1997 CADILLAC Seville

Cadillac is the way to go

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

I purchased my 97 Cadillac SLS used in '02 with 90k miles on it. It is now 2010 and has 160,000 miles and not 1 major repair has been needed. The only thing that was done was I've changed the shift solenoids in the trans twice at $500 per pop. That was the only problem I have had. I love this car and the reliability that she has given me.

The Fun Ride

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

This is a great touring car and very comfortable in traffic. The Northstar engine is remarkable. My mileage is 18.5 in town and 22 MPG on the open road.When I need power and it feels like my lips are being stretched by G force. It is a great performer

Great highway commuter car

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

I just got this car from Ebay a month ago with almost 170K miles. However, everything works as it should and the 300HP engine is still going strong when I paunch it to the floor. Used primarily as commute car to out-of-state job and have found it can do 28-29MPG on highway. For a 4600CC engine and 4000lb car, this is incredible. So far I've put on 2000 miles and there is no issue at all. I have never thought a cheap 2nd-hand car can be this much fun and economical.

Some things to learn from Olds...

Performance: 4 Comfort: 3 Fuel Economy: 3 Fun To Drive: 3 Interior Design: 3 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 3 Reliability: 3 Comfort Rating: 3 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 3 Reliability Rating: 3

Bought my STS 2 yrs ago, with 50,000 mi. in great shape. The STS has great styling. People ask me what it is and what year, as it still looks sharp. I've had problems with oil burn since I got it & have to top it up several times between oil changes. A few of my beefs relate to the stupidity of GM not sharing some good features between similar vehicles. My last car was a fully dressed 1997 (same year) Olds LSS..I called it a baby Caddy, as the interiors were almost identical! The superior features: 1) Double folding sun visors for side/front coverage; 2) Reading lights in centre iso above window; 3) Hole in rear arm rest to allow for skis/longer items to pass thru Learn from Olds!

Fun to drive difficult to maintain

Performance: 4 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 3 Reliability: 2 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 2

I drove a Cadillac a few times when I was in my teens and wanted a Cadillac ever since, then last year I brought a 1997 STS. I love the car, it's a hoot to drive very powerful and comfortable to drive. It's in great looking condition but my disappointment comes in with the reliability.The one time I had it any distance away from home my wife and I was on a bus. trip and after coming out from the hotel when we checked in the alternator quit this was after I had replaced the starter but before the headlight control module gave out. last week we went to an anniversary dinner with our children and when we arrived at the restaurant the security problem code came up and two days later it refused to start. It's at the garage now with a fuel pump problem that the tech found while trying to fix that security code problem. I am sure when I get it back something else will go on it. I love the car and love to drive it's a real beauty.

Personal impressions

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

Considering overall cost and quality of the vehicle, I can't help but feel it more than holds its own in the luxury class of vehicles priced below $50k.

Great car

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 4 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 4

I have been very happy with my Cadillac. It has 120,000 miles on it now and I had to replace the a/c pump. Car runs good on open road. Love the sound system. Handles very good. 24.7 on the road at today's highway speeds.

This is the Best GM Can Do?

Performance: 3 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 2 Fun To Drive: 2 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 1 Reliability: 1 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 3 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 1

This is the worst car I have ever owned. I took impeccable care of it, yet the engine head gaskets failed starting at 70,000 miles. They would have cost almost $5,000 to fix. I decided to sell the car to mechanic who ended up replacing the engine. At 40,000 to 70,000 miles I had to replace both rear window motors, water pump, radiator, alternator, the dealer had to pull engine to fix oil leaks, two struts failed, and a host of other problems. Some repairs were covered under warranty, no wonder GM can't make a profit on it's cars. Many others are have the same problems. This is GM's flagship vehicle? No wonder people are switching to the Asians. My Infiniti has not had any problems in 70,000 miles.

Excellent Luxury Preformance Value

Performance: 4 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 3 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

The Cadillac Seville is a poor man's 7-Series BMW. Why pay more?

2.5 Quarts of Oil Every 1,500 Miles

Performance: 5 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 2 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 3 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 2 Reliability: 4 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 3 Reliability Rating: 4

I love my car, except it has burned oil ever since I got it. Also, the headlights only work when they want to. Everything else works, light-wise. The air conditioner does not work. The front grill underneath the hood is falling down. I don't like how I have to use premium gas either. I get 18-19 miles per gallon. This car has a great stereo.

Too bad it's FWD

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 4 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 4

My 1997 Cadillac Seville provides fantastic value for the money, especially as a used vehicle. I bought mine in 2002 for $8,000 with 101,000 miles on it and traded it in yesterday for a '97 Infiniti Q45. I traded the car for an Infiniti because I wanted a rear wheel drive car again as I dislike FWD but I could not afford the newer RWD STS that came our in '04. My car needed a few repairs over last two years, nothing out of the ordinary for a luxury car of its type. The Northstar V8 started leaking a lot of oil at 140,000 miles but it's not a reliability issue so I just added a quart every week, $3 a week is no big deal. Advice: If you need to get the struts/air ride replaced go with Arnott. They're a great aftermarket company and the cost for parts is $700 versus $2,000 through GM.

Black Beauty STS - My Dream Car

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

This car is totally awesome. Performance and handling is fantastic! Cadillac put together a complete package when they built this one. The sound system (Bose) is the best. The leather seats still smell leather. The only problem and this will only pertain for guys who are over 6'4", you don't have a lot of head room, believe me, my husband knows... but he still enjoys riding in it. Overall, I've had some routine maintenance issues with it, but for an almost 9 year old car and the money I paid for it, I'm totally satisfied. Hopefully, she'll last me several thousand miles and when it comes time to replace her, I'll be looking for STS #2. I'm an STS lover forever.

97 seville sls

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

Great car- no problems yet-doesn go through a qt of oil between changes- recently took a trip to fl and back (2400miles) averaged 30.5 mpg.

The Best Car Ever

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

We bought this car in May of '98, pratically new; It had 34k miles on it. The moment i drove it i fell in love...it handles great....this car has taken to and from Arkansas many times...and never once has it acted in any way like it was going to overheat...even with 105,672 thousand miles....the car has been great...mechanically i have only had to replace the O2 sensor and the fuel sensor both at 75k miles....other wise.....i cant think of anything i replaced....but here recently we almost lost her...we were in a bad wreck...we didnt think they would fix her up....but luckly the retail on a cadillac is really good...

Untapped potential

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

If Cadillac ever get's their act together, look out for the rising of the Seville.I found this car to be very exceptional on the road, especially for trips longer than 6 hrs. Never had a mechanical break down and the only issue that I can readily think of right now is the ridiculous use of plastic fasteners used for certain parts. Other than that, this car delievers you from point A to point B, and it tempts you to take it beyond the original planned trip altogether. Smooth pull aways from BMWs and other luxo rides, are frequent occurances. Now, if only they could put in that supercharger....

STS dangers.

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 3 Reliability: 3 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 3

The car is sharp, has a lot of power, and handles well. One huge problem! The seals start to go bad in the engine, particularly the oil pan. We have owned ours for a year and we are getting rid of it. It started leaking oil @ 80k miles. @ 90K miles the air compressor went up and our oil pan seal is bad. Without a warranty we would endure an expense of $5000 to fix both. We cleaned the engine very well and are certain the dealership was unaware of the oil pan seal. They gave us a low figure and said the car is notorious for worn seals and gaskets and wholesalers are hesitant to touch them. Could have been a line, but awfully coincidental.

Love my caddy

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

This car has provided wonderful service with minimum maintaince. It goes where ever I have needed it to go. Done what I have needed it to do. I have had Olds, Buicks, Dodges and Fords and none have delivered like this STS has! I Love My CAR!

money green caddy

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

I have owned this car for over a year now and I have had no problems with it,It runs like a rocket very comfortable and it rides so smooth,I never thougth that I would drive a Cadillac but now for trips and the power it has man it's fast from this point on it's caddies or nothing and my 1980 corvette for the rest,man you got to try one its a blast.

what's up with cadilac

Performance: 3 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 3 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 2 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 3 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 2

I purchested this car on the dealerships raiting of this auto and before I could make the first payment I had to pay out$90.00 for o2 sensor, and two weeks later the charcole filter $400.00. three weeks later the check light is on and a slight knocking shound, this car purchest used with 53000 miles,service maintance history good, whats up. I'm a sad cadilac owner.

My Gorgeous Baby

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

This replaced my Olds Toronado, which I loved. But this almost candy apple red turns heads to this day. Much better looking than the shorter newer ones. No mechanical problems until this year, when remote keyless entry and front struts failed. But the last four years have included driving a 5- mile poorly maintained dirt road in the Rocky Mountains to get to and from our home and highway.

'97 STS Used Car Review

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

Excellent power, excellent handling, excellent comfort and mileage. Looks are sleeker than then newer '98 and later model Sevilles. Dual memory of seat position, A/C settings, mirrors and radio stations for two different drivers is an excellent touch.

Very disappointed

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 3 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 1 Reliability: 1 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 1

Always viewed Cadillac as a great car, but this experience has convinced me I will never buy GM again. The struts failed before 70,000 and they are unbelievably expensive to replace; much more so than other "luxury" cars. The electrical system has caused numerous problems, the gasoline gauge cannot be trusted. Had I realized it was built so poorly, I certainly would have purchased an extended warranty. I can't even trade it in without loosing thousands of dollars.

love my Seville

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

This is my third Seville and they have all been great. Performance is terrific. When I press the gas pedal it goes right now! Interstate gas milage approaches 30 mpg!

Poor quality!

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 3 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 2 Reliability: 1 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 3 Reliability Rating: 1

It's astonishing that a $45,000.00 automobile could be built so poorly. I've had a pulsating brake problem that can't be fixed, at least not permanantly. The air conditioner compressor failed at 62,000. At 69,000 the engine comsume a quart of oil every 700 miles. I absolutely will never buy another GM automobile.

Even American Luxury Fails...

Performance: 4 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 3 Interior Design: 2 Exterior Design: 3 Build Quality: 1 Reliability: 2 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 2 Reliability Rating: 2

I bought this car super clean at 24000 mi.in 1999 for $30500.I just traded it in for $10000, 3.4 years later.The car was a minimal attempt.It could be fun to drive, and was very comfortable.However, it was not put together well.I had this car in for work 18 times during it's stay with me.As usual,GM built it just good enough to show well,but no longevity was built into the car.Unless you warranty the hell out of it,and you better,you 're doomed.Without a warranty,this car would have been an additional $9000.A+ to service.Always had a free loaner to make up for their bumbling.

hot rod for old motorheads

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

this is great. the northstar is very powerful.

76K miles later

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

Great car, great GM warranty, no significant trouble with car. In Chicago we have winter at least 4 months out of the year, and as a result, would not even consider a rear wheel drive car. Every time it snows its a joke watching the MB and BMW drivers try to get around (even with traction control and stability systems). Cadillac dealership service is outstanding.

CADILLAC STS 97

Performance: 1 Comfort: 3 Fuel Economy: 2 Fun To Drive: 2 Interior Design: 3 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 1 Reliability: 1 Comfort Rating: 3 Performance Rating: 1 Interior Rating: 3 Reliability Rating: 1

THIS CAR LEFT ME STRANDED 4 TIMES. OIL LEAKED OUT COMPLETELY. ALWAYS GET EXTENDED WARRANTY; YOU'LL NEED IT NO LEES TAN EVERY 3 MONTHS. I WAS SO DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS CAR, I ASKED DEALER TO BUY IT BACK AND THEY OFFERED ME HALF THE MARKET VALUE! I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CADILLAC!

disenchanted

Performance: 4 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 1 Reliability: 2 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 2

Luckily I bought an extended warranty with this car. Nothing but trouble. In the three years that I have owned this car, I have been to the dealership 22 times. This is unacceptable. I never had anything this problematic when I drove cars made in Japan. Reliability and build quality are not a part of GM enginerering it would seem. I will never buy American again.

97 STS

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 3 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 3

Great ride, very comfortable, fast. Poor quality, repairs very expensive

97 Dream Machine

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

What can I say? As a 6'5" 300lb man I have never found a veh as comfortable and fun to drive as my caddy. The 275hp Northstar engine is awsome

Great Car

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

The large 1997 and earlier Seville is a smooth operating machine that is fast and comfortable. The gas milage is excellent on the road and the car just floats along. The time to buy one of these cars is now because of the huge hit the market has had. The lower the miles the better. Remember however that at 100,000 miles the car is just due for its first tune-up. The only real weakness that I see is the need to replace some very high priced struts when the car reaches about 70k.

great white shark

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

The car looks and performs great.The Northstar V8 can really move this 4000lbs vehicle(0-60 in 6.4sec and 1/4 mile in 14.7sec).This vehicle is an excellent used vehicle purchase due to the high depreciation but make sure to have your prospective purchase checked out at your local Caddy dealer before you buy. My car was maintained by the book and is still under warranty but maintenance can be very expensive if you buy a lemon. Be careful