[1stgenbird]

Hello,
I am new to the forum and am looking to purchase my first STS and
really know nothing about the car or the engine so I am looking for opinions from the forum experts.
Today I looked at a 1996 STS with 120,000 miles for $5800. It seemed
in excellent condition and the only items I found wrong was a grab handle over the rear passenger door coming loose and a broken clip on the console cup holder cover. Other than that the car seemed real clean. The questions I have are:
1. Does this seem like a good price?
2. Is 120K miles a lot for the Northstar?
3. Is there anything I should be looking at for this year and mileage?

Thanks,

1stgenbird.

 

[Katshot]

Hello,
I am new to the forum and am looking to purchase my first STS and
really know nothing about the car or the engine so I am looking for opinions from the forum experts.
Today I looked at a 1996 STS with 120,000 miles for $5800. It seemed
in excellent condition and the only items I found wrong was a grab handle over the rear passenger door coming loose and a broken clip on the console cup holder cover. Other than that the car seemed real clean. The questions I have are:
1. Does this seem like a good price?
2. Is 120K miles a lot for the Northstar?
3. Is there anything I should be looking at for this year and mileage?

Thanks,

1stgenbird.

Welcome aboard,
I'll assume that you already know that the car tends to be a high maintenance vehicle. That aside, check to see if there are any DTCs present in the OBD (On-Board-Diagnostics) system that could point to a problem, road test for vibrations/noises, take it to a parking lot and do some tight figure 8's to check the front axles for noises, check the oil and coolant reservoir for any signs of "milky" sludge that would signal a head gasket problem, and finally ask to see a maintenance record to see how often oil changes and tune-ups were done. At that mileage, you should've gotten a FULL tune-up, coolant flush, and trans fluid change.

 

[elwesso]

If your looking for cheap transportation, think again....... If it doesnt have maintenance records, I would leave.....

 

[1stgenbird]

If your looking for cheap transportation, think again....... If it doesnt have maintenance records, I would leave.....

I expect more maintenance than usual may be required.
As with any car, good maintenance is the key to longevity
(most of the time).
I typically do most of the work myself.

This car is on a used car lot and they have no history records but
I plan on going back and take it for a ride and check the fluids.

As far as checking the OBD, how is that done?

 

[1stgenbird]

Welcome aboard,
I'll assume that you already know that the car tends to be a high maintenance vehicle. That aside, check to see if there are any DTCs present in the OBD (On-Board-Diagnostics) system that could point to a problem, road test for vibrations/noises, take it to a parking lot and do some tight figure 8's to check the front axles for noises, check the oil and coolant reservoir for any signs of "milky" sludge that would signal a head gasket problem, and finally ask to see a maintenance record to see how often oil changes and tune-ups were done. At that mileage, you should've gotten a FULL tune-up, coolant flush, and trans fluid change.

Yeah, I know that head gasket problem all too well. I bought an '87
sedan deville with 45,000 miles on it from a neighbor lady. It was fine when I bought it but 150 miles later the "milky" sludge appeared.
My neighbor, in a nice way, told me basically "tough *&%$", sold her house and moved away a week later. The I tore down the motor, replaced the head gaskets and am in the process of buttoning it back up. I don't hold out much hope for that 4.1 to run though.

 

[Katshot]

Yeah, I know that head gasket problem all too well. I bought an '87
sedan deville with 45,000 miles on it from a neighbor lady. It was fine when I bought it but 150 miles later the "milky" sludge appeared.
My neighbor, in a nice way, told me basically "tough *&%$", sold her house and moved away a week later. The I tore down the motor, replaced the head gaskets and am in the process of buttoning it back up. I don't hold out much hope for that 4.1 to run though.

Generally speaking, the HT4100 will require new heads (or at least remaned ones), head bolt inserts, and new head bolts.
If these are NOT done, chances of the engine living long are greatly reduced.
As for the new car, did you know you could have any GM dealer run the VIN and tell you what's been done to it? They can tell you everything that's been done at the dealership at least.

 

[1stgenbird]

Generally speaking, the HT4100 will require new heads (or at least remaned ones), head bolt inserts, and new head bolts.
If these are NOT done, chances of the engine living long are greatly reduced.
As for the new car, did you know you could have any GM dealer run the VIN and tell you what's been done to it? They can tell you everything that's been done at the dealership at least.

I did not know that about GM running the VIN. I plan on getting a
CARFAX myself if I do decide to act on it.
Thanks.

 

[1stgenbird]

I did not know that about GM running the VIN. I plan on getting a
CARFAX myself if I do decide to act on it.
Thanks.

I just ran the price of the car through Kelly Blue Book (kbb.com) and
it came up at $11,235. That's quite a difference!

 

[Night Wolf]

OT question:

Between a '93 DeVille with the 4.9 and a '93 STS with the N*, which car would be more trouble-free, cheaper to maintain and more reliable?

 

[elwesso]

I am always weary of the first year models.... They dont have any time to fix the bugs.... The early northstars werent necessarily more troublesome, but there were things changed in the later years.....

So in answer to your question...... I would say your deville.....

 

[Katshot]

I would say the 4.9 Deville too.

 

[2dfx]

I would say the 4.9 Deville too.

I second that

 

[the Sandman]

I second that

You were third!

 

[2dfx]

You were third!

quiet you!

 

[the Sandman]

quiet you!

:canttalk:

 

[Night Wolf]

Yeah, it's just after seeing the '93 STS, at first I hated the outside styling, now i like it, and it is the newer platform then my DeVille, plus the interrior is alot more newer and updated, all that, plus about 100hp or so more, and a tad more tourqe, for the smae price, I started second thinking my car choice.....don't get me wrong, I love the DeVille, and IMO has a little more "class" then the SeVille (all the chrome, hood ornament etc..) but the SeVille (and N*) has a bigger aftermarket, vs. my DeVille and 4.9 0 aftermarket....... just something I was thinking about......

...... There is no way i am selling my car and getting something else, but just thinking if I knew/liked the '93 STS at the time I was getting a car, my end choice *may* have been differnt, but I heard they, and the early N* can have alot of problems, and as it is now, I don't have money to keep dumping into the car to fix things......

 

[elwesso]

Hopefully you are adequate at DIYing, because most jobs that places charge a lot for can be done by yourself, with limited tools and knowhow....... Make sure you have a FSM, a good torque wrench, and a set of sockets/wrenches, and thats about all you need!!!

 

[Sevillius]

Another vote for the 93 DeVille. I happen to have a 93 DeVille and a 96 SLS. The DeVille just keeps on going, like the pink bunny, except for the worn out front struts. Happily, even the dash light ref the service suspension burnt out, so I didn't have to tape over it.


The thing has almost as much hauling room as my former truck, a 93 Ranger (not that I use it often for that).

Paul

 

[2dfx]

but the SeVille (and N*) has a bigger aftermarket, vs. my DeVille and 4.9 0 aftermarket....... just something I was thinking about......

Do I have to remind you??? lol! 4.9 = Godly Pimpin Motor!