Caddy sts sevilles any good ?
Discussion
No, they're not any good. Old school soft wallowy barges.
Sort of like a Rover 800 but worse. They were panned at the time, lord knows how they compare now.
Better off with something like an Alfa 166. If it has to be a yank then look at a Cadillac CTS though I appreciate that may be over budget. One went on ebay 2 weeks ago for about £4800.
Sort of like a Rover 800 but worse. They were panned at the time, lord knows how they compare now.
Better off with something like an Alfa 166. If it has to be a yank then look at a Cadillac CTS though I appreciate that may be over budget. One went on ebay 2 weeks ago for about £4800.
LuS1fer said:
No, they're not any good. Old school soft wallowy barges.
Sort of like a Rover 800 but worse. They were panned at the time, lord knows how they compare now.
I wouldn't say rubbish, in the context of N. America it is an excellent car: Fast, quite, spacious, excellent ride, astonishingly comfortable and pretty economical for what it is. I don't remember it wallowing. I do remember the TC light flashing an awful lot but then in Texas the normal procedure is to gun it from rest to 90 away from intersections with lots of lovely V8 sounds from all around...Sort of like a Rover 800 but worse. They were panned at the time, lord knows how they compare now.
If you want something for blasting B roads forget it. If you want a comfortable cruiser on the cheap then it's not a bad bet.
If I recall, the North Star V8 engine is a fairly complex unit - it ain't no LS1 - and if it hasn't been serviced properly and the head gaskets go, it's an engine-out job or at least a massive pain. I'm sure that in absolute terms, it's not a bad car but I would never buy one when there are so many better alternatives....though again that depends on what sort of condition and service history the car comes with.
CDP said:
LuS1fer said:
If I recall, the North Star V8 engine is a fairly complex unit - it ain't no LS1 - and if it hasn't been serviced properly and the head gaskets go, it's an engine-out job or at least a massive pain.
Doesn't that go for Jaguar, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Lexus and Audi too?However, people often look to American cars as being ultra-reliable and cheap to run compared to BMWs and their ilk whereas the Caddy is a DOHC V8 and not necessarily as straightforward as your average yank V8.
I should emphasise I have no direct experience just what I've read on the internet (so it must be true..). Like any car, you'd buy on condition, mileage, service history and gut instinct and whether it's right for you.
haha i think thats what attracted dad to them as he had a merc s280 but he always has liked yanks and he said that the sts would of been ideal for him as its not so big that its a struggle.I personally think they represent a hell of a lot of car for the money but i think the thing thats putting him off slightly is the fact that a lot of them seem to have head gasket problems and someone else said that the electrics on them weren't exactly reliable is this true ?
haha i think thats what attracted dad to them as he had a merc s280 but he always has liked yanks and he said that the sts would of been ideal for him as its not so big that its a struggle.I personally think they represent a hell of a lot of car for the money but i think the thing thats putting him off slightly is the fact that a lot of them seem to have head gasket problems and someone else said that the electrics on them weren't exactly reliable is this true ?
Or buy a Lexus LS400 / 430. Mine's been a right PITA , in all the time I've owned it I've had the same warning light come on twice. You'd think they would have made a way for the washer bottle to fill itself from the rainwater and automatically add some screenwash from a separate tank by now. 
Whenever we had one in and the head gasket had gone the car was generally scrap.
I seem to recall that ideally you need a special tool to take the heads off and only a couple exist in the uk.
They can be reliable if looked after properly, but the head gasket issue and cost of the electronic dampers mean that only enthusiasts should buy.
The wide track (due to the transverse v8 and front wheel drive) and adjustable suspension made them a great car for taking speed bumps at a decent velocity.
The last uk model year (01 I think) were noticeably better put together than the early ones.
Unless its free or very cheap, buy something else!
I seem to recall that ideally you need a special tool to take the heads off and only a couple exist in the uk.
They can be reliable if looked after properly, but the head gasket issue and cost of the electronic dampers mean that only enthusiasts should buy.
The wide track (due to the transverse v8 and front wheel drive) and adjustable suspension made them a great car for taking speed bumps at a decent velocity.
The last uk model year (01 I think) were noticeably better put together than the early ones.
Unless its free or very cheap, buy something else!
We had one of the previous generation STS with the Northstar V8 engine (I think it may have been MY94). It was originally bought out in LA where we used it for two years, then relocated to Seoul, South Korea for three years, Hong Kong for three years and finally took it with us to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for another two years. During all that time the car only ever trew two electrical wobblies and in Hong Kong the chrome started peeling off the wheels. Engine remained bullet proof for the duration of our ownership and if you know what traffic conditions were like in Seoul during the middle to late '90's you'll know it will have taken quite some abuse (same in Ryadh where ingestion of dust was a real problem).
These cars are (IMO) ultra luxurious and want for nothing (only options at the time of purchase was pretty much exterior and interior colours only). Handling was pretty good too (for it's weight) and I have to say that we enjoyed owning the car immensely. However, as with all car purchases, I think it all comes down to how well the car has been looked after during it's life. So buy on condition and service history and you'll probably be ok. I absolutely loved it. We eventually sold the car in Saudi to a local chief of police and by all accounts he's still enjoying it!
Best of luck with your search.
These cars are (IMO) ultra luxurious and want for nothing (only options at the time of purchase was pretty much exterior and interior colours only). Handling was pretty good too (for it's weight) and I have to say that we enjoyed owning the car immensely. However, as with all car purchases, I think it all comes down to how well the car has been looked after during it's life. So buy on condition and service history and you'll probably be ok. I absolutely loved it. We eventually sold the car in Saudi to a local chief of police and by all accounts he's still enjoying it!
Best of luck with your search.
JimexPL said:
Whenever we had one in and the head gasket had gone the car was generally scrap.
I seem to recall that ideally you need a special tool to take the heads off and only a couple exist in the uk.
They can be reliable if looked after properly, but the head gasket issue and cost of the electronic dampers mean that only enthusiasts should buy.
The wide track (due to the transverse v8 and front wheel drive) and adjustable suspension made them a great car for taking speed bumps at a decent velocity.
The last uk model year (01 I think) were noticeably better put together than the early ones.
Unless its free or very cheap, buy something else!
You miserable fart. We actually buy and break STS's to help owners keep them running with sensible parts prices. You can't buy alot for the money anymore....I seem to recall that ideally you need a special tool to take the heads off and only a couple exist in the uk.
They can be reliable if looked after properly, but the head gasket issue and cost of the electronic dampers mean that only enthusiasts should buy.
The wide track (due to the transverse v8 and front wheel drive) and adjustable suspension made them a great car for taking speed bumps at a decent velocity.
The last uk model year (01 I think) were noticeably better put together than the early ones.
Unless its free or very cheap, buy something else!
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