1999 Deville smoking

I took the car back to the dealer that I bought it from and told them
about the smoke and some other problems.

They ran a compression test and a leak down test and said it would
take $5700 to fix it.

Since I purchased the vehicle 5 days earlier I was a little concerned
about the integrity of this organization. It is a high profile
dealership and the name would be recognized nationally. Email me if
you would like to know who it is. Anyway I went through the chain of
command and got the AS IS treatment until I got to the General Manager
and he offered to buy the vehicle back and I accepted. I have not
received the check yet hopefully tomorrow.

Thank you for your advice.

Now I am back looking for a car. I love that version of Cadillac. I
was wondering what your opinion is of the Northstar 4.6L engine?
Did I just get unlucky or are they usually long lasting if well
maintained?

Smokey

On Thu, 05 Jul 2007 13:09:29 -0400, NickySantoro
<NickySantoro.DeleteThis@optonline.net> wrote:

>On Wed, 04 Jul 2007 16:40:26 -0500, oldsmokee.DeleteThis@yahoo.com wrote:
>
>>First time I have seen it smoke was today. I started it and everything
>>seemed fine. Left the driveway and started down the street. Saw my
>>son driving up so I stopped and put it in park. Shortly thereafter it
>>started billowing white smoke from the exhaust. I put it in drive and
>>started moving and the smoke stopped within 25 feet. No more smoke
>>during the trip while moving or stopped.
>>
>>I checked the oil to see how it looked. It looked like oil with no
>>water or coolant. Not sure what else to do.
>>
>>I am planning to take it to the dealer to have it checked and I would
>>like some advice on questions to ask or tests to have done or any
>>other helpful advice you may have.
>>
>>Thank you
>>
>>Smokey
>Do a compression test and a leak down test. You may have a head gasket
>problem. AFAIK, the NS will not show oil in the coolant or vice versa
>as a symptom of HG failure. That white smoke may be the tip off.
 >> Stay informed about: 1999 Deville smoking 

>opinion is of the Northstar 4.6L engine?
> Did I just get unlucky or are they usually
> long lasting if well maintained?

Tom Benson is a reputable company. Even though you bought the car 'as
is', they took it back, so that should say something about the company.

No matter what vehicle you buy in used condition, everything depends on
how well it was maintained. The first thing to ask for is the
maintenance record. Without that, no matter how good the vehicle looks,
you are buying a 'pig in a poke' if buying from a stranger. A record of
the maintenance schedule being adhered to is a must for any used
vehicle...imo.

The price Benson quoted leads me to think they intended to replace the
engine.

Dave S(Texas)
 >> Stay informed about: 1999 Deville smoking 

This was my first major transaction with this dealer. I had no
knowledge of how they did business regarding sales. Have had some
minor repairs done there. I would expect that they would know the
condition of any vehicle they are selling so they could ask a
reasonable price. Reasonable for them and for the buyer. I might
have taken the car if I had a lower price and an offer to fix it for a
certain amount. Another dealer in San Antonio advertises cars on the
net and will list repairs that need to be done and how much he will
charge you to fix them after you buy it. I would guess he does not
list every little item but I did see one with "cold air" but has leak
and the cost to repair.

About repair history. It is only good up to the last repair. No
telling when it blew the head gasket. But you are right that regular
servicing and repair will tell you something about the owner/user.

On Thu, 12 Jul 2007 08:30:58 -0500, putt.TakeThisOut@webtv.net wrote:

>>opinion is of the Northstar 4.6L engine?
>> Did I just get unlucky or are they usually
>> long lasting if well maintained?
>
>Tom Benson is a reputable company. Even though you bought the car 'as
>is', they took it back, so that should say something about the company.
>
>No matter what vehicle you buy in used condition, everything depends on
>how well it was maintained. The first thing to ask for is the
>maintenance record. Without that, no matter how good the vehicle looks,
>you are buying a 'pig in a poke' if buying from a stranger. A record of
>the maintenance schedule being adhered to is a must for any used
>vehicle...imo.
>
Interesting.
>The price Benson quoted leads me to think they intended to replace the
>engine.
>
There are two dealers in San Antonio that I would consider to be
recognized nationally. Did I mention Benson in my original email?

and I would appreciate your comments about the quality and reliability
of the Northstar 4.6L engines, particularly if there are years to
avoid.

Thank you Dave
>Dave S(Texas)
Smokey in San Antonio
 >> Stay informed about: 1999 Deville smoking 

>About repair history. It is only good up to
> the last repair

When you buy a vehicle in 'As Is' condition, you are relying on your own
experience/expertise in determining whether or not your money is being
well spent. No warranty means, you pays your money and you takes your
chances. Doesn't matter what dealer/seller you are dealing with, 'as
is' as the term of sale means the same everywhere.

I said nothing about 'repair history'. Maintenance means a hellofalot
more than just fixing broken stuff. Maintenance is preventative
measure....oh well, never mind.

Good luck to U

Dave S(Texas)
 >> Stay informed about: 1999 Deville smoking 

On Sat, 14 Jul 2007 07:46:35 -0500, putt.DeleteThis@webtv.net wrote:

>>About repair history. It is only good up to
>> the last repair
>
>When you buy a vehicle in 'As Is' condition, you are relying on your own
>experience/expertise in determining whether or not your money is being
>well spent. No warranty means, you pays your money and you takes your
>chances. Doesn't matter what dealer/seller you are dealing with, 'as
>is' as the term of sale means the same everywhere.
I did misquote you about the repair record, I was including
maintenance in my definition. Could an oil change be considered
repair since the oil may not be any good. Remove and replace. Just
kidding

I had a relative who sold cars for many years for a different major
dealer in San Antonio. He worked for them through at least 3 changes
of ownership. If you asked him if the engine was in good shape and he
said yes you could take it to the bank even though the car was sold As
Is. IMO this is how you build a reputation, not by selling a piece of
junk for hi (excellent) retail price and saying it is in good shape. I
will never go to the dealer I purchased the Deville from again except
to pick up my check. The salesman called me and was amazed I am
getting my money back.

For a billionaire to expect me to take a car he is selling and spend
money on tests to determine if the vehicle is in acceptable condition
is ridiculous. If you want my business again, sell me something that
is worth the price. If you do that, I will pay your price every time
without haggling and I will look to you first when I am in purchase
mode. My relative said "I am an order taker, I don't have to make any
sales to new customers to earn a good living."

I found a caddy for $500, for sale by individual. The engine "froze
up" and he wanted to get rid of it. I am considering buying it and
paying for a new engine. I sure as hell will not pay $9000 for the
vehicle and $6000 plus to fix/replace the engine.

In closing, it is about a mans word not what it says on a piece of
paper. The law is the law and they could have legally gotten away
with refusing to help me. I would have gotten a parade permit and
would be standing legally on the sidewalk in front of the sales office
with a big sign and passing out a legal description of what
happened...and they might have see me on one of the trouble shooter
shows on TV...and in front of the man's home...(gated community???
prolly) and so on.
>
>I said nothing about 'repair history'. Maintenance means a hellofalot
>more than just fixing broken stuff. Maintenance is preventative
>measure....oh well, never mind.
>
>Good luck to U
Thank you, I need it.
>
>Dave S(Texas)
 >> Stay informed about: 1999 Deville smoking