Has anyone driven a Northstar powered STS???

[elwesso]

I went and looked at a 1994 cadillac STS today, and needless to say I really like it...... Before I go onto any more details, I want to know if anyone has driven one, and how they compare with the Q..... I wanna keep the Q (sorta), and I wanna know how its gonna stack up once its in good running order!!!

[Altiman94]

I wouldn't get rid of the Q.

[PalmerWMD]

I raced one,it ran equal with me.they have horrible gasket problems.Not sure they were ever fixed and no easy fix exists for it.

Not in same class as Q but close.Too bad they are FWD

Fred..

[elwesso]

Yeah.... I know all about the northstar and its quirks..... Seeing how I am on cadillacforums and am the leading poster there!!!

I figured it'd be about the same as the Q.... If their not in the same class as the Q, what class are they in???

[PalmerWMD]

One below, as they were cheaper.

Fred..

[nuQ]

about a year ago, was very close to buying an sts. the Q was a longtime love, and thank god i found NICO and the seller of my Q. what kept me from getting the sts was the build quality. couldn't find one without the interior looking like (s)(h)(i)(t)!!!!! i also couldn't live with a performance sedan having fwd. and let' not forget about oil leaks!!!! it is a good looking car, though.

to sum up, the Q and the sts are in the same class, but the Q is definitly in another class from the sts. if you get an sts, have a feeling you'll be back here soon! the grass is always greener........................

[elwesso]

I suppose..... There's just something that seems better about the STS.... Something the Q lacks..... Dont know what it is, but overall, I think the Q looks somewhat bland compared to the STS..... I guess its better for the designers to spend more time on the drive train (like on the Q) than on the body design......

The seats in the STS are super comfy, there is more rear seat room (the Q is downright pathetic considering its size), the trunk is tiny (again, bad considering its size)..... Plus, the engine sounds WONDERFUL (didnt get to test drive, just started it up to listen to it).... After hearing that, im gonna have to redo the rear exhaust resonator for a little more rumble.......

Dont get me wrong the Q is golden....

[Metroyed]

is it just me?....

I love the way the Q looks, i can't blame anyone for thinking otherwise, since it's all opinion. But that seems to be the #1 complaint(outside of maybe backseat space), I think the interior of the Q is almost freakin artwork. The exterior has that quiet cool that has to be earned. Ah well, just my $.02

[Stu Segal]

The last car I bought, before my Infiniti, was a new '99 Eldorado ETC.

The ETC has 25 more HP than an STS, and the body is different (2 door), but I believe the drivetrain, and a lot of the interior and mechanical components are the same.

I'd be concerned about 2 things if buying an STS or an Eldo. These cars have tremendous torque for a FWD vehicle. As a result, Eldos have ALWAYS (remember, the Eldo has been FWD since the late 60s) had trouble with CV joints, axles, etc., and I suspect the STS is subject to the same kind of problems (especially if the car was owned by someone who ran it hard).

My ETC was plagued with electrical/electronics problems. Caddy has some really cool electronics in the cars, but when the stuff starts to go haywire, you better have a really healthy checking account. (I got rid of my ETC in month 47 - 1 month before the warranty expired).

As to what "class" these cars are - the ETC had a window sticker price of $51k in '99, and I think the STS if optioned the same way was just as expensive. I'm not sure you can put them in a class with anything else - they clearly are NOT in the same class as 7 series BMWs or big Benz's (but they cost $25K less). While they don't handle as well as the German cars, and they don't have some of the technology of the Japanese cars, there's still something that feels very good about driving a Caddy.

The real reason I stopped driving a Caddy was, in '00 they lowered the compression on the ETC (so it could run regular fuel) and hurt the performance, and in '01 they discontinued the car - and from what I could see that left Caddy with a bunch of big slow cars (the CTS is a dog). So I bought a G35 Coupe.

But if Caddy ever brings back a high HP Eldo, or similar car, I'd probably buy another one.

[cweberj30t]

The FWD is not my taste. It has a lot of power and is probably very close to the Q with that regard. The feel of the car pulling the steering wheel out of my hands is not very appealing. I'm not that impressed with the overall luxury aspect of Cadillac recently. Especially after I saw one of those wagon/SUV SRX's. I used to be a believer in Caddy's, my father had an Fleetwood Brougham years ago and I loved it. The fact that it is american made and I would love to stand by it (I thought I would never own a Japanese manufactured car) I have lost faith. All of the appeal of owning a Cadillac has gone and I'm the proud owner of an Infiniti. Who would have guessed it.

[maxnix]

Do we really need to debate the relative merits of any GM car realtive to an Infiniti. I mean, really?

The cheapest Honda is built better that any GM product. End of story. If that's really where you want to go. Godspeed.

[Jesda]

These days, Honda build quality is being questioned, especially with the recent recalls for rusted out gear shifters and such. Brand new Civics have uneven paint jobs, and cheap interior pieces that Hyundai can put to shame.

Meanwhile, Bob Lutz is giving GM a serious kick in the pants, reinvigorating its lineup instead of resorting to Ford's massive cost-cutting.

Honda reliability is still very good, but massively exaggerated. And GM quality problems are exaggerated as well. Remove the mental images you have from the 80s of the Accord hatchback passing a dead Cavalier on the side of the road. Things have changed.

Now, as far as the Seville, I have been in a few, and I love the way the interior is put together. Its absolutely gorgeous. And the leather is far superior to what you will find in most Japanese cars. For whatever reason, American cars seem to use the kind of leather seats that can endure a beating. The switchgear unfortunately feels very cheap. And like our Qs, the Bose sound system is lame.

Outside, its gorgeous. It is a stunning, very international (yet still very American) design that makes an elegant statement awithout blending in (like Lexus).

Mechanical issues are usually oil leaks and carbon buildup, but fortunately it doesnt have oil leak issues the way Mazdas used to. Carbon buildup is resolved by hitting that redline every once in a while.

Overall, the Seville is the ultimate expression of American style. I would love to have one, but not as a replacement for my Q. If not the Seville, then perhaps a more affordable Chrysler LHS or 99+ Lincoln Continental.

-Jesda

[Mr1der]

I personally loved the styling on those cars (may very well be my favorite 4 door ever) and always heard the Northstar was a tough engine, but I've never owned one:(

I hope Lutz turns GM around into a serious company with some viscious cars again, and I hope Ford will stop being lame.

it kills me to see any, I mean any car company just make complete crap, in a perfect world even Kia and Hyundai would be able to give some Ferraris competion....

[elwesso]

The STS and the ETC have the same hosepower..... Both at 295 before 95, and then 300 after that..... The SLS and eldorado have 275 pre 95, then 280 after 95......

But, the Q is unique...... I have gotten comments like "what kind is that", or "Nice mercedes", or "your dad let you get a BMW"......

Again, I think Ill be happier overall with a decent wood trim kit for the inside, new leather, and a different muffler...... Plus, Im having a heck of a time keeping the Q in good running order, cant imagine what a STS would be like!!!!!

[elwesso]

And that is another good point...... When I was car shopping, I wanted a seville or eldorado, and I went to a dealership and saw the Q..... I hate FWD, and thats what ultimately changed my mind.....

And about the interior, I guess you sorta had to read my mind ..... Anyway, the Q interior looks as if it was designed in pieces, and those pieces were perfected and blended together...... The seville looks more like it was designed overall, as in they did it all at once......

Again, I dont really understand it..... The Q is technically a better car, but theres something about the seville that makes me think its better..... But, yes, the grass is always greener.......

[Stu Segal]

If you're concerned about keeping an STS in good running order, let me reiterate - I sold my ETC when it was 47 months old, 1 month before expiration of the warranty, as the range of electronics that needed to be repaired (all at GMs cost) during the first 47 months made me think the ongoing repairs would be way too expensive (once the car was out of warranty). Probably true with all cars as they age - but especially true with luxury cars with expensive systems and features.Funny thing though - the car never needed an actual mechanical repair of any part of the drivetrain in the entire time I owned it.Good luck . . .Stu

[maxnix]

Rusted out gear shifters? Surely there was there a massive recall campaign? Never heard of it. I mean GM can't even build an engine that stays sealed for 50K. High oil consumption and failing camshaft drives (Ford) and inadequately designed automatic transmissions (DC) are considered normal. You must be on crack to think the US big 3 are even on the same planet as the Japanese in qulaity control. Lutz has not and will not make one iota of difference in quality control for GM. The new GTO is already being reviewed as a hot rod with build issues. The CTS V will be also. Now, the Koreans threaten to surpass Detroit if they have not already done so.

Time to put down the glass pipe and remove your red,white and blue rose tinted glasses. If it wasn't for pickups, the big three would be underwater. Now if Nissan could only build enough Titans, the insignificant three would assume their true ranking in the automotive world.

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. The war is lost, Toyota, Honda and NIssan have won. Nothing is going to change it unless the UAW is disenfranchised and Japanese executives get to reorganize the US automotive companies and the accountants are removed from control of them.__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t & 2000 Q45

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[elwesso]

I guess maybe Ill need to drive one and realize its not any better..... You always want what you cant have......

[VimyJ]

"Nothing is going to change it unless the UAW is disenfranchised"

Looks like the UAW is being disenfranchised as the big 3 lose more and more ground. However, to lay the blame for poor quality at the feet of the assemblers is unfair. That a domestic car has finished its useful life at 100k miles while a Japanese car at that mileage is still has years of service ahead of it is not the fault of assemblers.

[rydwhite]

..... You always want what you cant have......

Right, but in my case, I want an Aston Martin Vanguish. If you want something you can't have, aim higher than a 95 STS. Come on Wes.

Now, the STS is a nice enough car, but I really think that you will be happier keeping your Q. The Q in my opinion is a much better car than the STS. Of course, this is coming from a person who has driven neither. I think that the Q is classier more regal looking work of art whereas the sts is a nice looking car, but it reminds me of a quick assembly line put together. All in all, I think maintenance will be similar for both cars. They both are going to have their quirks and problems, so, I guess, i would base the decision on performance and looks. The Q is RWD which is a plus and in my opinion it looks much nicer.

But, in the end, it is your decision to make. I'm sure you will make the right one based on what you want out of your car.

[PalmerWMD]

-hyndai and Kia are the new Honda.

- When we pay UAW workers $70,000 for working a simple job that any HS grad can do and gets paid for $7/hr anywhere else....

Fred...

[Altiman94]

if you can get good trade on the caddillac, I might think about it. If your car is nickle and diming you ( mine did too) then I would get rid of it and start over.

[VimyJ]

"When we pay UAW workers $70,000 for working a simple job that any HS grad can do and gets paid for $7/hr anywhere else...."

HS education? LOL! Jr. High would be enough.

The accountants are basicallly the bad guys here because through their quarterly philosphy and cost cutting schemes, it allowed UAW to demand excessive wages that the bean counters just covered up to make the profit statements look good. Accountants are the bane of modern US industry.

[maxnix]

Accountants are the bane of modern US industry.

Like Shakespeare reminds us, let's not forget the lawyers.__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t & 2000 Q45

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[elwesso]

Those are all really good points.....

And at this point, I have put in too much money into the Q in my efforts to make it close to perfect...... Im about half there, and selling now I wouldnt get anywhere what Id need from it!!!!

[cweberj30t]

I'm sorry, but that SRX is one of the ugliest car I have ever seen. After I saw that, I lost total respect for Cadillac. Foreign autos are starting to see the same decrease in quality as automakers are moving their plants here in the states. I must say that it is still much better than the big three. I think Cadillac is somewhat lost in their focus and are starting to go in every direction. They should stick with the bread and butter although I must say that the Escalade is pretty bling bling. I just don't have $60,000 laying around for a car that gets 10 miles/gallon.

[maxnix]

I'm sorry, but that SRX is one of the ugliest car I have ever seen.

Then you haven't seen its ugly cousin the Aztek. I guess Lutz really is kicking some butt now, huh?__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t & 2000 Q45

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[cweberj30t]

Then you haven't seen its ugly cousin the Aztek. I guess Lutz really is kicking some butt now, huh?

I completely forgot about the Aztek. The ugliest car ever made. Chrysler is making some bad ones too. Have you seen the Pacifica or the Crossfire. I think I'm getting sick just thinking about them.

[cweberj30t]

Tell me, Would you spend $30,000 plus for this dilapidated Chrysler?

[elwesso]

I personally think the SRX, and the crossfire are decent looking cars..... Not ones I would spend money on, but nonetheless their still decent.....

Pictures dont do the SRX justice..... Its GOLDEN in person.......