Hey y'all I need your help.
My wife is adamant on getting a Caddy or Chevy SUV.
If I had to bow down for her which GM product should I look for?
Thanks in advance!
Are you looking to buy used or new? Buy or lease? If used, how far back (model year-wise) does she want to go? Are you going to keep for a few years and then trade in or get another vehicle? If you get a new GM vehicle, I would lease it. Lease or buy, make sure it’s always under warranty, then get rid before warranty expires.
Let us know the answers to question above, and maybe some requirements so we can hone in better on the right vehicle.
We're looking to buy used, hopefully as new as possible because I want it to last as long as possible. I don't want to go further back than ~2010. The budget is around $10K.
I haven't even thought of leasing so I might look into that but I feel like it's going to be over our budget.
Unfortunately, GM quality has been on a decline for decades and esp. 2010-present there is not anything I can recommend to buy that is outside of warranty. With a budget of $10k you are looking at older, higher mileage and definitely out of warranty. Between power train and electronics issues, it can be a potential nightmare to own outside of warranty.
Thank you! I'll definitely show her your comment and maybe she'll reconsider her choice of vehicle 😏
You can also show her this sticky page (under FAQ) with Scotty’s Best/Worst videos compilation. He has 53 years experience as a mechanic and has seen it all.
https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/qa/vehicles-to-buy-and-not-to-buy-buyers-lists/
2010+, under 10k Cadillac? Nightmare that would be my god.
I would do everything possible to convince her on a Toyota/Lexus product.
Also show Scotty's videos on Cadillacs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nz4zNXFLvHk
Skip to 2:03
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50OJguHtpm0
They started to decline so many decades ago but after the mid 2000s ish they took a deep dive down. 2010 would be the spot where miles are racking up, your out of warranty, and the quality is garbage. The 3.6 V6 and Northstar V8 are some of the horrible designs Cadillac has. Or you could go for a GM Buick Lucerne with the 3.8 V6, but that would be before 2008. Again, I'd recommend a Lexus ES.
I hear you..... this link summarizes GM Quality from a 2019 survey. Result is Cadillac ranked 30th, Chevrolet ranked 25th, GMC ranked 22nd, Buick ranked 18th. Buick is the highest quality GM division !!
https://gmauthority.com/blog/2019/11/gm-brands-and-vehicles-struggle-in-2019-consumer-reports-reliability-survey/
The Northstar V8 was a maintenance nightmare and technicians absolutely LOATHE working on them.
I would avoid any modern Cadillac. For $10k, you won't be getting much in the way of reliability or quality.
Thanks man, this just further proves the point that I should not get a Cadillac!
You may also mention that even though it is an American car, parts are expensive.
Why do service techs LOATH working on the NorthStar V8 Cadillacs. It would be helpful for many buyers because they have luxurious interiors and can often be purchased for a good price.
When I worked for GM, we used to call them Deathstars. Just a matter of time before they had major problems and there is NO working room.
https://www.cadillacforums.com/threads/northstar-engines-are-a-joke.150616/
Best bet if your trying to stay under 10k get a tahoe with the 5.3L. The 5.3L is a work horse that won't let you down. Make sure to get it with a 4 speed or 6 speed. Anymore gears and your asking for a problem. Dont get a 2007 thru 2009 something from 2004 to 2006 or 2010 to 2012 seem to be the best. Get the LTZ model and your good.
If not do what my dad and me did. He has a 2004 GMC Yukon XL Denali with the 6.0 vortec with 568,000 trouble free miles.
Or if you want newer luxury buy a 2011 or 2012 GMC Yukon Denali with the 6.2 Vortec. I have that one with 347k miles and it runs strong. Gas guzzler for sure but great truck.
Okay that's very interesting reading. Fuel economy shouldn't be an issue since gas is still pretty cheap in Texas. I'm just surprised that you recommend this GM since Scotty it's a strong opponent of GM. Thanks for your input ☺️
The best Cadillacs were made prior to 1970, maybe talk her into something like that. 😆
Haha yeah I wish!
I feel for you brother, tell her that we can always choose which choice we make but we don’t get to choose the consequences of that choice. If you end up having to cave in I’d look at early-mid 2000s burb. Or if you buy new it doesn’t matter really. Either way STAY COMPLETELY on top of maintenance. And don’t even think about buying a caddy.
Dude I'm trying to convince her to get a Toyota 4Runner or similar but she says "it's ugly". I also need the AC to be reliable since we'll be in southern Texas.
Luckily I used to be a mechanic apprentice 10 years ago here in Europe, so I've at least got some idea of how to do maintenance 🙃
Got to love the married life man haha. Well Kaizen makes a good point. Would she like an Acura or Lexus instead?
She might like them! At least I hope she will. She's just so set on a Cadillac because they look great according to her. Maybe I've just been pushing too hard and her latina stubbornness brings her further away from my Japanese suggestions 🙃
If she is into Cadillac, might she be interested in a Lexus or Acura?
You might be able to get a Toyota or Honda that way.
I really hope I can convince her to get any of those 4! They're all great vehicles if we ask Scotty
Similar story.
at the beginning when I am looking for Toyota 4Runner, my partner didn’t like it, she was adamant on getting Jeep Wrangler or other “B4D 4SS” trucks.
But I bought 4Runner anyways. After 3 month with some upgrades/ mods, she fell in love with it.
This year, we need one more vehicle for transportation, she asked me if we can buy another 4Runner.
That's really neat! What kind of modifications did you do to it if I may ask?
In this situation you should consider 2010-2011 Cadillac DTS. It has Fwd, better grip in the snow. At that time the head gasket issue with the 4.6 Northstar engine was corrected. Other than the head gasket problem the Northstar engine is good. It is a tight fit inside the engine compartment so service procedures (gasket leaks, new starter) require more labour.
I appreciate your insight and your comment however we're on the lookout for a SUV. If I personally was gonna get a sedan I'd definitely get a Crown Vic/Town Car 🙂
Tell your wife:
Mi amor. Por favor, escúchame. Quiero que seas feliz con tu coche. Please consider Toyota, Honda, Acura, and Lexus.
If you don’t like any of these, we can get the Cadillac or Chevy.
Quiero que seas feliz con tu coche. Not only when we buy it, but months, and years down the line.
But please give these a chance.
Quiero que seas feliz con tu coche.
Hahaha thanks man, she laughed! She says the thing is that I'm pushing too hard for her to get a Toyota but she really lit up when Lexus was mentioned so that's a plus! I appreciate it man
That's really neat! What kind of modifications did you do to it if I may ask?
Suspension upgrades(Bilstein B8 6112, Bilstein B8 5160, Dobison coil springs), 2.5” lift, SPC upper control arms, load range E All terrain tires and beads lock wheels upgrades, front and rear steel bumpers, bucket style roof rack, ARB air compressor in engine bay, front LED light bar, rear off-road reversing light.
I didn’t get winch, winch capable steel bumpers are not compatible with my front pre collision radar, pretty annoying with that safety feature. Drawback.
Oh wow that sounds like an amazing vehicle! But unfortunately my wife is just looking for a plain "pretty" truck to daily drive 🙃