Cars that should be bought

[kevm14]

I know but he may discount it further. And think of all the performance. Plus it's actually in really nice shape other than that part on the bottom of the front bumper cover.

[Adam]

Kevin will hate this.
https://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/cto/d ... 54348.html

[bill25]

LOL. This guy is sporting the red white and blue of all imported cars.

[kevm14]

Kevin will hate this.
https://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/cto/d ... 54348.html

$16k and not even a GTR...yeah you're right.

[Adam]

Kevin will hate this.
https://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/cto/d ... 54348.html

$16k and not even a GTR...yeah you're right.

The smaller RB20DET was not that powerful (212hp according to Wikipedia). It is interesting that this particular GTS4 also has HICAS, which would have been optional on that model (and standard on the GTR I think). For those of you who care, this is an R30.

$16k is not a good "performance per dollar" price for this car. However, it is a fully functional, low mileage, non-ruined, legally imported Skyline. In NH of all places.

[kevm14]

Adam is probably going to take a serious look at this Cadillac Seville SLS:
https://providence.craigslist.org/cto/d ... 06444.html

2003 Cadillac Seville SLS - $1250 (Wakefield)
Interior is in near perfect shape. Car runs great. Original Sticker (49K) and all service documents available. No accidents. My late Dad's car, he was meticulous. Has inspection sticker through 06/18.

Engine V8, 4.6 Liter
Transmission Automatic
Drivetrain FWD
Braking and Traction
Traction Control ABS (4-Wheel)
Comfort and Convenience Air Conditioning Power Windows Power Door Locks Cruise Control
Steering Power Steering Tilt Wheel
Entertainment and Instrumentation AM/FM Stereo Cassette CD (Single Disc) Bose Premium Sound
OnStar
Safety and Security Parking Sensors Dual Air Bags Side Air Bags
Seats Dual Power Seats Leather
Wheels and Tires Premium Wheels
Exterior Color Blue

Needs 1 tire - may be able to get replaced through warranty.
Has check engine light on - have documentation from last inspection with codes.

Hilariously, it's not the cheapest Seville on local CL. That is this:
https://providence.craigslist.org/cto/d ... 70315.html

2001 Cadillac Seville - $1100
2001 Cadillac Seville

122,196 miles, runs like new, automatic, air, $1100 or best offer

It turns out these cars are not worth anything. I think a taken care of (meaning frequent coolant changes, like at least every 50k) post 2000 FWD Northstar isn't a total time bomb but I don't really know that for sure.

[kevm14]

Anyway it sounds like Jenn is pretty willing to get the Seville and probably part with the Civic (and get some 2 door car she likes down the road, or never). So this might actually happen.

Drivetrain wise, the SLS has the low output Northstar (275hp) and taller gearing. Probably old man FE1 suspension. Though it is a Seville so FE1 is probably LESS boaty than FE1 on a Deville (or Fleetwood). But still, when you read reviews of these cars and they do well, that is on the FE3/F55 suspension. On FE1 I suspect they feel pretty ordinary (pitch/roll, understeer, etc.).

On the new fuel economy system they do 16/25/19. Original was 18/27/21. I think these can pull down over 25 mpg highway, probably upper 20s on a long trip keeping it at 70. My STS is nowhere near that.

Still wondering about performance. I think in STS form the trap is probably mid to upper 90s, similar to my STS. But in SLS form, probably low to mid 90s. I couldn't find a single test of one. The SLS with 4-speed auto will have that old feeling tall gearing where it won't really launch out of the hole that hard. The SLS may have trouble spinning a tire unless you are turning. That's what happens when first goes to over 50 mph (my guess).

Actually the Lucerne CXS I rented on my honeymoon probably has this same engine. And probably a similar weight. I should see how those perform. Should be pretty close.

[kevm14]

The Lucerne was actually on the G-platform.

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/20 ... -road-test

From a standing start, you get an initial jump off the torque converter up to 7 or so mph, followed by a sag as you wait for the twister V-8 to take over, which it does at about 28 mph; 60 mph comes up at just a tick under seven seconds (6.9), followed by the quarter-mile mark in 15.3 at 94 mph.

Yay I win. And yeah drivability seems a little lame as I also predicted. But not bad for $1,000. Should feel a little stronger than the 94 9C1 on a roll, but without the launch torque.

[kevm14]

The SLS with 4-speed auto will have that old feeling tall gearing where it won't really launch out of the hole that hard. The SLS may have trouble spinning a tire unless you are turning. That's what happens when first goes to over 50 mph (my guess).

Hey, can't say I don't know my GM cars.

1st gear: 57 mph
2nd gear: 104 mph
3rd gear: 124 mph @ 4850 (speed limiter)
4th gear: 124 mph @ 3300

This is as bad as a 2.56 B-body. GM did put a LOT more converter stall in these cars than the B-bodies, but that's because they needed it. That was pretty much their strategy on everything that wasn't a big pushrod V8, all the way down to the older 2.8L V6s.

This is why my STS (and especially the 2007+ 6L50 cars) drive so much better, despite having what seems like about the same engine and about the same weight. The extra 20-45 hp (and 20-25 lb-ft thanks to VVT) doesn't hurt, of course.

1,850 rpm @ 70 mph.

What I will say for drivability is that 2nd gear is your passing gear, no matter how fast you are going (practically speaking). A 4-2 kick down at 70-80 probably feels pretty strong. The downside is, if you punch it at like 50 mph, it won't go to first and will be stuck in a crappy part of the power band in 2nd. GM got a lot of mileage out of 4 speeds when they were connected to things with not just over 300 lb-ft of torque, but low end torque. It's not as good on things that like to rev, even the low output Northstar.

[kevm14]

So the transmission code that the car supposedly had I hypothesized would be TCC related, like a solenoid or wiring type issue.

I give myself partial credit as Adam tells me it was a P0741, which is for TCC performance (slipping or not applying).

Problem is, according to this thread it may actually be the TCC itself.
http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/ca ... print.html

On the plus side, you can just drive the car like that. I would want to fix it but you would have to drop the trans and spend around $400 on a new torque converter.

Another thread:
http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/no ... lutch.html

And here is a TSB from 2004 on this.
http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/ca ... 49834.html

Subject: Service Engine Soon (SES) Light On, Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P0741, Torque Converter Clutch (TCC) Excessive Slip, Transaxle Chuggle, Slip/Surge (Inspect/Replace Internal Transaxle Components) #04-07-30-034 - (08/06/2004)


Models:
1998-2002 Cadillac Eldorado

1998-2004 Cadillac Seville

1999-2004 Cadillac DeVille

2000-2003 Oldsmobile Aurora

with 4T80-E Auto Transaxle (RPO MH1)




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Condition
Some customer may comment on the SES light on and a chuggle or surge. Diagnostics may show excessive TCC slip speed and DTC P0741 will be current code stored.

Cause
Seal damage may allow the TCC apply fluid to leak into the channel plate, causing excessive TCC slippage under certain conditions, eventually causing no TCC apply.

TCC may have partial apply fluid pressure or no apply fluid pressure. If excessive slip speed is noted and condition/cause cannot be corrected by using DTC P0741 diagnostic chart, suspect worn seals from slippage of the drive sprocket bearing inner race on the drive sprocket.

Correction
DO THIS-----Repair the transaxle

DON'T DO THIS-----DO NOT replace the complete transaxle assembly


Follow the diagnostic and repair procedure below to repair this condition.

Remove the transaxle from the vehicle. Refer to the appropriate Service Information for transaxle removal procedure.
Remove the torque converter.
Install the transaxle to holding fixture. Refer to Holding Fixture Installation SI Document ID #513730.
Remove the transaxle side cover, upper valve body and case cover. Refer to the appropriate Unit Repair Information in SI.

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd25 ... 0471/1.jpg
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd25 ... ure003.jpg
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd25 ... ure004.jpg
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd25 ... ure006.jpg

Inspect the two case cover seals (34 and 35) for uneven wear patterns.

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd25 ... 0471/3.jpg

Inspect the two case cover seals (34 and 35) for uneven wear patterns. The wear patterns will be evident by a uneven wear pattern of the inner diameter white seal surface as shown in the two above illustrations.

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd25 ... 0471/2.jpg

Inspect the two case cover seals (34 and 35) for splits/tears and or flat spots.

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd25 ... 0471/4.jpg

Inspect the support drive socket (400) for wear on the bearing race.
Inspect the case cover (33) for wear or damage due to the drive sprocket bearing spinning in the bore.

Important:

During the tear down inspection, pay particular attention to seals (34, 35, 409 and 412) for wear or damage.

Seals (34, 35, 409 and 412) are part of Gasket Kit, P/N 24221398, and do not need to be ordered separately.

Replace the Torque Converter when servicing a vehicle with this condition.
The Viscous Coupler has an extremely high failure rate when it is allowed to slip out of spec.

Flush the transaxle cooler with Transflow cooler flushing tool, J 45096. Refer to Service Bulletins:

Info - Automatic Transmission Oil Cooler Flush and Flow Test Essential Tool J 45096, TransFlow #02-07-30-052

Transmission Cooling System Service Tool J 45096 - Transflow Information #03-07-30-002.


Replace only the necessary internal transaxle components per the tear down inspection.
See the parts list below.

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd25 ... 0471/5.jpg

My parts list

Item #----------Description-------------------------Part #
1--------Torque Converter Assembly----------------???????? 3 to choose from
30-------Side Cover To Case Cover Gasket----------8679392
33-------Transmission Case Cover------------------ 24229131
43-------Sprocket Support to Case Cover Gasket----24208779
44-------Case to Case Cover Gasket----------------24208778
228------Pump Body & Spacer Plate Gasket kit------ 24231071
336------TCC Pressure Solenoid-------------------- 24227792
400------Drive Sprocket Support--------------------8681071
412------O-Ring Seal-------------------------------8686052
---------ATF 10 Quarts

One of the two seals that fail
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd25 ... ure001.jpg

This is what it should look like
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd25 ... ure002.jpg
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd25 ... ure007.jpg

This is the bad spots
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd25 ... ure003.jpg
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd25 ... ure004.jpg
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd25 ... ure006.jpg

Kind of interesting because they had some TCC issues with the 5L50 a few years later, though it did not result in total clutch failure. I wouldn't want all those clutch particles circulating so I think I'd fix it. This may change your offer down to $500 (if you explain)...