1996 Cadillac DeVille review from North America
"Best car all around I ever had (than even the previous two caddies, a 1985 and a 1990!"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Replaced brakes once in 4 years.
Replaced water pump myself. It was leaking (I do most of my own work). Pump was about $80.
Replaced thermostat also.
Replaced Radiator for $150. It too was leaking from the plastic on the passenger side. No cooling problems since.
Had to replace the fuel pump. About $200 with labor (a friend. Wasn't about to mess with the gas tank).
Replaced a noisy steering pump. $30.
Only other major work was transmission. Had to have it rebuilt because it seems that a hacker got to it with the previous owner and they glued (!!!) the valve body to the transmission. All kinds of pieces did some damage to the gears and other components. Rebuild cost a few bucks... OK $2600, but she runs better than ever now after 5K miles already! Even get about two to three miles per gallon more mileage (32 Miles Per Gallon at best, 62 miles per hour) than an already impressive 28 MPG!
General comments?
Runs terrific otherwise, love it. Gets up and goes mighty fast when I need it.
Alignment so straight I can let go of the wheel for up to 3 miles at 60 miles per hour, before the road turns, that is!
Only other negative, if it is a negative, is suspension. Very smooth when driving normally. But at times when needing speed, sometimes a little shaky, as if it needs slightly stiffer shocks/struts, or fatter stabilizer bar. I may get the Concours suspension, and use the stiffer struts with the current springs.
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| 1994 - DeVille Concours 4.9L 32 Valve Northstar V8 Love it with all my heart just hate the gas mileage and that it only takes super or 93 octane |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Model year | 1996 |
| Year of manufacture | 1995 |
| First year of ownership | 2001 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2005 |
| Engine and transmission | Northstar 4.6 liter Automatic |
| Performance marks | 9 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 8 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 9 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 7 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 54000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 98000 miles |
| Previous car | Cadillac DeVille |
| Date of Entry | 10th October, 2005 |