CadiKing Posted April 14, 2005 Report Share Posted April 14, 2005 I am in searc of a couple of used Caddy's for my kids for the summer and college next year. I planned to buy something in the '96 and newer range, but I found a '92 STS with 90,000 miles. Second owner bought it last August with 85,000 miles for a second car. He replaced Brakes, struts, wires, plugs, one wheel bearing, cat converter... The car has a 4.9l engine. What are your thoughts? So many people on this board seem to have '92's, I thought I shuld take your advice before I make a decission. I will probably get to see it on Saturday. Please mention what pitfalls there may be. Do these cars have a DIC? thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dasher Posted April 14, 2005 Report Share Posted April 14, 2005 That's a crapshoot! It could be the buy of your life and run trouble free forever. On the other hand, it could eat you alive with repair bills. In general, they're pretty reliable cars; but we're talking a 13 year old car here and anything can happen. If they go bad, they can be expensive to fix unless you're in to doing it yourself. You'll have to balance the looks of it against the price and go with your gut feeling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adallak Posted April 14, 2005 Report Share Posted April 14, 2005 Since some replacements are already done that car will cost you no more than $200 per year in repairs and will serve you well for another five years if you are mechanically inclined . Yes, it has diagnostics and many of us have 4.9 and very happy with it. Test drive it, pay attention to transmission, cooling system, etc. you know.... The saddest thing in life is wasted talent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
navion Posted April 14, 2005 Report Share Posted April 14, 2005 CadiKing, When you look at the car, take the oil cap off and look at the bottom of it. If it is covered with white goop, just replace the cap & tell him thanks, but no thanks. The white goop is an indication of moisture in the oil. If the car has ben short tripped in very cold weather, then there could be a small amount of the white stuff. But if you see large clots of it I would stay away. If it doesn't have the goop, and you decide to purchase the car, I would do an antifreeze change and install a set of Bar's Leak pellets ASAP. The 4.9's require the pellets. A lot of people don't know about them. Scotty has a picture of the Bar's Leak package if you need to know what it is. Good Luck with your purchase. Britt Britt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty Posted April 14, 2005 Report Share Posted April 14, 2005 I am in searc of a couple of used Caddy's for my kids for the summer and college next year. I planned to buy something in the '96 and newer range, but I found a '92 STS with 90,000 miles. Second owner bought it last August with 85,000 miles for a second car. He replaced Brakes, struts, wires, plugs, one wheel bearing, cat converter... The car has a 4.9l engine. What are your thoughts? So many people on this board seem to have '92's, I thought I shuld take your advice before I make a decission. I will probably get to see it on Saturday. Please mention what pitfalls there may be. Do these cars have a DIC? thanks in advance! That is exactly what I am looking for for my son to back to college in.. That is reasonably low mileage, the 4.9 is a workhorse, I wish I could find one like that, how much is it costing you? Yes it has a DIC, here is some information on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poobah Posted April 14, 2005 Report Share Posted April 14, 2005 If the struts have recently been replaced all around, that's a very big plus! They're a lot more expensive than you might think! Happiness is owning a Cadillac with no codes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AaronM Posted April 14, 2005 Report Share Posted April 14, 2005 I have a 1992 STS right now with 91K. I have only had to replace a horn and the power module for the blower fan. It is a great car and gets reasonable gas mileage if you drive on the easy side. I usually get 18mpg. They are plenty fast. One of the downsides is the ugly steering wheel, haha. I have been very happy with the 4.9L. It is a great car. New wheels really update the look. If it is in great shape, you should get it. I got mine for a steal at just $2700 and it is in excellent condition. I would love to have a N* ETC or STS for my next bad boy! 18 Year Old Male Black 1992 STS 4.9L 90,XXX Miles Flowmaster 80 series muffler Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CadiKing Posted April 15, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2005 ... how much is it costing you?... if you are mechanically inclined...adallak I have a 1992 STS right now with 91K. I have only had to replace a horn and the power module for the blower fan. It is a great car and gets reasonable gas mileage if you drive on the easy side. I usually get 18mpg. They are plenty fast. One of the downsides is the ugly steering wheel, haha. I have been very happy with the 4.9L. It is a great car. New wheels really update the look. If it is in great shape, you should get it. I got mine for a steal at just $2700 and it is in excellent condition. I would love to have a N* ETC or STS for my next bad boy! - AaronM Scotty, The seller is asking $4600. My wife told me last night the rear tailights need replaced. She said they were both visibly cracked and full of water. Not condensation, standing water! I have read much here at CaddyInfo.com, about rusted taillights, and replacing sockets. I really don't want to go there! I will look at the car, but I'm not too excited about the tailights. Thank you all for your advice. Yes Adallak, I do my own work on the cars, and this one will probably be driven by my 20 year old son. Ya, He needs to learn a little more about car maintainance! Aaron, I am so glad your car has worked out! You sure got it for a steal of a price! I will let you know after I look at the car on Saturday, if he is available. thanks again, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonA Posted April 15, 2005 Report Share Posted April 15, 2005 I am in searc of a couple of used Caddy's for my kids for the summer and college next year. I planned to buy something in the '96 and newer range... [snip] ... What are your thoughts? My thoughts are your kids are lucky duckies. Jason(2001 STS, White Diamond) "When you turn your car on...does it return the favor?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CadiKing Posted April 15, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2005 ... What are your thoughts? My thoughts are your kids are lucky duckies. Jadcock, Thank you for the kind words, but the way I see it... My kids WILL HAVE ACCIDENTS, rather than may have an accident. My 18 yr old daughter has been hounding me for either a Tiberon or an Eclipse. Last nite she had he ex-boyfriend agree to float a $7,000 loan to his aunt for a '99 Eclipse with 90,000 mi. I had to put my foot down and tell her it wasn't going to happen. Whether she likes it or not, I think she will continue to drive my '99 300m or a used Caddy. WHEN she has an accident, I feel it is my obligation to provide as much safety as I can AFFORD! Maybe a nice H1 would protect her! LOL My son is in college, and has an interview for summer work next Thursday. If he gets the job, he will be driving 100+ miles per day by driving to work and night school to pick up some more courses this summer. Like the commercial for the Men's Warehouse says... Have your kids get a good education so they can buy you an island to retire on someday! LOL I figure, I can't take it with me, why now spend it on my kids? thanks, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob D Posted April 15, 2005 Report Share Posted April 15, 2005 >"I found a '92 STS with 90,000 miles. Second owner bought it last August with 85,000 miles for a second car. He replaced Brakes, struts, wires, plugs, one wheel bearing, cat converter... The car has a 4.9l engine.<" ??? Here's a question that I'm surprised no one else had asked...Why is this 'second owner' selling, after putting all that money into it and only 5,000 miles on it?! '93 STS.. opened, dropped, wide...fast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty Posted April 15, 2005 Report Share Posted April 15, 2005 That price sounds a little high at $4600...IMHO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davedog Posted April 15, 2005 Report Share Posted April 15, 2005 I have been very happy with my 1992 Eldorado. Very reliable, and the 4.9 really is a work horse. I drive it the 1200 mile round trip to my parents house at least twice a year. I bought this second owner car almost two years ago with 48k. It now has 75k and is still going very strong. Repairs I've done so far include: Water pump, one engine mount, and a coolant flush. I love this car and get compliments on it most everyday (people think it's a 98-00 model, not a 92!). I paid $5800 for mine. Yes it does have the DIC, and a very handy one at that (musch better than my 87 deville had). I would see if they have any service records for it. just my 2 cents. -dave P.S. Post pics if ya can Crystal Red Tintcoat Exterior | Shale/Brownstone Interior | 32k Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty Posted April 15, 2005 Report Share Posted April 15, 2005 Jim, I agree with you totally about having as much metal around your kids until they become more experienced drivers! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CadiKing Posted April 15, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2005 ??? Here's a question that I'm surprised no one else had asked...Why is this 'second owner' selling, after putting all that money into it and only 5,000 miles on it?! Bob D, The reason for the sale of this car is... Seller says he bought for a back up, second car. Seller claims he now has a company truck which He can drive everywhere for nothing! Figured he'd sell the car to get it out of the driveway! I will drive it and look it over carefully! thanks, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gygmy Posted April 17, 2005 Report Share Posted April 17, 2005 If having lots of iron around them for safety sake is good they should ride the bus. But that is a dumb suggestion in the US. It is tough to have kids and worry about them. In a perfect world they would have an interest in mechanics and want to work on the car, or pay for it! Caddy's have the mass to absorb a hit but there are plenty of worthy cars out there for a modest amount of cash. You will still be thinking bummer thoughts even if they were driving an M1. To think of it too many people already are worried about their kids, who are driving M1's and Hummers. Take your time, you will find the car that fits for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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