1992 Cadillac Seville 4.9 liter

Summary:

This car should be looked at as a last resort

Faults:

When I first bought the car, I drove it for less than three minutes and the heater core exploded while I was driving. Had to put it in the shop: 81 dollars for the heater core plus tax, and 236 dollars for the labor.

Shortly after picking it up from the shop three days later, on a Monday, the inlet line from the transmission to the radiator cracked open; spraying all of the transmission fluid over the road. I had a hard time that week.

During the entire time I had the car, it ran hot every time I drove it, and I only drove it less than ten miles every day.

The radiator cracked on the car as I was driving one day.

The electrical wiring is not correctly assembled.

The cooling fan does not work any more.

The water pump comes on every three to four days.

The Cadillac Seville 1992 runs over 250 degrees so often, you would think that running hot was its full time job.

Oh, I checked to make sure that it wasn't the thermostat, and it is missing; as in not there.

The speaker system does not work, except for the rear dock speaker over the passenger side.

The trunk does not shut all the way.

The windshield spray does not spray.

Oh yes, it's a V-8. I will not buy another Cadillac; wouldn't care if it was the better looking car.

General Comments:

The car is overall a bad car. This is my experience. I wish it was different.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 12th May, 2012

13th May 2012, 17:04

So you bought a 1992 4.9 Seville with 220K+ miles and are complaining? I do sympathize with anyone who hits an unexpected repair, but that car may have had five owners before you, who beat it or skipped routine maintenance.

The only real shortcoming of the 4.9 is the aluminum block and the odd coolant tabs it requires. Yes, you are supposed to change the coolant every 2-3 years, and drop some kind of weird tabs in with it to stabilize the alum block. If someone fails to do that for ten years, chances are the cooling system may develop a fault.

The 4.9 is actually the most reliable engine Cadillac used from 1979 onward, and the 92 is the only model year of the gen 4 Seville that used it. Subsequent models using the terrible Northstar.

My honest advice is if the overall car is not destroyed (as it probably is), seriously do the research on what the engine needs, and do the work to bring it back up to speed. The 4.9, like the similar Buick 3.8, will give you 300K+ miles of service if you take care of it.

1992 Cadillac Seville SLS 4.9

Summary:

Great car!!!

Faults:

I am going to replace the strut shortly.

I have replaced the brakes and rotors.

General Comments:

I would like to say this is one of the best cars that I have ever owed, and I would buy another one.

My Seville SLS still performs well, and gets very good fuel mileage.

I use only Mobil 1 in my caddy and keep it tuned up. I have have owed other Caddillacs, and this is the best yet.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st April, 2009

1992 Cadillac Seville

Summary:

I love this car!

Faults:

Air conditioner problems.

Front struts.

Electric window (driver)

Belt pully.

Major brake job.

General Comments:

I love this car. It is perhaps the most sexy, stylish, car ever made. I got this car from its original owner (in 1996) with only 70K on it. I drive a lot for work, and have doubled the mileage. I got rear-ended on the freeway two weeks ago. My car had about 3k worth of damage - much less than the mini van that hit me. The insurance company wanted to "total" the car. I pitched a you-know-what, and they finally agreed to fix it.

I am currently driving a rental Mazda 6 and hate it. I get my baby back in a couple of days, and will be glad to have her home.

I have put a lot of money in this car already and expect to continue to do so until it is perfect again. (Appointment with the leather upholstery guy in two weeks)

I plan on keeping this beautiful creature as long as possible.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd April, 2008

1992 Cadillac Seville SLS 4.9L

Summary:

An expensive waste of money!

Faults:

The catalytic converter was replaced twice.

The front motor mount went bad which ruined the entire exhaust system from the headers back. Was $800 to repair.

Water pump was replaced twice in two years.

Seat recliner mechanisms broke and had to be welded in place.

Radiator leaks.

Brake line valves went in the rear. Very costly to replace.

Oil pan gasket replaced due to leak. Car still leaks oil everywhere.

Front load leveling struts replaced with regular struts. Now information center is stuck on "Service Ride Control"

Rear door lock broken.

Cassette player no longer works.

General Comments:

This car for the price has not really been worth it. I bought this car due to the fact that it DID NOT have a northstar motor.

It has so many flaws that I hate to admit that it's a Cadillac.

I'm embarrassed to park it in anyones driveway because it leaks so many fluids.

The car is however really sharp. It also has great styling that does not look outdated for such an old car. The power and performance are great, but there are so many little things that go wrong that are annoying!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th November, 2004

18th Nov 2004, 06:53

I'm sorry you have had so many problems with your car. Mine is a 1997 with the northstar engine and it has been quite reliable to say the least. While it does have a small oil leak, I do not worry about it. This is a second car that I only use for short trips and sometimes on the weekends. Hope you solve your Cadillac woes expeditiously.