GM Inside News Forum - View Single Post - What is the 98-04 STS like?

PAULSTS1 · 08-05-2007, 08:20 PM

I am the owner of a '99 STS, and a 2006. The '99 is my favorite of them for a the reason that the car has "stage presence." People always complement me on the car wherever we go. It has the best interior I have experienced in a GM car since by 6000 STE in 1984. I am a driver, and a word of note: if you are interested in a Northstar powered Cadillac, drive it hard. This engine was designed to be really driven. Also maintain it right, get the oil changes (I love the semi-synthetic oils blends). Also watch the cooling system, make sure you keep the proper coolant in it.

Most of the failures I have heard about occurred with the Northstar I engine originally introduced, mostly by people that didn't maintain the overhead cam engine to Factory Specs. I hear this also happens to 6 cylinder BMW's, and Mercedes as well. Maintenance, Maintenance, Maintenance....this has been my motto and I haven't had any major issues. The '99 has 122K, and is a beast....it eats Mercedes everyday!

While I believe the '06 is probably going to last longer, due to the RWD architecture, and it has some driving smarts because of it, I'll be trading out of it within the next few months. My '99 is here to stay!

08-05-2007, 08:20 PM	#15 (permalink)
PAULSTS1 5.3 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 1,306	Re: What is the 98-04 STS like? I am the owner of a '99 STS, and a 2006. The '99 is my favorite of them for a the reason that the car has "stage presence." People always complement me on the car wherever we go. It has the best interior I have experienced in a GM car since by 6000 STE in 1984. I am a driver, and a word of note: if you are interested in a Northstar powered Cadillac, drive it hard. This engine was designed to be really driven. Also maintain it right, get the oil changes (I love the semi-synthetic oils blends). Also watch the cooling system, make sure you keep the proper coolant in it. Most of the failures I have heard about occurred with the Northstar I engine originally introduced, mostly by people that didn't maintain the overhead cam engine to Factory Specs. I hear this also happens to 6 cylinder BMW's, and Mercedes as well. Maintenance, Maintenance, Maintenance....this has been my motto and I haven't had any major issues. The '99 has 122K, and is a beast....it eats *Mercedes* everyday! While I believe the '06 is probably going to last longer, due to the RWD architecture, and it has some driving smarts because of it, I'll be trading out of it within the next few months. My '99 is here to stay! Last edited by PAULSTS1 : 08-05-2007 at 08:24 PM.