (I know sounds too good to be true). It's at a Cadillac Dealer and was just listed. I asked the guy to send me photos and history of the car including service history, verify if it's a single owner car, service history, if it was purchased at his dealership etc. Waiting for that information now.

What I don't want to do is buy another Caddy that needs work because I need a reliable car to drive. Can you 2005 owners let me know what your experiences have been, what type of mechanical problems you've experienced, frustrations, etc.?

Thanks!

 

[AElayyat]

Good luck on your search. I picked up a 05 deville dts in may 2012. This car was a 1 owner car with service history showing on the car fax. When I got my car it had 59k, now has 61k. Knock on wood I have not had any issues yet with the car. The members that have had their cars longer will give you more info.

One thing to keep in mind about these cars is that the base & dhs trims have different suspension than the dts, the dts can cost a lot more for suspension related repairs.

I'd say as long as the car checks out ok & service was done you should have a good car that you would be happy with.

My advice would be check out the car in person & drive it make sure you like it & if the price is right go for it.

Good luck on your car hunt.

 

[MoistCabbage]

Head bolts were changed to coarse thread in late '04, so HG issues are virtually non existent in '05+ cars.

"Common" problems are related to the window regulators (to which there is a cheap fix), and the temp control blend door for the rear vents.

 

[basscatt]

another thing to consider when negotiating price -

the BASE model Deville was around $10,000 cheaper
than the DHS and DTS model Devilles -

 

[onelove6366]

Thanks to all! The head bolt issues are a real concern for me on the 98 too. All of that is good information to know. I'll be test driving this weekend! I just found it hard to believe a 2005 model would only have 51,000 miles on it in 2013! Guess everyone doesn't drive as much as I do!

 

[CadillacLuke24]

In other words, if the price is right, and it looks good, BUY IT!!

 

[onelove6366]

PS: I've learned the hard way - Car Fax isn't worth the paper it's printed on though. I'm looking for Cadillac records. They keep a database.

Good luck on your search. I picked up a 05 deville dts in may 2012. This car was a 1 owner car with service history showing on the car fax. When I got my car it had 59k, now has 61k. Knock on wood I have not had any issues yet with the car. The members that have had their cars longer will give you more info.

One thing to keep in mind about these cars is that the base & dhs trims have different suspension than the dts, the dts can cost a lot more for suspension related repairs.

I'd say as long as the car checks out ok & service was done you should have a good car that you would be happy with.

My advice would be check out the car in person & drive it make sure you like it & if the price is right go for it.

Good luck on your car hunt.

 

[basscatt]

Thanks to all! The head bolt issues are a real concern for me on the 98 too. All of that is good information to know. I'll be test driving this weekend! I just found it hard to believe a 2005 model would only have 51,000 miles on it in 2013! Guess everyone doesn't drive as much as I do!

-----------------------
I have an '02 DHS with around 26K miles on it -
NO - it's not for sale -

 

[MoistCabbage]

I always forget to ask when you bring that car up. What colors is it? Are there any pics on the site?

 

[basscatt]

I always forget to ask when you bring that car up. What colors is it? Are there any pics on the site?

-------------
white diamond - oatmeal interior - matching oatmeal cloth top -

I don't think I posted pics of that one -
it's stored during the winter - in a heated garage -
under a cover - with it's pillow - :cloud9:

and it's "bunk mate" - '02 Mercedes SLK32 - also all tucked in -

 

[Guest]

Go for it an 04 or 05 are the way to go the extra insurence of the the courser head bolt its a plus i have a 04 DTS a few years now no major issues just the engine coils where changed it has the updated head bolts built early in 04 theres a thread on engine ID's to determine which engine the car has only applies to the 04 and 05s though its all up to u but like others said the suspension is expensive for the DTS its worth it though all depends if u want that cushy classic cadillac ride or a firm sporty one ether way a car is a car and ether it will work or wont work no one can predict it for you

 

[MoistCabbage]

-------------
white diamond - oatmeal interior - matching oatmeal cloth top -

I don't think I posted pics of that one -
it's stored during the winter - in a heated garage -
under a cover - with it's pillow - :cloud9:

and it's "bunk mate" - '02 Mercedes SLK32 - also all tucked in -

You should post pics when it comes out of hibernation.

 

[basscatt]

You should post pics when it comes out of hibernation.

------------------
I will do that -

interesting little factoid -
according to COMPNINE - it's 1 of 1 -

the rarest option is the U2K - 709 units - out of 12,049 DHS models made
DIGITAL AUDIO SYSTEM S-BAND DIGITAL S-BAND AUDIO SYSTEM -
satellite radio - I think I got a 1 year free subscription when new -
and I listened to it a twice -

 

[bmconway76110]

I just bought my 2005 cadillac DTS from our local Subaru dealer. It was a one owner trade with only 40000 miles. I thought it was to good to be true as well but I am in love with. I did spring for a 36 month extend warranty just in case. I say go for it if the price is right.

 

[campo42289]

If you give me the vin# i can run a VIS on it...let you know every repair that was ever done at a GM dealer...i have a 04 DHS...had it three years only had a couple issues...

 

[justinglock401]

Can you run mine campo?

 

[campo42289]

Give me the vin #

 

[bigtone]

If you give me the vin# i can run a VIS on it...let you know every repair that was ever done at a GM dealer...i have a 04 DHS...had it three years only had a couple issues...

Campo, site says your message box is full. Service history is all I need. You already have the vin. Thanks

 

[basscatt]

Campo, site says your message box is full. Service history is all I need. You already have the vin. Thanks

--------------------
I bet he got quite a few requests - a lot more than he expected -

 

[ral1960]

I bought an 04 base Deville with 60k in 2007 (rental car). It now has 125k.
Three of the window regulators did the infamous Pop n' Drop, all within a year of each other. I no longer use the 4th window after shattering the last one inside the door with visegrips trying to raise it ($250 just for the glass).

Crankshaft position sensor, throttle position sensor, both front sway bar brackets within a year (very odd), last week a front wheel bearing. My mechanic said those had dropped from $600 to $125 in ten years.

I ruined the rear pads the first winter because the parking brake wasn't fully disengaging for the first mile in sub-freezing weather. I thought it was the cold engine not ready to rev freely.

Two of the seat cooling modules went out. ~$130 a piece, easy to install yourself. Cooled seats are well worth it to me--I wouldn't have leather without them.

The car needs quality tires well balanced, or you get a vibration at speed. Had a recurring problem with brake pulsing, but not as frequent as my old Intrigue.

This sounds like a long list, and I've forgotten a few smaller repairs, but it has been nearly 6 years with a high mileage car.

My late grandmother's Cadillac now has 52k miles. It's a 1972. A lot of sitting isn't good for a car, either.