Mileage Question

[caddyfan16]

On an older Caddy (model years 91-93) that has the 4.9 and has been serviced regularly and shows excellent care, would 100k miles be too high?   How much life/use can a careful owner expect?  Thanks 

[red-oak]

I have to admit I would be concerned at that mileage but I have read lots of stories of high miles on these engines well up in to 170 plus I would hope the price would reflect the miles and I am not sure if the odometers are accrete saying there is probably a few out there showing lower than registered miles    

[caddyfan16]

I would have thought these cars could go 200k with no issues as long as serviced regularly, taken care of.   Thank you for your insight.  

[BodybyFisher]

Here is the thing, if you really want this vintage of a vehicle, that is about 25 years old, you will need to rebuild or buy a remanufactured engine and maybe transmission.   Then you can drive the car you like without any fears and have a reliable car.  The 4.9 has wet cylinder sleeves and they are sealed at the bottom with an o-ring, that will deteriorate over time allowing water into the oil.   Everything needs renovation, your bathroom, kitchen, roof and even the space shuttle.    Do you want the car?, do it right.  You need to find a quality, knowledgeable rebuilder, that understands the 4.9 and does the correct rebuild on it.   I did a quick search and found this, but you need to do your homework. 

http://remanufactured-engines.com/Cadillac.htm

That said, the tranny will need a rebuild also, and the suspension.  If you are not mechanically inclined, you will need to find good honest knowledgeable mechanics and pay for repairs.   But, I have always said that BECAUSE I am mechanically inclined, I CAN drive older vehicles, like STSs and ETCs, because I will rebuild them over time myself, I will diagnose their systems and fix them.  You can NOT hope to do this if you need to take it to the dealer or corner gas station mechanic, you will bleed money for inferior and incompetent repairs.  

I hope this does not dash your hopes, but puts it into perspective.  If you found one with 40K miles on it RIGHT NOW, you would have problem after problem that you will need to fix, from age, grease drying up, hot / cold weather, corrosion, seals cracking and becoming brittle, rubber deteriorating, vinyl drying out, capacitors drying out, etc.   Its AGE that is the problem not only mileage. 

[caddyfan16]

Yes, very helpful.   Not dashing my hopes at all but giving me a needed dose of reality!    

[BodybyFisher]

I don't like to think of it as a dose of reality.   If you have the cash, you can do anything.   Some people see a 25 year old car and would look at KBB and see a $2000 value, others see it as something they want and they will spend the money to acquire it and put it in working order.   But there is no free lunch.  If you buy a new car, you pay a down payment and payments and have no repairs.  If you are looking for a car with the luxury and power and distinction of a Cadillac, you will need to spend big $$$ and have a huge payment but no repairs.   BUT, if you find a great old vehicle that was $40K new that has been taken care of, you buy it, you don't have payments but, you will have repairs and renovation.  

Right now, I know of a 1998 STS triple black, 85,000 miles, one owner, dealer serviced, garaged its entire life, owned by Cadillac nuts who belonged to the local Cadillac club, no codes, she has the service records, mint condition, I tested the block for bad head gaskets, checked the codes drove it and its amazing!   KBB states that its worth about $3,800 in excellent condition, the owner wont accept less than $5000 because, it was her late husbands baby, and it certainly was.   My friends wife will NOT let him buy it because the price is above the KBB price.  By the way, this car is owned by my friends cousin via marriage.   What is value?  Does KBB set value?   If I was in a better position right now, I would dump $5000 immediately seeing all of the above, it is the most awesome example of a 98 I have seen.   If you want something bad enough, value means nothing, it has value to you.   Sometimes the economics of something are not as important as your desire to have it.   But you have to know that I could buy this STS and next week have the head gasket blow, or NOT......

If you like the 91 to 93, do it right, know that you will need to renovate the vehicle to create a reliable car.  Immediately purchase the factory service manual and start reading and learning. Save up for big repairs ie, engines, trannies, etc   Come here for advice and become knowledgeable and learn how to do the work.

[rockfangd]

I feel the same way about both of my 97s. I have more money invested into my 97 Deville than what it is worth.

[BodybyFisher]

8 minutes ago, rockfangd said:

I feel the same way about both of my 97s. I have more money invested into my 97 Deville than what it is worth.

Bingo!  

[BodybyFisher]

11 minutes ago, rockfangd said:

I feel the same way about both of my 97s. I have more money invested into my 97 Deville than what it is worth.

By the way Rock, that 98 STS, is FN awesome...... if you did want it, Ill drive you to the door!, its yours.  She did come down to $4500 when my friend balked at the end about the price but his wife still said no....  he is sick to his stomach

[BodybyFisher]

If you want Ill get you photos

[rockfangd]

dont give me any ideas. I have enough with what I have now. Currently have 3 cars and truck

[BodybyFisher]

13 minutes ago, rockfangd said:

dont give me any ideas. I have enough with what I have now. Currently have 3 cars and truck

OK, you are letting a diamond go, tested with the Balkamp block tester by me, codes checked by me!   Known history, 85K, one owner, dealer serviced, I think the service records are available and immaculate.  Ill post photos if I can get back down there.