Best Allante to buy?

[G.A.R.Y.]

Originally Posted by ld00deville

Im looking for one now too, Looks like 92 is the best to buy from what I have read..........

I'm not trying to screw you up, however I had a 92 and a 93. I sold the 92 and kept the 93 for 14 years. If you have time and money and are mechanically inclined and THINK that the 92 may be worth more in the future then go for it. I don't believe that any of them will be collectibles however from what I have read and heard the 93 has the best chance.

[Stealth]

The question of collectivity will not be answered in a very long time.

however .. let me add some comments ..

PHASE-I Allante -
- The Allante 4100 engine is darn good, better, more reliable, and more powerful than any of the other 4100 engines in the Cadillac fleet.
- The transmissions aint so hot, a solenoid can bring the car to a halt. Solenoids are no longer avail.
- The floppy visors issue is enough for me to recommend against the Phase-I cars. I learned to hate that about my car, I removed mine in frustration.
- The soft top quirks is also enough for me to recommend against the Phase-I cars. A huge pain in the a** if you use the soft top.

PHASE-II Allante -
- The 4500 engine is cheap to replace and cheap to repair .. and powerful - for some unk reason, GM underrated it at 200 hp.
- The transmissions kits are available.
- These cars still have the full range of electronics, on-board diagnostics, technology.
- If you like KP-Recaro seats, the 1992 is the end of the line. After that, you have to go to MB, Lexus, BMW or others to find them.
- If you understand the Bosch III ABS, the fastest stopping ABS in the auto industry, the 1992 is the end of the line and it has the added TRACTION CONTROL.

PHASE-III Allante -
- The Allante Northstar is NOT cheap to replace or to repair .. and powerful at 295 hp, properly rated.
- The car has less electronics, some think that is a plus. I for one, do not agree.
- If you like Seville seats and stereo, that is what you get here.
- Has the Seville ABS
- OEM soft top strikers fail to hold the top .. there is a replacement recall. Check, replace if needed.

On the street, driving with a 4500 or a Northstar, insignificant differences .. the differences show up at the top end of speed. We know the Northstar Allante will exceed 150 mph, the 4500 Allante will not.

if you get a 1993 ...
1. get a 1993 V4J .. I for one, would not touch an early pre-v4j .. How do YOU tell? Open the trunk, go into the spare compartment, there is a label ( Service Parts Identification ) to the left .. with a bunch of codes .. look for the V4J code.
2. I would not touch a 1993 Allante without a full compression test and verification of headgaskets AND proof that the recalls on the heads and plenum have been applied. NOT with a 10 ft pole. An engine repair can and often exceeds the value of the car.




In case it was missed, read a couple posts above, the mentioning of the " Allante XYZ facts " ...














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[Edahall]

I have a 1987 and 1993 Allante and the brake system on the 87 is much superior to the 93. The 93 brake system is a disappointment on a car of this caliber. If you have to make a panic stop and you stomp on the brakes, the brake pedal feels like it is attached to a shock absorber and there is a slight delay. Whether you push very hard on the brakes or push with less force, it takes the same time for the brake pedal to go down and engage.
My 88 Eldorado also does the same thing so I believe it's the technology, not a faulty system. They should have used at least a hydroboost system. My 82 diesel Suburban has this and there is no delay or mushiness like my 93 or 88 Eldorado. I bet in a panic stop from 30 mph, I could stop faster with my 82 Diesel Suburban.

The 1993 Northstar engine is also plagued with head gasket problems. The root cause of the problem is has been traced to poor aluminum material that corrodes over time which then causes the head bolts to pull out of the block. Many times, the bolt holes are so badly corroded that the whole block has to be scrapped. If you're lucky though, timeserts can be used but this at best is a bad aid. Anyways, the best thing a Northstar owner can do to slow down the oxidation process is to change the coolant very frequently. But even this doesn't guarantee that one is not going to have the problem. It's just a matter of time before the head bolts will pull out from the block.

But overall, I'm a happy owner of my 1993 Allante. I bought it used and for much less money than the new price so I'm willing to accept these deficiencies. When the head gasket goes, I'll probably part the car.

[Stealth]

Originally Posted by Edahall

I have a 1987 and 1993 Allante and the brake system on the 87 is much superior to the 93. The 93 brake system is a disappointment on a car of this caliber. If you have to make a panic stop and you stomp on the brakes, the brake pedal feels like it is attached to a shock absorber and there is a slight delay. Whether you push very hard on the brakes or push with less force, it takes the same time for the brake pedal to go down and engage.
My 88 Eldorado also does the same thing so I believe it's the technology, not a faulty system. They should have used at least a hydroboost system. My 82 diesel Suburban has this and there is no delay or mushiness like my 93 or 88 Eldorado. I bet in a panic stop from 30 mph, I could stop faster with my 82 Diesel Suburban.

The 1993 Northstar engine is also plagued with head gasket problems. The root cause of the problem is has been traced to poor aluminum material that corrodes over time which then causes the head bolts to pull out of the block. Many times, the bolt holes are so badly corroded that the whole block has to be scrapped. If you're lucky though, timeserts can be used but this at best is a bad aid. Anyways, the best thing a Northstar owner can do to slow down the oxidation process is to change the coolant very frequently. But even this doesn't guarantee that one is not going to have the problem. It's just a matter of time before the head bolts will pull out from the block.

But overall, I'm a happy owner of my 1993 Allante. I bought it used and for much less money than the new price so I'm willing to accept these deficiencies. When the head gasket goes, I'll probably part the car.

read the other thread .. "selling off the 1993 models"

[Thomas Carey]

Originally Posted by Playdrv4me

It seems almost like there are two camps with the Allante, those that are on the 87-92 side of the fence, and those that are on the 93 side. Many argue that in typical GM fashion, GM "cheapened" the Allante in its final year of production despite giving the wonderful Northstar engine. For example the pre 93 has the true expensive Recaro seats where the 93 has the standard GM issue softies. Wheel caps on the 93 are plastic where they might be metal on those before... Honestly? I dont think it really matters.

The difference of the Northstar is enough to make up for those small differences IMO. Additionally, the interior and some of the exterior of the 93 just LOOKS more modern and pleasing to the eye in some respects. Those seats for example, despite being regular GM seats, are more modern looking and really the truth is overall its the same great car. My preference (not that it matters), a 1993 in White Diamond with Chrome Wheels. Hell yes.

Another point on Allantes, they seem to be GAINING value rather than losing it like most domestic cars of the same era. Check THIS out, this car may be in tip-top shape, but this guy is asking 34 grand for it, rediculous, but someone just might pay it.

I have always liked this model and seeing that the prices are getting pretty low on some of those I think I might look for a '93. The Northstar makes all the difference to me.

Best Regards,

Thomas Carey

[Stealth]

Originally Posted by Thomas Carey

I have always liked this model and seeing that the prices are getting pretty low on some of those I think I might look for a '93. The Northstar makes all the difference to me.

Best Regards,

Thomas Carey

Advice on a 1993 Cadillac Allante ?

Buy a later V4J model (code in spare well). The pre-V4J I would strongly advice against, expect for parts or buy very cheap (under $4,000).
Check the coolant .. if you spot gel/mud like material, run away .. dont walk.
DO a Compression test, check headgasket integrity
Review the maintenance record.
Inspect the $2,000 tail lights, INTERNALLY for melting or cracks (moisture issues).
Inspect the $600 headlights for cracks and moisture issues.
Inspect the $800 Digital Dash.
Codes .. codes .. codes.
Buy a 60,000 to 150,000 mile car.
stay away from the 20,000 to 30,000 mile garage queens.
Dont pay over $6,000.
Do the rest of the standard inspections.

But more important, dont get caught up in the misguided ideas of some
Allante owners with claims of $25,000 values .. The 1993s are being traded
more than any other model year, CHEAP .. the old timers website gurus
owning 1993 models are selling them off - those are facts. You can ask why,
you will get a lot or rationals but at the end it doesnt change the fact,
the 1993 Allante cars are being dumped. Most mint like 1993s are going for
under $9,000 . some well below that.

And so are the 1987 1988 1989 1990 1990.5 1991 1992 models, just at a slower rate.
More 1993 Allante cars are sold / traded than all of the other 6 year models put together.

As gasoline goes over $4 / gallon and heads for the $5 by Thanksgiving, expect more of these
cars to go on sale. This morning, 91 octane fuel was $4.13 in So Ca .. 87 octane $3.86

All in all, I found around 700 Allante cars FOR-SALE in one week period ..
it is NOT a typo .. I found 700+ Allante cars FOR-SALE ...
Where to LOOK?

craigslist.com
YAKAZ.com
Autotrader.com
Ebay.com










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[Stealth]

Allante cars to buy?
read this:

http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums...here-sale.html (The time to buy a Cadillac Allante is here - FOR-SALE ? L@@K in CRAIGSLIST .. buyt !)




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