1996 Cadillac Seville SLS Northstar V8

Summary:

Used, it's a great car for the money

Faults:

The only repair I had to make was replacement of the spark plug wires and spark plugs. This however was quite expensive.

General Comments:

This is a wonderful automobile. It has great performance, decent mileage and is very comfortable.

I looked at the new Seville and found it to be much smaller and less roomy.

If I do not have a lot of repairs, I plan on keeping this car. I believe it will be a real classic some day.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th September, 2003

1996 Cadillac Seville STS 4.6 V8 Northstar System

Summary:

An American dream wrapped in comfort and powered with true grit

Faults:

Car was on dealer lot with a check engine light. The diagnostic showed it was an oxygen sensor and the dealer replaced it. Since then no problems with the car.

General Comments:

I love this car! This is my first Cadillac and I believe I found an excellent example of American high performance luxury.

I was turned on to Cadillacs by my parents 1996 De-ville Concourse that too is a wonderful car.

I would say I was scared at first to read the many poor reviews on Cadillac Sevilles in this forum. I immediatly took note of the oil consumption concerns many have noted. My Seville has used no oil in the 500 miles I have owned it. Hopefully further testing will show mine is not an oil guzzler.

I took the car to my mechanic to have it looked at and he gave it a clean bill of health, I asked him about the oil thing and he said the high oil consumption is due to the fact that the engine was not broken in properly. (interesting) With the high technology and close tolerances of the Northstar engine it needs ample time to "Break in" the factory manual expands on the subject.

Do not exceed 50 m.p.h for the first 500 miles, avoid full throttle accelerating, don't cruise at constant speeds for long periods. And so on. It may be hard to resist, but I think we now see the result. That explains a lot and shows that some people just don't respect the suggestion of driving a performance car at these limitations. They just get in and take off.

I am the second owner of my car and I was able to contact the first owner. After I explained the reason for calling and I had bought his car I asked if he had followed the suggested break in procedures and he said he did. He only had two problems with the car the entire 70000 miles he owned it. The alternator died once and he had to replace the heater/air conditioning blower motor. That's outstanding in my book!!!

Cars don't go bad by themselves. We neglect, abuse and finally break them. Then we complain that it was built poorly. There is something wrong with that picture.

To me a car is the reflection of its owner and I am proud to own this Cadillac.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th July, 2003

20th Dec 2009, 10:51

Ah, your so very right! People jump in these high performance machines and mash their foot to the floor and go. 500 miles to break one of these in is nothing, most cars you're supposed to go very light on for a thousand miles or more, you got lucky my friend. Hope your ride treats you good for a long time...

1996 Cadillac Seville SLS 4.6L Northstar

Summary:

A true, high performance,4 door sports car

Faults:

I took the car out on a very rainy night and it stalled the next day. The reasons for this were unknown, but it never happened again.

General Comments:

I bought my 1996 Seville SLS from an older lady (an ideal situation) and it only had 15200 miles on it. The car has Vogue Tyres, Vogue Chrome rims and a canvas top. It is sea-mist green and has black interior. Overall I love this car. It looks better than the Corvette convertible that I use as a second car. Everywhere I go people look at it and the performance is absolutely incredible. Since it is the SLS it has a bit softer ride than the STS, but I still really like it. I am 6'5" tall and I fit in this car with room to spare (Unlike the 1998 and newer Sevilles I was looking at.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th May, 2002

1996 Cadillac Seville STS 4.6 petrol

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

Surprisingly powerful for a luxury sedan. Plenty of room. Comfort is good but could be better for this kind of money. Overall, a fast luxo-sedan that can compete with any of the germans.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th December, 1997

14th Jul 2004, 09:22

Obviously this Person sold or traded this 1996 Seville Touring Sedan shortly after he wrote this review. If he had owned it longer, he would have retracted his comments.

20th Jul 2004, 07:47

I have a 1997 STS and I just turned 100k miles on it. The only repair I have had was Alternator ($275 for a rebuilt, not at Dealer) A battery, A light bulb in fog lamp and one bulb in brake light. This is by far the most reliable car I have ever owned. Of course I had to put tires and brakes, but that does not count as "equipment failure". This car drives as good as the day I bought it. I plan on keeping it for a very long time. This is my Favorite body style of all Caddy's except maybe a 75 Eldo...