Thinking of buying an STS-V

"Boaty" (boaty1) 06/27/2016 at 19:40 • Filed to: None

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Anyone have any experience with them? Are they good or should I steer clear?

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Boaty 06/27/2016 at 20:06

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You can...find one? Only like 2500 were ever produced.

Boaty > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind 06/27/2016 at 20:08

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I knew they were rare but didn’t realize they were that rare. But yeah, I found one with really low miles (under 18k). It’s a rebuilt title but seems to be very well taken care of with no frame damage or anything like that.

Swayze Train GTi > Boaty 06/27/2016 at 20:10

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Gonna be hard pressed to find someone who knows about them, they’re exceedingly rare. That being said, everyone says the regular Northstar is unreliable, but the one I own hasn’t given me much trouble in the 50k I’ve put on it. New radiator and AC compressor, that’s all I can remember having to replace. Just don’t let them overheat, that’s the main thing. I keep a religious watch over my temperature gauge in that car.

Funny you should mention the STS-V though, I was just looking for V-Cadillacs on CL the other day and founded a wrecked STS with a good engine in it. I’m sorely tempted to purchase the engine and spend the next two years trying to figure out how to shove it in my Miata’.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Swayze Train GTi 06/27/2016 at 20:13

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I’d call a new radiator and an AC compressor in only 50k “very unreliable”...

LongbowMkII > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind 06/27/2016 at 20:17

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Depends on when he got it. 0-50, sure 110-160 that's pretty good.

Swayze Train GTi > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind 06/27/2016 at 20:20

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Had it from 80-130k. Also there must have been something in the air that summer, because I had to replace all 4 of my cars radiators.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Swayze Train GTi 06/27/2016 at 20:31

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Sorry, misread your original post; thought you were talking about the first 50k miles.

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > Boaty 06/27/2016 at 20:31

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Umm, there might be a reason it’s only got 18k miles on it. It could be because they can’t keep it running long enough to drive it. Otherwise I looked into it before I bought my S class and they seem to be really solid. There’s a guy named Gizmo(?) on here who knows a lot about the Northstar platform. Hopefully he'll respond.

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > Boaty 06/27/2016 at 20:33

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https://kinja.com/gizmoq

Ask this guy.

Boaty > Swayze Train GTi 06/27/2016 at 20:34

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Thanks for the feedback. It’s funny, i just watched the Regular Car Review on the XLR today and then found this one on CL. I’d only plan on driving it for the summer and getting rid of it before the winter.

Boaty > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches 06/27/2016 at 20:35

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What made you chose the S class instead? Which S did you end up buying?

And yeah, i’m looking to trade the dude my Altima and some cash for it. I need the Altima gone and this seems like a not too stupid way to do it. He says he’s hardly driven it in the last few years since it is in such nice shape but I’ll have to take a look in person before I end up doing anything.

Boaty > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches 06/27/2016 at 20:36

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How do I DM people in kinja?

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > Boaty 06/27/2016 at 20:46

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I wound up with a 2004 S600 for a few reasons, chief among which was the fact that I found my ideal color combo and the fact that I didn’t want to deal with a GM interior. They’re much better now, but they were pretty shit when the STS was in production. Also, V12 lol. If you have any questions about ownership experience I’d be more than happy to answer them for you. And I’d just drop a comment on one of Gizmos old posts.

Swayze Train GTi > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind 06/27/2016 at 21:15

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Twas somewhat ambiguously worded, not a problem

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Boaty 06/27/2016 at 21:32

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My coworker has one! It’s immaculate because she’s a car nut. Says it needs a lot of TLC compared to a regular car but it’s worth the power.

I should photograph it sometime...

boxrocket > Boaty 06/27/2016 at 22:46

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Avoid.

If you want a high-performance larger V8 luxury sedan that is more likely than not to have reliability issues, get a Jaaaaaag XJR. At least you’ll look good waiting for the tow truck.

Swayze Train GTi > Boaty 06/28/2016 at 04:11

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I really like the idea of having one of those supercharged Northstars. It’s just something different, yanno? And I hate to admit that I actually do like the XLR-V. I know it would be unreliable, the interior isn’t great, it only comes with an autobox, and the roof would break, and they’re driven by geriatrics who’ve never once mashed it hard enough to engage the supercharger, but still. They’re quirky and cool in my mind.

Boaty > Swayze Train GTi 06/28/2016 at 10:46

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I kind of do too. I want something interesting for my “quarter-life-crisis” and this seemed like it might fit the bill assuming I can come to an agreement with the guy regarding price.