1999 Cadillac DeVille Review
1999 Cadillac DeVille Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Silky smooth Northstar V8, two tons of traditional American opulence.
Cons
- Too much techno-wizardry that promises to be expensive to repair.
What’s new
Comfort is big with Cadillac, so who else would offer massaging lumbar seats? Sure enough, this industry-first option is available on '99 d'Elegance and Concours models. All DeVilles get an electrochromic inside rearview mirror with compass added to the standard equipment list, in addition to an audible theft-deterrent system. There are three new exterior colors this year, and one different shade of leather inside. As if that weren't enough, side airbag deployment now communicates with the optional OnStar communications system, so the outside world will know when you've taken a broadside hit. Comforting, indeed. Look for a limited run of about 2,000 specially badged and optioned Golden Anniversary Edition DeVilles, painted White Diamond with gold trim, to celebrate the model's 50th anniversary.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1999 Cadillac DeVille Concours 4dr Sedan and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.59 per gallon for regular unleaded in Michigan.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Michigan
$236/mo for DeVille Concours
DeVille Concours
vs
$223/mo
Avg. Large Car
Vehicle overview
DeVille has taken over Big Kahuna duties for Cadillac, ever since the rear-wheel-drive Fleetwood was dropped from the lineup two years ago. With its eggcrate grille, slab-sided flanks and long, thin, horizontal taillamps, the DeVille certainly looks the part. Cadillac last spruced up this traditional sedan back in 1997, revising the front styling forward of the windshield and dumping the half-moon rear wheel wells.
Also designed to fill the gap left by the departure of the Fleetwood was the d'Elegance model, which added gold trim, chrome wheels, a Rainsense wiper system (it turns on automatically when it begins to rain), and leather seats to the basic DeVille. Fortunately, a padded vinyl or fake convertible roof is still nowhere to be found on the d'Elegance option list, though we're sure some enterprising aftermarket outfitter will be more than happy to install one for you if that's what floats your boat.
The DeVille Concours got some much-needed interior attention for 1997. Gone were the dopey Rubik's Cube style climate controls and trip computer from the old car, and the digital display gauges vanished. Replacing them were a tasteful analog setup, with a new center console that contained audio and climate controls, driver information center and dual cupholders. The fresh audio and climate controls boasted Lexus-like appearance and operation. Also gone was the chromed-plastic switch cluster that formerly resided on the driver's armrest. The power window and mirror switchgear was simplified and dipped in a tasteful matte black, while the seat controls moved to the door panel and used a single metaphoric seat-shaped control for all adjustments.
Base models were also upgraded with the addition of dual-zone climate controls and MagnaSteer variable-effort steering gear. All DeVilles received structural enhancements, brake system revisions, additional programmable features and side-impact airbags in the front doors.
Accordingly, revisions for 1998 were comparatively few. New radios became available, heated seats were made standard on the d'Elegance and Concours models, with Concours getting new alloy wheels. The biggest addition to the optional equipment rosters of the base and d'Elegance models was the integrated chassis control system called StabiliTrak. StabiliTrak is an advanced handling system that includes stability enhancement and road texture detection features. Stability enhancement helps the driver control the DeVille in all driving conditions and on all road surfaces. It detects when the car is not responding appropriately to driver input and applies the brakes selectively to bring the car back under control. Road texture detection reads the road surface and helps the antilock braking system work more effectively on rough roads. All this, and now seats that massage your back while you drive.
Major techo-wizards, these Cadillacs. We did not particularly enjoy our week with a 1996 Concours, but many of our gripes were addressed in 1997. With further improvements the past two years, its future looks promising, as long as gas prices remain low. With the funky looking Lincoln Town Car the only other American V8 ultra-luxury model on the market, the traditionally styled DeVille is looking good, indeed.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1999 Cadillac DeVille.
5 star(63%)
4 star(22%)
3 star(5%)
2 star(7%)
1 star(3%)
60 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
1 out of 5 stars
Could have really been great
SnoopDeville, 10/06/2015
1999 Cadillac DeVille 4dr Sedan
Good:
1. It was pretty fast for such a big car (Used to laugh at civic SI's)
2. Got pretty good MPG at 23MPG all around and over 30MPG on the highway if you kept your foot out of it
3. The bench seats are awesome
4. Enough room to fit all your friends in the back seat.. (And it they pissed you off, they could all fit in the trunk on the way back)
5. It gives you a very protected safe … feeling
6. Hitting huge pot-holes feels like running over gravel
Now..
Why it got such a bad number of stars..
1. I bought the car used; it had 68K miles on it.
2. The car started to have over heating issues..
I replaced the radiator with a triple core aluminum dragster radiator off of a chevy dragster.
The Thermostat didn't circulate the coolant until it was too late, which at 236 degree's for the system to start to circulate is what caused the issues with the head gaskets on these cars. Pulling the Thermostat and buying one made for a different engine (shortstar) and using that one with a bypass on the two 26K CFM fans cured the overheating issues.
(NOTE: you can't do the head-gaskets on the 98-02 Northstar, since the head is structural and the engine will warp when you pull the heads.. Entire engine must be replaced)
3. When it rained the tail lights didn't work
4. The alarm would randomly go off.
5. Replaced the power window motors with other Cadillac ones, Twice, before using Toyota Camry one's modified to work in the caddy frames.
6. Dealership wanted to charge me 150.00 for Windshield washer blades.. (Are they high?)
7. Exhaust rotted off the bottom of the car (Stainless isn't a choice on a 40+K dollar car?) (No matter though some Super40 flowmasters and two 3-1/2in chrome tips sounded great)
8. quality of the interior materials are made from cheaper plastics than rubber maid garbage cans.
9. car had electrical issues, and eventually randomly caught fire. (Ironically after the fire department put it out, all it took was some new ignition wires and it started right back up. )
Verdict:
These cars can be fantastic cars for people who have some automotive repair skills, they are also fantastic cars for people who live in area's where there isn't heavy traffic. If you live in the middle of mid-town Manhattan, look for a Fleetwood, which while these look alike the fleetwood LT1 is a much better engine.
If you however are stuck on one of these for whatever reason.. Keep an open eye for coolant leaks, oil leaks, transmission slips, and mostly overheating. Have the person start and run the car, wait for the coolant fans to kick in before you buy one. Most of these cars are marketed at needing a "head gasket" however, you can't replace the head gasket on the 98-00 Northstar, the head is a structural part, and pulling it will warp the block, which will result in leaking head gaskets as well as other issues. If you find one without the over heating issue, replace the thermostat with a lower temp thermostat immediately, and replace the coolant fan switch with a manual, or adjustable one, choosing to kick on the fans at a much cooler temp (201 vs 236). Doing this will enable you to have a car that will get you around at a very low price.
4.63 out of 5 stars
mrdeville(PHX, AZ) 99 deville-base
mrdeville, 01/11/2012
1999 Cadillac DeVille 4dr Sedan
i owned this car for 1 yr now. & i love it, it has power & comfort & heads turn cause i got 16' wire wheels on him. my caddy is all car & drives smooth, so far nothin major has gone wrong with it & it has 88,700 miles on it. juss minor things like the antennea motor & d/s window motor, i totally luv this car it is my BABY. i will never get rid of it!!!!my wife didn't want it till she … drove it,& then she was convinced she wanted it!!!!
4.38 out of 5 stars
Dream ride
midway, 05/09/2010
1999 Cadillac DeVille 4dr Sedan
Have owned for 10 yrs, now at 100,000 miles it still runs and looks like new. Never had a major issue with this car, it's never left me stranded and always starts right up. Everything still works! Can't understand why everyone knocks American car quality!
3.5 out of 5 stars
1999 Cadillac D'Elegance
robooo, 02/21/2013
1999 Cadillac DeVille D'elegance 4dr Sedan
Bought in 2011 with 92k miles, had to have new front struts put on by dealer. Now at 120k miles, I have had to put new radiator fans, new radiator as fans ruined the radiator, torque converter, TPS sensor, a blower motor which took a week to get a 5 bolt since most are 3 bolt and just recently a water pump.
All are expensive to fix. Good running car, but like everyone says, they can be … expensive to fix.
If you buy one used, make sure you like the car and have some money set aside to fix them. Watch your selling price, weak resale value for a Cadillac. Heated seats don't work. Had to convert rear suspension
1999 DeVille Highlights
Concours
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 18 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $236/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 20.0 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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