Has anyone driven a Northstar powered STS???

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Nathan
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It has potential too look nice, but the crouched look and the grill have to go.


nuQ
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as much as i'd love to "like" the crossfire, i just can't. underpowered, overpriced, and just plain ugly.

looks like a bold statement gone horribly wrong.

nuQ
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agreed, quarterly profit statements are KILLING american business.

wes, what year sevilles are you looking at?????? in the nj/pa/ny area, couldn't find ONE decent looking interior from the 93 to 97 years. seemed to be cheap materials that wore out way too fast. the other point you stated about the Q's backseat not being big enough,,,,,,WHO CARES!!!! you don't have a family,,right? trunk space?? i'm assuming you're in the same boat as myself, and performance comes before how much room i need to get the baby seat in. after i put the new rims and yoko tires on the Q, the look COMPLETELY changed. much more sleek, low, tough, and sporty. i'd stack my 90Q with ANY 93-97 seville!!!!!(and i really wanted to like the sts, but the Q was my first love). until the Q, i think i was like you, got bored real quick with every car i owned. however, my two favorite cars i've ever owned was the 77280z and the Q. somethin' in the blood!

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Jesda
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Rusted out gear shifters? Surely there was there a massive recall campaign? Never heard of it.

The recent recall caused a handful of accidents and injuries. At least a POS Ford Focus (record number of recalls) will only leave you stranded and looking stupid.http://www.wfmynews2.com/2wk/2wk.asp?ID ... at...ws32/

High oil consumption and failing camshaft drives (Ford) and inadequately designed automatic transmissions (DC) are considered normal.

Actually, DC transmissions last forever (as in 150k) using Chrysler fluid. Anything else causes slippage, vibrations, and early wear. This is an extremely easy fix. I know this because that exact fix worked on a friend's 94 LHS, and this fix applies to numerous other Chrysler products. Otherwise, aside from transmissions, Chrysler's problems are related to accepting the lowest bidder for parts. Actual assembly is top notch.

You must be on crack to think the US big 3 are even on the same planet as the Japanese in qulaity control. Time to put down the glass pipe and remove your red,white and blue rose tinted glasses.

Well, you have to believe me when I say I'm not using illicit substances. Information would be much nicer than knee-jerk reactions.

Whenever I read about how attractive Cadillac interiors are from now on, I will be thankful there is another consumer who won't be adding to the demand for real automobiles that I desire. Thank God some people prefer to live in trailer parks.

Brian, were you looking to make a useful point with that toxic statement? Are you bitter about something?

Junk can come from any automaker, in any country. How about brand new Mitsubishis rusting on the dealer lot? http://www.freek.com/~dorqus/rust/http: ... /s...=rust

Don't bet the farm on Japan, and don't be so quick to criticize Detroit. Examine what you buy carefully based on information for THAT model and THAT year. Even our beloved Qs arent perfect. Can you say... CHAIN GUIDES?

I had a 1995 Mazda 626 I4 5-spd that ran forever. Sold it with 250k with an oil leak being the only issue. Anyone who bought the same 626 with an auto transmission had a $4000 repair bill coming up as soon as 15k. The V6 with auto used a different transmission, and didnt have any issues. But I'm not about to say the "626 is reliable" or the "626 is junk." Upon closer examination, I can conclude that both statements are true. And I'm not going to make such a broad, sweeping claim about a nation and its auto makers.

The 80s are over. Time to stop listening to Culture Club!

-Jesda

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elwesso
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I have to agree..... Jesda here has facts to back it up......

NuQ-- Seat room isnt a big deal, but it is somewhat tedious for people to get in and out, seeing I have to have the seat all the way back...... I was looking at a 92+ seville/eldorado, and everyone Ive seen had decent interior.... not perfect, but definitely better than what my Q has......

I dont think by any stretch of the imagination people who drive cadillacs live in trailer parks..... Thats like saying anyone who drives an Infiniti lives in a yert......

Oh, and BTW..... Ive seen PLENTY of CADILLACS that have MORE miles than any other Q here, and still run good..... Hell, when i was in vegas I saw 2 ford products (crown vic and explorer) that were at 300k+...... The crown vic was almost at 400k!!!!! Obviously I dont know any history on it, but if the fords were that junky, the cab companies would use them!!!!

Again, it would be stupid for me to sell, I was just wondering...... Its paid for, and its near golden...... Plus, I have all the information I could ever need for it..... If I got a new car, Id have to do it all over again......

Besides, now that I think of it, if I wanted a cadillac Id go all out, for a 95 Fleetwood brougham..... You CANT get better than that for road trips!!!!!! Find me a better car in that year for less than 20k, and not an exotic, and Ill give the Q away!!! Not really, but you get the idea......

Lets remember folks, cadillac has almost 80 years of heritage to back them up..... Infinit has 13, and they havent really had any TRUELY incredible cars, like the 59 eldorado biaritz..... Sure, they have made some really good cars, but nothing of this magnitude......

Do you think our Qs are really gonna be worth something someday.... maybe, maybe not, but I dont think that they will be selling for MORE than the new in that year price......

lessthanjakejohn
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new that in that year price means nothing. Inflation has lowered the worth of the dollar very quickly since the 50s.

-just pointing that out :D

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elwesso
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I realize this....... But can you ever forsee buying a 50 year old 1990 Q for $38,000..... I sure dont, but by then premium will probably be about $50/gallon.......

Altiman94
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Ain't that the truth. Gas is like 1.30 here for just 89 Ethanol.

lessthanjakejohn
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:puke ethanol?

VimyJ
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Always liked the way GM matched their engines and trannies.

$1.78 for 93 Octane here.

APEXi240
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My dad owned a 94 STS from 96-99, or something like that. He bought it at 22k, and had to get rid of it at 75k. He was starting to drop way too much money into it, and things were constantly breaking. I was not knowledgable about cars at all back then, but he had problems with CV joints, battery, leaking oil, electronics, and the back-breaker was the transmission was starting to go.

The thing sure did have some balls though, and really looked pimp.

By the way, my father is Italian and couldn't get the Caddy out of his system. I tried hard to get him into an I35 this past year, but he just wouldn't have it, and ended up picking up a CTS.

maxnix
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Jesda wrote:Actually, DC transmissions last forever (as in 150k) using Chrysler fluid.

Brian, were you looking to make a useful point with that toxic statement? Are you bitter about something? - Jesda
Chrysler transmsisisons going 150K? Bwaaahahhaha.

Sorry about the trailer park reference, it wasn't meant for you personally. It's a metaphor for the aspirations of those who lack the facility to think critically. You should have told me.:)

Isn't it funny there's no over 40 geezers who drove these cars when they were new saying how great these cars were when they were screwed together right? Funny, huh? I wonder why?

No, not really.

VimyJ
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"Isn't it funny there's no over 40 geezers."

I'm 43.

Sonny, Chryslers were good cars before Iacocca. The K car signaled a change.

The Japanese changed everything. I remember when one would laugh at the very idea of a Japanese truck and "Made in Japan" was an insult.

Times are always changing. Experience and displacement have no replacement.

maxnix
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Quote »Experience and displacement have no replacement.[/quote]Thanks Vimy. The K car saved and doomed Chrysler at the same time. It was a crash course for them since they didn't know how to build a fuel efficient car, so they aped VW. The worst trip I ever made was in a duster. But I digress.__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t & 2000 Q45

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Mr1der
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damn K cars....

they did kinda suck, but man did Chrysler love that 2.2 turbo motor...

they hold a place in my heart much like the damn Escort GT

does Renault stand alone or do one of the Big 2 (come on, Chrysler doesn't cound, it's got a German name in front now) have their hands in there?

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Jesda
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Well, I spent about $4200 on my Q since acquiring it in April. I consider that okay for a decade-old luxury car now with 181k. Im sure the next thing to go will be the transmission. Nice thing about spending so much on an old car, is knowing that every new part is giving the car a new life cycle.

Chain guides - $1200 jobOil pan drop - $350Tranny - $3000

You can expect to spend on a Seville what I did on the Q. You wont have injector issues, you'll have oil leaks. The transmissions are ridiculously durable and likely won't be an issue with good maintenance. And you'll have to deal with CV joints and a few electrical quirks (youre on the Caddy forum as am I, so I'm sure youre familiar with what they are). And parts are a bit cheaper.

One thing about my Q vs. the Seville, is that it doesnt leak a single drop of oil. It burns a little though and gives a tiny puff of blue at startup, due to slightly worn piston rings.

And my friend's 94 LHS is currently shifting beautifully at 140k. :) Clean fluid, clean shifts, driven daily in all weather. And the paint is gorgeous, although no Chrysler paint can come anywhere close to Infiniti.

On an unrelated note, I love those V6 first-gen Caravans! Theyre a hoot to drive and plow through snow like nothing else. Now selling for $700, theyre absolutely awesome for transporting garbage, large boxes, and maybe some people. And the heater is plenty effective for such a large cabin. To me, a real SUV is something you can roll into a ditch without caring about. :D

-Jesda

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elwesso
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So chevy celebrity would be an SUV..... :D

VimyJ
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"It burns a little though and gives a tiny puff of blue at startup, due to slightly worn piston rings."

More likely worn valve seals. Very common problem on high mileage engines. Not to worry. Doesn't affect motor performance in any way.

TgduMg
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[QUOTE] Originally posted by maxnix I guess Lutz really is kicking some butt now, huh?__________________ What about that generic lookin' Vette powered Catera coupe that Bobby's bringing over from Australia to sell as a GTO?

lessthanjakejohn
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I like that thing!

TgduMg
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Drove a brand new 98 STS in December 97 at OKC/Edmond area Caddy dealer. Salesman rode along and was amusingly cool as he did not pressure me purchase wise, but continually goaded be to punch it. I obliged. From a standstill (he had to demonstrate the traction conrtol) and at freeway speeds. The weather that day was light fog-misty and the roads on the course that we took were slightly damp. The traction control allowed quite a bit of wheelspin but I'm sure that it was engaged because the indicator light was on and it just didn't spool up through the gears with having 300 HP. One year I rented a new 96 deVille for New Years Eve, and when I deactivated the TC the car ran like in was on four cylinders. A friends wife rented him a 03 deVille for his birthday this past summer and we deactivated the TC on it to see what it would do. All 275 horses made their presence known. I was considering buying a beautiful 98 Shale Firemst/Black ETC from the Tulsa area Lexus dealer. Loaded, right miles excellent condition. The Eldos were about to be discontinued and I was feeling nostalgic because my dad bought Cadillacs and the first and last ones he bought were Eldos, with deVilles and Eldos in between (he bought a total of eight). Talked to service writer at local Cad dealer about possible Northstar problems and cost to repair. OK. Not cheap! Decided to trade Altima for Max. If I were you, I'd keep the Q. The VH45 and the Northstar both have their maintanance issues but it just boils down to what you want. FWD STS or RWD Q45. Keep the Q-munity STRONG!:cool:

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elwesso
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That thing with traction control..... FYI..... When you disable TCS on those cars, it locks into 2nd..... Id doesnt like you to do mad burnouts..... :(

Yeah..... it was just one of my goofy phases...... LONG LIVE THE Q......!

Funny, how last night I was talking to my grandparents about cars, and I was talking about some of the stuff I wanna do to it, and they said "dont you think youll wanna upgrade to something else".... I said "upgrade to what??"... Theres not much of an upgrade until I can afford a 02Q....

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Jesda
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I like the GTO! If only it wasn't called a "GTO"

TgduMg
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[QUOTE] Originally posted by elwesso That thing with traction control..... FYI..... When you disable TCS on those cars, it locks into 2nd..... Id doesnt like you to do mad burnouts..... Well on the 96 it seemed like it was locked in third, but on the 02 (it was actually the summer before last, friend got an 03 Avalon for his birthday this year) we did a mad burnout! Not smoky, but still mad!

TgduMg
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[QUOTE] Originally posted by Jesda. I like the GTO! If only it wasn't called a "GTO" Yeah. It just doesn't have the proper "GOAT" mystique. And it's not just because it doesn't have hood scoops. From the doors forward it's ok, looks like previous gen Grand Prix. But from the doors back it looks like a Cavalier. BTW did you see the AWD Grand Prix with the LS1 in it that was mounted sideways that John Moss built for the GM perfomance skunkworks? It was the prior bodystyle. IMO better looking than the 04 GP. GRRRR! I just remembered something, the GTO was a Goat and a Tiger. :tisk:

TgduMg
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by elwessoBut, the Q is unique...... I have gotten comments like "what kind is that", or "Nice mercedes", or "your dad let you get a BMW"......

I was often told, "Nice Lexus", and a female friend that knew that I was a Q-freak on the day I bought mine said it looks like a Jag. I will reply to driverdriver soon abut my XJR experience. :rotflmao


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