ETC vs. STS suspension

[stwjet]

Can anybody help? I was under the impression that the ETC 95' had the same suspension that the STS had. I obviously must be mistaken. My buddy's STS is much more tighter than the ETC. I guess this is normal. How might I tighten up the ETC for better handling? Any fixes that won't cost an arm and a leg?

Thanks a bunch

SF

[Scotty]

I find it difficult to believe that an STS is tighter than an ETC. However it depends on what years you are comparing are they both 95's in the same condition? Obviously comparing a 95 ETC to a 99 STS is not apples to oranges, the STS is newer AND the suspension is more evolved. Your 95 is now 10 model years old. Its possible that your 95 needs some work such as stabilizer bar bushings, strut rod bushings, springs and struts. Worn parts can make a car feel pretty sloppy.

[Scotty]

Obviously comparing a 95 ETC to a 99 STS is not apples to oranges

Correction! Obviously comparing a 95 ETC to a 99 STS IS apples to oranges

[kcd1184]

I believe that for each individual year, the mechanics (powertrain and suspension) are the same for SLS -Eldo coupe (softer suspension and less horsepower) and STS-ETC (300 horses and tighter suspension).

Not much difference in accelleration between the two though because of the added torque with the SLS and the Eldo coupe.

Kent

[an01sts]

Before I bought my 01 STS, I drove the DTS and the ETC. The other 2 were nice cars. (I have been a 2 door dude, the reason for the ETC test drive.) They are 3 different cars, and I perfer the STS. Back in the late 80's early 90's when I was working at a Cadillac new car dealership, I was driving all the models. Despite the fact that the eldo and seville share similar platforms, they were quite different back then. And back then, I perfered the seville. Is the wheelbase different? If so, that would make all the difference in the world. Also, it seems logical that the center of gravity has to be different, further making them quite different as to how they feel on the road.

[JasonA]

The wheelbase between the two is different -- but just very slightly. The reason they feel so different is because they've traditionally been on two very different chassis -- save for the '92-'97 years. The Eldorado is an E-body car and the Seville is a K-body car, through 1997. In 1992, the E/K bodies seemed to have blended together, and the only major difference was a slight change in wheelbase (just an inch or two). In 1998, the Eldorado stayed on the E-body and the Seville moved to the G-body (but they still called it K). That's the main difference between the recent Sevilles and Eldos -- they're again on two completely different chassis.

[Scotty]

I had heard that at the dealer, when I was swooning over the ETC, the salesman said, the Seville's suspension was better as the never 'updated' the ETCs suspension. That said, do you think there would be an obvious difference. The original statement was "My buddy's STS is much more tighter than the ETC". Should there be a MUCH TIGHTER feeling? That is what got my attention. I hope stwjet provides more information for us to examine

[JasonA]

Di stwjet say his buddy's STS was a '98 or newer? If he's comparing 1995 ETC to 1995 STS, they should be very very much the same...the biggest differences being in the car's history, mileage, etc.

The '98 STS's suspension is supposed to be much tighter and more "refined" than that of 1997 and previous. If you bought a 2002 Eldorado, that's really a "new" 10 year old car, since the chassis was largely unchanged since 1993. Some tweaks yes, but largely unchanged. I would expect a 1998 Eldorado and 1998 Seville to feel very different. But '95 vs '95, no.