1997 Cadillac DeVille Base 4.6 Northstar from North America

Summary:

Not worth it!

Faults:

Coolant reservoir cracked and needed replacement.

Brakes.

General Comments:

Like driving an ocean liner in a 50 foot swell.

Very powerful and fast.

However, after trying to resell it or trade it in, I found that the trade in value is only $1500.00 because no one wants the car. The car is in great shape, but the Northstar engine is known for the bolts in the head stripping out, and it costs over $3200.00 to repair. On top of that, if the starter goes bad, the engine has to be removed and opened up, because the starter is in the engine.

Horrible resale value. Run away fast, do not consider any car with a Northstar engine.

I'm still driving mine daily, and I will until the engine fails, but I refuse to spend more money on the car than it is worth.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 22nd June, 2011

1997 Cadillac DeVille Northstar from North America

Summary:

One of the best cars made

Faults:

Just the water pump and water jug.

General Comments:

This car has been the best car I've owned.

I had a 1991 Cadillac DeVille that was a piece of junk, but it was comfortable. I crashed it, so I started looking for a newer one.

I found this Caddy 1997 DeVille. This car is really dependable, and drives smooth. I will never own any car but a Cadillac.

I wanted a newer one, but I saw this one for cheap, and man it's been really reliable. I drive it 58 miles a day to work.

This car is smooth; sometimes when I get out of work, I almost fall asleep in it; just kidding, but if you have a chance to own a Cadillac, get it. I'm the Cadillac man.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th May, 2010

1997 Cadillac DeVille Northstar V8 from North America

Summary:

It may look and drive nice, but it has problems you can't see

Faults:

I have a 1997 Deville that I bought from a used car dealer. It's a very nice car for $2900, nothing wrong with it when we test drove it or that I could see. A week later it overheated and started smoking into my car and I had to put a new heater core in it. ($300)

Noticed it was still overheating and my mechanic said it had a leak in the coolant tank, so he replaced that. (Another $300)

I got the car back and found that it was still overheating and leaking coolant. By this time I was very frustrated with my mechanic and told him to fix the problem.. He poured stop-leak (free of charge) into the car because he thought it was the head gasket and again.. That did not work. I have to pour water into the tank every other day.

I went to Cadillac and they wanted $1300 to put a new water pump in it along with a new rear hose that was leaking. Found one on eBay for $45 and am waiting for my buddy to install it for $50.

General Comments:

One of the nicest riding/handling cars I have ever driven.

It's just too expensive with repairs.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 15th October, 2008

4th May 2009, 13:57

You paid a dealer $2900 for this used car and are complaining about mechanical issues? He made money off of the sale, and you bought the car way under blue book value for a private party purchase price. You got what you bargained for. Of course a car like this will have issues, otherwise the dealer would never be selling it at such a steal of a price.

4th Apr 2013, 08:08

The dealer should have disclosed the issues with the car. Cars just don't fall apart immediately after purchase.

1997 Cadillac DeVille 4.6 V8 Northstar from North America

Summary:

Tell me why people drive Hondas again?

Faults:

Belt, belt tensioner, pulley for waterpump assembly went at 127,000, overheated the engine and shorted the battery.

Sway bar broke from overall wear and tear.

Recently tuned up with spark plugs, air filter, and fuel filter 1,000 miles ago.

Hose was leaking coolant after waterpump assembly went.

The power antenna does not work so I disconnected it and hope to soon replace it.

Tinted the windows...

General Comments:

Bought the car used from a dealership at auction price for 1000 dollars. However, I had to fix both side mirrors as well as the power steering pump.

New tires were put on prior to purchase as well as a new CD player.

Brake pads now need replacing.

Overall the Cadillac lives up to its name as a luxury car and somewhat a dependable ride. Like someone else posted, nothing big really goes wrong, just a lot of little things; luckily I can afford smaller problems.

Ever since I've had it I've just grown attached to it. I'm in the process of putting a sound system in, and thinking about modifying the engine with a twin turbo kit, exhaust, and air filtration system.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th May, 2008

17th May 2008, 18:50

Tell me, why people buy 11 year old Cadillacs with high miles again? Status symbol? Uh, no. Great gas mileage? No, not that either. Reliability? Hardly. Cheap? OK, there's that.

Does that answer your question?

19th May 2008, 00:49

1000 bucks and it runs? Score!

7th May 2010, 08:36

Reasons to own it? The Cadillac Deville handles well for its size. It is very roomy and comfortable, like driving a couch. A powerful couch at that. Oh and if I were to ever be in a wreck, I'd rather be in the large Caddy then one of those little tin-can gas-sippers.

If you think you can afford a Cadillac (even an older one), you must take into consideration its higher maintenance costs and annual fuel consumption. Upscale/Luxury cars cost more to own than mainstream models, period. I'd say they're worth it though.

5th Apr 2011, 19:56

No kidding! :-)

31st Aug 2013, 23:35

Too bad, it seems you never had the "luxury" of owning one of these American sedans.

1st Sep 2013, 06:31

We drove new Hondas so we could afford private schools for our 2 children. 15k a year for 2.

30th Mar 2014, 17:24

This guy... This guy gets it.