1986 Cadillac Brougham Fleetwood 5.0 liter V8 gas from North America

Summary:

One of the best six passenger cars ever made!

Faults:

Water pump failed after a two hour ride down to Rhode Island. I was mad, but the repair was easy to perform even without a garage. The replacement water pump was only $30 at Autozone. Considering the mileage I don't fault the water pump for failing. Especially since it seemed like it was the original one. (from the factory) Other than that just the routine oil change and light bulb replacement.

General Comments:

The only fault these cars have is that they are slow off the line. The acceleration is about as quick as a Geo Metro. However the top speed is still in excess of 110MPH. I often travel long distances at night to do deliveries around New England and my Caddy will run 90mph plus mph for an hour at a time. My fun car is a 1968 Camaro with 377 Horsepower. So I get my speed fix with that at the dragway. The Camaro does a 13.9 second 1/4 mile (400m) so I am addicted to horsepower. Usually I wouldn't like driving a car this slow at the traffic lights. The thing with the Brougham is that it's not a car about speed. It's about comfort. Myself, my girlfriend and our 11 month old baby can travel in comfort and style! I used to work in a dealership for years I've driven everything from a BMW 740 to a Lexus 430 and this is the most comfortable car out there! Back in the 70s this same car had a 7 liter V8 in it. It's only in the conservative 80s that they installed an engine two sizes too small in it. I plan on putting a big block Chevy in my Brougham in the next few months. Then I'll have a four door Musclecar for the whole family!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th November, 2004

15th May 2008, 10:20

You could swap out that 307 with a 350 oldsmobile and still use the same carb and computer. You'll need a different intake from an 80-84 307 to fit the 350 heads. Also keep in mind these cars were geared very slow. Your 86 probably has very slow 2.73:1 rear end.

1986 Cadillac Brougham D'elegance 307 cu.in. Oldsmobile from North America

Summary:

One of the better cars made in North America

Faults:

Replaced front brake rotors and pads, exhaust pipe, muffler and starter.

Driver's seat recliner broke suddenly and the seat back collapsed while driving.

Just regular maintenance after that.

General Comments:

This car only had one fault, it was seriously underpowered. The Oldsmobile engine was a welcome improvement over the previous 4.1 liter V-8 from early 80's, but a car this size still needed more power.

The handling and braking of this car were excellent, quite surprising and it had a great ride. Very comfortable, room for 6 adults and plenty of trunk space. The power steering was effortless.

All of the power accessories worked with the exception of the air conditioning.

Great car for long trips or everyday use.

There was absolutely no way this car could ever get stuck in a snow bank with its limited slip rear axle. The car tracked on snow or ice as well as it did on dry pavement, would not skid or fish tail on the worst winter roads.

The engine would start as easily on the coldest morning as it would in the summer. The engine had an absolutely dead smooth idle.

It did not burn or leak oil, even at the mileage that I had purchased it at.

The gas mileage was not all that great, but it ran on regular fuel without any complaints or knocking.

I would have kept the car longer, but I gave it to somebody who was in desperate need of replacement transportation.

It was a classic, too bad they are not in production any longer.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th February, 2004

1986 Cadillac Brougham 5.0 gas V8 from North America

Summary:

Why spend $50,000+ on a new luxury car when you can get a great one for less than $5,000?

Faults:

A/C compressor broke at 87,000 miles.

Starter had to be replaced at about 75,000 miles.

Driver's seat is very worn.

Diver's arm rest is cracked.

Bad rust on left-rear door.

General Comments:

This car is one of the most reliable cars on the road. After sitting for three years, all I had to do to start it was to replace the battery and fluids.

Though worn, the interitor is still the most comfortable I have ever been in. The rear wheel drive with electronic level ride control keeps the ride smooth in all, but the bumpiest coditions.

Though slow, and almost prohibitively large, this car is very easy to drive. Once on the highway, you can put it on cruise control, and you practically don't have to do any work to drive it! It also gets an impressive 21 mpg on the highway.

It is a very beautiful car that looks like it belongs in the early 70's. But, it is new enough that there is no shortage of parts.

It is black with a black vinyl roof, and tons of chrome. It looks and feels like a limo, though it tends to get very hot in the summer.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 31st January, 2004

1st Feb 2004, 15:42

Tint your windows, and the car won't get so hot in the summer. I dark tinted the windows on my Olds 98 and it doesn't get nearly as hot now, also protects the interior from fading and sun damage.