[cantdecide]

I spent at the local Cadillac dealership yesterday evening, found two cars (both local trade ins). One I like a LOT (97 with 70k) and one that I love (02 with 60K). The 02 has all the toys i have been looking for, and the 97 does not have many at all (no CD even) But the 97 is a definite Cream Puff. We drove the 97, and it is like a new car. The 02 did not have gas in it, so we did not drive it last night. We are going back tomorrow to look at them both in the daytime and make a choice. The 02 is about 15k and the 97 is about 10k. The 97 I can get on my own, but the 02 i will need a cosigner (which I have) I am thinking that with the better interest rate I would get with a cosigner, the monthly payment may not be too much more. This would mean that I would probably end up paying close to the same amount for both, even though the actual prices of the cars are different. How much of a difference is there between the two froma drivers perspective? Also are there any particulars i should look out for on these two? Any and all advice is greatly appreciated, I cannot wait to join the cadillac ownership family!

 

[bubba67801]

I think the price of the 97 is a little high. I'm in the process of buying a 98 Deville with 99k for $5700. Nothing major wrong at all. Body is sweet, heated seat and lumbar control panel on drivers seat is a little loose and compass need calibrated, everything else looks good.

I just looked on kbb.com (Kelly Blue Book) and a 97 with 70k should retail for about $8600.

 

[powerglide]

Well....if you can afford it go with the newer one.

5 years is almost half a lifetime in car years.

I bet you can negotiate a better deal on both but upon initial inspection the 97 sounds high and 02 sounds good. Anything wrong with the 02? Pull DTC codess on both and see whats up. Also carfax to see if either one has been a fleet vehichle.

 

[Frost]

In the end, if the cash thingy is taken care of, then go with your heart. Last year, I bought a 1997 Deville and I wasn't even in the market for buying a car! Some people might say "Gee, that must've been one Hell of a sales-weenie to sell a car to someone didn't want one", but in actual fact, it was the car that did it for me, not the weenie: The leather interior was unmolested, It started up with barely a whisper out of the tailpipes, ran smoother than a tall glass of Cream Soda and Milk, had the cajones when called upon to flaunt them and hugged the road around the turns.

What's not to love about the '97? Well,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,I kinda don't like the colour that much (Silvermist Metallic) and the interior shade (Dark Montana Blue) is sorta limiting for me if/when I get around to changing the exterior to something more befitting this beast - like maybe "Blue Chip"?

And that's about it. Go with your heart, man. You'll be in that car for a good, long while (hopefully)

 

[powerglide]

Yeah, Frost makes a good point.

Another way of putting "go with your heart" would be 'feel the cars vibe' for me.

Some cars just give me a great 'vibe' while others make my hair stand up.....its highly non-scientific but I think it has to do with the perception (vision, feel, smell etc) that you get overall from the car.

Follwoing this gut feeling hasn't strayed me so far.

Good luck.

PS Frost I love that silver mettalic paint job! (It would have been one of the top choices for me....except for the blue interior)

 

[molotovman5000]

I used to be into sports cars untill i test drove a 97 Deville white diamond with 71K miles. i also was like "Frost" i wasn't looking for a deville, i was about to buy a 3000GT VR4 but decided to go with the deville, and it was the best decision i made :cool2:
I would say go for the 97
pics of my car with 5% tint all-around (sorry bout pic quality)

 

[molotovman5000]

Dp

 

[cadillacgirl]

i have a 98 sedan de ville that was a cream puff too it had 75k and the only thing i have had to change in 2 years is a battery/altanor (spelling) and i love my car i am a cadillac girl for life now....

 

[cantdecide]

I think I am definitely going to go with the 97 now. Went back to the dealership on Saturday and worked some numbers, The 02 would be about $175 more per month and would be 48month as opposed to 36 on the 97! The 97 gave my wife and I "that feeling" when we initially drove it too. I liked the 02 a lot, but nowhere near that much more than the 97. The only thing we did not like was the lack of a CD player, but researching ebay i should be able to get the trunk mount changer fairly inexpensively. I am gonna make the dealer throw in a voucher to tint the windows also. The pearl in the diamond white is a spectacular color! It also has a sim top, which I never liked until i saw this car. I cannot wait! :bouncy:

 

[Frost]

And another happy Caddy owner joins the group! Congrats, you won't regret the purchase. Please post some pics of the ride when you're all settled into it.

 

[powerglide]

Congrats!

Post pic when you get it.

Let me know if you want a cd changer, I bought one but ended up upgrading the whole system and never used it. (its a plug and play OEM type 6 disc changer)

Glad you found the right one!

 

[cantdecide]

Thanks powerglide! I will more than likely take you up on the changer. Is it compatible though? I thought the pre-2000 models used the trunk mounted cd changer. If if it will work though, i will be most appreciative. I will take pics as soon as I can (wanna show off the beautiful car!) Thanks again for all advice offered, you guys are a great resource.

 

[powerglide]

Great, another happy caddy owner!

This place is fantastic, its saved me so much money in repairs its unreal.

Yeah, let me know about the changer. (Mine is 98, trunk mounted, I think it fits 97-99 models)

Post pics when you can! :thumbsup: