25th Oct 2014, 03:30
I would take a 4.9 over a Northstar any day.
I have owned 4x 4.9 liter cars and one 4.6 Northstar, and the 4.9 is far better for reliable, consistent mechanical performance.
The Northstar may be a more sophisticated engine, but it's far less reliable. I have belonged to two Caddy websites, and have found common faults with the Northstar that are expressed.
15th Oct 2014, 14:33
The 4.9 as far as reliability has been (as a fact) according to warranty claims, one of Cadillac's best engines in the modern era. To discount any Cadillac that is not equipped with a Northstar is really scoping out some great reliable cars with more than sufficient performance. Yes the NStar is more powerful. But that does not make a 4.9 powered vehicle inadequate by any means, and to claim it's not a Cadillac with it, quite honestly, is very closed minded.
The early Nstars were also very prone to head bolt failures, and needless to say, that's a costly repair, often more than the car is worth. It was not until approximately 2000 that the Nstar reached more reliable ground, and by that time, its reputation preceded later efforts, and the Nstar a few years after was nixed.
Myself, just an opinion, as is yours... I would not touch an NStar... and by the time Caddys were equipped with it, body styles changed with it. I like the classic styling of my 91 Eldo. Google info on Nstars and it's lots of talk of head gaskets.