[nmikmik]

Hi,
Caddy newbie here.

Looking to get a second/third car that I will most likely use for the long distance trips. I am not looking for the most loaded car, some mid grade amenities would be nice, the most important is the ride.
Which model year DeVille should I be looking for in order to get what I want?
Looking to spend $4-6k range.

Thank you in advance,

 

[amunderdog]

The d'Elegance designation was replaced with the DeVille DHS (DeVille High Luxury Sedan),
which added several cabin comfort options to include power rear window sunshade and heated/massaging rear seats.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cadillac_de_Ville_series#2000.E2.80.932005
http://www.cadillacforums.com/forum...g-1985/69696-dhs-vs-dts-whats-difference.html
I would push for 2005 or 2004

 

[basscatt]

Hi,
Caddy newbie here.

Looking to get a second/third car that I will most likely use for the long distance trips. I am not looking for the most loaded car, some mid grade amenities would be nice, the most important is the ride.
Which model year DeVille should I be looking for in order to get what I want?
Looking to spend $4-6k range.

Thank you in advance,

======================
the 2000 through 2005
BASE Deville and DHS Deville
share the same FE1 - soft ride - suspension -

the DHS has a LOT more "nice stuff" than the BASE Deville -
and you should be able to find a nice - low-mile - DHS in your price range -

there were some electronics changes starting in 2002 -

mid year 2003 finally got the coarse-thread head bolts -
that has almost done away with the failed head gasket problem -

2004 Deville - all models - got a different ignition coil system -

-----------------------------

I would start looking for a 2002 or newer DHS -

 

[Submariner409]

Yep - 2003,4,5 base Deville or DHS.

275 hp engine, 3.11 final drive. Calibrated to run on 87 octane. Gives 25 - 28 mpg open highway. Much less in the city - like 12 - 15.

Inflate the stock sized tires (driver's door sticker) to 30 psi, cold, all around for the most "Cadillac" ride. 33 psi all around for a bit more open road fuel economy. Check/fill tires cold only, never hot or after more than a mile of driving in the summer. "Cold" is ambient temps.

 

[Ranger]

Yep - 2003,4,5 base Deville or DHS.

Why not 2000-2002? Same car, same suspension, should have the same ride.

 

[Submariner409]

I was steering him to the (somewhat) less problematic later series of Northstar engines.

 

[Ranger]

Ahh, roger that.

 

[nmikmik]

Thank you All!

Will keep looking, so far finding lots of salvage/rebuild titles

Would like to have the lumbar support adjustable at least on the driver seat. Just looked at the 2004 DHS today and it did not have it.

Wish me luck

 

[Submariner409]

Stay away from salvage/rebuilds with a 100 foot pole ............. and NEVER trust a CARFAX. Personally perform, or at least commission, your own tire-kicking. There are a LOT of these cars for sale that have purposely hidden defects and it's up to the buyer to dig them out.

Learn to decipher the RPO (Regular Production Option) code sticker under the spare tire cover. That gives you everything built into that car. You could also take out a short subscription to www.compnine.com - you enter a vehicle's VIN and the site tells you everything about the car.

Pessimistic, cynical ??? Yes. But that's a big reason this site even exists. "How do I fix such-and-such that broke just after I bought my Deville ???".

Don't discount the "ride" of a DTS (A Deville Touring Sedan, NOT the 2006 and later "DTS") - they're comfortable "sporty" handling models. My STS is the tightest suspension of the herd and it's perfectly comfortable on our semi-annual 830 mile runs to a daughter's place in Florida. Yes, it has lumbar support adjustment.

 

[amunderdog]

Thank you All!

Will keep looking, so far finding lots of salvage/rebuild titles

Would like to have the lumbar support adjustable at least on the driver seat. Just looked at the 2004 DHS today and it did not have it.

Wish me luck

I do not see that option on DHS - Wonder if it was standard equipment? Or just the rear.

The Base Deville has the option
Comfort/Convenience Package - $1,820
Bucket heated electrically adjustable driver and passenger ventilated seat with height adjustment, lumbar adjustment, six adjustments and tilt adjustment; Memorized adjustment with two settings on door mirror position with six driver's seat positions; Driver door mirrors with automatic operation; Front facing heated rear seats; Heated steering wheel
http://www.motortrend.com/cars/2004/cadillac/deville/base_sedan/341/packages_options/

 

[Submariner409]

If a prospective Seville/Deville/Eldorado buyer wanted such-and-such a widget in HIS/HER car they could sit down with the salesman and special-order a car to their tastes........ such cars are out there: I have one.

Otherwise, within each model line, there were 2, 3 or 4 different option packages that the sales manager could "floorplan" based on his sales territory and perceived customer demands. Those packages are listed as an RPO, and CompNine breaks down some of the package contents.

So, it's entirely possible to have two same color, same wheel, same tire "identical" base Devilles with several different options.

Very common in here to see a question for a specific model/year with an XYZ radio, someone says "Your car does not have an XYZ" and the poster says "Yes, it does !". Different option packages.

 

[basscatt]

Thank you All!

Will keep looking, so far finding lots of salvage/rebuild titles

Would like to have the lumbar support adjustable at least on the driver seat. Just looked at the 2004 DHS today and it did not have it.

Wish me luck

================================
starting with the 2004 DHS - several "standard" accessories became optional -

both of my 2002 DHS's have them - front and rear -

 

[psatala]

I have a 2001 dhs. This car is loaded. Everything except night vision. All 4 heated seats. All 4 lumbar supports. Front seats massage. Its an absolute joy so far. 125k miles. Picked up for 3200 out the door. Uses no oil. Put 5k on it so far. Look forward to driving to work daily. Just my .02 worth

 

[Ranger]

My '03 has adjustable massaging lumbar in all 4 corners.

 

[nmikmik]

Can you please give me the cut-off date/month for the improved head bolt design?
I want to be able to differentiate between two otherwise identical vehicles and pick the winner
Thanks,

the 2000 through 2005
BASE Deville and DHS Deville
share the same FE1 - soft ride - suspension -

the DHS has a LOT more "nice stuff" than the BASE Deville -
and you should be able to find a nice - low-mile - DHS in your price range -

there were some electronics changes starting in 2002 -

mid year 2003 finally got the coarse-thread head bolts -
that has almost done away with the failed head gasket problem -

2004 Deville - all models - got a different ignition coil system -

-----------------------------

I would start looking for a 2002 or newer DHS -

----------

Is the little round button to the left of the reclining controls is the lumbar/massaging seat handle?
Thanks,
[URL=http://s293.photobucket.com/user/msag45/media/DHS%20seat%20controls.png.html][/URL]

My '03 has adjustable massaging lumbar in all 4 corners.

 

[MoistCabbage]

There isn't a date. You can tell by a VIN derivative on the block. There's a thread on it. Someone will probably post a link.

 

[basscatt]

Is the little round button to the left of the reclining controls
is the lumbar/massaging seat handle?
yes - and if you look really close -
you will see the word AUTO at the top -
this activates the "massage feature" -
that inflates and deflates the airbags -


you might like to look through the Owners Manual -
to see what is available -
go here for a free download -
http://justgivemethedamnmanual.com/cadillac/2004-cadillac-deville-owners-manual/

---------------

there is no "cut-off-date" -
or particular VIN number that starts the coarse head bolts -

if it's really that important to you -
there IS a way to determine if a particular motor has them -

read this -
http://www.cadillacforums.com/forum...eville-determining-headbolt-thread-pitch.html

 

[nmikmik]

Thank you very much for the info,
yes the cut off date or the way to determine the engine upgrade is important to me, prefer to avoid the possible problems.
Found a nice looking 05 DHS with fairly low miles and lot's of options, but.... looking at it's VIN, it looks like it was first titled with 19k mi on it! Does this imply it was initially a manufacturer owned, dealer driven or? Not sure how to even feel about this vehicle. Another DHS is 03 and has less options, although it does have the important ones, but the M11x2.0 threads check is still to be performed.

 

[Submariner409]

Your obsession with head bolts is unwarranted. Find a good, clean 2003 - 2005 DHS and go for it. Be picky, and resist the urge to buy a "Weekend Special" off someone's lawn or at Korner Kar Korral. There are plenty of creampuffs out there - you just have to do some homework.

Walk into your local Cadillac dealership and talk to a salesman. The dealership will NOT normally have that old a model on the lot, but the salesman has access to a huge database of Cadillac trade-ins. Be candid and state your needs.

Two minutes turned this up .................(You'll have to surf the Capitol Cadillac site)

http://www.fitzmall.com/Inventory/S...LLE&Trims=4DR+SDN&Regions=MA&UseCriteria=true

http://www.capitolcadillac.com/Vehi...d5S2PY8r8mD43YiG4mFsf9VOopWxWSu0-YaAsoJ8P8HAQ

 

[Ranger]

Found a nice looking 05 DHS with fairly low miles and lot's of options, Another DHS is 03 and has less options,

Generally speaking, a DHS is an optioned out Deville. Can't be too much missing.