Oppo confession

"AM" (ap18961)
04/02/2015 at 23:26 • Filed to: None

I have always been a huge fan of the the Cadillac Seville SLS/STS and I have no reason as to why. It doesn't even bother me that it's FWD.

DISCUSSION (41)

RallyWrench > AM
04/02/2015 at 23:44

I'm with you on this. I've always thought these were a nice looking car, though I generally believe that mounting any engine of more than 5 cylinders sideways in the front is a mistake. It would be more than 4 cylinders, but I like Volvo 850s.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > AM
04/02/2015 at 23:47

I don't blame you.

Kinja'd!!!

SlickMcRick > AM
04/03/2015 at 00:20

As have I. The only issue I have with them is that the Northstar V8 will go bye bye on you. It's not a question of if, it's when.

HammerheadFistpunch > AM
04/03/2015 at 00:22

good looking cars, great ride, nice noise...reasonable turn of speed. Terrible to drive. the torque steer is biblical.

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > AM
04/03/2015 at 00:22

Because it's genuinely good piece of design, man.

Dean Beyer > AM
04/03/2015 at 00:56

It was Cadillac's first step back in the right direction in a long time. Finally they made a car that looked like a Cadillac but didn't look like it belonged in a Florida retirement home parking lot.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > AM
04/03/2015 at 01:47

Me too. Until I owned one anyways. Thought about convertingit to RWD but the time and expense involved just wouldn't be worth it to me. Would probably still have it if it were RWD to begin with.

Clay Smith's Revenge > SlickMcRick
04/03/2015 at 03:56

The Northstar in my '02 ETC hasn't given me a moment's worry in the almost 10 years I've had it.

Yes, it's the longest I've kept a car as a daily driver and it's getting a little long in the tooth and I know the day I'll have to at least give it up as a daily driver is coming closer but it honestly the engine and transmission have performed above and beyond the call of duty. The only major repair I've had to do was after the rear electronic/air-ride suspension system failed I had it replaced with a standard shock package that's a standard replacement for the electronic/air-ride system die to their high failure rate (although the GM system is nowhere near as bad as the one Lincoln put on Town Cars. My dad had his air suspension repaired/replaced on every Lincoln he owned one it became standard

AM > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
04/03/2015 at 09:05

I agree, it has aged quite well.

AM > RallyWrench
04/03/2015 at 09:10

Yeah I agree, big V8 shouldn't be mounted like that. It also should have been RWD because the torque steer in them is horrible.

AM > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
04/03/2015 at 09:11

RWD would have made it drive a lot better since it would have torque steer.

AM > Dean Beyer
04/03/2015 at 09:12

I agree, this helped pave the way for the "New Cadillac." Then the CTS came out 2003 and ever since then they've been making some seriously good cars.

AM > HammerheadFistpunch
04/03/2015 at 09:14

Agreed, should have been RWD from the beginning. I never understood Cadillac's decision to make the drive wheels the ones that have a huge V8 sitting on top of them.

AM > SlickMcRick
04/03/2015 at 09:19

To be fair to GM, the Northstar was their first real attempt at a DOHC V8 so I understand why they weren't all that great. GM should just stick to the OHV V8's that they have especially with how much they can do with them. I mean they get good fuel mileage, excellent power, low weight, etc.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > AM
04/03/2015 at 11:01

This is why I like the northstar V8.

AM > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
04/03/2015 at 11:03

Jesus H fuck...that sound is just..hnnnngg.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > AM
04/03/2015 at 11:06

Do you need a minute? Or five?

AM > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
04/03/2015 at 11:10

I have never heard a Northstar V8 that sounded as good as this one.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > AM
04/03/2015 at 11:12

Me neither.

SlickMcRick > AM
04/03/2015 at 15:05

As do I. They were technological wonders but I was hoping they'd work out the kinks after a while. Unfortunately they never did and therefore I'm scared to grab hold of one. I have no thrill in dumping big money for the inevitable head gasket replacement.

SlickMcRick > Clay Smith's Revenge
04/03/2015 at 15:06

Boooooy did you get lucky. How many miles are on the car? I love the power the engine makes but it's the reliability around or above 125k that worries me most.

AM > SlickMcRick
04/03/2015 at 15:50

Yeah unfortunately they never worked out the issues, they just axed the Northstar instead.

Clay Smith's Revenge > SlickMcRick
04/03/2015 at 19:56

It's got 172K on it now and had right at 28K when I bought it. I haven't racked up the miles the last 4 years because I started consulting and working from home, so that helps.

I'm pretty anal about maintenance intervals and even though some synthetics say they are good for 7,500 to 10,000 miles I still go by the 3,000 to 5,000 schedule my dad drilled into my head when I started driving.

I'm sure it's not putting out close to the original HP now but it hasn't lost so much HP that it's struggling. I know I'll have to put in the barn at some point but I don't think I'll use it as a trade because with the mileage closing in on 200K and a calendar age of 13+ what they'll offer me won't match what it's worth to me, personally. I'm not unrealistic about the it's actual value but it's personal value will trump it. I told my son it will probably be his responsibility to have it towed away from my garage while he sorts through my personal affairs after I shuffle off this mortal coil because it's definitely won't ever be rare or valuable

Gizmo - The Only Good Gremlin, but don't feed me after Midnight > AM
04/04/2015 at 01:23

I have my own opinion. My 96Eldorado with 6lbs boost from a TRD Centrifugal Supercharger and exhausted through custom 3" pipe to 2 1/2 at Y and Corsa Sport mufflers.

Or maybe my 06 XLR-V at 22lbs boost exhausted through custom headers, 3" Billy Boat Fusion cat-back.

Your boy, BJR > AM
04/05/2015 at 09:16

.......um, no. Not that Cadillacs don't torque steer. Like, at all. The fucking Saabs I owned torque steered bad. These? No. That's a myth.

Your boy, BJR > HammerheadFistpunch
04/05/2015 at 09:19

No, it isn't. It's actually pretty non existent.

Your boy, BJR > SlickMcRick
04/05/2015 at 09:21

Except yes they did. 2002 they re-designed the head and fixed the head gasket issue. Look it up reliability ratings. They go up SIGNIFICANTLY after 2002.

HammerheadFistpunch > Your boy, BJR
04/05/2015 at 10:08

I wonder why the ones I drive had it then

AM > Your boy, BJR
04/05/2015 at 10:41

Try to turn a corner quickly in one of these, you'll believe me then.

Your boy, BJR > AM
04/05/2015 at 11:40

1) I own and daily drive a 2004 DeVille, same exact platform. I have never experienced torque steer.

2) you're thinking of under steer.

Your boy, BJR > HammerheadFistpunch
04/05/2015 at 11:50

I drive pretty much one of these car everyday. There is no torque steer. I have no idea what you think torque steer is, as the power steering is so boosted on these it negates any torque steer they WOULD have.

AM > Your boy, BJR
04/05/2015 at 11:52

I am thinking of under steer, sorry.

Your boy, BJR > AM
04/05/2015 at 11:57

lol all good, yeah they understeer like crazy. But, eh, it was always meant to be more of a cruiser than a corner carver anyway, and I genuinely can't think of a better road trip car than a N* Caddy.

HammerheadFistpunch > Your boy, BJR
04/05/2015 at 12:04

i know enough about torque steer to know that power steering isn't a cure for it.

Your boy, BJR > HammerheadFistpunch
04/05/2015 at 12:23

No, but the long ass gears that keep things smooth help. you want me to go out and prove it? I will go make a video of hard acceleration, no TC, one hand on the wheel, and that bitch will stay straight.

HammerheadFistpunch > Your boy, BJR
04/05/2015 at 12:26

now try it with any amount of steering Angle

SlickMcRick > Your boy, BJR
04/05/2015 at 15:05

Thank you for this bit of info it changes things. So the Northstar engines in the STS redesign should be good too go I'm assuming. I'd really love an STS-V.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > SlickMcRick
04/05/2015 at 15:13

The ones made after 2002 are solid as a rock. Before that, though, run away. Run very very far away

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > HammerheadFistpunch
04/05/2015 at 15:17

Terrible to drive? Torque steer? Errr, no... I drive DeVilles and Seville STSs' on a regular basis at work, and I have an immense want to DD a DeVille after the Murdersofa turns its course. Torque steer is pretty much nonexistent. Take your hands off the wheel and floor it from a stop and it'll jump a few degrees to the right and stay there, but if I'm so much as lightly resting my hand on the wheel that doesn't happen.

I dunno what you mean by 'terrible to drive', either. The STS handles about as well as you would expect a luxobarge of that size to handle, but the later models with the early Magneride suspension actually can corner relatively well. Not an autocrosser, but well enough to not be uncomfortable when daily driving.

Also, FUCK YES VENTILATED SEATS.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
04/05/2015 at 15:24

Holy shit YES

Your boy, BJR > SlickMcRick
04/05/2015 at 23:26

Yeah. Any post 2002 N* is good to go.