Upgrade from 1998 Seville STS to 2005+ STS

2990 Views 19 Replies 10 Participants Last post by turnne, Apr 21, 2011

Hogg

Discussion Starter · Apr 1, 2009 (Edited)

Hello folks.

I currently have a 1998 Z rated 300hp STS Seville. I am considering updating to a 320hp V8 RWD STS.

I am very interested in performance(accelaration etc). How does the FWD 300hp STS compare to the 2005+ 320hp RWD car?

I really do like the looks of the 98+ Seville cars.

Can traction control and such be switched off to allow the RWD STS to hang out and power slide like an F-body/vette can? I do miss the RWD performance aspects since I have had a FWD car.

HAs anyone made the swap from FWD 98+ STS to 2005+ STS?

Does anyone have any 1/4 mile time/speed comparisons between the fwd 300hp car and the rwd 320hp car?
Top speed comparisons. I have had my car over 140mph.

How much more would a 2006+ STS-V cost over a 2005+ STS 320hp car?

Any issues with the 5l50e trans?

Any and all comments are appreciated.

Thanks

Hog

1 - 20 of 20 Posts

BaTu

· #2 · Apr 1, 2009

Last year I went from a '97 STS to an AWD '05.

No comparison in torque I can tell you that! Not only was my '97 faster (granted, the AWD is eating-away at HP that the RWD would still have) but my old car had a nasty Growl that I really miss when you get-on-it

An STS-V would give you back everything, and More, but it's gonna cost you 2X what the non-V STS costs.

Traction comes off with any of them, you don't have to worry about that....

I think the trans is plenty strong, haven't heard of people blowing them up.

Again, the 300hp made power lower and I think that's what will stand out to you when you drive a newer one.

WillySTS

· #3 · Apr 1, 2009

I came from a '99 Seville STS w Z rated option also, to a STS-V. My '99 was the most powerful Cadillac at the time and so was my V. The difference between the non V STS w/N* and my '99 in acceleration was miniscule 14.98 1/4 mile vs 14.86(a friend of mine timed w/my G-Tech). If you are getting one without Nav/Bluetooth, it's simply not worth it. My '99 had more room, front and rear, more cubby holes and storage bins/trays and a big glovebox. I can't even get the owners manuals(although it is as thick as a Bible) and a pair of gloves in my V's glovebox. Sure, it has a FEW features the '99 didn't have like a heated steering wheel, cooled seats(not on my V, but on reg STS), XM radio and OnStar, and HID headlights, but thats it! If it didn't have the power that it does, 13.36 1/4, I would be longing for it back.

The 5 speed auto is ok, we don't get much trouble out of them, but all in all they are nice cars.

ECha3

· #4 · Apr 2, 2009

My wife went from a 325 HP '98 STS to the 320 HP 2007 STS V8 1SE. Biggest disappointments: No Cruise Control Cancel (standard on newer models), Less Trunk Space, Poor Winter Performace, Styling, N* Sound, Glove Box & Tight Interior. Biggest Pluses: Better Seats for her Back, Heated Steering Wheel, the rest of the toys (NAV, Bluetooth, Keyless Entry, Remote Start, etc.) and Dry Handling.

I bought mine because I wanted the ACC. Cadillac's is better than any other. I can't believe the bargin value of a LOADED STS CPO.

AllWheelEric

· #5 · Apr 2, 2009

If I could have my '96 back (rejuvenated) I would take it. My wife feels the same. However, Hogg seems to be more into performance than comfort, whereas I mostly miss the looks, comfort and better fuel efficiency. The 2005+ would no doubt be the better car on a track that has curves. It rides steady and corners tightly. Consider AWD, which is sure-footed for the aggressive driver even in rain or snow.

BaTu

· #6 · Apr 2, 2009

Although I LOVED my '97, the drop in performance is Totally obscured by my '05s new features!

HUD & ACC are AWESOME !!!! The AWD goes places even the FWD would have trouble (if you're in a "snow" area you're going to Really miss the FWD if you go RWD). Handles better, more "toys" to play with,,,,, just a Great car!

Hogg

Discussion Starter · #7 · Apr 2, 2009

Hhmmm. Very interesting guys.

Looks like I'm going to have to get out and test drive some cars.

I would have thought that the RWD 320hp STS engines with VVT would have made more torque down low as well as having the better high rpm power?

Thansk for the input, any more?

peace
Hog

corvette00

· #8 · Apr 3, 2009

If I had the choice between a new awd V8 and a new 03 STS, I would probably pick the 03. However, the new STS performs much better than the old. I just feel the old style STS was a better all-around daily driver and looked more like a Cadillac should. You may want to take a look at the V8 Lucrene.

Submariner409

· #9 · Apr 3, 2009

Even now you can find a decent 2003 MagneRide STS with <50,000 miles for cheap, dump a slew of money into it (if necessary) and still come out under a newer STS cost. Been there, decided "NO" to the newer car. I like the power and some features of the new CTS-V, but would never buy one: they're butt-ugly and the interior is cheap bling looking.

BaTu

· #10 · Apr 3, 2009 (Edited)

submariner409 said:
Even now you can find a decent 2003 MagneRide STS with <50,000 miles for cheap, dump a slew of money into it (if necessary) and still come out under a newer STS cost. Been there, decided "NO" to the newer car. I like the power and some features of the new CTS-V, but would never buy one: they're butt-ugly and the interior is cheap bling looking.

Wait a min..... My '05 AWD 1SG HUD MagRide loaded, loaded, loaded,,,,, car with 26K miles on it is worth what? - 18K???

And you're suggesting buying an older car with twice the mileage and "dumping a slew of money in it"?

On what planet does that make sense???

Submariner409

· #11 · Apr 3, 2009

................IF you don't like the new Darth Vader body styling, as some of the other posters alluded.

ECha3

· #12 · Apr 4, 2009

BaTu said:
Wait a min..... My '05 AWD 1SG HUD MagRide loaded, loaded, loaded,,,,, car with 26K miles on it is worth what? - 18K???

And you're suggesting buying an older car with twice the mileage and "dumping a slew of money in it"?

On what planet does that make sense???

:hmm:Maybe if he's choosing between the two. Not me on any planet. :helpless:

inurok

· #13 · Apr 4, 2009

I thought the new STS with VVT was much quicker than the 98 styled Sevilles. The engine has a terriffic growl and the car is way more fun to throw around. I owned a 2005 Bonneville GXP withj the 275 hp Northtar and drove a 300 hp DTS for a year and the STS vvt is much more responsive inho. The Seville looks better but the STS beats it everywhere else. Bose in the STS is over-rated I thinks as the Old Logic 7 system in my 745i blows it away.

cadillacdriver25

· #14 · Apr 19, 2011

the logic 7 is not as good as the bose in the STS- in my opinion. the logic 7 is also very sensitive in going bad ... only problems with this system.

ECha3

· #15 · Apr 19, 2011

My wife's '98 STS sounded better WOT but I hated the FWD. I love my 2006 AWD 1SG!

turnne

· #16 · Apr 19, 2011

BaTu said:
Wait a min..... My '05 AWD 1SG HUD MagRide loaded, loaded, loaded,,,,, car with 26K miles on it is worth what? - 18K???

and what planet are you living on where at 05 with even 10K miles is worth 18K?

Based on you think your cars is worth I must have gotten the firesale of the century when I bought my 2005 in 2009....white diamond 1SG AWD with HUD/ACC

Warren

turnne

· #17 · Apr 19, 2011

EChas3 said:
My wife went from a 325 HP '98 STS to the 320 HP 2007 STS V8 1SE. Biggest disappointments: No Cruise Control Cancel (standard on newer models), Less Trunk Space, Poor Winter Performace, Styling, N* Sound, Glove Box & Tight Interior. Biggest Pluses: Better Seats for her Back, Heated Steering Wheel, the rest of the toys (NAV, Bluetooth, Keyless Entry, Remote Start, etc.) and Dry Handling.

I bought mine because I wanted the ACC. Cadillac's is better than any other. I can't believe the bargin value of a LOADED STS CPO.

what?.....what other cars did you drive and compare the ACC to?

I seem to remember the Acura system that was tied into the emergency braking system that would slow the car down to 10mph if it though there was a front end collision imminent.....Mercedes system works the same way as I recall

I agree with you on the bargain prices of these used...but hasn't it been that way for 2-3 decades?

Depending on whether you are on the buy or the sell side...its a great deal..or time to bend over with these cars

Warren

turnne

· #18 · Apr 19, 2011

Hogg said:
Hello folks.

I currently have a 1998 Z rated 300hp STS Seville. I am considering updating to a 320hp V8 RWD STS.

I am very interested in performance(accelaration etc). How does the FWD 300hp STS compare to the 2005+ 320hp RWD car?

I really do like the looks of the 98+ Seville cars.

Can traction control and such be switched off to allow the RWD STS to hang out and power slide like an F-body/vette can? I do miss the RWD performance aspects since I have had a FWD car.

HAs anyone made the swap from FWD 98+ STS to 2005+ STS?

Does anyone have any 1/4 mile time/speed comparisons between the fwd 300hp car and the rwd 320hp car?
Top speed comparisons. I have had my car over 140mph.

How much more would a 2006+ STS-V cost over a 2005+ STS 320hp car?

Any issues with the 5l50e trans?

Any and all comments are appreciated.

Thanks

Hog

To put my spin on this

I came from a late build 02 to an 05 1SG AWD

My 02 had the magride and Xenon headlight options

A few differences
The 02 had better interior build quality and felt like it cost more
It was definitely more old school Cadillac and got better mileage than the 05 does
The 02 had more room in every dimension than the newer car

that being said
The 05 drives better in every way
Much tighter handling
That hockey rink size turning radius that the 02 had..the 05 is MUCH better....ditto with the brakes
Cadillac FINALLY got the memo that performance cars require performance brakes...the brake fade factor is much lower on the 05. Still not "german" brakes..but a huge improvement

A much better trans....that wide ratio 4 speed that the old car had was an antique. I always felt the older car needed at least one( or two) more cogs to give it more low end umph
The 05 has better low end torque and a more modern trans to make it more comfortable in all driving situations....though I think the old wide ratio 4 speed gave the older body style better fuel economy
The 05 ..probably due to its weight distribution...feels a lot more balanced. The 02 had a "heavy" front end feel. Hitting a bump under moderate to heavy acceleration would "unnerve" the 02. The 05 is light years better in that regard

IMO..the 05 sounds more refined than the 02 under acceleration...same sound ..just tuned more "classy"
On another note..the 01 Aurora 4.0 I had was tuned even louder than the 02 STS...again same sound..just a little more "rough" around the edges than the 02 STS

Again...if Gm was serious about going after the germans.....LOL....they probably figured out that that particular crowd doesn't want their car to sound like a Camaro

Warren

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BaTu

· #19 · Apr 20, 2011

turnne said:
and what planet are you living on where at 05 with even 10K miles is worth 18K?

Based on you think your cars is worth I must have gotten the firesale of the century when I bought my 2005 in 2009....white diamond 1SG AWD with HUD/ACC

Warren

Hehehe.... Warren, :bang2:

And what planet are you ON, when you quote a 2 Year Old post of mine and expect the prices therein to be relevant today :helpless:

Pay ATTENTION Dude!

turnne

· #20 · Apr 21, 2011

BaTu said:
Hehehe.... Warren, :bang2:

And what planet are you ON, when you quote a 2 Year Old post of mine and expect the prices therein to be relevant today :helpless:

Pay ATTENTION Dude!

ahh...LOL..ok
Dedect 30% ( at least) then

Warren

1 - 20 of 20 Posts

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