Faults:

Power steering hoses, spark plugs & wires, radiator hoses, radiator, speed sensor in tranny at 67K miles which completely destroyed the tanny clutches & pump, EGR valve, throttle positioning sensor, security module, accessory drive computer, high-mount 3rd brake light, seal broke in headlamps causing them to fog & need replacement, engine mount broke and ate into wiring harness which lead to A/C problems too, the car has always used about 1 quart of oil per 1,000 miles, the moonroof drains in the front clog very often even though my car stays in the garage when not being used.

General Comments:

This is a love hate car. My previous car was a 1990 Cadillac Seville STS and I loved it but like my '98 as the car aged it became very expensive to maintain. I sold the '90 STS in 2003 with just 43,000 miles on it. I acquired my '98 STS with just 37,000 and things went very well until the transmission went at 67,000. Since then it has had a plethora of problems and repairs and parts are very expensive even if you can do them yourself.

On the positive side, I love the power and performance of this full-size sedan. It also is still a great looking car even though it is now 10 years old. The paint and interior have held up well too. And the stereo is the best I've ever heard from a factory unit. I'd buy another car like it just for the 425 watt Bose system.

The dash layout and instrument panel are also very well laid out and very attractive. The zebrano wood is excellent and everything you need is easily in reach and in the right spot, including the key which goes in the dash instead of inside the steering column.

The memory functions are very comprehensive and make changing drivers very easy. The memory sets the steering wheel position, seat postion, mirrors, HVAC, and stereo & CD presets.

Overall, I'd say this is a great car but you either need to be prepared to sell the car prior to 70,000 miles or buy a VERY comprehensive extended warranty.

Faults:

Virtually nothing had gone wrong with the car while I owned it.

The biggest problem that went wrong was that the brakes needed to be turned or the pads would wear too quickly. My family has owned 6 different Cadillacs and the brake issue is a result of the brake shoes were too thin, they would warp easily and if ignored they would warp very badly.

Brakes were an every 9 month to a once a year visit to the dealer to get done, and that was never a very cheap experience, but the dealer I wnet to was absolutely first class with the quality for the work performed. It just bugs me that GM built the car with such poor brakes. I know it was to save weight for CAFE standards, but brakes (that can save your life) are not an area I think should be ignored for meeting US environmental regs.

General Comments:

The car outside of the brakes was wonderful. High points go to:

(1) The looks

(2) The engine was great! The Northstar was strong and extremely reliable.

(3) The electrical system was great, that is really something when you consider the entire car was loaded to the rim with elctrical devices.

(4) Stabilitrack (stability control system)

(5) Onstar - Sat. comm. to 24/7/365 - cops/rescue/diagnostics/phonecalls/help/directions/stocks/news/ you name it, Onstar does it all.

(6) Front wheel drive in bad weather

(7) Large trunk to hold things

(8) Bose stereo

(9) Power in big reserve when you needed it to move along the highway

(10) Heated leather seats that were really nice in wintertime.