Cadillac DeVille

sonjaab

Driving ? just sitting still ?
Motor on or off ?

lowmack

thanks sonjaab,the humming is coming from when the car is standing still,motor on,and driving.
sometimes it will stop and sometimes it will go on and on. have,nt had anyone look at yet want
to be sure what going on.

thanks alot.

sonjaab

Gotta be fuel pump or load leveling susp.
I can hear my 96 fuel pump from outside
the car sometimes. My 97 chev truck i
used to have had a LOUD fuel pump. Never
had a problem with it tho.........

sonjaab

Heading to Alex. Bay NY today. Haven"t seen
my 96 in a couple of weeks..Probably have to
wash it, check the oil and fill it with premium
and take it out and womp on it some. Woman hasn't
said a word about a new SUV instead lately !!

Lemko, Will be in Philly in a couple of weeks
Have to haul some stuff down there to my aunts
house !!!! First thing steak sand. with NO
cheese wiz.....Second go to AC and gamble !!!
Will post.................Geo

burgundy96

Just purchased a 96 Caddy Concours a couple of months ago. Everything working fine except the [non-permissible content removed]-end fishtails when going over recessed sewers or similar holes in the road. It's almost as if the body is not mounted properly to the frame. It does not affect the steering (car keeps going straight), but it does sometimes seem as if it may go out of control. New rear shocks will put me back $2500 installed. (air-ride).
Any suggestions? I can be e-mailed at:
bestbari@sympatico.ca
Thanks - Paul Martin, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

topgun7

I live in the SF Bay area. In the last couple days, I start seeing advertisment for 0.0% finance combine with $8000 off from msrp (about $4000 below invoice). I am seriously tempted to start negotiating for one. However, I am concern about the resale value down the line. Has anyone lease their car and know the residual value of the car 3 or 4 years from now? With the low rate & low cap cost, if the DTS can maintain 40% of it's value 4 years from now, it should be a steal. However, some of the leasing service is quoting them has 30% residual 4 years from now. I read through posts starting about March. It seems that most folks who has 01 are pretty happy with the reliability (Have quite a few problems with 00). Is 01 pretty reliable? Since there is only a few 01 DTS still around in this area according to GMbuypower, we need to move pretty fast in the next couple days. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

robh3

If you are planning to lease the car, then why are you so concerned about the residual value?

Don't confuse "residual" value with "resale" value. They are two different things. Typically, Cadillacs have a higher residual value (the value of the vehicle at a specific point in the future, as pre-determined by the finance company) given to them by GMAC, for example, than the residual value Lexus cars are given by Lexus Finance (Toyota). That is why I was able to lease a '99 Cadillac STS (new) with the V8 Northstar engine for a lower monthly payment than it would have cost me to lease a Lexus GS300 (with the 6 cylinder engine), even though the Lexus had a LOWER sticker price than the Caddy.

Lexus cars have a higher resale value in terms of percentage of original sticker price, however Lexus finance gives their cars a really low residual value, thus widening the gap between the sticker price (or your negotiated actual capitalized cost of the lease) and the residual value of the car at the end of the lease. That larger gap means you are borrowing "more money" on the lease, and thus you have higher monthly payments.

Also, if you intend to turn the car in at the end of the lease, that is another reason you shouldn't worry about either the residual or the resale value of the car at the end. The only instance where a typical Caddy lease with the higher residual value can possibly "bite" you is if you try to turn the car in and get out of the lease early. In that case, because the actual resale value of the car might be less than the residual value of the car and what you have been paying on it, you might have to pay them more money in order to "walk away early" from the lease term.

With a Lexus, since the residual value is lower than the resale value, if you try to get out of the lease early you typically can do so fairly easily since the car's value on the street is higher than the residual. So, that's why you hear a lot of Lexus owners bragging about how they were able to sell there car privately at the end of their lease "for a profit" compared to what they had to pay Lexus finance to walk away from the lease. What they are not saying, or what they might not realize, is that they have been paying more all along due to higher monthly payments as a result of the lower residual value of the car as determined by the finance company.

On the other hand, if you think you might buy the Caddy at the end of the lease, then the lower resale value of the car works to your favor. Now you are buying a car with a lower price than a comparably aged Lexus. Isn't paying less for a car typically avery consumer's goal?

It's truly a numbers game. If you intend to keep the car for the duration of the lease term, and especially if you think you will turn it in at that point for a new one, then you are much better off getting a Caddy at the lower monthly price. You have to calculate your cost for the privilege of driving the car. Since the car will be on warranty the whole time, your only cost is the monthly payments and gas (and oil changes if you don't have that included in the deal). In this case, it will cost you more to drive a Lexus, for sure.

I don't know about you, but personally I would much rather be driving a 300hp V8 engine STS (or DTS) for 304 years for less out of pocket cost than what it would take to drive a 200-something HP 6 cylinder Lexus GS. The Lexus GS300 is NOT superior enough (if at all, really) to the STS to warrant the extra money.

Anyway, I have been using one competitor vehicle (the Lexus GS) as and example here, but almost any import competitor can be used similarly as an example.

Rob

topgun7

Rob, Thanks for your input. As it turn out the 0.0% finance that is being advertised in the SF Bay area is only for purchase and not lease. So if I want to take advantage of the promotion, I need to purchase the car. Before making the jump, I tried to fingure out the 4 years ownership cost for the Deville(the deprication and interest cost for owning the car assuming that I will sale the car 4 years form now). I choose 4 years ownership cost because we change car every 4 years or so. It also normalizes the special finance, rebate etc since not all the car has the same promotion. This way when I compare one car to another, at least I know I am comparing apple to apple. I learned the hard way that a cheaper car to buy does not mean the car is cheaper to own. High depreciation can eat our wallet alive. I agreed with you whole heartedly that a GS 300 is no comparison to DTS but the GS4 is a very different story (we owned a 98 GS400 for 3 years).

Anyhow, we took the bait this afternoon and become the proud owners of a 01 Pearl White DTS with MSRP of $50817, our final price is $44,817+ 8% Ca sales tax + license+ luxury tax etc. - $1,000 rebate - $660 gm card rebate for a grand total of $47404. All of this finance with the 5 years 0.0% loan for $790 a month.

So far, my wife spent about 2 hours in the car this afternoon and she was very impressed with the car (I was pulling for the DTS 8-}. She just want to get the car shopping things over. We owned and drove 91 LS400, 94 LS400, 98 GS400, 01 RX300 and 02 SC430 and she is very hard to be impressed). I hope the Deville stays relatively trouble free. Tommorrow will be my turn to drive the Devile. Will let you know how it work out...

topgun7

We picked up one of the last 01 Deville this afternoon and it does not come with the CD changer. Has anyone install any aftermarket CD changer for the Bose systems? I am hoping to have one that can hook into the bose system directly rather than one of those FM modulation one. Thanks.

carnaught

I have the GM CD stacker in my 2000 DTS and have been very satisfied with it. It was installed at the dealer and is comparable to factory. Good luck with your car.

topgun7

Hello Carnaught, did you order the changer from the part department? The msrp for the cd changer (if it was included in the car) is 595 and the invoice is $505. did you pay the $595 for the parts and installation? thanks.

mosaix

Congratulations on the new Caddy. I'll be she's a looker. Thats sounds like an excellent deal you got. I hope you enjoy it.

cadbury

Sounds like a nice DTS you've got! What was the extra $1,000 rebate for in your purchase price?

carnaught

Yes, I paid about $550 for the cd stacker.

sonjaab

I have a dealer installed delco 10 disc changer
in the trunk in my 96..It works off the FM deal
works ok..don't remember what it cost. Will ask
the little woman...My 90 had the in dash single
cd delco bose gold series..Man that thing cranked !!.........Geo

topgun7

thanks for all the input to the CD changer. I looked into some Apline and Pioneer aftermarket FM cd changer and it look like to be in the $200 - $250 range on the net + installation of about 100. Some of the changer can actually hold 12 disks. We may get an aftermarket FM cd changer once the model year change over is done for these cd changer.

We got a coupon at the beginning of this year for being an old alero owner and they announced the termination of the Olds dealership network. It would have worth $1,500 for any olds but only $1,000 for all other GM cars. I put it in a folder and actually forget about it until we go over the folder accidentally on Sat. night to show my brother-in-law other cars that we were considering. Anyhow, this $1000 is my funding for getting the cd changer and may be a couple things to dress up the Deville.

By the way, I read this board and other Deville info starting @ 10:00 pm Saturday until 3:00 am Sunday. My wife struck the deal for the car through the phone around 10:00 am. At the point, we only saw the car, read all the reports, and had not tested drive it yet. We drove the car before we sign the paper etc. So far my wife is very impressed with the car and already claimed ownership (she let me have the sc430. I think I get the better part of the bargin. But of course I put up a good fight. Heh,heh). I drove it yesterday and was very impressed with the car also. But the seat is a little bit soft for me. I may go get a pillow (any suggestions on what pillow may look good in the car?) and it should be fine.

robh3

For where? The seat does have a lower back lumbar support air cell that can be inflated.

Not sure how a pillow will help if the seat is too soft.

topgun7

robh3, I was going to put the pillow on the low back. But you are right the lumbar support work very well and I found a very comfortable position now.

Another question about the sound system to the board. Does anyone notice that the bose system does not generate any bass. I tried to set the bass to the max and still did not hear or feel the bass. I have a set of aftermarket speaker/amp in the Alero that I plan to sell. I am wondering is it worth the money (since I already has the parts, it will only be labor) to take the speaker/amp out from the alero and put them in the Deville. Does anyone has experience on this? thanks.

robh3

It's hard to think of a Bose stereo as not having bass. Bose systems usually are somewhat bass "biased". I'm wondering if it is working properly?

Glad to here that the lower lumbar support system has met your needs. I believe the DTS also comes standard with the massaging seats. Have you tried that feature yet?

sonjaab

I had a delco bose gold series cd
in my 90 deville. It had so much
bass it would shake the car !!!!!!
I wish the stereo in my 96 deville
sounded HALF as good........Geo

topgun7

Rob and Sonjaab, thank. I finally figured out what happened. I set the sound effect to talk. With that setting, it does not matter what the bass setting is, it sound the same. With the other 3 settings, everything is o.k...

robh3

Ahh. OK. That makes sense. So, so far the two things you have brought up here that were apparent "problems" or shortcomings with the car turned out to simply require a simple change of the settings to correct.

If you haven't already done so, I'd suggest that you take the time to read through the owner's manual. I think you will be amazed at the capabilities of this car when you know how to operate it to its full capabilities.

baron87

topgun7:

You should also have recieved a 'quick-guide' or something like it from your dealer. It briefly explains all the main features of the car and how to use them...it should be helpful....

mosaix

If your Cadillac has those preset tone options, choose the manual mode and then adjust the control. My Olds has those and everyone different preset setting is worthless.

harvey17

HEY HAVE'NT BEEN HERE FOR AWHILE, BUT HERE I AM
DO ANYONE OUT THERE HAVE OR EVER HAD THIS PROBLEM, WHERE YOU CAN,T GET ANY HEAT?
I HAVE HAD MAY HEATER CORE FLUSH, AINTFREEZE CHANGE,AND STILL NO HEAT TO WHERE IT SHOULD BE.
ANY FEEDBACK IS WELCOME THANKS A LOTS.

sonjaab

Check both heater hoses when car is warmed
up and running. If both hoses are hot going
in and out of heater core. If not (do new
caddys have a heater control valve in the
heater hose line anymore ?). valve could be
bad or a vaccume (spl) line could of
come loose. Can you hear the door(in heater
box) open or close when u change temperature ?
Check all fuses ?Just a couple of thoughts.
Good luck.......Geo

harvey17

sonjaab both hoses are hot in and out, can here door close and open, have,nt check fuse yet.
thanks alot.
harvey

ashur1

You might recall my previous posts about extensive problems with my 2000 DHS... On my latest trip to the service center, one of my problems was that I have received a "service stability system" message on two separate occasions. The response from service is my all time favorite "Problem not evident at this time". I don't know much at all about modern auto computer systems but I thought that when these messages were given the system kept some record of it. Should I be concerned that the stability system is not functioning properly?

Also, I had the cams replaced, etc. to correct the rough idle. The vibration is less but still there. Anyone having a similar problem? The car also now vibrates at highway speed (65-70!). Again, service dept. says all is well. Maybe, I forgot that Cadillac is known for its choppy highway ride! Thanks for listening!

jgbackes

The 2002 specs are available from www.cadillac.com and it shows that not only is the DVD in the navigation system used for the map data, but it says when the car is in park, you can watch DVDs on the screen!!!!

Anyone try this yet?

Also, I guess I'd get my trunk back, the CD in the back does take up alot of room.

jeff

sonjaab

Hello all,
96 Deville just turned 80K...Got to
check the oil today. Used a quart in
almost 2000 miles instead of 1000.
Motor must be just breaking in !!!!!
Had to but this topic back up there.....
......Geo

misternhh

My 2000 DTS is in the shop. Again. Each time, it's something new. Right now, they are rebuilding the transmission. At 8800 miles, they had to replace the engine -- the block was cracked, apparently a factory defect. Another time the car stalled out and refused to go, apparently the fuel pump had a bad sensor and had to be replaced. Another time my mechanic, who was changing the oil, pointed out that the right front tire was spewing fluid -- cracked CV boot, had to be replaced. Several sensors have died and needed replacing. This car is in the shop every three months like clockwork. Cadillac customer service has been apathetic. The car is on a 3 year lease with 1 year to go, and I'm determined to find a way out of this and get a reliable ride. When it works, the car is great, but it's on the disabled list far too often. I've never had a car this unreliable, and I once had a K-car!

carnaught

I had the same experience with my 2000 DTS, except it was in about every six weeks, including the first week I bought it. At times, they'd keep it for a week and one time kept it for two weeks. Fortunately I got a loaner car each time and had a good service manager, but the inconvenience was unbelievable. I wanted to buy American and really liked the car when it ran and things seemed in working order. It usually involved fixing something different each time, however, the camshafts, various fluid leaks, the electronics, brake problems (had to have it flatbedded in), etc. I understand the 2001 and 2002's are better but I just couldn't handle it anymore and ditched it. It truly will make me rethink a GM car much less Cadillac in my future.

mgyfd

Sorry to hear of your Cadillac problems. My 2001 has given me no problems. It rides and performs exactly how it should for a Cadillac. I hear the 2002 Devilles are even more refined. Don't give up on Cadillac yet. I think the best is yet to come.

toombsr

With 16,000 miles on our 2001 DHS, the car stalled a a light, restarted and stalled at the next light. Then service engine light came on. Svc Mgr said probably crankshaft sensor and they were able to check them and diagnose that they were bad. They had them in stock and put my wife's car at the head of the line and got her on the road. We have had excellent service with this dealer after the first "experience" with a less than knowledgeable service writer. We had dealt with the manager and he gave us another writer after he fixed the first few problems.

We are quite happy with the car, but it will be only a short time till we need new tires. We bought the car as we put approximately 25000 plus per year on it. We bought it in Feb 2001 and will have 20000 on it by the end of next week.

The car comes with michelins, has anyone changed to goodyear? The car rides nice so hate to change anything but wanted to check my options.

Thanks a lot,Ray

oldsman01

If you like the smooth ride, stick with the Michelins!

czapski

Recently found out that my DTS does not have the massaging seats which I thought was standard equipment on this car. When I brought it in for service to my dealer and asked them to check the switch on the seat, the mechanic notified me that some cars went out the door minus this feature. Is this true? My vehicle summary sheet has it as code AN3 which is supposed to have it. If it came from the factory without it, wouldn't (shouldn't) the dealer have disclosed this if he had been given a credit for this? Right now, my saleman and his manager, doesn't know what to tell me. Claims that they're looking into it. Suggested a credit for my next Caddie. The mechanic quoted me standard seats as having code A45, but I can't find any reference to these anywhere. Can anyone shed any light on this.
Also, I too have the Service Stability system message come on periodically. Computer does not keep a record of this code and mechanic can't find anything wrong. Will keep you informed as to developments.

bolivar

That's a great big sigh of relief.

My Concours is sold. Gone.

I feel much better now.

ashur1

You stated that you hear the 2002 Devilles are even more refined. What did you hear?

carnaught

massage seats, check the seats. Are the center portions perforated leather or smooth? The perforated leather is what's supposed to be on the DTS. The smooth, non perforated centers are standard Deville leather seats without the massage feature. I know because I made the dealer change the seats to DTS seats. Make sure your seats match the rear ones. Hope this helps....

lemko

My local Cadillac dealer offered me a deal on a 2001 base DeVille with 9,000 miles on it for $34K. My trade is a 1994 DeVille valued at $5,500 + $3,600K down payment. PA state sales tax is 6%. This works out to $416/mo for 5 years. What do you think?

carnaught

$34k plus your car or $34k minus the allowance for your car. If it's the former, it's not a good deal....IMO.

bolivar

If I remember right, at the end of the 2001 model year, a nearby dealer advertized new base deVilles at less than $37,000. Of course, this included rebates, etc.

Compared to this, $34,000 after 9,000 miles seems high to me.

One thing, buy a used Caddy from a Caddy dealer and get it 'Certified'. This might cost you $600 more, which is the cost to the dealer. But it extends the new car 'bumper-to-bumper' warrenty to 6 years and 60k or 72k miles.

If you remember, I'm the guy with the 95 that had a lot of problems. I gave you a list of them in some other message area several months ago. The extended warrenty saved my rear. That car is gone, just now, and fortunately didn't have any problems the last few months, after the warrenty had expired.

czapski

Thanks for the info re: perforated seats. I do have the right DTS seats, but now I think that mechanic just failed to connect the actual switch to the mechanism. I find it hard to believe that the manufacturer sent out those seats with parts missing inside, but then, anything is possible these days. We're still trying to get to the bottom of this (excuse the pun). Dealer sales manager tells me that if this is a deficiency, then it is a GM responsibility to make good. We'll let you know how this turns out.

lemko

...minus the allowance for my car. Maybe if I wait a little longer, he might come down. If I were to make an offer on this car, what would be a fair price?

sonjaab

Syracuse NY , In sunday paper (dealer)
01 deville(s) 14-20k miles $24,995
..........Geo

mgyfd

Refined in the ride. I read that they are to "sure-up" the ride - something with the shocks I guess. This modification is to be on later 2002 models. The ride on my 2001 is great. I have no complaints.

sonjaab

Todays paper another dealer 01 Deville
$23,900.................Geo

jg25

my dts' front and driver's side rear heated seats have ceased working. when I touch to on/off button it lights up but no heat! Took it into the dealer sent it home still not working...he wants to make some calls and have me bring it back in..has anyone else had this problem...or can you give me a clue as to what could be going on so I can give my tech a good lead I would really appreciate some help..it is starting to get cold !!

carnaught

.....the GM electronic's gremlins are at it again!

old_spartan

It only has 128k miles on it, and I wanted a balance of quality and low purchase price. Only paid 4,000. All the toys work, and the interior and exterior are in perfect shape. All of the working parts were inspected prior to purchase.

Does anyone have any advice for a first time Caddi owner, albeit an old Caddi?

Thanks.