Saw the new GXP at the New Car show yesterday. While I like the thought of a V8, why would GM choose to use the Northstar Cadillac motor when it has such a terrible reliabilty problem? I have now talked to two different service managers who have stated: "don't go near that motor and if you have any doubts, visit your local dealership and see how many Cadillacs are in the shop with motor problems". It is hard to understand why GM did not at least keep the option of the Supercharged 3800?

Has anyone else heard theses comments?

not sure why you think its a bad motor, its extremely common to see them go over 150k, most over 200k pretty easy

problems come from neglect. neglect your cooling system and you well deystroy your headgaskets, you will pay out big $$ to fix it. the n* engine was redesigned in 2000, so your getting a second generation, and they've had over 10 years to work out the few little bugs it had, but this engine was designed to fix the problems with the 3.4dohc and quad 4. which is why it has a timming chain instead of belt. they've run this thing 3 quarts low of oil 90* on its side and it was NEVER starved of oil. partly because it has a very aggressive cylinder honning. this also makes it use (not burn) a some oil, which people seem to think is bad, but its good. its made to go to much higher rpms than it does. they even took this thing, drained all the coolant and drove it 50 miles in extremely hot temps, took it apart, and found nothing wrong. it even uses a system so you cant start a already started car, if it does overheat, it automaticaly shuts down 1/2 the cylinders, pumps air through them and switches between the 2 sets so you can drive home without deystroying the car.

its actually a very good engine, its just your average shade tree mechanic has its limits on it, like all other new engines.

that and they had to justify it costing more than a grand prix, now that the grand prix moved up a little in luxury, the bonneville has to move up some too. stock for stock (which most cars are) the gxp will hand a 2000-2003 ssei its rear. 0-60 a second faster, and 1/4 times a second faster

here here (what was said above)

the engine actually kicks some major booty. the mechanics i've talked to don't like it (As well as the entire caddy) because it'* not built to be taken apart easily. in fact, in some cases, if i remember correctly, the engine has to come out from below the vehicle. crazy things like that... so it'* not really that the motor sucks, but trying to fix the motor sucks...

That motor is ahead of its time. Cadillac has done some great things with that engine. It'* all chain driven, and I even heard that it can be ran with no oil for quite a while, even though that'* not reccommended, it shows you how strong that engine is.

Pontiac wants to bring back the V8 to their cars to attract customers. That'* why they don't use the L67 in them anymore. Most people who grew up in the muscle car era, want cars with the good ol V8 grunt. With a V6, it turns customers away.

Northstar=very good engine, if not raped, and oil changes every 3000.