1989 Cadillac Allante from North America - Comments

Rebuilt Window Motors $200

New window switches $300

rebuilt ABS Brake Accumulator $400

Replaced all Struts $900

Bose Radio needs new amps in all speakers $?

New catalytic converter $300

New Radiator

New Starter

2 alternators

New thermostat

Needs new windshield $500 ($1,500 OEM)

Electrical Problems.

Passionate, but this Italian Hottie Needs Constant Attention.

Pros: Classic timeless design, very comfortable and limited production, nice handling for front wheel drive

Cons: terrible "only car",discontinued parts, untrained dealer techs, repair costs=$$$$$

The Bottom Line: The Allante is like a pretty woman. The better you take care of her, the more fun it is to handle the curves.

Recommended: Yes.

Italian style with Detroit ala carte, this semi exotic is a lot of fun when it runs. Like a lot of Italian cars, it looks great, but often doesn't hold up in the reliability department. Even low mileage Allantes are tormented with ABS brake, electrical, and convertible top problems. Considering the cost of the car, one would expect a power top and heated seats. On the up side, people are now making a hefty profit by buying "Parts Cars" to provide for declining parts availability. I saw a wealthy celebrity whimper over repair costs. New shocks/struts $975, windshield $500, and eventually you'll probably need ABS brakes $2000. Dealers no longer train techs to repair Allantes, so work is often hit & miss. Allante owners are a very tight group, happy to share info in various web sites. In fact, I found this web site when I was searching the Internet for parts for my "89". Ultimately, this is a nice "2nd" car. In most cases, I think it would be a major mistake to have this car be your one and only. The problem is, this lady has a wandering eye for mechanics and auto parts stores.

Take it from someone in the business, buying this car as an investment is a total joke. Buy it because it's a nice Pinninfarina design, for fun to drive, anything, but an investment... unless it's in perfect low mileage condition and you plan to store it for 20 years.

I totally agree with the review. Currently, I am trying to source an electronic brake pump motor assembly for a reasonable price. The local Cadillac dealer started at $4100..came down to $3100..do any of the re-man companies have these (Standard, Raybestos, or Cardone?) If not, any recommendations for a source.. thank you..sruble@bellsouth.net.

Thank you for your reviews and comments. I have always been a big fan of the Allante style. I couldn't afford a new one so, I used to go down to the local Cadillac showroom and visit that beautiful car every couple of months.

Now, since they are all used, I can afford to own one.

I just don't think I can afford to drive it anywhere.

I have enough old projects already to throw money at.

I found a clean '89 Allante that I was going to buy today.

You just saved me thousands of dollars. Drinks are on me!

~phiz.

In response to the brakes, look up the Allante Club of America, more specifically Dick Hussey at Allantesource. com he can get you the part much cheaper.

SOOOOOOO VERY GLAD that there are sites like this to check before you make certain decisions in life. I was actually thinking of buying one of these beauties. Being totally ignorant of the gems mentioned on this site, I am afraid I would have had to re-learn that of many of the beauties in this life, their beauty is only skin deep. Rotten underneath... and expensive too. Sounds like the Allante fits the bill. Thanks for the warning. Ixnay on this adillac-cay.

June 4th 2006

1989 Allante with 107,000 last month power antenna, drivers window switch, radio receiver, $585.00 This is a well cared for car which is bitten by the same bugs as most no matter how well you care for it. I love the car, but you are right it is not for someone who depends on it daily for there only means of transportation. The electrical system is full of ghost and displays erroneous messages from time to time. I do like the gas mileage at 21mpg in town. Can't believe when the car was new buyers had to pay a gas guzzler tax. I must say after owing 3 of these cars the 89 is much better than the 87-88 as the engine was upgraded to the 4.5L and has a different rear gear ratio and the 4.5L is more powerful and much more reliable.

Guys

do not lose sight of many many many places to buy allante parts.. eg "I am parting out"...just do your homework and

S E A R C H..

America STILL offers opportunities...search..

Ya I know you do not have the time, but do you have the money for crazy prices??

Cadillac Allante? Aside its skin beauty, what is there to like? I ended up with two.. wait.. one to drive twice a month (if I can getting running), the 2nd one for parts to keep the 1st one running. What an embarrassment for GM this car must be. Reputation is catching up fast, price of these cars is tumbling fast, in the past two years, the '93 models have gone from $20k to $5k, the earlier models can now be found for $1,000. The interesting part is that their little group keeps trying to promote value and is dumping them before their value drops to nothing. What is wrong with these cars? The electrical system is a ghost metropolis. You fix one item, another pops up. Parts are now available as so many are being sent to the junkyards, but be ready to pay.. like $400 for a headlight, $1,000 for a brake master cyl. EXPENSIVE way to brag. Buy yourself a real Ferrari, it will be cheaper in the long run. You think I am kidding? Check their site.

Http://www.cadillacforum.com/forumid_44/tt.htm.