1983 Cadillac DeVille from North America - Comments

Front gas shocks.

Rear air shocks.

AC Compressor.

Climate Control - Heater stuck on.

Power seat.

Power steering leak.

Transmission Leak.

Engine leak.

Master cylinder leak.

Did I mention that this car leaked a lot?

Original engine melted at 47,000 miles.

First, the positive:

This is the most comfortable car, possible ever designed. Picture two very comfortable and expensive sofas, now place one about three feet in front of the other and design a very large and heavy automombile around them. My DeVille, which had the Velour seats, was often my favorite place to take a nap on cool spring afternoons.

The body styling is classic American style. Lots of chrome, the tail lights are remnants of the old tail fins, and a carriage top. She looked like a regal old lady, proud and dignified.

OK, Now for the bad:

Cadillac tried to be high tech during this time, there was only one problem, technology sucked in 1984. The climate control system which was clearly borrowed from the Sputnik space program was either stuck on full blast AC, or Full blast heat, there was no "off" with this car.

The power seat was stuck. The wiring and switches all had to be replaced, this was more expensive than it was worth to have done. As I later found out, the power seat problem was trademark for many cadillacs of this era.

Worst of all was the engine. When driving a V-8 powered, three and a half ton mass of unholy American excess, you would expect the rear tires to be instantly turned to a puddle of molten rubber the instant that the accellerator is firmly pressed. Not with this model, Cadillac decided to use a horribly built, all aluminum (although I am convinced that it is made of thin paper) V-8 that put out an impressive 125 HP. Keep in mind, my four cylinder hatchback that I drive now puts out 130. Cadillac somehhow expected a 125 HP engine to move the twenty foot long and six thousand pound oaf with authority. The idea was that this was supposed to be a fuel efficent car, but because it was so underpowered, I had to constantly drive with the pedal slammed to the floor so any any fuel efficency that it was spposed to have was thrown out the window.

Not only was this a weak engine, it was also a terrible engine. The first one melted (yes, melted) at only 47,000 miles. The replacement, with only 22,000 miles leaked oil from every "seal" possible. As I found out from later research, the HT-4100 as it was called, was a disaster. The aluminium was of poor quality.

If you want a caddy of this body style, get one made before 1980 with the Cast-Iron 425 V8, or go 1986-91 when they used the always bulletproof Chevy V8. Otherwise, I would reccomend using the car in a demolition derby, as you will most surely win with this beast, and after the derby is over, remove the seats and place in your living room, as the stores do not sell any furniture that is as comfortable.

Check this out man,

I own an 83 cadillac coupe devile and it still has its stock 4.1 L. Last summer me and my friends drove it to Reno (For hot August nights) all the way from Sacramento. The car was running smoothly at 80 mph with the ac on. Just recently, after being stored for nearly six months, I started it and drove from Sacramento to Bakersfield. This is almost a four hour drive at 80mph also. Oh, did I mention that it only took $15 in gas? Anyways these cars were built good and built to last.

I have an 83 De ville with only 80,000 miles on it. The 4100 engine can cruse down the high way at 80 with no trouble at all. The body is perfect, and the engine couldn’t run smoother. It helps a little that I specialize in these old land yachts. I keep very good care of my De ville. I’ve removed the catalytic converter and installed duel exhaust with glass pack mufflers. I’ve added a very nice cold air intake system. I tune the engine to perfect pitch every 3500 miles. I change all of the fluids every 2000 miles, and I’ve kept the inside and the outside of this boat very clean and out of harms way. This Yacht of times long forgotten is the most luxuries and maneuverable work of art that I have ever driven. I would never trade this Cadillac in for another car as long as the good lord keeps pumping air into my lungs, and octane into my blood.

I owned a 1984 Cadillac Fleetwood Rear Wheel Drive 4100 V-8 on it's second engine when bought. Gas mileage was poor, and car was under-powered. I replaced this with a 1976 4-Dr.. De-Ville 500CID V-8 that got equal (13mpg) mileage and even with 150,00 miles was much less trouble. The older drive-train was much superior, and the 1976 was roomier and had nearly equal features compared with the 1984 model. Of the 4 Cadillacs I have owned (1967 Convertible with 429 V-8, 1973 De-Ville 4-Dr. with 472 V-8,1976 and 1984 mentioned above) I would say to anyone desiring an older Cadillac to find one with the older big-block V8, 1968 to 1976; better reliability and MUCH more power!

I just want to say they used the Olds V8 until it was fuel injected in 1990.