[gatzby143]

I am new to this forum and Cadillacs even though I own a 91 Brougham. I am looking to buy a 99 STS with 62k miles. It looks very clean and in great shape. I know about the issues of how it can eat oil and about a vibration at high speeds, so I took it a for a spin and it drove nice but had a slight vibration or jitterriness in the steering wheel around 60mph. Is that the known problem I have heard of or could it be something else, and if it is the known problem what should I tell them to look for to fix it before I buy it? Also is there anything else I should look out for before I buy it? I have the VIN for the car if it is needed. They are asking $12,500 and if I want can get an extended warranty for 3 years 36000 miles for another $1400. The extended warranty company is called The Guardian. Do you think the price of the car is good and is the warranty worth it? Its between this and a 98 328i for around the same price.

Thanx

 

[sjwoodruff]

Hop on Ebay really quick and check a couple STS's with similar mileage that have auctions ending shortly to see what they sell for. That is generally what I like to do to see what true market value - what people are willing to pay - is for a car. Take geographical location into account. Here in Cental Ohio, a '99 STS with mileage in the low 60's would retail somewhere between the upper $10K to low $12K range based on color, options, etc. I'd be wary of the warranty. A lot of times those aftermarket warranties aren't worth the paper they're written on. Check the deductible, and extensiveness of the coverage. The main components that you need to be concerned with warranty-wise are Head Gasket replacement ($3K - $4k) and OEM strut/shock replacement ($2K - $3K). I'd be surprised if the warranty covers wear items like shocks or struts. If the car has had coolant changes at normal intervals (no less than 5 yr / 100K), then the gaskets should be OK. Generally, the other areas of the car wear well with and should be very trouble free with proper care. That said, I'd bag the warranty. I'd have them change the coolant and put in supplement tabs to be safe, unless there is proper documentation of a recent Dexcool coolant change.

You'll love the car if you buy it. A gently used STS is amongst the best used car values on the road today, and still looks the part. The 328 is a nice car, but that body style is two generations old now, and it is a lot less car for the money. Out of warranty BMW maintenance would make even a Cadillac owner cringe. The 328 is a fun car to drive, though, if it is a 5 spd with sport suspension. Just a different class of car - tough to compare the two.

Good luck.

 

[gatzby143]

I have never heard of supplement tabs for your car. Exactly what is that for and you mean put them in with new coolant?

Anybody else have any thoughts or opinions?
Thanx

 

[Ranger]

Suppliment tabs are "sealant tabs". They are crushed ginger root, which shrinks when wet and swells when dry. It's purpose is to seal niusence leaks from porous aluminum castings and imperfect gasket mating surfaces. It WILL NOT prevent or seal a head gasket leak. You can get them at the dealer for a few bucks or at Walmart, Napa or such stores. You want either HDC or G12BP at http://www.barsleaks.com. One is the tabs and the other is a powdered version. Put them in a radiator hose NOT in the surge tank as there is very light flow through it and they may clog it.

 

[Benjamin Simon]

The Guardian is a great company. My mechicanic suggested I try to go with them but I had to go with someone eles because I did not by my car at a dealer that offered it. Stay away from EFG companies.... I paid 9500 for my 99 STS with 90K on it 18 months ago. It was in very good cond. But, I am in oklahoma.

 

[gatzby143]

Anyone have any more info about the front-end /steering wheel vibration problem?

Thanx

 

[EcSTSatic]

Anyone have any more info about the front-end /steering wheel vibration problem?

Thanx

There's plenty of discussion on this subject. Try a search

I think it's a fair price from a dealer. I'd expect to pay less from an individual. My '99 has been trouble free except for an FPR. I have 70K on it.

 

[sjwoodruff]

Anyone have any more info about the front-end /steering wheel vibration problem?

Thanx

The Seville shudder is one of those unique characteristics of a car that seems to be a little annoying, but really isn't a huge deal if you can get past it. It can be caused by a bent or out of round rim, unbalanced wheel/tire, bad radial belt in a tire, misaligned front and/or rear end, damaged brake components, missing lug nuts, worn sway bar bushings, worn control arm bushhings, bad struts, bad wheel hub assembly and/or bearings, worn tie rod ends, UAW gremlins, tidal pull of the moon, etc, etc, etc...you get my drift.

I used to sell these new, and there were many that rolled off the line day one with this seemingly unfixable condition. My guess is that it has something to do with the high sensitivity of the Seville's variable suspension, and the rotational harmonics created at highway speeds. Don't qoute me on that, but there just isn't a bona fide answer as to why some Sevilles shudder and some don't.

I have a slight shudder between 55 and 70 mph on my STS, and it's just something I'm willing to live with as it's barely noticeable.

 

[91TexasSeville]

I am new to this forum and Cadillacs even though I own a 91 Brougham. I am looking to buy a 99 STS with 62k miles. It looks very clean and in great shape. I know about the issues of how it can eat oil and about a vibration at high speeds, so I took it a for a spin and it drove nice but had a slight vibration or jitterriness in the steering wheel around 60mph. Is that the known problem I have heard of or could it be something else, and if it is the known problem what should I tell them to look for to fix it before I buy it? Also is there anything else I should look out for before I buy it? I have the VIN for the car if it is needed. They are asking $12,500 and if I want can get an extended warranty for 3 years 36000 miles for another $1400. The extended warranty company is called The Guardian. Do you think the price of the car is good and is the warranty worth it? Its between this and a 98 328i for around the same price.

Thanx

In my area a 1999 STS with 62K miles in good condition is worth about $9,000 wholesale. I write "about" because each area is slightly higher/lower, and big options like sunroof, have a minor impact on value. Add 1400 for the warranty and 750 dealer profit and they should go for it like bees to a sunflower. If they stick to their price.... shop elsewhere.

 

[gatzby143]

Yeah, the lowest they will go is 12k. I am look for another. Plus the slight shudder I felt made me a little nervous.

On a side note, its only the 2000 and newer models that can run on regular gas correct?

 

[sjwoodruff]

You can run regular in any Northstar. The anti-knock sensor will prevent misfires, and the engine will run plenty smooth. You may sacrifice a small amount of horsepower at wide open throttle, but nothing noticeable in every day driving. As of '00, Northstars were tweaked a little to allow listed horsepower to be attained with 87 pump-octane fuel. I run my '98 STS 4/5 tanks of 87 and then a tank of Shell V-power. Overall, I get about 29 mpg on highway trips, and about 24-25 mpg on a total tank driving my daily routine.

 

[Rick94STS]

Yeah, the lowest they will go is 12k. I am look for another. Plus the slight shudder I felt made me a little nervous.

On a side note, its only the 2000 and newer models that can run on regular gas correct?

FYI - I run regular gas in my 94 STS with no problems, by the way it's up for sale now at a good price if interested check the classifieds, car is mint...
thanks