Considering a 91 Allante - any advice?

[cornishon]

Hi! I am considering a 91 Allante with 53K miles that I found locally. I have 2 Eldorados (68 and 73 convertible) and always wanted an Allante but it seemed too complex to maintain compared to the old caddies (heard many horror stories about ABS problems, convertible top latches motors, etc.). What made me reconsider is that the car is local one owner (an elderly gentleman), price seems right ($5K), has the hard top, and I drove it briefly on Monday and really liked it. Here's my question: I am taking the car for inspection on Friday, so what are the "top 10" trouble spots to look for? Mostly I'd like to know if there's a way to determine if the brake system (master, pump, etc) is functioning properly. When I drove the car the brake pedal seemed a bit hard compared to my Escalade, so I wonder if this is normal or a cause for concern.
Any advice will be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Pavel

[Ieradi]

Check this forum for more detailed advice but IMHO...

• Check the brake fluid - if it is clear or clean then you know someone has been maintaining the brake system.

• Check the codes in the DIC. There are instructions on the forum (FAQ) that will tell you how to access the codes.

• Ask to see the maintenance records.

At any rate, I had mine on both my cars flushed as a matter of GP.

Sounds like a nice car. Good luck and keep us posted.

[c5 rv]

The brake pedal will seem a bit hard. If you do a search, you'll find the process to test the abs. I believe it consists of pumping the brakes with the engine and key off until the brake pedal becomes rock hard. This indicates that the ABS air tank is empty. Then turn the key to on, but don't start the car. You should hear the air pump running to recharge the air tank. It should run about 25-30? seconds and then turn off. If the pump doesn't run or runs continuously, there is a (likely expensive) problem.

Be sure to remove the hardtop (if on) and make sure the convertible top is in good condition and the top & the pulldown motors function correctly. Also check that the trunk pulldown motor works OK. Verify the function of the radio, power windows, and doorlocks. Good luck. I'm partial to 91s and 92s.

[babylac89]

The '91's and the 92 Allantes are actually excellent vehicles and I think that you will be extremely pleased that you got one. That's an excellent price on a one owner low mileage vehicle. "What's not to LOVE?!!"

Chief

[DavidL]

I would agree with the above posts; the Allanté is a very complicated and sophisticated automobile; the secret to long life is continual and proper servicing. I have a '92 with hardtop; 2nd owner, and have owned it since March of 1994; had 19,000 miles on it when I bought it. It just rolled 100,000 last week; still looks and drives like a new car. I drive it year round, but never on salt/slush roads; rarely in rain.

And, for what it's worth: the 91/92 Allantés are better than the '93. The '93 had the Northstar engine, but the car was cheapened in several areas: no Recaro seats, no Bose stereo, elimination of the redundant lighting system and monitoring, door latch that was a pin type on the 92 was replaced with a much cheaper version that is not as stable and allows much more body flex when driving. I know that there is a lot of controversy among '93 owners vs. the rest of us.... To each, his own!

David

David

[cornishon]

Thanks to all who posted replies - I prepared a check list to go through and found the info on checking the ABS pump and reading the DIC codes. I'll report back tomorrow with the details!
Thanks again,
Pavel

[c5 rv]

Don't forget to take & post some pics, too.

[babylac89]

Without disparaging the Phase I and II Alantes, I really do enjoy my '93 and I love the 295HP Northstar engine. When I was shopping for an Allante 5 years ago I narrowed my swearch down to the 90.5 to the 1993. I test drove each one extensively, but when it came down to my list of priorities of comfort and a real Cadillac feel about it, I put my money down on the '93 and have NEVER regretted it. As David said..."To each his own!"

Chief

[cornishon]

Well, here's the status report. The car turned out to be mechanically sound (good engine & transmission & brakes) but terribly rusted. My mechanic thought that it might have spent most of its life in the rust belt and not garaged. When we lifted the car the floorpans looked like swiss cheese, plus some of the structural welds on the rear subframe looked like they've rusted through, not to mention the whole exhaust with paper-thin rusted pipes & muffler. I was really surprised, as by 91 most cars were fairly well rust-proofed. But, I guess if you drive over salt and then not wash underbody nothing helps. So I decided to pass on this one and wait for another opportunity. Again thanks for the advice which was very helpful!

Pavel

[c5 rv]

Remember, the cheapest part of this hobby is looking for your car.

Don't be afraid of all midwest Allantes, vettes, and other seasonal cars. Many of us use them only in the spring, summer, and fall on nice days, so they have few miles and no exposure to salt.

[cornishon]

Well said! I live in the southwest and it's heaven for old cars here. Unfortunately not too many Allante's are to be found locally, so need to widen the search. After I drove it yesterday for an hour really started liking it!
Pavel

[babylac89]

California and Florida are probably your two best sources for clean rust free 'previously enjoyed' Allantes.

Chief

[c5 rv]

Originally Posted by babylac89

California and Florida are probably your two best sources for clean rust free 'previously enjoyed' Allantes.

Chief

Unfortunately, convertibles in year-round climates are more often used as daily drivers and have higher mileage and neglect.

[wcoates]

Chief your '93 is one of the finest out there but more importantly to me is "you get it". We are in the Allante hobby together, we are not enemies of the 93s vs the rest of the world. Greg I know you've owned multiple Corvettes as have I. We would get into many debates early model, mid year, bumper cars etc etc. But to a man all years were the epitome of hobby cars. Yeh, I own an '89 but I 'taint a second class citizen. we have got to start promoting all Allantes as fun vehicles to all who will listen.

The search is part of the fun. Be ready to get on an airplane!

Originally Posted by babylac89

Without disparaging the Phase I and II Alantes,
Chief

[Ieradi]

Amen - and pass the leather conditioner!

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