So, I've been thinking about what to get the wife for a DD. We sold our two year old Caravan to get rid of the payment (HOORAY!!) and I bought her a 2002 Kia Sedona. Not terrible, but she doesn't like it, and now she wants something other then a minivan. So, after thinking about what we need, I'm leaning towards the STS. I can get a 2000-ish for around $3000, but I don't know anything about their reliability, real-world fuel mileage, or what to look out for when shopping. I'd welcome any pointers, knowledgeable opinions, or insight you folks can offer. Thanks.
Mike
They lift heads frequently and necessitate expensive repairs. A few years ago you would find them all over craigslist broken and cheap. I think the thread repair kit was called Timeserts or something similar.
Other than that, they drive really nice.
Cheap, comfortable, decent power, more buttons that you'll ever need.
Electronics are a troubleshooting nightmare (coming from a northstar power aurora owner - essentially the same car)\
But again, very nice riding and driving car for day to day
I can only say what I saw working at a Caddy dealer for a while...electronics are finicky, the Northstar models like to leak oil, some genius designed that engine with a split oil pan, so it always leaks. Crankshaft seals leak frequently, too. I have seen some with 100K+ miles, but it's rare. Might just be the people that buy Cadillacs though.
As for fuel economy, I would say high teens, average, depending on your driving and where you drive. That silly 4-speed auto sucks a lot of MPGs away.
They do ride pretty nicely, and they have good power. And the front seats are among the most comfortable ever made, in my opinion. Unless I'm thinking of the later DTS seats...
So, it may last a long time and run well, but don't be surprised if you have to drop a lot of coin on it from time to time.
Eb4Prez
New Reader
8/15/10 11:34 a.m.
Helped my brother out of a jamb in his '97 STS a few months ago. Super nice car he picked up for a good price. He drove it back here to AR from GA on vacation and started overheating. BEWARE of the early Norhstar head gasket/head stud problem. Really expensive to have repaired. Oh, I fixed it with a 99 cent for sale sign, works every time!
(do a search here for Northstat)
Eb4Prez
New Reader
8/15/10 11:36 a.m.
that should be a search for Northstar. Surre, I kaint tipe tooo guud this mrngk!
To add to the above, all of them I see in the junk yards have zero body damage. Which usually means an engine or trans. failure that costs more to fix than the car is worth.
My wife has a 2007 model and she loves it. It gets 24mpg going back and forth to work and runs 9.20s bone stock at the local 1/8 mile track.
