1997 Cadillac DeVille D'Elegance 3.8 Northstar from North America

Summary:

Nice comfortable riding car

Faults:

Needed the A/C recharged.

Serviced the cooling system.

Gave it a full tune up with throttle body service.

Replaced the harmonic balancer and power steering Pump.

General Comments:

Very nice riding car with a surprising amount of power. I bought it from an acquaintance who needed to sell it. I knew there were some minor trim problems with the car, and that it was repainted although the job was pretty good.

I took it to an acquaintance who did the work on the car, and commented on how well it was taken care of.

There are some minor trim issues with the interior and I ordered the parts for $80 from Cadillac. The only issue is when the balancer went which was a necessary repair. The other repairs were items I felt should be done on a car of this age.

Considering I paid less than $4000 for the car, and put only $1000 into it, I actually enjoy driving it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 27th April, 2008

1997 Cadillac DeVille Northstar 4.6 from North America

Faults:

Blown head gasket.

General Comments:

I own three Cadillacs, a 96 Deville, a 93 Eldorado, and most recently a 97 Deville. The 96 and 93 have been extremely good to me until two weeks ago when the blower motor started on fire and did a lot of damage. That's another story.

My questions and concerns have to do with the 97 I just bought. I bought it at a county auction and I should have known better, but I bought a car with a blown head gasket. I had to have it towed on my way home with it the first night. I have noticed inserts on ebay and a lot of posts about the head gaskets needing to be replaced in the Northstar. This 97 is beautiful, but I don't know if it's worth it for me to pay to have a head gasket put in a car I know nothing about. As far as I know, there could be other problems, but I have no idea on how much to expect to have the head gasket changed, if I should really get these inserts put into with the gasket change, etc. If it costs too much I guess the best thing for me to do is to part it out and hope I can get some of my money back, but if someone reading this can share with me what I can expect to spend I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks.

Rich

610-248-6700.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th June, 2007

29th Jun 2007, 08:47

Expect problems!

25th Jul 2009, 21:21

Had the exact same thing happen to me Rich. Bought the car, and 3 miles down the road the gasket blew. Problem with the gasket is that you have to lift the engine to get to it; overall looking at a 20 hour job, so at least 1500 bucks. If I can get rid of it for parts, I surely will.

14th Mar 2010, 07:41

Actually the 97 Northstar was notorious for the odd bank head bolts actually letting loose from the block, thereby stripping the corroded aluminum threads in the process. That is where the need for the time-sert inserts come into play. This also why the fix-in-a-bottle will never work for this type of repair. Also the best way to repair this, if you have a lift, is to raise the car off of the engine transaxle assembly, then you have all access to both cylinder heads.

Hope this was useful.

1997 Cadillac DeVille from North America

Summary:

Love it

Faults:

Transmission started slipping at 48000 miles. Replaced it. Oh well. See the general comments for explanation.

Turn signal relay.

License plate light went out. I got pulled over and given a warning. The policeman said they pull over folks with these models when they see these infringements because a lot of drug dealers drive them. Is that car model profiling?

Driver heated seat never worked. Have not fixed it.

General Comments:

The car was originally purchased by an elderly family. Husband died, wife sold the car back to the dealer.

I bought the car in 2006 for $8500 with the 28000 miles. A steal.

Probably due to not being driven a lot, my transmission started to slip after some tough driving in NY/NJ.

I opted to put a used one in. So far so good. $1200 total parts and labor.

The car is at 56000 miles now and running well.

I did the turn signal and license plate light myself. The light was kind of a pain to get to, but not too bad. Found a procedure on the web.

I have found that the oil usage seems to be reducing. I have been driving more highway miles at high speed lately. I average 20MPG, and can get 25 on the ideal highway.

No fluids leak.

I am always looking for similar deal for another one.

We all agree its the best riding car we have had. It sounds great when you step on the gas. All the power with pretty good economy. Even my 16 year son says it's awesome.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th June, 2007

26th Jun 2007, 17:09

Hello, I'm 22 and drive a 2000 Grand Marquis what a car it is I love them so much I'm on my 3rd one. Unfortunately people that deal drugs like big cars for some reason, kind of like mafia people they like big cars to. Sometimes I get dirty looks you just have to keep your head up. I'm not much of a Cadillac fan, but it is the last of its kind of I have respect for the Deville-DTS or whatever it is now, good luck to you.

28th Jan 2008, 20:13

(original poster of this thread)

As a matter of fact, I got pulled over by a policeman because my license plate light was out. He said the same thing- drug dealers like these models so you'll get pulled over if they see anything amiss like the lights out in the back... and check you out! Interesting!

DC.

3rd Jan 2010, 22:23

I made the original post for this car. It is now is at 90,000 miles today. I did my own brake job all the way around this year, pads & calipers and it was pretty easy. The car has been reliable and comfortable.