TOM, I TAKE EXCEPTION TO SOME OF MIKE'S COMMENTS. I.E. I CURRENTLY OWN 7 CADS WITH NORTHSTAR ENGINES. I WILL GIVE YOU MY TAKE ON THESE CARS. CARS HAVE BEEN ONE OF MY HOBBYS SINCE I WAS 12 YEARS OLD. I HAVE OWNED OVER A HUNDRED CARS SINCE I STARTED DRIVING, FROM FORDS TO PORSCHES. I HAVE HAD CADILLACS SINCE 1952. I BELIEVE THE 97-99 SEDAN DEVILLE WAS PROBABLY ONE OF THE BEST COMPROMISE AUTOS EVER MADE. THEY RODE NICE, HANDLED ADEQUATELY, HAD ALL THE NICE ENTITIES LIKE MEMORY SEATS, MEMORY REAR VIEW MIRRORS, AUTO WINDSHIELD WIPERS, MEMORY STEARING COLUMN ADJUSTERS, MEMORY AIR CONDITIONING ADJUSTERS, AUTO DOOR LOCKS, GOT 22-24 MPG ON THE ROAD, BETTER THAN AVERAGE ACCELLERATION, AND A GOOD SUBSTANTIAL SOLID FEEL OF CONSTRUCTION. THE LATER CARS (2000-UP) HAVE BEEN DESIGNED WITH WEIGHT SAVINGS A PRIORITY AND IT SHOWS IN THE RIDE AND CONSTRUCTION OF MANY DETAIL ITEMS (SUCH AS THE AIR CONDITIONING OUTLETS AND DASH). THAT'S THE GOOD STUFF. THE NOT-SO-GOOD STUFF: BEAUTIFULL ENGINE, BUT VERY DIFFICULT TO WORK ON. THE ENGINE OUTSIDE DIMENSIONS ARE MUCH LARGER THAN THE PREDICESSOR 4.9L ENGINE BUT STILL HAD TO LIVE WITH 4.9L BODY CAVITY, MAKING FOR CLOSE CLEARANCES FROM ENGINE TO BODY. THIS MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO REMOVE AND INSTALL THE ENGINE; PLUS DIFFICULT TO REPLACE ENGINE PARTS WHILE ENGINE IS IN VEHICLE. ALSO , IF THESE ENGINES ARE OVERHEATED ( 240 DEGREES-UP) THEY CAN SUSTAIN PERMENANT DAMAGE. IF YOU DON'T DO YOUR OWN MAINTENANCE, THEN THIS WILL NOT BE TOO IMPORTANT TO YOU. IF YOU WANT A NICE DRIVING CAR, BUT NOT AS GOOD A RIDE,BUY AN ELDO. GOOD LUCK-------PFI
- posted
17 years ago