1998 Cadillac DeVille 4.6 Northstar from North America

Summary:

Overall, I cannot complain, I was in love

Faults:

Head gasket has blown @ 151k miles.

Traction control speed sensors went bad at 148000 miles.

Constant problems with the check engine light.

General Comments:

Good performance; fast and handles well.

Very nice interior, great options, heated seats, 12 disk changer.

Baltic Blue color with with the roadster top is very nice, cannot be beat.

This was the car I had to have. I replaced a '95 Sedan DeVille. I loved this. I am a little disappointed with the ride of the car, more European than Cadillac.

I am really disappointed the head gasket blew at only 151000 miles. These are disposable cars I guess.

I am now in the process of finding a new car. I am looking for a '94-96 Fleetwood Brougham. This is a far more reliable and cheaper auto to fix, with the traditional Cadillac ride.

I feel I got my money's worth out of the car, I just planned on not buying another car for a year.

If you are looking for a Northstar, the lower mileage, the better.

I have owned 8 Cadillac in ten years, and still have my 75 Eldorado convertible. I just wish it was still economical to drive a car that gets 12 MPG!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th March, 2006

9th Mar 2006, 12:42

I think after 1997, they all had that European feel, which never impressed me. My 97 Seville was as smooth as glass and soft as a cloud, or any other simile you can come up with. Unfortunately, I had to get rid of it because the repairs almost drove me to bankruptcy.

31st Mar 2006, 21:38

I have a 98' De Ville and on my way home tonight my compressor went out! I just bought the car in June of 05' and I love it. I know the north star system is a pain in the butt model to deal with, but do you have any idea if this would be an easy thing to fix myself or should I get ready to ship it off to the dealership? smrachal@hotmail.com. Thanks a bunch!

15th Oct 2006, 00:16

Nothing bad a bout a head gasket going at 150,000 miles repairs should be expected at that mileage.

17th Oct 2006, 18:19

Bought my 1998 Cadillac Deville in November 1998 as a used car rental sale with 37,000 miles. Here it is almost 8 years later with 170K and it just keeps running and running. Engine service light went on over 100K miles ago, code says something about a switch in the tranny being stuck off. Low fuel chime and indicator goes off when the tank is full. Water pump needed replacement at 150K, coolant reservoir sprung a leak and replaced at 155K, service brake fluid switch indicator goes on and then off for no apparent reason and hasn't been on for about a month now, false service air bag indicator went off as well, rides like a tank. Regardless of all this, I still love the car. Power galore, a quart of oil every 1,000 or so miles, but going to go to 250K and then get another Cadillac with this great Northstar.

1998 Cadillac DeVille D'Elegance 4.6L 32V Northstar V8 from North America

Summary:

There's nothing like American Luxury, enough said

Faults:

- There were only a few things that I had to do to this car since I bought it, and I did these things right away after the purchase.

- I paid $75.00 to get an oil change, I put the Valvoline Max-Life Synthetic Motor Oil in it to get maximum performance from the engine.

- It desperately needed a PCV valve, which hadn't been changed since the car came out of the factory.

- I had to repair the front window defrost vent because it was sticking out of the bay.

- The remote trunk and gas tank both on the remote and inside the car only works when it wants to, soon I will take it to the dealer to get a diagnostic.

General Comments:

This is my first car, and I love it. The engine is solid, and the handling is superb for how large the car is.

The interior is spacious, and is nice with the dual zone climate control. The factory sound system is outstanding. I get comments about it, and people ask me what kind of sub woofer and amplifier I have in the trunk, and their mouth drops when I tell them that it's the stock system.

The heated seats are wonderful for the winter. The one thing that amazed me about this car is that it started when it was -15 degrees Fahrenheit outside. That was extraordinary.

Given the fact that this car was very well taken care of when I bought it, I give this car a 9.25 out of 10 on the rating scale.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th February, 2006