2nd Aug 2002, 12:53
I have a 1980 Cadillac coupe de ville and it has 95k miles on it. It has not been taken care of at all it sat for years in a parking lot and the oil has been changed many 4 times in its life. it has had no major repairs except for a replaces heater core and it runs great.
25th Jul 2004, 20:01
I have a nice plum color 1985 sedan de ville. I bought it in 2000 and had 87,000 miles on it. It was only $1900. I think the reason for the low price is due to the transmission, it seems to slip here and there. I had the car for 4 years now with 130,000 miles and the transmission is still working, basically I got my moneys worth out of it. There was a few problems with it the water pump, antenna motor when out, back air shocks (its sagging a bit) and right now my fans are not coming on, I'm not sure yet if its the fans or the fan control unit. It's a good car, its stylish for an 85 but yet it is a little sluggish, I'm not a race car driver so it doesn't matter. I'm making good money now and I'm able to buy a new car, but I'm not, I'm very happy with my cadillac
25th Aug 2004, 10:41
I bought a 87 Cadillac De ville about 2 months ago with 230,000 miles. It runs fine, but the transmission changes gears loudly. I only paid 850 for it, but it's in very good shape. The rear also sags a little. I haven't seen a model that old that doesn't sag yet.
21st Oct 2004, 15:45
I just bought a 1985 Sedan De-ville for $500.00 and invested about $500.00 in it so far. The car seems to be quite healthy and the 4.1 engine sounds real good. The problem I'm having is that in overdrive when starting to go up hills, it seems to die until I take my foot off the gas and then step on it again. When I run it in third gear it seems to go better, but still has some trouble going into passing gear and dies momentarily every now and then. What kind of problem am I experiencing? Some said that the catalytic converter was bad and others said it's probably the gas filter. I just had the air sensors installed and a tune-up. The AC is not working also.
29th Aug 2005, 20:25
Angel 85 caddy.
I just wanted to say that the 85 deville I bought is still running smooth as the day I bought it. I got it in 2004 and a year later and 162000 mile on the car the caddy is still running smooth.
20th Jun 2009, 22:00
I read all the above last night and went ahead and bought a 1985 DeVille for my daughter who will turn 16 in three weeks. It has a few problems that are common with cars this age, but the engine and trans work fine and the body is in near perfect condition. The 2 mile drive home was smooth! I can't wait to do a brake job, new rear shocks, get plates and insurance and go for a cruise! (BTW, you can legally drive a car straight home from purchasing it without plates if you have another car insured)
12th Sep 2009, 17:02
I have both a 1985, and a 1986 Cadillac Sedan DeVilles.
I've had the '85 since I was fifteen, my father bought it new. I got my '86 last year. Both cars were extremely well cared for.
Both of my Cadillacs have the HT 4100 DFI engine. I have heard some very unfortunate stories about the HT 4100, I believe this engine to be just as good as the other engines Cadillac has produced.
My '85 has 153,670 miles on it, and my '86 has 224,363 miles on it. Both cars look, run, and drive like new.
7th Apr 2010, 17:30
I have an 85 DeVille 4.1, and it has also been sitting for 4 years outside, but with a good tune up, TP sensor and a battery. It drives just fine, yet it is a GM, so it will cost some money to keep.
The A/C compressor leaks at the seal in front, so that's a pain to do, plus the fans won't come on until it gets really hot, so I will wire in a sensor with a relay to turn on the fan at 200. Plus it must be a cheaper model, since it is missing some of the Caddy stuff I usually see, like remote trunk, compass etc...
8th Apr 2010, 08:59
"This is a garbage motor and I cannot believed Cadillac survived the 80's with this motor."
- Exactly right! The 4100 almost killed Cadillac. And if it weren't for the Northstar engine, Cadillac would be gone now.
28th Aug 2010, 22:43
I own a 1984 Cadillac Eldorado. I am the second owner. The car had 47000 miles on it when I purchased it. I have owned it since 2002, and it is the one car that I will keep. It is great to look at, ride in and runs perfectly. I have all service records, and I continue to maintain the car as recommended.
The only problem is the fan control module. It seems to determine whether the compressor engages. I was told it was the A/C programmer at first, but after having it rebuilt at USA parts, the problem still exists. I am looking for a fan control module at this time, If you know of one, let us all know. When I jump the compressor directly with the battery, it engages and blows cold air into the car. HATE TO HAVE TO HAVE IT REBUILT, BECAUSE IT TAKES A WHILE. OTHERWISE THIS CAR IS GREAT.
15th Jul 2002, 02:09
I have a 1985 Sedan Deville and a 1986 Sedan Deville. They were both well taken care of previously and the oil always changed every 3000 miles. They both run wonderfully. The 1985 has 130,000 miles and the 1986 has 220,000 miles on it. A couple things have been replaced on both cars, but nothing expensive at all. All older vehicles need things done to them, and these ones didn't need much because they are well taken care of.