I have a 1998 one owner Deville D'elegance. I bought it with 145,000 Km from Markville Chevrolet in Nov 2006. Because it was a dealer serviced car I have the complete service record complete with mileage. The car went 100,000 km in its first 4 years then 45,000 in its last 4 years. The owner was 72 when he traded it in and I understand it wintered in Florida the first 4 years, then the owner couldn't make the drive anymore so it stayed in Markham in a garage.
The only engine work (touch wood) was a warranty replacement of the main seal and then a water pump just after I got it, again dealer paid for. It presently has 180,000 km. The DEXCOOL coolant gets changed on a two year cycle in an effort to avoid head gasket problems.
I have been watching the mileage very closely lately becaue the Northstar uses premiuim so I know exactly what I am getting. The car has the on board computer which will gives you Instant and Average readings. On long highway runs up to our cottage on Georgian Bay it gets consistently between 25 and 27 miles per gallon ( 9 litres/100km) and uses about 32 litres on a round trip. The only proviso is I am using cruise control for the most part and pegging it at 116 kph. In the city it is getting 17 mpg with heavily modified driving habits.
I think that is pretty decent mileage for a 275 HP / 300 ft lb double overhaed cam 32 valve aluminum V8 hauling around 5,200 pounds.
5200 POUNDS!!! That's what my Big Block Suburban weighed.
Mine weights just under 6,000, had it on the scales at the dump.
As far as Northstars without head gaskets problems there are probably close to 1,500,000 running around. The problem is simple. Most of these cars were owned by car ignorant people. They never changed the coolant and the Dexcool corodes the gaskets over time and they leak. If you fix it then everything is fine BUT if you drive it and overheat the puupy the heads warp and pull the bolts and make a bad mess of things. Even Limp home mode is fine but it has to be fixed right away. Limp home kicks in at 248 degrees, But lot sof folks run these up to 260 which is when you ruin the heads.
I was able to see the service history on my car so I felt confident and the first drip from the water pump it was back in for a warranty repair. Remember these are basically de-tuned Indy Car racing motors so they are stout. If you buy one you will be amazed at the pulling power these things have. I can hit the limiter on the on ramps to the 401 here in TO. Mine shuts down at 180 (115 mph) due to S rated tires, Concours models shut down at 210 (130 mph) with higher rated meats, so you have a lot of power.
I was at a cruise last night and remarked how I am amazed no one is putting these in rods, I've only seen one 64 impala with a Northstar so far. What other engine give syou 300 HP bone stock and are plentifully lying around in cream puffs ?
I've had a north* in a 95 STS that was still strong and leakfree at over 300,000 klms. Had a 94 Concours that was overheated at 240,000 and it was scrap after that. Having the service records means a lot with those engines or a knowledgable owner who maintained it.
Hillar, I can afford a Deville's gas even with two university tuitions and one more on the verge. I will admit that your Subaru is a pretty nice little car though!
I worked at a Cadillac-Hummer dealer. I always liked the 2005ish style DeVille. I'd take a DTS in that pearl red with black leather and with night vision, thank you. If you can't find red, I'll take black with the polished wheels:
The previous generation like 73SC has did ride better though.
I remember the first time I saw an STS, it was the late eighties, on Portage Ave. in Winnipeg. It was black, had 4 older folks, and they were as cheesed to be driving around in that car as I was slowing down to gawk at it. What a car. Car & Driver or Road & Track had an article a few months back on the 2008 Supercharged STS ?? If only I had the money..... Saw one or something like it on the 400 a few weeks back, sweet sweet ride.
Well I finally bit the Bullet and brought it home on the weekend."99 STS with 74.400 kilometers.Hope it's a good one.Just washed,still scrubbing the interior.
