1983 Cadillac DeVille Sedan 4100HT

Summary:

Fun. Solid. Pretty inexpensive overall.

Faults:

Transmission required a $970 rebuild

Cooling system needed replacement.

Headliner sagged.

General Comments:

This car is fun and fairly unique these days; not too many of them are still around. I met two people who had the same car so far and each one had over 200000 miles on theirs and raved about what a great car it was.

This car has character. It's comfortable like a living room. I love that insurance on a 23 year old car is really inexpensive. I love the blue fabric interior. I had the headliner redone and the interior looks almost like new. Where can I buy a new car with a blue fabric interior? What car would I buy that I wouldn't yell if my kid jumped around in it and put his dirty feet here and there?

For normal driving, I don't find the car underpowered. I put 70 series tires on it and it corners quite nicely. And it glides down the highway. I don't care that it has little quirks and imperfections. You don't buy a 20+ year old car for reliability. Repairs and failures are expected. But the car is basically quite sound overall and it feels like it wants to run. I don't think the cost of repairs comes close to adding up to what the payments and insurance on a new car would be. And everybody has a new car that looks a lot like every other one.

I put my baby seat in the middle of the back seat and there's still plenty of room on either side for my wife to sit. She's from Russia. I call the Caddy our American Volga (that's their higher end car in Russia).

Before I got this car, I didn't really know how good a caddy could be. But now, I would actually consider buying a new one sometime.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th November, 2006

1983 Cadillac DeVille Coupe deVille HT4100 4.1L V8

Summary:

Probably the best car I'll ever own

Faults:

A stuck thermostat caused it to overheat, blowing the intake manifold gasket. That has been the biggest problem the car has ever suffered.

Have had some trouble with the throttle position sensor and a hesitation.

Stalls once in a while, probably related to the throttle position sensor problem.

Any other problems have been routine in nature.

General Comments:

Slow from a stop, but has good passing power.

Handles very well for a car of its size and weight. The addition of a rear sway bar was well worth it.

Gas mileage isn't fantastic, but it's not as bad as you would think.

The interior is like a living room, greatest road trip car ever.

Of all the cars I have driven, this remains my favorite. Nothing beats an old Cadillac.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd October, 2006

26th Oct 2006, 23:26

I bet the heads are cracked now too.

1983 Cadillac DeVille Coupe Deville 4.1 liter

Summary:

A true American classic with a Cadillac-size trunk-load of class and style

Faults:

Power driver's seat stopped working just before I bought the car.

Climate control (as with many 80's Cadillacs) only blows hot are on none at all.

Also before I bought it the stock am/FM/CB radio stopped working, so I replaced it with a Kenwood CD player which sounds great.

Other than that the car is in great shape.

General Comments:

I bought the car January 10th 2005 at a local used car lot for $225 and my fathers Chevy S10, I knew the second I saw the car I was in love. even though at that time it had been sitting un-started for 6 months and needed a little TLC, despite all that it started right up like a brand new car and drove almost like one too. (a quick tune up and oil change took out the almost)

As soon as the weather allowed it I started work on giving it all of the love it needed, after a full detailing, steam cleaning of wheels/engine, paint polishing, new set of bumper fillers and some other various additions/repairs, it was gorgeous. The cotillion white paint and saddle color leather interior looked almost flawless, my pride and joy was and is here to stay.

I have taken it too a few car shows and it gets it's fare share of first place trophies, I get compliments all the time on the car's appearance and several people have given me some very attractive offers on it. It has a very majestic look to it and wherever its parked it stands out as if to say "I am the Godfather, bow down."

This is by far the most comfortable car I have ever been it! seriously, Its even the most comfortable Cadillac I've owned, and trust me I've had a few.

And yes the 4.1 liter 135 horse power Cadillac V8 is slow, but come now, did you really think I'd buy a big body Coupe De ville to race? As far a reliability goes I haven't had a problem yet, just don't try to pull any "fast and furious" type stuff and it won't blow up (or whatever people say they will do). Oh and did I mention that I get 20-25 miles to the gallon?

All in all this car has the most class, style, and luxury that I think any American car in the past fifty years has had, and I would not give it up for anything.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st November, 2005

22nd Nov 2005, 16:24

So you got the HT4100. Have any trouble with it? They're finicky powerplants, to say the least.

23rd Nov 2005, 07:32

Are these cars smooth? I mean can you glide comfortably over potholes, railroad tracks, and speed bumps? My 1997 Seville, while lacking that majestic look of older Cadillacs, was incredible smooth. I mean SILKY smooth, like glass. I remember riding one of these full bodied Cadillac when it was much newer and not being impressed by the ride at all.