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Buying my 1st Cadillac!!! (2000-2002 STS)


Babydon

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Hey everyone!!!

Please forgive a noob...

I've been wanting to buy a Cadillac for quite some time now.

I was a Japanese vehicle driver for quite some time now, pretty much ever since I got my driver's license.

A buddy of mine told me that once I get in the driver's seat of a Caddy, specifically an STS - I would instantly fall in love.

HE WAS RIGHT.

He had a 96 STS and I never felt anything close to it with my Honda's and Nissan's.

I'm 25 years old - they say Caddy's are for older much more sophisticated gentlemen, but I think I'm long overdue. :D

I definitely want a 2000 - 2002 STS - however used prices range from $3000 to $15000 so aside from the mileage, I don't know what I should be looking for OR staying away from.

I'm hoping you guys can point me in the right direction so I don't waste the money I've saved. :)

Thanks a bunch guys!!!

:D

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:welcomesmiley:

Get the newest, lowest mileage car you can afford. Complete service records are a plus and it would be very wise to have a radiator shop check the coolant for exhause gasses. That could save you from having to pay for an expensive headgasket repair.

Check the onboard diagnostics for trouble codes and post back here.

If there is not any record of a coolant change, drain and refill the coolant with fresh DexCool mixed 50/50 with distilled water.

Don't be surprised if you have to perform some routine maintenance on a 6-8 year old car.

Kevin
'93 Fleetwood Brougham
'05 Deville
'04 Deville
2013 Silverado Z71

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Awesome!!!

Thanks for all the info KHE!

I've been warned about the head gasket - and as for maintenance, I'm prepared to treat her like a needy trophy wife. :P

I'll check the on board stats and post em when ready.

:D

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Awesome!!!

Thanks for all the info KHE!

I've been warned about the head gasket - and as for maintenance, I'm prepared to treat her like a needy trophy wife. :P

I'll check the on board stats and post em when ready.

:D

Keep in mind, you only hear about the basket cases on the internet - it is not the case that all Northstars have bad headgaskets.

Kevin
'93 Fleetwood Brougham
'05 Deville
'04 Deville
2013 Silverado Z71

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Awesome!!!

Thanks for all the info KHE!

I've been warned about the head gasket - and as for maintenance, I'm prepared to treat her like a needy trophy wife. :P

I'll check the on board stats and post em when ready.

:D

Keep in mind, you only hear about the basket cases on the internet - it is not the case that all Northstars have bad headgaskets.

Cool..Will keep in mind thanks again KHE!!!

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Welcome!

I agree with Kevin -- to get the newest model year that you can afford. Also consider the 2003s -- they are mostly identical to the 2000-2002 cars.

Most STSes are pretty well-equipped. All have the 425-watt Bose sound system. All have the 300hp Northstar engine. There were a few options available. The 2000-2002 cars came with 16" wheels as standard, with 235/60R16 tires, with 17" wheels as optional, with 235/55R16 tires. I believe the 17" wheels became standard on the 2003 models. The Magnaride suspension was also standard beginning in mid-year 2002 and continuing to 2003 (and not optional before then). There was also the availability of various other options such as a 6-disc CD changer, power astroroof, etc.

I recently (about a year ago) moved from a '97 SLS to a '01 STS. I really enjoy both cars, and both have their own personalities for sure. The SLS has instant torque available all the time, and rides cushy. The STS will really scream when you let 'er rip, and rides much tauter. For me, both Cadillacs have really been the epitome of reliability, at least as far as a $45-55k luxury car goes. I have not had any electronic gizmos go out or anything like that. They've both been wonderful cars.

Mine's in White Diamond, my absolute favorite of Cadillac colors. Some photos here. http://photos.jnjhome.net/index.php?cat=12

And here are a few pics of both cars together.

both_caddys_1.jpg

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both_caddys_3.jpg

Jason(2001 STS, White Diamond)

"When you turn your car on...does it return the favor?"

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You got some good info from KHE and Jason. Besides what they suggest, take it for a hard ride that includes some inclines, open it up. Check for codes to see if any codes have been set by the PCM. Look for history and current codes. If you can get the maintenance records that would be great. All of the cars built in 2002 have had to have their coolant changed by now, the coolant NEEDS to be changed before 5 years and 100K miles or sooner for us belt and suspenders wearing people....

Good Luck and welcome aboard, Mike

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year  http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm

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I don't know if you are sold on the STS or have considered an SLS, but if that is an option, my daughter is planning on selling her '02 SLS. The link below will have some info and a link to some pics if it is a consideration.

http://caddyinfo.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=16616

BTW, the head gaskets are not as big of a problem since the head bolt upgrade in 2000.

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darn Jay!!!

White Diamond is mad sexy... Thanks for the extra info - will keep all that you guys said in mind for sure.

Thanks Mike and Ranger, btw, got my heart set on the STS... Just seems tougher to me. ;)

I'm really glad I posted this topic before heading out to buy!

Thanks for makin' me feel welcome!

:D

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Welcome aboard! This forum will likely answer any Cadillac-related question you may have. As for Jason's cars, I like the color of the new one and the body of the old one :) Nice pictures, Jason.

The saddest thing in life is wasted talent

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  • 3 weeks later...

Pay close attention to the ride. Replacing Cadillac struts and shocks can be expensive, particularly if your car has electronic ones.

photo-36.jpg

Happiness is owning a Cadillac with no codes.

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stick to a late 02

almost all the options were made standard then, and magride was standard

Better yet, drive both versions and THEN decide if you want Magnaride or not.

Jason(2001 STS, White Diamond)

"When you turn your car on...does it return the favor?"

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Better yet, drive both versions and THEN decide if you want Magnaride or not.

VERY GOOD IDEA.

Drive both and then make up your mind.

true...

but my mom has a 98 STS

i have a 97 ETC

and my 03 STS will out handle both of them

its a night and day comparision...

not to mention Magride struts do not go bad as often or as "quickly" as CVRSS struts

and at 1k a strut, its worth it.

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The Twins

1997 ETC & 2003 STS

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true...

but my mom has a 98 STS

i have a 97 ETC

and my 03 STS will out handle both of them

its a night and day comparision...

not to mention Magride struts do not go bad as often or as "quickly" as CVRSS struts

and at 1k a strut, its worth it.

Handling and ride is all subjective. You assume that everyone will prefer the absolute best-handling Cadillac, and that's not so. Truth be told, my '01 STS handles way better than I ever use it at, and I'd prefer an even softer ride, like the SLS suspension. But I wanted the STS features, so it was a compromise for me. And I understand the Magnaride is stiffer even than the CV-RSS. So for me, I wouldn't want it. Everyone has their own priorities.

Jason(2001 STS, White Diamond)

"When you turn your car on...does it return the favor?"

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And I understand the Magnaride is stiffer even than the CV-RSS. So for me, I wouldn't want it. Everyone has their own priorities.

The MagnaRide in my '06 DTS Performance Sedan is certainly STIFF... almost to the point of harshness sometimes.

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