This STS is my first new car. My previous car was my parent's 1989 Oldsmobile 88 with the 3.8L V6. After driving this car for 5 years and making two cross-country drives to California in it, I was ready for something new. I liked the comfort of a large car, but wanted performance. Three years ago, a friend of mine pointed out the STS. I got to ride in a '95 STS a few months later, and ever since I have wanted one.
I bought my car in September 2000 from Dalgleish Cadillac in Detroit. It was a program car driven by the dealer's dad. It had 4,000 miles on it, which meant it was broken in and ready to be driven hard. I also got a discount because it was the last 2000 STS on the lot.
The dealer's dad had the Vogue wheels/tires on it as a dealer installed option, but before I got the car they put the stock 16" rims back on. When I took delivery, I noticed the car had S-rated tires (from the SLS) instead of the H-rated from the STS, so I pointed this out to the dealer. Since he didn't have any tires available he got a 2001 STS out of storage to replace the wheels. As it turned out the 2001 had 17" rims with P235/55R17 Goodyear Eagle RS-A H-rated tires, which I gladly
accepted. I think the 17" rims look a lot better, and certainly help its handling.
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The transition from a car with "bad" handling (an '89 Olds 88) to a car with what I consider excellent handling can sometimes be exciting. An Olds 88 (especially one with 130,000 miles on it) has enough body roll to make you seasick in a turn. A new STS with the CVRSS and a much thicker stabilizer bar, on the other hand... Changing from the old boat to a car with a firm ride and very little body makes you feel as though you can do ANYTHING. Such as taking a 90 degree turn at 60mph.
Needless to say this isn't a very intelligent move in a 4,000lb car. Thanks to Stabilitrak the car made the turn, although it ended up in a 4-wheel drift (how's that for a FWD car...). The outside front tire, however, was not so lucky. Due to the high force on the tire, the seal broke causing the tire to deflate and peel off the rim. The last few feet of the turn were made without the tire's help. What did this do to the rim, you might ask? Other than some light pitting on the rim edge from the groove it cut in the pavement, not much. The tire was fine, and placed back on the rim. I took the car to a local dealer and had them buff and polish the "incident rim". Luckily, all the repairs were covered by the warranty. I've managed to keep all 4 tires on the car since then. This little incident caused me to mellow out (a little) and realize that even this car has limits. (Now a new Z06 'vette on the hand....)
Here are some pictures of a more sedate turn at a about 40mph:
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Right now the car is all stock, except for a K&N air filter. I've switched to Mobil 1 oil. I still think this car is awesome, even after the "tire incident", which was not car's fault (obviously this narrows the blame to the driver). I've managed to get the 6.7 sec 0-60 advertised by Cadillac, but I had to load the torque converter. I haven't tried a timed 1/4 mile run yet, nor have I hit the 130mph speed limiter. So far I like the Eagle RS-A tires. People complain that they squeal a lot in turns,
but I think that just lets you know they're working. I can't say how they compare to other tires because this is the only set I've had on the car. Since I peel out a lot, I'll be needing new tires after about 10,000 miles even though I rotate them. I've considered the Pirelli P-Zero as a possible replacement (Goodyear only makes 1 tire in the P235/55R17 size).
I'd like to make performance mods to the car but I'm worried about their affect on the warranty which still has 3.5 years to go. In the mean time I'll be content with the stock performance, but if Cadillac offers the STSi I just might have to consider a trade in.
Here is the original window sticker:
